DISCONNECTABLE 6X4 TANDEM AXLE AND METHOD OF OPERATION

摘要

A disconnectable axle for a tandem axle vehicle which allows a user to selectively switch between 6x2 and 6x4 axle driving mode. The forward tandem axle system has a forward tandem axle housing with a through shaft (112) extending through a housing cover (104). The through shaft is then connected to a tubular coupling device (178) that is slidably engagable with a coupling shaft (144) by extending or retracting a piston (218). The piston moves a shift shaft (228) that is connected to a shifting fork which in turn moves the tubular coupling device (178) to either engage or disengage the coupling shaft (144). A first inter axle differential side gear (168) is then attached to the opposite end of the coupling shaft. The tandem axle vehicle further includes a rear tandem axle system that may include one or more sliding clutches. The forward tandem axle system may further include a synchronous shifting device that engages the through shaft.