STEERING ASSIST FOR A REAR CASTER WHEEL ON A WORK MACHINE

摘要

A steering arrangement for a work machine includes a frame, at least one caster wheel assembly carried by the frame, at least one turn assist cylinder, and a turn assist arrangement. Each turn assist cylinder is coupled between the frame and a corresponding caster wheel assembly. The turn assist arrangement includes a steering assembly, a steering assist valve and a transfer gear. The steering assembly includes an output gear which is positionable dependent upon an operator commanded degree of turn. The output gear has exterior teeth. The steering assist valve is configured to selectively operate at least one turn assist cylinder and thereby bias a corresponding caster wheel assembly during an operator commanded turn. The steering assist valve includes an input gear with exterior teeth. The transfer gear includes a first set of peripheral teeth enmeshed with the output gear and a second set of peripheral teeth enmeshed with the input gear. The transfer gear pivots about a common pivot point. The first set of peripheral teeth and the second set of peripheral teeth are each at a common radius from the common pivot point on opposite sides of the transfer gear.