Analytical Evaluation of Impact Loads on Oscillating Rear Axle of Wheel Loaders

Wheel Loaders are heavy equipment machines which are used in construction fields. The main structure of a wheel Loader has a front and a rear bogie, connected through articulating pin joints. The wheel loaders have two axles viz. front and rear axles carrying its Front and Rear bogies. The front axle carrying front frame is fixed and articulates clockwise and anticlockwise about rear frame. However, to reduce the spillage of material carried in bucket while travelling in uneven terrains, the rear axle is designed to oscillate along the roll direction of vehicle movement. The rear axle is connected to rear frame with bearing hub called axle oscillation hub having separate shaft arrangement with tapered roller bearings (TRB). When machine operates in uneven terrain, the oscillating rear axle hits the rear frame structure which induces an impact load on vehicle structure. Mass and speed of the vehicle play a critical role in loader stability and safety. Apart from these, the impact force caused due to the rear axle hitting the vehicle frame influences the durability of the structural components. This paper explains the study on predicting the relationship between machine operating mass, vehicle speed and axle hitting loads. The study also focuses on determining the steps for selecting both structural and stopper components based on prediction of impact loads induced on wheel loaders during rear axle oscillation.