Abstract: A fastener including a body that extends between a first end and a second end and a head that is engaged with the body at the first end. Further, the body includes a first section with a first outer diameter and a first set of threads oriented in a first direction. The body further includes a second section with a second outer diameter and a second set of threads oriented in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Also, the first section is positioned closer to the head than the second section, and the first set of threads is self-tapping.

Abstract: A vehicle including at least one wheel and at least one hub assembly associated with the at least one wheel. The at least one hub assembly includes a hubcap. The hubcap has a transparent body configured for housing a lubricant, a fill port, and at least one continuous indication feature such that a lubricant volume is indicated in any orientation of the hubcap.

Abstract: A vehicle including at least one wheel and at least one hub assembly associated with the at least one wheel. The at least one hub assembly includes a hubcap. The hubcap has a transparent body configured for housing a lubricant, a fill port, and at least one continuous indication feature such that a lubricant volume is indicated in any orientation of the hubcap.

Abstract: An undercarriage system for a tracked work vehicle is provided that includes a tensioning system configured to provide tension to a continuous track. Additionally, the undercarriage system includes an undercarriage beam having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is located on an upper face of the undercarriage beam and is configured to enable insertion of the tensioning system inside a cavity of the undercarriage beam. The second opening is located at one longitudinal end of the undercarriage beam and is configured to enable a portion of the tensioning system to extend through the second opening. Furthermore, the tensioning system pivotably couples to an idler wheel via a pivot assembly, and the idler wheel is configured to engage the continuous track.

Abstract: A suspension system for a tracked work vehicle is provided that includes an undercarriage beam and a roller wheel beam assembly having a plurality of roller wheels and a roller wheel beam having a front clevis and a rear clevis. The suspension system also includes a front bushing mount coupled to the front clevis and a rear bushing mount coupled to the rear clevis. Moreover, the front bushing mount and the rear bushing mount are rigidly coupled to the undercarriage beam and configured to damp roll of the roller wheel beam relative to the undercarriage beam. Additionally, the suspension system includes at least one vertical mount disposed between the roller wheel beam and the undercarriage beam. Each of the at least one vertical mount is configured to provide vertical support for the roller wheel beam and to damp vertical movement of the roller wheel beam relative to the undercarriage beam.

Abstract: An undercarriage for a tracked work vehicle is provided that includes a roller wheel beam. The roller wheel beam includes a clevis having a first arm and a second arm. Additionally, the first arm includes a first opening, and the second arm includes a second opening. The undercarriage further includes a bushing mount which has a third opening and is configured to be disposed between the first arm and the second arm. Also, the undercarriage includes a pin assembly configured to couple the roller wheel beam to the bushing mount. Moreover, the pin assembly includes a first pin configured to be inserted into the first opening and a first end of the third opening. The pin assembly also includes a second pin configured to be inserted into the second opening and a second end of the third opening. Furthermore, the first pin is configured to abut the second pin when the first pin and the second pin are inserted into respective openings.

Abstract: An undercarriage for a tracked work vehicle is provided that includes a roller wheel beam. The roller wheel beam includes a clevis having a first arm and a second arm. Additionally, the first arm includes a first opening, and the second arm includes a second opening. The undercarriage further includes a bushing mount which has a third opening and is configured to be disposed between the first arm and the second arm. Also, the undercarriage includes a pin assembly configured to couple the roller wheel beam to the bushing mount. Moreover, the pin assembly includes a first pin configured to be inserted into the first opening and a first end of the third opening. The pin assembly also includes a second pin configured to be inserted into the second opening and a second end of the third opening. Furthermore, the first pin is configured to abut the second pin when the first pin and the second pin are inserted into respective openings.

Abstract: A suspension system for a tracked work vehicle is provided that includes an undercarriage beam and a roller wheel beam assembly having a plurality of roller wheels and a roller wheel beam having a front clevis and a rear clevis. The suspension system also includes a front bushing mount coupled to the front clevis and a rear bushing mount coupled to the rear clevis. Moreover, the front bushing mount and the rear bushing mount are rigidly coupled to the undercarriage beam and configured to damp roll of the roller wheel beam relative to the undercarriage beam. Additionally, the suspension system includes at least one vertical mount disposed between the roller wheel beam and the undercarriage beam. Each of the at least one vertical mount is configured to provide vertical support for the roller wheel beam and to damp vertical movement of the roller wheel beam relative to the undercarriage beam.

Abstract: An undercarriage system for a tracked work vehicle is provided that includes a tensioning system configured to provide tension to a continuous track. Additionally, the undercarriage system includes an undercarriage beam having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is located on an upper face of the undercarriage beam and is configured to enable insertion of the tensioning system inside a cavity of the undercarriage beam. The second opening is located at one longitudinal end of the undercarriage beam and is configured to enable a portion of the tensioning system to extend through the second opening. Furthermore, the tensioning system pivotably couples to an idler wheel via a pivot assembly, and the idler wheel is configured to engage the continuous track.

