Abstract: A damping system for an axle configured to pivot about a pivot point is provided. The damping system includes a first hydraulic cylinder having a first chamber and a second chamber and a second hydraulic cylinder having a third chamber and a fourth chamber. The first hydraulic cylinder is connected to the axle on one side of the pivot point and the second hydraulic cylinder is connected to the axle on the other side of the pivot point. A first fluid line connects the first chamber with the fourth chamber. A second fluid line connects the second chamber with the third chamber. A restricted fluid passageway connects the first fluid line and the second fluid line. A valve mechanism is disposed between the first fluid line and the second fluid line and is operable to release fluid from one of the first and second fluid lines when the pressure of the fluid in the one of the first and second fluid lines reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Star carrier roller assemblies have been used in certain tracked mobile machines, such as those used in the timber industry, that must operate in cold weather and/or over rough terrain. Due to interaction of the star carrier roller assembly with a track chain assembly, undesirable wear on the star carrier roller assembly occurs. The present invention includes at least one star carrier roller assembly for a tracked mobile machine that limits the wear on the star carrier roller assembly. The star carrier roller assembly includes a carrier roller positioned adjacent to a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. Each tooth includes a tooth width and a tooth angle. A ratio between the tooth width and a difference of a pitch length and a bushing diameter of a track chain assembly is less than 0.3, and the tooth angle is greater than or equal to zero degrees (0°).

Abstract: Star carrier roller assemblies have been used in certain tracked mobile machines, such as those used in the timber industry, that must operate in cold weather and/or over rough terrain. Due to interaction of the star carrier roller assembly with a track chain assembly, undesirable wear on the star carrier roller assembly occurs. The present invention includes at least one star carrier roller assembly for a tracked mobile machine that limits the wear on the star carrier roller assembly. The star carrier roller assembly includes a carrier roller positioned adjacent to a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. Each tooth includes a tooth width and a tooth angle. A ratio between the tooth width and a difference of a pitch length and a bushing diameter of a track chain assembly is less than 0.3, and the tooth angle is greater than or equal to zero degrees (0°).

Abstract: A damping system for an axle configured to pivot about a pivot point is provided. The damping system includes a first hydraulic cylinder having a first chamber and a second chamber and a second hydraulic cylinder having a third chamber and a fourth chamber. The first hydraulic cylinder is connected to the axle on one side of the pivot point and the second hydraulic cylinder is connected to the axle on the other side of the pivot point. A first fluid line connects the first chamber with the fourth chamber. A second fluid line connects the second chamber with the third chamber. A restricted fluid passageway connects the first fluid line and the second fluid line. A valve mechanism is disposed between the first fluid line and the second fluid line and is operable to release fluid from one of the first and second fluid lines when the pressure of the fluid in the one of the first and second fluid lines reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Impact rippers are useful for transmitting high impact blows to a hard material for fracturing the material. When a linear reciprocating ram is used a mounting arrangement which maintains the ram in a neutral position, when no force is applied to the tip, must be used to divert impact force into a pivoting shank assembly. The subject impact ripper apparatus includes a shank assembly with an impact surface and a cavity for mounting a linear ram having an impact surface. Means positions the linear ram within the cavity so that the impact surface does not extend outwardly beyond a rear impact surface of the shank assembly when no force (F) is applied to the tip. This arrangement provides for diverting impact force into the shank assembly when no force is applied to the tip.

Abstract: A flexible seal assembly 10 is provided for a joint 12 having a first member 15 which is both pivotable about and axially movable along an axis 20 relative to a second joint member 16. The seal assembly 10 is disposed within an annular recess 22 of the first joint member 15 and includes an annular seal 30 of a flexible, wear resistant material and a metallic load ring 31. The seal has an axially movable sealing portion 34 with an annular seal lip 38. The load spring 31 is disposed behind the sealing portion 34 for urging and maintaining the seal lip 38 in sealing engagement against a sealing surface 22 of the second joint member 16.

Abstract: An impacting apparatus (10) for fracturing material includes a housing (14) and a fracturing shank (12) which is mounted adjacent the housing (14) so as to reciprocate about a pivot axis (24). The fracturing shank (12) has an impact receiving portion (28) and a sealing portion (26). The sealing portion (26) has a cylindrical sealing surface (26a) which is arranged about a longitudinal axis (26b). Such longitudinal axis (26b) is perpendicular to a radial line (33) extending from the pivot axis (24) and is inclined at a predetermined angle to a longitudinal axis (28b) extending through the impact receiving portion (28). An annular seal (16) is connected to the sealing surface (26a) and the housing (14) to obstruct the passage of material into and out of the housing (14). The seal (16) has a flexible portion (40) whose inner margin (46) lies along the radial line (33 ).

Abstract: Previously known ripper apparatus comprise an impacting mechanism for applying impact forces to a ripper tip in an in-line relationship. The high spring rate exhibited by the shank induces high peak internal impact forces, dissipates useful energy, and provides relatively shallow cutting depths. In one aspect, the ripper apparatus (11,11a) of this invention overcomes the above problems by providing an offset relationship between a first line (L.sub.1) of impacting movement of a ripper tip (13) and a second line (L.sub.2) whereat impacting forces are applied to a shank (14,14a) carrying the ripper tip (13) and by further providing a spring mechanism (25,25a) for ensuring that the impacting forces are transmitted from the second line (L.sub.2) to the first line (L.sub.1) directly. In another aspect, the spring mechanism (25,25b) induces an efficient transfer of impact energy from an impacting mechanism (17) to the material being worked by the ripper tip (13), whether the first (L.sub.1) and second (L.sub.

Abstract: An elastomeric seal apparatus (16) having an inner annular terminating portion (36) which is attachable to a first (12) member, an outer annular terminating portion (38) which is attachable to a second (14) member, and an annular convoluted flexible portion (40) which is disposed between the inner (36) and outer (38) terminating portions and has an inner (46) and an outer (48) margin which are respectively joined thereto. The thickness of the convoluted flexible portion (40) decreases from the relatively thicker inner margin (46) to the relatively thinner outer margin (48) in proportion to a radial distance (H) extending from the inner margin (46) to the flexible portion (40). A concentrically inner convolution (42) and a concentrically outer convolution (44) constitute the flexible portion (40) and have a relatively small (R.sub.1) and a relatively large (R.sub.2) radius of curvature.

Abstract: Drive or driven wheels of a track-type vehicle have a hub and a plurality of teeth around the outer periphery each of which are spaced one from the other by an intervening root having an opening. A biasing hoop assembly having a multiplicity of generally concentric biasing hoops encompass the hub and are positioned between the hub and teeth. Actuating apparatus extends from the root into contact with the biasing hoop assembly and is generaly movable for deflecting the biasing hoops and resisting entry into the root for dampening impact, loads, and noise of elements entering the root.

Abstract: A drive train for vehicles such as earthmoving machines having a prime mover coupled in driving relation with ground wheels for the machine through a power input member and a power output member. One or more implements are coupled to the power input member. In order to selectively match or mismatch power delivered by the prime mover with varying power requirements for the implements and wheels, a hydraulically operated slipping clutch is arranged between the power input and output members for adjusting power delivery from the prime mover to the output member and wheels with a manual control for regulating hydraulic operation of the slipping clutch. In other embodiments, the power input and output members are portions of a torque converter, a centrifugal valve also being provided to operate the slipping clutch in response to rotational speed of an element in the drive train and under regulation of the manual control.