Abstract: The disclosure relates to a track roller for guiding a track of a tracked vehicle including a shaft extending in an axial direction, the shaft having a central portion and two axial end portions axially adjacent to the central portion on each side, wherein a transversal through-hole is provided in each axial end portion of the shaft, a roller shell mounted on the central portion of the shaft in a rotatable manner, two annular retainer caps fitted to the shaft, and sealing arrangements located between each of the retainer caps and the roller shell, wherein the shaft is flattened at least in a region of its axial end portions in such a way that at least one support surface which includes the through-hole is provided at each end portion for mounting the track roller to an undercarriage of the tracked vehicle, and the retainer caps are arranged within the central portion of the shaft in their entirety, and an undercarriage of a tracked vehicle comprising such a track roller.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed for automatically estimating and monitoring the alignment of tracks of a track-type vehicle. The track-type vehicle includes an undercarriage and two tracks. Each track includes a chain with a plurality of chain links and articulated joints. The monitoring system includes at least one undercarriage sensor fixable on the undercarriage, at least one chain sensor fixable on the chain of each of the two tracks, and a processor configured to combine the detections of the sensors to determine the alignment direction of the tracks and to compare the determined direction with a reference alignment direction.

Abstract: A track link is fixable to a track shoe with nuts and bolts. The track link comprises connecting holes that are spaced in a link pitch direction and receive connection members, first and second through holes that extend orthogonally to the connecting holes and receive bolts, a first surface in which the first through hole opens and on which a first nut is positionable, a second surface in which the second through hole opens and on which a second nut is positionable, first projecting portions that project from the first surface and face each other across the first through hole, and second projecting portions that project from the second surface and face each other across the second through hole. Only one of the first projecting portions engages the first nut. At least one of the second projecting portions engages the second nut that is positionable between the second projecting portions.

Abstract: A heavy-duty vehicle may include a crawler track on which a rest of the vehicle can roll so as to move. A sensor may be configured to detect a physical quantity of the crawler track, of the heavy-duty vehicle, or of the environment contained by or surrounding the crawler track or the heavy-duty vehicle. A power supply unit may be configured to supply the sensor with electric power. The power supply unit comprises a rectenna configured to receive electromagnetic power from an external electromagnetic source and to supply the sensor with at least part of the electromagnetic power.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed for automatically estimating and monitoring the alignment of tracks of a track-type vehicle. The track-type vehicle includes an undercarriage and two tracks. Each track includes a chain with a plurality of chain links and articulated joints. The monitoring system includes at least one undercarriage sensor fixable on the undercarriage, at least one chain sensor fixable on the chain of each of the two tracks, and a processor configured to combine the detections of the sensors to determine the alignment direction of the tracks and to compare the determined direction with a reference alignment direction.

Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a track-type vehicle is described. The assembly comprises at least one closed-ring rubber belt, internally provided with a continuous insert made of a plurality of metal elements embedded in the rubber mass that constitutes the rubber belt. The metal elements are positioned at a fixed and predetermined distance apart from one another, which determines the pitch of the rubber belt. The rubber belt further encloses therein one or more reinforcing elements, each consisting of a metal wire bundle oriented according to an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal development central axis of the rubber belt. The assembly also comprises a plurality of rolling elements of each rubber belt, consisting of at least one drive sprocket, configured to mesh with the metal elements of the continuous insert and to rotationally move the respective rubber belt, of at least one idler wheel and of a plurality of rollers.

Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a track-type vehicle is described. The assembly comprises at least one closed-ring rubber belt, internally provided with a continuous insert made of a plurality of metal elements embedded in the rubber mass that constitutes the rubber belt. The metal elements are positioned at a fixed and predetermined distance apart from one another, which determines the pitch of the rubber belt. The rubber belt further encloses therein one or more reinforcing elements, each consisting of a metal wire bundle oriented according to an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal development central axis of the rubber belt. The assembly also comprises a plurality of rolling elements of each rubber belt, consisting of at least one drive sprocket, configured to mesh with the metal elements of the continuous insert and to rotationally move the respective rubber belt, of at least one idler wheel and of a plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A track (10) for track-type vehicles is described, comprising a continuous sequence of articulated joints (12, 12?) of the hinge type, oriented according to a first axis (A-A) substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal development axis (B-B) of the track (10). The articulated joints (12, 12?), provided with pins (36, 36?), are connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance through pairs of links (14) having longitudinal development, arranged laterally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis (B-B). Around each pin (36, 36?) a bushing (40) is mounted free to rotate with respect to the pin (36, 36?) itself and between each pin (36, 36?) and the links (14) at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted. The geometric/size characteristics of the links (14) and of the sliding bearings (44) make it possible to improve the stability and the resistance to fatigue and wearing of the articulated joints (12, 12?) of the track (10).

Abstract: A track (10) for track-type vehicles is described, comprising a continuous sequence of articulated joints (12, 12?) of the hinge type, oriented according to a first axis (A-A) substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal development axis (B-B) of the track (10). The articulated joints (12, 12?), provided with pins (36, 36?), are connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance through pairs of links (14) having longitudinal development, arranged laterally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis (B-B). Around each pin (36, 36?) a bushing (40) is mounted free to rotate with respect to the pin (36, 36?) itself and at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted between each pin (36, 36?) and the links (14).