Abstract: A face seal comprises a first half and a second half. Each half of the face seal comprises an inner sealing ring, the inner sealing ring being generally L-shaped in cross-section, an elastomer ring disposed over the inner sealing ring, and an outer ring disposed over the elastomeric ring, the outer ring being generally Z-shaped in cross-section. The inner sealing ring comprises an axially extending circular cylindrical portion, a radially extending planar ring portion coupled to the cylindrical portion, and a sealing surface defined by the seal side planar wall. The outer ring comprises an axially extending second circular cylindrical portion, a seating flange extending radially outward from a front end of the second cylindrical portion, and a backing flange extending radially inward from the rear end of the second cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A face seal comprises a first half and a second half. Each half of the face seal comprises an inner sealing ring, the inner sealing ring being generally L-shaped in cross-section, an elastomer ring disposed over the inner sealing ring, and an outer ring disposed over the elastomeric ring, the outer ring being generally Z-shaped in cross-section. The inner sealing ring comprises an axially extending circular cylindrical portion, a radially extending planar ring portion coupled to the cylindrical portion, and a sealing surface defined by the seal side planar wall. The outer ring comprises an axially extending second circular cylindrical portion, a seating flange extending radially outward from a front end of the second cylindrical portion, and a backing flange extending radially inward from the rear end of the second cylindrical portion.

Abstract: Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, the present invention red ices such shear loading on the bolts, by utilizing a wedge member or a tapered block 106, inserted and wedged into a space 108 between wedge surfaces 70 and 88, and having oppositely facing outer surfaces 110 and 112 thereby placed into abutment with those surfaces, respectively, so as to exert a fore and aft directed force against those surface, denoted by arrows C, effectively acting to push those surfaces apart and counteracting the shear loads B. Such forces will also act in opposition to and reduce tensile loads acting on bolts 100. Tapered block 106 has at least one passage 114 therethrough (FIG. 3) for the passage of bolts 104 therethrough, to allow insertion of those bolts into threaded holes 98 and tightening those bolts to exert compressive forces against tapered block 106, denoted by arrows D, for holding that block in position.

Abstract: An assembly for a tracked vehicle includes a wheel defining a wheel cavity and a face seal including a rigid sealing ring and a flexible ring disposed on the sealing ring, the flexible ring having an outermost substantially cylindrical surface defining a maximum diameter of the ring. The flexible ring sized so that the maximum diameter is slightly larger than the wheel cavity.

Abstract: A tracked suspension for a tractor or other work vehicle is disclosed having an endless belt, a belt tensioner, a drive wheel, and a plurality of idler wheels mounted to a suspension frame or idler carriage, the assembly being arranged such that the belt tension provided by the tensioner is absorbed within the frame and is not transmitted to the axle extending from the tractor that drives the tracked suspension. The tracked suspension can be adjusted by loosening or removing mounting bolts that fix the suspension to beams extending from the vehicle, sliding the suspension toward or away from the vehicle, and tightening the bolts. By absorbing the belt tensioning forces within the tracked suspension itself, rather than transmitting the belt tensioning forces to the axle, the suspension can be more easily adjusted without requiring the removal and replacement of the drive axle.

Abstract: A tracked suspension for a tractor or other work vehicle is disclosed having an endless belt, a belt tensioner, a drive wheel, and a plurality of idler wheels mounted to a suspension frame or idler carriage, the assembly being arranged such that the belt tension provided by the tensioner is absorbed within the frame and is not transmitted to the axle extending from the tractor that drives the tracked suspension. The tracked suspension can be adjusted by loosening or removing mounting bolts that fix the suspension to beams extending from the vehicle, sliding the suspension toward or away from the vehicle, and tightening the bolts. By absorbing the belt tensioning forces within the tracked suspension itself, rather than transmitting the belt tensioning forces to the axle, the suspension can be more easily adjusted without requiring the removal and replacement of the drive axle.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor with four ground contacting suspensions, two front and two rear disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle can be steered such that its front suspension lies behind its rear suspension. The front suspension can pivot about an articulation joint in the vehicle and also about a wheel-end steering joint such that when it is in an extreme left or right turn position, the front suspension cannot be turned about the wheel-end steering joint while holding the articulation joint in an extreme left or right turn position without causing the front suspension to interfere with and contact the rear suspension.

Abstract: A system for supporting roller wheels from the undercarriage of a tracked vehicle having a rubber track.

Abstract: A resilient suspension element for use in a resilient system for supporting roller wheels from the undercarriage of a tracked vehicle having a rubber track. The resilient suspension element includes a T-shaped and a U-shaped rigid mounting component, with the inside surface of a U-shaped resilient component secured to the leg of the T-shaped component and the outside surface secure to the inside surface of the U-shaped rigid mounting component. A resilient suspension element is secured to each end of a beam, extending transverse to the axles of the roller wheels mounted thereon, to provide resilient support in the vertical direction and limited resilience to "fore" and "aft" and rolling motion of the beam, and the roller wheels mounted thereon, with respect to the undercarriage.