Abstract: A work machine includes a frame assembly supporting an idler and a drive sprocket. A track is looped around the idler and the drive sprocket. A track-adjust mechanism is configured to extend and to retract the frame assembly to adjust a tension of the track. A position sensor is configured to measure an extension of the track-adjust mechanism. A controller is configured to receive an extension measurement from the position sensor, determine a track tension based on the extension measurement, and output a track tension signal.

Abstract: A wear monitoring system is disclosed for use with a track type machine. The wear monitoring system may have at least a first radius sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a change in radius of at least one idler wheel, and a displacement sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a change in displacement of a track tensioning actuator. The wear monitoring system may also have a controller in communication with the first radius sensor and the displacement sensor. The controller may be configured to determine wear of a track link guided by the at least one idler wheel and tensioned by the track tensioning actuator based on the first and second signals.

Abstract: A track roller assembly for a track type machine is disclosed. The track roller assembly may have a yoke member with a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from the first arm, and an idler wheel rotatably disposed between the first and second arms of the yoke member. The track roller assembly may also have a frame configured to receive at least a portion of the yoke member, and at least one idler key configured to extend through an opening in the frame and engage a lengthwise slot in at least one of the first and second arms.

Abstract: An idler key for a track roller assembly is disclosed. The idler key may have a flange portion, and an elongated protrusion extending from the flange portion in a direction generally orthogonal to the flange portion. The idler key may also have at least one shoulder disposed between the flange portion and a base of the elongated protrusion. The at least one shoulder may have at least one machined surface configured to transfer load to a mating component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chain drive assembly for a work machine, in particular for a crawler-mounted crane or a crawler excavator, having a drive crawler track, at least one displaceably supported sprocket wheel, in particular a guide wheel or idler wheel, and at least one tensioning device to tension the crawler track, wherein at least one abutment is provided which bounds the displacement of the displaceably supported sprocket wheel. The present disclosure further relates to a work machine, in particular to a crawler-mounted crane or a crawler excavator, having such a chain drive assembly.

Abstract: A track type machine includes an integrated track adjustment/recoil system unit cantilever mounted in a track roller frame, and operable to resist movement of the idler along a recoil line. The integrated track adjustment/recoil system unit includes track adjust cylinder that is attached to a gas cylinder by a joining component that has two sets of identical external threads mated to the track adjust cylinder and the gas cylinder respectively. A track adjust piston is partially received in the track adjust cylinder, and a recoil piston is positioned in the gas cylinder. The recoil piston and the gas cylinder define a gas volume. The recoil piston, the gas cylinder, the joining component, the track adjust cylinder and the track adjust piston define a grease volume. Track tensioning is adjusted by adjusting the amount of grease in the grease volume, and the recoil action is adjusted by setting the gas pressure in the gas volume.

Abstract: A truck track drive can include two rollers. The truck track drive can also include a tread configured to pass over top and bottom of a dual rear wheel assembly on a truck and to be moved by rotation of the dual rear wheels. The track drive can also include a compulsory drive unit.

Abstract: A track roller assembly for a track type machine is disclosed. The track roller assembly may have a yoke member with a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from the first arm, and an idler wheel rotatably disposed between the first and second arms of the yoke member. The track roller assembly may also have a frame configured to receive at least a portion of the yoke member, and at least one idler key configured to extend through an opening in the frame and engage a lengthwise slot in at least one of the first and second arms.

Abstract: An idler key for a track roller assembly is disclosed. The idler key may have a flange portion, and an elongated protrusion extending from the flange portion in a direction generally orthogonal to the flange portion. The idler key may also have at least one shoulder disposed between the flange portion and a base of the elongated protrusion. The at least one shoulder may have at least one machined surface configured to transfer load to a mating component.

Abstract: A track assembly for a mobile tower of an irrigation system includes a mounting bracket; a gearbox assembly and rotatable drive wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket; a drive wheel attached to the drive hub; a rotatable tension wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket and spaced from the drive hub; a tension wheel attached to the tension wheel hub; a track belt trained over the drive wheel and the tension wheel and driven by the drive wheel to propel the mobile tower; and structure for pivotally mounting the mounting bracket to the mobile tower.