Abstract: A track (10) for track-type vehicles is described, comprising a continuous sequence of articulated joints (12, 12?) of the hinge type, oriented according to a first axis (A-A) substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal development axis (B-B) of the track (10). The articulated joints (12, 12?), provided with pins (36, 36?), are connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance through pairs of links (14) having longitudinal development, arranged laterally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis (B-B). Around each pin (36, 36?) a bushing (40) is mounted free to rotate with respect to the pin (36, 36?) itself and between each pin (36, 36?) and the links (14) at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted. The geometric/size characteristics of the links (14) and of the sliding bearings (44) make it possible to improve the stability and the resistance to fatigue and wearing of the articulated joints (12, 12?) of the track (10).

Abstract: A track (10) for track-type vehicles is described, comprising a continuous sequence of articulated joints (12, 12?) of the hinge type, oriented according to a first axis (A-A) substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal development axis (B-B) of the track (10). The articulated joints (12, 12?), provided with pins (36, 36?), are connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance through pairs of links (14) having longitudinal development, arranged laterally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis (B-B). Around each pin (36, 36?) a bushing (40) is mounted free to rotate with respect to the pin (36, 36?) itself and at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted between each pin (36, 36?) and the links (14).

Abstract: A track joint seal system comprises a pin (43) having, at each end, a first track link (41) rotatably coupled to the pin by means of interposition of a bushing (49) and an end element (42) coupled to the end of the pin (43); the end element (42) comprises an annular seat (57) bearing, housed, a seal group (56) cooperating with the bushing (49) to make the sealing of the joint; the bushing (49) is provided at the end with an annular head seat (58), provided to house a bushing insert (53) provided with an abutment surface (48) destined to be in contact with a seal portion (47) of the seal group (56).

Abstract: A track joint seal system comprises a pin (43) having, at each end, a first track link (41) rotatably coupled to the pin by means of interposition of a bushing (49) and an end element (42) coupled to the end of the pin (43); the end element (42) comprises an annular seat (57) bearing, housed, a seal group (56) cooperating with the bushing (49) to make the sealing of the joint; the bushing (49) is provided at the end with an annular head seat (58), provided to house a bushing insert (53) provided with an abutment surface (48) destined to be in contact with a seal portion (47) of the seal group (56).

Abstract: Track-tightening device for crawlers wherein the bogie comprises a track-tightening structure to modify the wheel base of the front and back wheels of the bogie equipped with one or more movable supporting rollers capable of always remaining at the same distance from the idler wheel of the track-tightener under all operating conditions.

Abstract: In order to ensure that the working life of the sealing device is at least comparable to that of the remaining parts of the crawler track, the resilient annular element comprises a first annular portion and a second annular portion. The first annular portion has a cross-section in the form of a bulge, while the second annular portion has a cross-section in the form of a boss. The first annular portion is delimited by an annular contact surface which, when the annular seal is assembled, but not mounted in its seat, forms together with the incident joining plane of the rigid annular sealing element, an angle “&agr;” of between 0° and 30°.

Abstract: A track link assembly consists of two parallel arranged chains of links connected end to end, the links of each chain being connected by a joint including a link pin press fit in the bore of the outboard end collar. In order to limit the movement of the collar on the link pin and prevent excessive end play at the seal, a snap ring is fitted on a portion of each end of the link pin which extends outward from the bore of the outboard end collar. One or more protrusions on the outer surface of the boss protect the snap ring from being knocked off during use.

Abstract: A crawler link used in an endless track vehicle having monolithic shoe portions made of iron and an elastomer. The link comprises a shoe portion, a bush, rails and hinge eyelets, and is cast in one piece to avoid the disassembling of components during replacement. An elastomer portion, with tapered surfaces for efficient gripping and traction, is directly applied by vulcanization to the lower surface of the shoe portion of the link.

Abstract: To limit costs without compromising its life while at the same time simplifying its construction, the tracked running gear assembly (1) has its load-bearing wheels (4) and its track tensioning wheel (3) each comprising an idle roller (6) of austempered cast iron maintained on a shaft (7) of construction-type steel by two locking elements (8) of spheroidal graphite cast iron mounted as an interference fit on the ends of said shaft (7). The idle roller (6) comprises a lubricant chamber (9), the seal (19) being housed in the locking elements (8). The sprocket ring (26) of the drive wheel (2) is of austempered cast iron.

Abstract: A novel seal means is positioned between two coupled mechanical parts rotating about a pin, the pin being connected to one part and rotating within a bushing connected to the other part with pin and bushing. The seal means comprises an elastic load ring of relatively soft material and a seal ring of "L"-shaped cross section made from tough abrasion resistant material and having at least two seal projections engaging the bushing for retaining lubricant and for preventing dirt from adversely affecting the operation of the seal means. In one embodiment, a hard back up ring, made for example from metal or rigid plastic, is supported in an annular seat in the seal ring for reinforcing the seal ring. The seal means may be employed as end face seals in a track joint for an endless chain for a crawler tractor.