Abstract:
A crawler-dozer has a track assembly that includes an idler wheel with an elastomeric ring extending around its outer surface. The ring is continuous, having no breaks in its periphery that permit it to fall off. The ring is not held onto the idler wheel by fasteners but by being force fit on or molded around the periphery of the idler wheel. The ring may be inhomogeneous, having different hardnesses or having reinforcing materials embedded in an elastomeric matrix.
Abstract:
An idler for supporting the forward end of an endless track of a track-type tractor has an endless chain resiliently supported on an outer flange of the idler hub. An outer surface of the chain provides a substantially continuous bearing surface for supporting the endless track on the idler.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tire wheel assembly 4 for tracked vehicles 1 has a unique rim assembly 8 for dual wheel mounting. The rim assembly has a pair of annular rims 6 connected by a plurality of laterally extending spokes 10,20 or 30. The spokes 10,20 or 30 enable mud and debris to pass preventing the accumulation of debris, mud, or snow between the wheel and the track.
Abstract:
A track roller assembly supports and guides the link rails of the endless track of a track-type vehicle as the endless track travels along the ground. Contact between the link rails and the roller assembly is at the tread portion of the roller. A replaceable tread ring on the roller tread portion has a non-metallic outer tread portion which contacts the link rails. The tread ring is held in place by a replaceable flange plate. A separate seal plate holds the various seals in place when the flange plate is removed for replacement of the tread ring or the flange plate. Conventional track roller assemblies have non-replaceable flange plates and metal tread portions which produce considerable wear on the mating link rails. The subject roller assembly prolongs the useful life of the link rails and provides an easily replaceable flange plate and tread ring.
Abstract:
A track-type vehicle, such as a crawler tractor, comprises a pair of endless tracks mounted on either side thereof. Each of the tracks is entrained over a drive sprocket at its rearward end and over an idler at its forward end. The idler comprises a hub having a plurality of arcuate rim segments releasably attached on an annular flange thereof to define annular, track-engaging bearing surfaces. Each of the segments may be attached to the idler at a circumferentially disposed tongue and groove arrangement and an elastomeric cushioning and noise damping means may be disposed between each segment and the flange. One or more of the segments may be replaced in situ by merely moving the vehicle to expose the same.
Abstract:
A wheel for carrying continuous track of crawler type vehicles has a set of spaced pairs of inner and outer panel members that are connected together through vibration barriers. One of the inner or outer panels is formed of a laminate.
Abstract:
An idler wheel assembly for a track-type machine includes a circular body, and a sound dampening member. The circular body includes a central hub portion, an annular flange portion integral with the central hub portion, and a circumferential rim portion to define an annular cavity along with the central hub portion and the annular flange portion. The sound dampening member disposed in the annular cavity and a retainer plate positioned adjacent to the sound dampening member.