Lesson 3: Power Train Drive Systems
Lesson 3: Power Train Drive Systems
POWER TRAIN DRIVES
• GEAR DRIVES
- Planetary
- Countershaft
- Bevel and Pinion
• FLUID DRIVES
- Hydraulic Coupling
- Hydrostatic
Fig. 1.3.1 Basic Power Train Components
Introduction
This lesson covers the types of gear drives and fluid drives used in
the power train. Gear drives commonly used in the power train
include planetary gears, countershaft gears and bevel and pinion
gears. Fluid drives commonly used in the power train include the
hydraulic coupling and the hydrostatic drive.
Objectives
After completing this lesson the student will be able to demonstrate
an understanding of gear drives, including planetary gears,
countershaft gears and bevel and pinion gears, and fluid drives
commonly used in power trains by selecting the proper responses on
the quiz.
Reference Materials
Student Workbook
970F Wheel Loader Power Train SENR6627-01 p. 87-96
Unit 1 1-3-2 Power Train I
Lesson 3
Fig. 1.3.2 Planetary Gear Set
Gear Drives
Planetary gear sets are used in transmissions, torque dividers and
final drives. Planetary gear sets are so named because their operation
resembles a small solar system. Figure 1.3.2 illustrates the
components of the planetary gear set. Planetary gears (1) are also
called planet gears, pinions and idler gears. Sun gear (4) is also
called a center gear. Around the sun gear (4), two or more planetary
gears (1) rotate in constant mesh with the sun gear. The planetary
gears are mounted in a carrier (2) and rotate on their own axes while
rotating around the sun gear. The planetary gears are also in constant
mesh with the inside teeth of a larger ring gear (3) that surrounds the
planetary assembly.
With planetary gear sets, different gear ratios are achieved by driving
and holding the three different members of the system. When one
member is driven and one is held, the third member becomes the
power output. For example, if the sun gear is driven and the ring
gear is held stationary, the smaller gears in the carrier will be forced
to "walk" around the ring gear in the same direction as the sun gear.
The carrier will rotate at a slower speed in low gear ratio.
If the planet carrier is driven and the ring gear is held the small
planetary gears in the carrier walk around the ring gear and force the
sun gear to rotate in the same direction. The sun gear rotates at a
higher speed.
If the planet carrier is held and the sun gear is driven, the planetary
gears in the carrier rotate in the opposite direction to the sun gear and
force the ring gear to turn in reverse. Many variations of the
planetary system are used to achieve an infinite range of output
torque and driven speed ratios.
Unit 1 1-3-3 Power Train I
Lesson 3
BENEFITS OF PLANETARY GEAR SETS
• Compact Design with Many Variations in a Small Assembly
• More Teeth in Mesh for Smoother Transfer of Power
• Load on Gears is Balanced
• Infinite Gear Ratio Selections
Fig. 1.3.3 Benefits of the Planetary Gear Set
Benefits of the Planetary Gear Set
Benefits of the planetary gear set include a compact design with
many variations in a small assembly. More teeth are in mesh for
smoother power transfer and the load on the gears is balanced. The
planetary gear set also provides an infinite number of gear ratio
selections. They are, however, heavier and more expensive than
other drive systems.
Unit 1 1-3-4 Power Train I
Lesson 3
Fig. 1.3.4 Planetary Transmission
Fig. 1.3.5 Planetary Final Drive
Planetary Transmission and Planetary Final Drive
The planetary transmission in Figure 1.3.4 and the planetary final
drive in Figure 1.3.5 are two examples of the planetary gear set used
in the power train.
Unit 1 1-3-5 Power Train I
Lesson 3
REVERSE
IDLER SHAFT
POWER
FROM INPUT
ENGINE SHAFT
POWER
OUTPUT TO
SHAFT DIFFERENTIAL
2ND 3RD
1ST REVERSE GEAR GEAR
GEAR GEAR
Fig. 1.3.6 Countershaft Gear Set
Countershaft gears are used mainly in manual and power shift
transmissions. Countershaft gear sets (Figure 1.3.6) allow one set of
gears to be shifted without disturbing the other gear ratios. The gears
are mounted on parallel shafts. The direction of power cannot be
changed unless an idler gear is added to the countershaft gear set.
One gear on a shaft drives another gear on a second shaft. A
countershaft gear set can be equipped with several gears and shafts to
achieve different speeds.
Fig. 1.3.7 Countershaft Transmission
Countershaft Transmission
Advantages of the countershaft gear set include fewer parts and less
weight. A countershaft gear set is generally less expensive than a
planetary gear set.
Unit 1 1-3-6 Power Train I
Lesson 3
Fig. 1.3.8 Countershaft (Bull Gear) Final Drive
Countershaft (Bull Gear) Final Drive
The countershaft transmission in Figure 1.3.7 and the bull gear final
drive in Figure 1.3.8 are two examples of the countershaft gear set
used in the power train.