Abstract: A track assembly for a mobile tower of an irrigation system includes: a mounting bracket configured to be attached to the mobile tower; a gearbox assembly and rotatable drive wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket; a drive wheel attached to the drive hub; rotatable tension wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket and spaced from the drive hub; a tension wheel attached to the tension wheel hub; and a track trained over the drive wheel and the tension wheel and driven by the drive wheel to propel the mobile tower.

Abstract: A crawler traction device for a crawler vehicle, in particular a tractor, the device having a carriage, a drive sprocket rotating about a first axis, an idler wheel rotating about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The track is looped about the drive sprocket and the idler wheel and meshes with the drive sprocket along a meshing arc. The traction device has a noise and vibration damping device having an auxiliary roller which rotates about a third axis parallel to the first axis and is eccentric with respect to the drive sprocket as well as smaller in diameter than the drive sprocket. The noise and vibration damping device only cooperates with the track along a portion of the track located, in use, immediately upstream from the meshing arc and interposed between the auxiliary roller and the terrain.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in a forestry machine (1), in which there are front and rear units (2, 3) and bogie wheels (14, 15) mounted on a set of swing axles (12), as well as a crawler mat (20) running around the bogie wheels (14, 15) and an auxiliary wheel (16) outside the set of swing axles (12), and in which the auxiliary wheel (16) is essentially permanently mounted in bearings in the front and/or rear unit (2, 3), so that, when the set of swing axles (12) turns, the tension of the crawler mat (20) is maintained by means of flexible elements connected to its perimeter, which are principally formed of the flexibility of the auxiliary wheel (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracked traveling gear with two drive units per chain, wherein at least one of the drive units is linearly movable and pretensionable against the traveling gear frame. In an embodiment the drive unit is asymmetrically mounted to a supporting element which is linearly movable and pretensionable against the traveling gear frame. The drive unit includes a tumbler which is laterally detachable and removable from the drive unit while the drive unit is mounted to the travelling gear frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tracked running gear, in which two running gears are arranged parallel to one another and each running gear has a longitudinal member (1) and a running gear chain (2) which runs around the longitudinal member in the longitudinal direction thereof and forms an upper and a lower strand, and at least one traction drive, composed of a motor, transmission and a drive gearwheel which meshes into the running gear chain and also a deflecting wheel which permits chain tensioning by means of a movement relative to the fixed part of the longitudinal member, characterized in that at least one additional traction drive (3) which acts on the upper strand is provided on the longitudinal member, wherein the running gear length is changed or remains unchanged.

Abstract: A track tensioning assembly for a track laying vehicle. The track tensioning assembly includes an idler plate assembly coupled to a hydraulic actuator at a first end and coupled to a front idler assembly at a second end. The hydraulic actuator is configured to apply a pressure on the front idler assembly with the idler plate assembly to achieve a desired tautness. The track tensioning assembly also includes a removable cross pin positioned to prevent loosening of track while in a first location or configured to allow removal of tracks while in a second location.

Abstract: An axle mount device for mounting an axle to a snowmobile track suspension frame has a base portion and an adjuster portion. The base portion has an axis and a bore coincident with the axis. The adjuster portion is secured to the base portion asymmetrically with respect to the axis, and engages an opening in the frame. The axle mount may be moved between first and second positions to vary a position of the axle with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A tension adjustment assembly for a tracked vehicle, the tracked vehicle including a frame, an endless track, a track-engaging wheel supported by the frame, and a second track-engaging wheel supported by the frame in spaced relation to the first track-engaging wheel. The first track-engaging wheel and the second track-engaging wheel are rotatable about a first axis and a second axis, respectively. The endless track extends about the first track-engaging wheel and the second track-engaging wheel, and the track has a tension. The first track-engaging wheel is movable relative to the frame in a direction perpendicular to the first axis to adjust the tension of the track. The assembly further comprises a tension adjustment mechanism connected to the first track-engaging wheel and operable to move the first track-engaging wheel, the tension adjustment mechanism including a rotatable member rotatable about a rotational axis to cause movement of the first track-engaging wheel relative to the frame.

