Abstract: A drive sprocket assembly for driving an endless chain assembly for propelling a machine has a hub portion and flexible cantilever teeth in which each tooth is separately deflectable upon impact by a bushing of the endless chain assembly. The flexibility of each tooth will absorb a portion of the kinetic energy of the impact to reduce noise in the structure. The drive sprocket assembly includes a plurality of segments each having the cantilever teeth. Each segment has a first end portion and a second end portion having an end relief which prevents wear between the segment and the hub as the end portion is deflected by the impact.

Abstract: A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine is configurable in either a first roller configuration or a second roller configuration. The roller assembly has a roller shaft and a roller hub journalled for rotation about the roller shaft. A first roller rim having a first outer diameter is secured to the roller hub when the roller assembly is configured in the first roller configuration. A second roller rim having a second outer diameter is secured to the roller hub when the roller assembly is configured in the second roller configuration. The first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter. A method of manufacturing a roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly of a work machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A guiding arrangement has a guide structure having an opening defined therein. The guiding arrangement also has a roller assembly. The guiding arrangement further has an axle positioned relative to the guide structure so that a portion of the axle is located within the opening.

Abstract: A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine has a roller rim having (i) central passage, and (ii) an inwardly extending annular flange defined therein. The inwardly extending annular flange extends into the central passage so as to define a flange opening having a first diameter. The roller assembly also has a roller shaft having a first end portion which is positioned outside of the central passage of the roller rim and a second end portion which is positioned within the central passage of the roller rim. The second end portion of the roller shaft has an outwardly extending annular flange secured thereto. The outwardly extending annular flange of the roller shaft has a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. An undercarriage for a work machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insert arrangement includes a ring member having (i) a first sidewall, (ii) a second sidewall, (iii) a bore defined therethrough, (iv) a first seal groove defined in the first sidewall, and (v) a second seal groove defined in the second sidewall. The insert arrangement also includes a bushing having (i) a passageway defined therethrough and (ii) a bushing end face. The bushing is positioned relative to the ring member so that (i) the passageway is linearly aligned with the bore and (ii) the first seal groove is located in an opposing relationship with the bushing end face. The insert arrangement further includes a link having an aperture defined therein. The link is positioned relative to the ring member so that the ring member is positioned within the aperture.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a track chain assembly includes a bushing having a passageway defined therethrough. The cartridge assembly also includes track pin having a longitudinal axis. The track pin is located within the passageway so that a first end portion and a second end portion of the track pin extends outwardly from the passageway of the bushing. The cartridge assembly further includes a first insert having a first bore defined therethrough. The first insert is positioned relative to the track pin such that the first end portion of the track pin is disposed within the first bore. The cartridge assembly also includes a first collar having a first hole defined therein.

Abstract: A track chain assembly includes a bushing having a passageway defined therethrough. The track chain assembly also includes a track pin having a longitudinal axis. The track pin is disposed within the passageway of the bushing. The track chain assembly further includes a first insert having a first bore defined therethrough. The first insert is positioned relative to the track pin such that the track pin is disposed within the first bore. The track pin assembly further includes a first inner link having a first aperture defined therein. The first inner link is positioned relative to the first insert such that the first insert is (i) located within the first aperture and (ii) interposed between the first inner link and the track pin. The track pin assembly also includes a first outer link having a second aperture defined therein.

Abstract: A system for controlling an independent metering valve having a pair of independently controlled electrohydraulic displacement controlled spool valves for controlling pump-to-cylinder communication between an inlet port and a pair of control ports and another pair of independently controlled electrohydraulic displacement controlled spool valves for controlling cylinder-to-tank fluid flow between the control ports and an outlet port. The spool valves of the independent metering valve are calibrated to provide the required fluid flow.

Abstract: A work machine includes a machine body. The work machine also includes an undercarriage assembly having a frame assembly which supports the machine body. The frame assembly has (i) a first frame member, (ii) a second frame member which is movable relative to the first frame member, and (iii) a fluid cylinder for moving the first frame member relative to the second frame member. The work machine further includes a sensor for sensing position of the first frame member relative to the second frame member. Moreover, the work machine includes a controller which is electrically coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to (i) communicate with the sensor so as to determine the position of the first frame member relative to the second frame member, and (ii) operate the fluid cylinder so as to move the first frame member relative to the second frame member based on the position of the first frame member relative to the second frame member. A method of tensioning a drive track chain is also disclosed.

Abstract: A link includes a body member having (i) a first side, (ii) a second side, (iii) a first aperture defined therethrough, and (iv) a second aperture defined therethrough. The body member has a rail surface and a shoe surface. A central axis passes through the rail surface and the shoe surface so as to define a substantially 90° angle between (i) the rail surface and the central axis and (ii) the shoe surface and the central axis. The body member is symmetrical about the central axis. The first aperture is off-set from the second aperture so that the first aperture is not coplanar with the second aperture.

