Abstract: An improved suspension system for a track-driven work vehicle includes a roller beam and at least one roller wheel assembly coupled to the roller beam. The roller wheel assembly includes an inboard roller shaft, an inboard roller wheel coupled to the inboard roller shaft, an outboard roller shaft, and an outboard roller wheel coupled to the outboard roller shaft. Additionally, the roller wheel assembly includes a pivot mechanism coupling the inboard roller shaft to the outboard roller shaft.

Abstract: An improved suspension system for a track-driven work vehicle includes a main undercarriage support beam and a rear suspension assembly provided in operative association with the main undercarriage support beam. In one embodiment, the rear suspension assembly includes a rear rocker arm that pivotably couples both a rear idler wheel and a separate rear roller wheel of the system to the main undercarriage support beam.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a face seal may generally include positioning a machining device relative to the face seal such that the face seal is compressed between a machining surface of the machining device and a support member on which the face seal is supported. In addition, the method may include removing material from a seal flange of the face seal using the machining device while the face seal remains compressed between the machining device and the support member and monitoring a compressive load applied through the face seal as material is being removed from the seal flange. Moreover, the method may include adjusting the operation of the machining device to prevent further removal of material from the seal flange when the monitored compressive load is equal to a predetermined load setting.

Abstract: An improved suspension system for a track-driven work vehicle includes a main undercarriage support beam and a rear suspension assembly provided in operative association with the main undercarriage support beam. In one embodiment, the rear suspension assembly includes a rear rocker arm that pivotably couples both a rear idler wheel and a separate rear roller wheel of the system to the main undercarriage support beam.

Abstract: An improved suspension system for a track-driven work vehicle includes a roller beam and at least one roller wheel assembly coupled to the roller beam. The roller wheel assembly includes an inboard roller shaft, an inboard roller wheel coupled to the inboard roller shaft, an outboard roller shaft, and an outboard roller wheel coupled to the outboard roller shaft. Additionally, the roller wheel assembly includes a pivot mechanism coupling the inboard roller shaft to the outboard roller shaft.

Abstract: A steerable drive axle for a tracked work vehicle may generally include an axle body extending lengthwise between first and second ends and an axle support assembly pivotally coupled to one of the first end or the second end of the axle body. The axle support assembly may include an inboard support member configured to extend at least partially along an inboard side of a drive wheel of the tracked work vehicle, an outboard support member configured to extend at least partially along an outboard side of the drive wheel, and a non-rotating planetary carrier extending lengthwise between an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard end may be coupled to the inboard support member and the outboard end may be coupled to the outboard support member. Additionally, the non-rotating planetary carrier may be configured to support a plurality of planetary gears between the inboard and outboard ends.

Abstract: A roller suspension system for a track-driven work vehicle may generally include a support beam and a resilient bushing configured to be coupled to the support beam. The resilient bushing may define a shaft opening. In addition, the system may include a roller wheel assembly having a roller wheel and a roller shaft. The roller wheel may be rotatable relative to the roller shaft. In addition, the roller shaft may be received within the shaft opening of the resilient bushing such that the roller shaft is coupled to the support beam via the resilient bushing.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling vehicle speeds of a track-based work vehicle may generally include receiving, with a computing device, one or more signals associated with an operating temperature for a track component of a track assembly of the track-based work vehicle, comparing, with the computing device, the operating temperature for the track component to a predetermined temperature threshold defined for the track component and automatically limiting, with the computing device, a vehicle speed of the track-based work vehicle when the operating temperature for the track component exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: A system for processing elastomeric load rings may include an elastomeric load ring defining an initial width. The system may also include a fixture assembly configured to receive the load ring between first and second clamp members. The second clamp member may be spaced apart from the first clamp member such that a gap is defined between the clamp members when the load ring defines the initial width. The fixture assembly may also include a load member configured to apply a compressive load through the first clamp member and/or the second clamp member such that the load ring is compressed between the clamp members. When the load ring is heated, a spring force of the load ring may be reduced as the load ring is compressed between the clamp members such that the initial width of the load ring is reduced to a final width.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a face seal may generally include positioning a machining device relative to the face seal such that the face seal is compressed between a machining surface of the machining device and a support member on which the face seal is supported. In addition, the method may include removing material from a seal flange of the face seal using the machining device while the face seal remains compressed between the machining device and the support member and monitoring a compressive load applied through the face seal as material is being removed from the seal flange. Moreover, the method may include adjusting the operation of the machining device to prevent further removal of material from the seal flange when the monitored compressive load is equal to a predetermined load setting.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a face seal may generally include positioning a machining device relative to the face seal such that the face seal is compressed between a machining surface of the machining device and a support member on which the face seal is supported. In addition, the method may include removing material from a seal flange of the face seal using the machining device while the face seal remains compressed between the machining device and the support member and monitoring a compressive load applied through the face seal as material is being removed from the seal flange. Moreover, the method may include adjusting the operation of the machining device to prevent further removal of material from the seal flange when the monitored compressive load is equal to a predetermined load setting.

