1950 Allis-Chalmers bulldozer converted to tree harvester - photos

[suther51]

In college I asked the heavy eqp teacher what the purpose of high drive was an the teacher did not remember. I have always wondered. Is it to keep the sprocket out of the dirt just a bit more?

Eric

[Frank S]

In college I asked the heavy eqp teacher what the purpose of high drive was an the teacher did not remember. I have always wondered. Is it to keep the sprocket out of the dirt just a bit more?

Eric

Eric; cat came out with their high drive so they do do away with the type of final reduction gearing required to allow ground clearance for the dozers which was a single small gear driving a larger gear and the steering clutches By going to the high drive a planetary final reduction drive system could be used which allows for a much higher transmittal or power other considerations were this now raised the drive sprockets out of the muck and rocks associated with moving dirt reducing wear on not only the drive sprockets but the track links as well. the undercarriage could now have slightly more independent vertical travel as well, the wishbone pivot with the high drive is much stronger than having the undercarriage pivot around the old final drive system so there were many advantages to going to the high drive system