Abstract: A light weight track drive mechanism that provides a large track drive surface area while maintaining a low weight to track contact surface area ratio so that the track drive could operate on soils with low support qualities. In addition, the track drive system is provided with high ground clearance so that fewer obstacles may prevent the track drive from moving around as needed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sprung track tensioning device (10) for tracked vehicles, intended to be mounted at the rear on a support (16) of a track set of the vehicle. The device comprises an elongate pendulum arm (12), one end portion (14) of which is designed to be fastened pivotably to the support (16) via a first torsion spring (18). The pendulum arm (12) bears a second torsion spring (36) which can be connected to the support (16) via a link arm system (38).

Abstract: The adjustment mechanism of the present invention is mounted to a frame and comprises an alignment cam that is pivotally mounted to the frame by a tension link pivot pin. The alignment cam is provided with an actuating arm that is coupled to a longitudinally extendible adjusting member. The longitudinally extendible adjusting member comprising a screw jack. A tension link is pivotally mounted to the tension link pivot pin. Camming surfaces on the alignment cam are skewed with respect to the transverse axis defined by the tension link pivot pin so that rotation of the alignment cam twists the tension link and thereby the idler wheel predominately about a vertical axis. Albeit to a lesser degree, rotation of the alignment cam also twists the tension link and idler about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis. Therefore by extending or retracting the screw jack, the toe-in/toe-out orientation of the idler wheel can be adjusted.

Abstract: A tension management system is provided for an endless track laying work machine. A fluid cylinder maintaining tension within the endless track. A first accumulator provides recoil for normal operating conditions. If tension on the endless track increases beyond a normal recoil situation, fluid is bled off through a pressure relief arrangement to a second accumulator. The system requires an initial fluid charge from a fluid power unit, and is then disconnected and operates as a stand alone system.

Abstract: A track belt tensioning management system is provided for actively adjusting the tension on a track belt in response to the difference in linear output speed between a drive wheel and the track belt. This is accomplished by sensing the speeds of the drive wheel and the track belt and delivering the sensed signals to a controller which processes the signals and determines the difference in their respective linear output speeds. If the difference varies from a predetermined value, the controller directs appropriate signals to a hydraulic valve arrangement which controllably directs pressurized fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator arrangement to adjust the tension between the drive wheel and the track belt. The subject arrangement maintains sufficient frictional force between the drive wheel and the belt to control the slip therebetween as required while at the same time limiting the forces in order to reduce premature failures and/or wear on the track belt and other associated components.

Abstract: A resilient track-tensioning device for tracked automotive vehicles has a track tensioning wheel arrangement (26) which includes a generally elongated pendular arm (38) which rotatably supports a track-tensioning wheel unit (62), a pretensioning or biassing arm (72) which is much shorter than the pendular arm and which has a first end-part for force transmission engagement with the pendular arm (38) at its end-part (74) that carries the track-tensioning wheel unit (62), and a second end-part for pivotal attachment to a carrier (20) through the medium of a pretensioning or biassing means (76). The device further includes an element (66) for adjustably fixing the distance between the rotational center of the track-tensioning wheel unit (62) and the attachment point (46) of the pendular arm (38). The invention also relates to a track support assembly which includes an inventive track-tensioning device.

Abstract: A suspension system mountable to the chassis of a snowmobile and about which an endless track is carried. The suspension includes a slide frame for engagement with a lower portion of the endless track and one or more springs for urging the slide frame downwardly away from the chassis. The suspension system also includes a downwardly angled suspension arm having an upper end pivotally mounted to the snowmobile chassis. The lower end of the arm is pivotally connected to the slide frame so as to permit limited longitudinal movement of the lower end of the arm with respect to the slide frame. An adjustable limit is provided for adjustably limiting the degree of longitudinal movement of the lower end of the arm with respect to the slide frame to adjustably control the range of orientations of the slide frame with respect to the snowmobile chassis.