Abstract: A debris stripping apparatus 64 is provided for an endless track laying work machine 10. The debris stripping apparatus 64 includes a wear bar 66 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 56 of the drive wheel 30. During operation the wear bar 66 acts as a sacrificial member that strips away mud and debris from the track roller assembly 12. Thus, the wear bar 66 creates a clearance allowing the drive wheel 30 to rotate without making abrading contact with the debris.

Abstract: A debris stripping apparatus 64 is provided for an endless track laying work machine 10. The debris stripping apparatus 64 includes a wear bar 66 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 56 of the drive wheel 30. During operation the wear bar 66 acts as a sacrificial member that strips away mud and debris from the track roller assembly 12. Thus, the wear bar 66 creates a clearance allowing the drive wheel 30 to rotate without making abrading contact with the debris.

Abstract: A protective cover member for a guide block on a drive belt includes an inner portion shaped to substantially conform to at least a portion of the outer surface of the guide block. The cover member is attached to the guide block by bonding the cover member to the guide block, mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts, and/or using an interference design whereby the cover member is retained by frictional forces or by snapping around a portion of the guide block. The outer surface of the cover member is shaped and sized to be engaged by drive members associated with a drive wheel. The cover member may be constructed of material that is capable of withstanding higher temperatures and forces compared to the material of the guide blocks.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a protective cover member for a guide block on a drive belt includes an inner portion shaped to substantially conform to at least a portion of the outer surface of the guide block. The cover member is attached to the guide block using suitable attachment means such as bonding the cover member to the guide block, mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts, and/or using an interference design whereby the cover member is retained by frictional forces or by snapping around a portion of the guide block. The outer surface of the cover member is shaped and sized to be engaged by drive members associated with a drive wheel. The cover member may be constructed of material that is capable of withstanding higher temperatures and forces compared to the material of the guide blocks.

Abstract: Endless rubber track laying machines are provided with a pair of track laying assemblies positioned on opposite sides of the work machine. Each track laying assembly includes an endless rubber belt entrained around a drive wheel, an idler wheel, and a plurality of supporting mid-rollers. A fluid cylinder is connected to the idler wheel for tensioning the endless rubber belts. The present recoil activated valve includes a two position poppet valve positioned between the fluid cylinder and an accumulator. With this recoil activated valve the tensioning system locks the fluid cylinder as the work machine traverses side slopes. Thus, a simple system is provided that can be solely fluid actuated or actuated by an electronic monitoring system, thereby providing a system that reduces the possibility of the endless rubber track from un-tracking.

Abstract: Endless rubber track laying machines are provided with a pair of track laying assemblies positioned on opposite sides of the work machine. Each track laying assembly includes an endless rubber belt entrained around a drive wheel, an idler wheel, and a plurality of supporting mid-rollers. A fluid cylinder is connected to the idler wheel for tensioning the endless rubber belts. The present recoil activated valve includes a two position poppet valve positioned between the fluid cylinder and an accumulator. With this recoil activated valve the tensioning system locks the fluid cylinder as the work machine traverses side slopes. Thus, a simple system is provided that can be solely fluid actuated or actuated by an electronic monitoring system, thereby providing a system that reduces the possibility of the endless rubber track from un-tracking.

Abstract: Endless rubber track laying machines are provided with a pair of track laying assemblies positioned on opposite sides of the work machine. Each track laying assembly includes an endless rubber belt entrained around a drive wheel, an idler wheel, and a plurality of supporting mid-rollers. The present supporting mid-roller includes a heat shield that is positioned between individual roller segments and guide blocks positioned on the inner surface of the endless rubber belt. With the heat shield in this position, heat generated from the guide blocks contacting the individual roller segments is dissipated, thereby increasing the life of the individual mid-roller components.