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Operation
Independent Cross Axle Auto Steering
Common Information
On the Tandem Cross Axle units, the front axle is always fixed, the rear axle is always steering.
On the Tridem Cross Axle units, the center axle is always fixed, the front and rear axles are always
steering. The cross axle system uses a ball-jointed mechanical link in the front of the axle to align and
assure the left and right tires work in concert with proper toe-in and maintain tire alignment during
travel. Each steering axle also includes one control cylinder to go forward. During forward travel the
steering system does not require hydraulic power from tractor. The control cylinder is used to back up
empty with all steering locked in the center position. Hydraulic power from the tractor is required and
the control lever should be engaged while backing up only.
Suspension Hydraulics
Each side of the unit uses vertical 5" bore by 14" cylinders; two cylinders on each axle both fixed and
steering. The cylinders transfer the load from the frame to the axle both on two or three axle units. The
axles are attached to the frame by four parallel links, 2 at each side of each axle. The links stabilize the
axles; they do not carry any weight. On the left side of the machine, each cylinder upper end is
connected to the next one. This is similar whether it is a two or three axle unit. The circuit is closed once
charged. The oil can flow from any of the cylinder base-ends to the one next on the same side and
equalize the load permitting the axles to move up or down to negotiate the ground variation and field
approaches. The fast oil flow between the cylinders assures that each tire carries the same load as the
next tire without spikes. The cylinder's base-end on the left side of the unit DO NOT connect to the
cylinder's base-end on the right side. The suspension system on the left carries 50% of the load the
suspension system on the right carry 50% of the load. The weight is not shared left to right of the unit.
The rod end of all the suspension cylinders are all connected to a low pressure oil source to keep them
full for seal lubrication and then the valve is closed.
Suspension Limits
Care must be taken to travel where the suspension system will not be pushed beyond its limits. Each tire
can move up or down 7" from its center position. Do not exceed these limits or damage to the units will
occur. Promote a safe operation and do not go through ditches, guard against irrigation pivot tracks, they
can be deep.
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