Fig. 1.3.9 Bevel and Pinion Gear Set
Bevel and Pinion Gear Set
The bevel and pinion gear set (Figure 1.3.9) consists of a bevel gear
and a pinion gear. The gear shafts are at right angles to each other.
The bevel and pinion gear set is used for changing the direction of
power. The pinion gear drives the bevel gear. Each gear is tapered
for correct meshing of the gear teeth. The bevel gear set allows the
power flow to "turn a corner."
Unit 1 1-3-7 Power Train I
Lesson 3
Fig. 1.3.10 Bevel Gear Set in Track-type Tractor
Fig. 1.3.11 Bevel Gear Set in Wheel Machines
Bevel Gear Set in Wheel Machines
The bevel and pinion gears are a matched set. The bevel gear set in
Figure 1.3.10 is used in Track-type Tractors to transfer power from
the transmission to the final drive. The bevel gear set in Figure
1.3.11 is used in wheel machines to transfer power from the
transmission to the differential. Note that the bevel gear in wheel
machines is part of the differential assembly.
Unit 1 1-3-8 Power Train I
Lesson 3
HYDRAULIC HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION FINAL
ENGINE OR
PUMP MOTOR DRIVE
DIFFERENTIAL
HYDRAULIC CONNECTION
HYDRAULIC FINAL
MOTOR DRIVE
ENGINE HYDRAULIC
PUMP
HYDRAULIC FINAL
MOTOR DRIVE
Fig. 1.3.12 Basic Hydrostatic Drive System
Fluid Drives
Fluid drives are another method of transferring power from the
engine to the ground. Fluid, rather than gears, transfers power from
the engine to the transmission or hydraulic drive motors.
The two types of fluid drives are the hydrostatic drive system and the
hydraulic coupling. The basic hydrostatic drive system consists of a
hydraulic pump, lines and motor (s). The hydraulic coupling or
impeller/turbine provides a hydraulic connection between the engine
and transmission. The hydraulic coupling performs the same task as
a mechanical clutch but uses hydraulic oil flow rather than friction
discs to transfer power.
In a hydrostatic drive system (Figure 1.3.12), lines join a pump and a
motor in a closed hydraulic loop. The pump is the central part of a
hydrostatic drive. It changes mechanical energy into fluid energy.
Lines carry the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the motor and
low-pressure fluid from the motor back to the pump.
The motor converts the fluid energy to mechanical work. The motor
is connected to the part of the equipment that performs the
mechanical work of propelling the machine. Depending on the type
of machine, this may be the final drives at the wheels, the differential
or the transmission.
Hydrostatic drives offer an infinite range of speeds and provide a
relatively simple means of getting power to the ground.
Unit 1 1-3-9 Power Train I
Lesson 3
Fig. 1.3.13 902 Wheel Loader
Fig. 1.3.14 LEXION Combine
The 902 Wheel Loader shown in Figure 1.3.13 and the LEXION
Combine in Figure 1.3.14 are examples of machines with hydrostatic
drive systems.
Unit 1 1-3-10 Power Train I
Lesson 3
Fig. 1.3.15 Hydraulic Coupling
Hydraulic Coupling
In a hydraulic coupling or impeller turbine drive (Figure 1.3.15), the
impeller and turbine are placed close together in an enclosed housing
filled with oil. The impeller is the driving member while the turbine
is driven. Engine power spins the impeller. The impeller acts as a
pump to push fluid toward the turbine. The swirling fluid pushes the
blades on the turbine making it turn. The turbine is connected to the
power output.
An impeller is bowl-shaped and filled with oil. As it spins, the
impeller produces centrifugal force that causes the oil to spill over the
outside edge of the bowl. The turbine, which is also bowl-shaped, is
placed over the impeller so the fluid from the impeller flows into the
turbine. The impact force of the fluid transfers torque from the
impeller to the turbine. The principles at work in transferring torque
through fluids are called "hydrodynamics." Hydrodynamics is the
dynamics of incompressible fluids in motion.
Fluids in a hydrodynamic drive allow torque to be transferred with
less impact than in a mechanical gear or chain drive. The more
gradual transfer of power places less strain on the drive line allowing
for longer machine life.
Unit 1 1-3-11 Power Train I
Lesson 3
Fig. 1.3.16 Track-type Tractor
Track-type Tractor
Fluid couplings such as torque converters operate on hydrodynamics.
Torque converters can be found in most machines (Figure 1.3.16)
with power shift transmissions.
Unit 1 -1- Power Train I
Student Copy Lab 1.3.1
Student Copy: Lab 3.1.1: Power Train
LAB 1.3.1: POWER TRAIN
Lab 1
Tooling Required:
1 1P0510 DRIVER GP
1 2P8312 PLIERS
1 8T0461 SERVICEMAN’S TOOL KIT
2 6V2156 LINK BRACKET
Lab Objective: The student will demonstrate the ability to correctly disassemble, inspect and
reassemble a 970F torque converter.
Directions: Disassemble and assemble 970F torque converter, using pages 87 – 96 of SENR6627-01
970F Wheel Loader Power.
