Equipment World

July 2017

Equipment World Digital Magazine

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July 2017 | EquipmentWorld.com 28 down to the D3K2. Automatic Trac- tion Control flowed the other way, first as a standard feature on the D3K2, D4K2 and D5K2 models and quickly progressing up to the D6. A similar system is found on the D7E. Undercarriage improvements Refinement continues in under- carriages. The goal is to improve performance and reduce costs by reducing wear and extending re- placement intervals. Undercarriages have been around a long time, so improvements come not from fixing a basic design flaw in one area but rather making subtler changes in all areas, from physical dimensions to metallurgy to lubrication. The effect of many smaller changes can add up to significant savings. Case Construction Equipment widened the track frames, track roll- ers, carrier rollers and idlers on all their M Series dozers and made im- provements to the guards and track guides. Modifications to carrier roller brackets and recoil spring housings provide more clearance around the rollers to reduce mud buildup. Some larger models have an upgraded sprocket design with relief to force mud out from the track chain and sprocket, reducing wear and track popping. Standard on all Case M Series doz- ers are the Sealed and Lubricated Track (SALT) HD tracks, which are designed to increase track life by up to 20 percent. Track frames are tuned to reduce vibration during op- eration and to reduce noise for the operator by about 20 percent. Additional modifications to the undercarriages of Case's three larg- est models (the 127-horsepower 1150M, the 150-horsepower 1650M and the 214-horsepower 2050M) provide additional strength, reduce the number of parts and help re- duce carrier roller deflections, says the company. New rock guards, a recoil system and a central grease point for the pivot shaft and equal- izer beam have also been added. "The undercarriage is second only to fuel in O&O costs," says Max Winemiller, Case product manager, "so improvements here can have a big impact on the cus- tomer's profitability." Liebherr offers free-turning bush- ings on their PR 716 Litronic dozer, which extends bushing service life on soft, abrasive ground, such as sand. Chain links and rollers have additional wear material, further supporting longer service life. In areas with impact loads, such as machine matters | continued Deere says electronics allow performance charac- teristics to be set to match operator preferences, soil type and application. The company's Total Machine Control monitor lets an operator select such features as forward and reverse ground speed ranges, steering modulation and decel pedal mode and response.

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