Applying an Auxiliary Drive System to Earthmoving Equipment for Increased Productivity

The productivity of mobile industrial equipment can be increased by applying an auxiliary drive system to non-powered wheels, especially where tractive conditions are limited or variable. A unique auxiliary drive system has been applied to the front wheels of John Deere motor graders to increase tractive effort and directional stability. The system is hydraulically-driven and electronically-controlled and could be applied to several types of mobile industrial equipment.