equipment wheel loads

[AKDV]

I am designing a slab on grade that needs to support a Cat 966H loader. I have operating weight, wheel base etc. but I cannot seem to find an unloaded center of gravity for the equipment. I need to determine axle loads to calc wheel loads for the design. Any suggestions?

 

[racookpe1978]

Well, their catalog said little:
Weights
Operating Weight 23 698 kg 52,254 lb
• For 4.25 m^3
(5.5 yd^3) general purpose bucket with BOCE

The 52,000 was a filled load, and the "Operating Specifications" call for a

Static Tipping Load, Full Turn 34,120 lb
Breakout Force 42,300 lb

from :

http://xml.catmms.com/servlet/ImageServlet?imageId=C305847

so I'd guess you have to use the heavier load - unless you can absolutely guarantee that nobody is going to drive with a loaded bucket over the slab. Ever.
Worse case, i'd drive one at the Cat dealer over a truck scale with the front wheels, then with the rear wheels. Then do it again with the bucket extended full out: front and back wheels again. If the bucket is empty, and the bucket is not extended, then the most weight (2/3 maybe ?) is from the engine and frame and will be on the rear wheels.

 

[bootlegend]

I've always taken the tipping load and the weight of the machine and assumed both of those are carried on only the front wheels at the moment of tipping.

 

[AKDV]

Thanks,
After much research I ended up using bootlegend's method.

 

[racookpe1978]

Well, that's true: Worst case will be a fully loaded, tipping forward so all of the weight is divided between the two front wheels.

But is that a realistic load for the slab in question based on the position of the slab in the work area? In other words, although that is a worst case load, will you end up building a slab for a load twice the "nominal weight" of a loaded machine balanced on 4 tires?

 

[Guest262653]

Makes perfect sense to me and looks absolutely realistic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OLYdMV5nCo