Abstract: A face seal for use within a wheel assembly may include an inner sealing ring and an outer sealing ring. The outer sealing ring may include a first flange, a second flange and an outer cylindrical portion extending between the first and second flanges. The outer cylindrical portion may include a first cylindrical section extending axially from the first flange and a second cylindrical section extending axially between the first cylindrical section and the second flange. The face seal may also include an inner elastomeric ring and an outer elastomeric ring having an axial portion extending radially outwardly from the second cylindrical section of the outer cylindrical portion. Additionally, the axial portion may be radially offset from the first cylindrical section of the outer cylindrical portion such that an outer surface of the first cylindrical section is spaced radially outwardly relative to an outer surface of the axial portion.

Abstract: A track wheel may include a wheel rim having an outer rim wall extending axially between first and second sides of the track wheel. The wheel rim may also include a first side wall extending radially inwardly from the outer rim wall along the first side of the wheel such that an inner end of the first side wall is spaced radially inwardly from the outer rim wall. The track wheel may also include a hub disc extending radially within the wheel rim between an inner end and an outer end. In addition, the track wheel may include a first shield wall extending axially between the inner end of the first side wall and the hub disc. The first shield wall may be spaced radially inwardly from the outer rim wall such that a radial gap is defined between the first shield wall and the outer rim wall.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the track tension for a track assembly of a work vehicle may include a track tensioning assembly having a fluid-driven actuator. The actuator may be configured to adjust the track tension of the track assembly based on a fluid pressure of fluid within the actuator. The system may also include a wireless pressure sensor provided in operative association with the actuator that is configured to detect the fluid pressure within the actuator. Additionally, the system may include controller communicatively coupled to the wireless pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator based on wireless pressure signals received from the wireless pressure sensor, wherein the monitored fluid pressure is indicative of the track tension for the track assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling a multi-axle work vehicle based on axle loading may generally include monitoring a load associated with loads transmitted through a pivot pin of a track assembly of the work vehicle, wherein the track assembly is configured to be rotatably coupled to an engine of the work vehicle via an axle assembly. In addition, the method may include estimating an axle load applied through the axle assembly based on the monitored load and providing a control output for the work vehicle based on the estimated axle load.

Abstract: A steerable drive axle for a tracked work vehicle may generally include an axle body extending lengthwise between first and second ends and an axle support assembly pivotally coupled to one of the first end or the second end of the axle body. The axle support assembly may include an inboard support member configured to extend at least partially along an inboard side of a drive wheel of the tracked work vehicle, an outboard support member configured to extend at least partially along an outboard side of the drive wheel, and a non-rotating planetary carrier extending lengthwise between an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard end may be coupled to the inboard support member and the outboard end may be coupled to the outboard support member. Additionally, the non-rotating planetary carrier may be configured to support a plurality of planetary gears between the inboard and outboard ends.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the track tension for a track assembly of a work vehicle may include a track tensioning assembly having a fluid-driven actuator. The actuator may be configured to adjust the track tension of the track assembly based on a fluid pressure of fluid within the actuator. The system may also include a wireless pressure sensor provided in operative association with the actuator that is configured to detect the fluid pressure within the actuator. Additionally, the system may include controller communicatively coupled to the wireless pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator based on wireless pressure signals received from the wireless pressure sensor, wherein the monitored fluid pressure is indicative of the track tension for the track assembly.

Abstract: A track wheel may include a wheel rim having an outer rim wall extending axially between first and second sides of the track wheel. The wheel rim may also include a first side wall extending radially inwardly from the outer rim wall along the first side of the wheel such that an inner end of the first side wall is spaced radially inwardly from the outer rim wall. The track wheel may also include a hub disc extending radially within the wheel rim between an inner end and an outer end. In addition, the track wheel may include a first shield wall extending axially between the inner end of the first side wall and the huh disc. The first shield wall may be spaced radially inwardly from the outer rim wall such that a radial gap is defined between the first shield wall and the outer rim wall.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling vehicle speeds of a track-based work vehicle may include monitoring, with a computing device, a load transmitted through a pivot pin of a track assembly of the work vehicle and determining, with the computing device, a speed limit setting for the work vehicle based on the monitored load, wherein the speed limit setting is associated with maintaining an operating temperature of a track of the track assembly below a predetermined temperature threshold. In addition, the method may include automatically limiting, with the computing device, a vehicle speed of the work vehicle based on the determined speed limit setting.

Abstract: A system for processing elastomeric load rings may include an elastomeric load ring defining an initial width. The system may also include a fixture assembly configured to receive the load ring between first and second clamp members. The second clamp member may be spaced apart from the first clamp member such that a gap is defined between the clamp members when the load ring defines the initial width. The fixture assembly may also include a load member configured to apply a compressive load through the first clamp member and/or the second clamp member such that the load ring is compressed between the clamp members. When the load ring is heated, a spring force of the load ring may be reduced as the load ring is compressed between the clamp members such that the initial width of the load ring is reduced to a final width.