International Transmissions Limited launch soft engaged differential lock International Transmissions Limited, manufacturers of axles, transmissions and integrated drivelines including engine, launches a 100% differential lock. International Transmissions Limited will complete the first stage of implementing hydraulic soft engaging differential locks across its axle range. ITL will offer this facility across its 6 to 12 tonne capacity dynamic load range of axles. This new soft engaged differential lock was launched in the last quarter of 2000. The development answers the special needs of forestry machine OEMs and agricultural machine manufacturers. In serving these markets, where ITL axles and transmissions have proved both robust and rugged, it is a natural development and of particular use in boggy terrain. In real life, once a machine's wheel has lost traction in heavy ground and is spinning, the operator activates the cab-mounted differential lock switch, thereby preventing the differential from working. On one side of the differential is housed a clutch pack and a hydraulically operated piston. When the piston is pressurised it will clamp the clutch pack and prevent the side gear from rotating separately to the differential case, but only as a whole, thereby locking up the differential completely. The soft engaged differential lock equalises the torque on both sides of the machine and relays power equally to both sets of wheels as it effectively turns the axle into a single shaft drive by preventing the two half shafts from rotating independently. The effect of the locked axle is to enable the operator to pull the vehicle out of mud and uneven ground. For further information and details on compatibility with your machine, please contact David Meal at International Transmissions Limited on 01978 661140 or sales@itl-trans.co.uk |