Abstract: Spherical mountings are useful for pivotally connecting a push arm of a blade to a track roller frame of a machine. When the blade is removed the bearing assembly must be disassembled and to reconnect the blade to the spherical mounting the bearing assembly needed to shimmed to obtain the correct gap or clearance between the bearing and the spherical mounting. The subject mounting arrangement includes a mounting assembly having a first end portion removeably connected to the push arm of a blade and a second end portion positioned around a spherical assembly and being removeably connected to a bearing assembly of the spherical assembly. This arrangement of components provides for removing the push arm of the blade from the mounting on the track roller frame without removing the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A main frame to roller frame stop assembly for limiting movement of an equalizer bar relative to the main frame of a track-type tractor or other work machine wherein the stop assembly includes a first member mountable to one of the roller frames, and a second member mountable to the main frame of the work machine, the second member being positioned and located to engage the first member when the equalizer bar moves a predetermined distance relative to the main frame, the first member being positioned and located in the vicinity of the bearing joint coupling the equalizer bar to the roller frame and further including an elastomeric portion capable of dampening and absorbing at least a portion of the load exerted thereagainst when the first stop member engages the second stop member.

Abstract: A sound reducing carrier roller supports and guides portions of an endless track of a track-type machine as that portion of the track travels between a drive wheel and an idler wheel of the machine. A portion of a rim segment is solidly mounted to the roller shell while a gap is maintained between the rest of the rim segment and the roller shell. A resilient ring is positioned between the segment and the roller shell to reduce noise and impact load on the roller assembly. Conventional track rollers have metal to metal contact between the rim and the roller shell which can generate noise and impact therebetween. The subject roller assembly, with rim segments resiliently mounted, reduces the noise and impact levels.

Abstract: Earthmoving machines are often provided with quick coupling devices that allow them to change work implements in a relatively rapid fashion when compared to changing conventionally mounted implements. A locking system between the machine linkage and the implement is positioned between the components and includes a hydraulic system which continually applies pressurized fluid to the locking system.

Abstract: Metal-to-metal face seals are commonly used between relatively rotating components to maintain a quantity of lubricating fluid within one component while keeping dirt and abrasives from entering. The positioning of the sealing faces of the seal rings is critical to their function and, for any number of reasons, the interface between the seal rings has been known to become angled with respect to the axis about which they are positioned. The present invention provides a seal assembly that have a pair of seal rings that are maintained in engaging contact with one another by a pair of load rings. Each load ring has a first end portion that engages the respective seal ring and a second end portion that engages a recess in an adjacent housing. The recess defines an angled surface that is adapted for engagement with an annular surface of the load ring to stabilize the seal assembly to maintain proper positioning of the seal rings.

Abstract: Access to an operator station of a large track-type tractor is provided by a ladder support structure pivotally attached to a portion of the radiator guard of the tractor. The ladder support structure extends over a track of the tractor and has a ladder pivotally attached to a distal end of the ladder support structure that provides steps over a push arm and a tilt cylinder of the tractor. When the ladder assembly is moved to its carry position, the ladder is moved to a position inside the ladder support structure, and the ladder support structure raised to a vertical position adjacent a side panel of the radiator guard of the tractor. The present invention avoids the problem of machine operators climbing on the push arms, tilt cylinders, radiator, radiator guard, track, hood, and engine enclosures in order to gain access to the operator station.

Abstract: A spark plug with lower operating temperature has an electrode with a tip which evenly distributes heat imparted to the firing end portion of the spark plug. The electrical insulating material surrounding the electrode is spaced at a predetermined distance from the firing end portion of the spark plug to allow the heat to more quickly travel away from the firing end portion. An annular groove in the first end surface of the electrical insulating material minimizes electrical surface discharge between the electrode and the annular metal shell of the spark plug. Radii at locations of change in cross-section in the bore of the annular metal shell and the electrical insulating material serve to minimize voltage breakdown.

Abstract: A face seal assembly comprises a pair of confronting seal rings having mutually-engaging seal faces. The seal faces are maintained in sealing engagement by a pair of resilient load rings that are positioned between the seal rings and a pair of housings that are positioned on opposing sides of the seal rings. The load rings are received within a recess defined by the respective housings and are adapted to interfit with one another to thereby resist relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for accelerating the onset of wear related damage on a circumferential cam surface including a structure for supporting a camshaft including the circumferential cam surface, a plurality of rollers having respective circumferential roller surfaces, and structures supporting the rollers at respective locations adjacent the structure for supporting the camshaft for positioning the circumferential roller surfaces for circumferential rotating contact with the circumferential cam surface. The apparatus includes a mechanism operable for rotating the camshaft with the circumferential cam surface and the circumferential roller surfaces in the circumferential rotating contact. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for variably biasing the respective rollers against the camshaft during the circumferential rotating contact simulative of actual operating conditions.

Abstract: A high viscosity, solvent-resistant, thermoset polyetherpolyurethane molded article that includes a methylene-bridged polyarylpolyisocyanate component and a polyether polyol solution combined in catalytic urethane-forming reaction where the polyether polyol solution of the urethane-forming reaction includes a diol first component, a polyether polyol second component, a polyether polyol third component, and a polymer polyol fourth component having a nonaqueous dispersant stabilizer.