Abstract: A track component for use with a track assembly includes a gyro sensor that monitors a track wrap angle of the track chain assembly about the idler wheel, or the drive sprocket.

Abstract: A ground-engaging track shoe includes a shoe plate having link-side fixturing surfaces and ground-side fixturing surfaces. The link-side fixturing surfaces and the ground-side fixturing surfaces are raised in profile relative to a link-facing surface and a ground-facing surface, respectively. The fixturing surfaces enable a fixture to clamp the track shoe for support during processing, enabling improvements in maintaining portions of the track shoe flat and reducing part to part variation.

Abstract: A ground-engaging track shoe in a track joint assembly includes a shoe plate having bolt holes extending through a middle plate section between a planar link-bolting surface and a ground-contact surface. A weight relief channel is formed in the middle plate section upon a link-bolting side of the track shoe, and extends inwardly from the planar link-bolting surface. The weight relief channel is arranged between a forward bolt hole set of the bolt holes and a back bolt hole set of the bolt holes in a fore-aft direction.

Abstract: A track link and track shoe bolted connection includes a track link with a clearance hole, a track bolt with a free end extending through the clearance hole, and a track nut with a top surface that is spaced away a minimum distance from the clearance hole. The track link includes a rail surface, a bottom surface, and a midplane between the rail surface and the bottom surface. The top surface of the track nut is at or above the midplane.

Abstract: A track component for use with a track assembly includes a gyro sensor that monitors a track wrap angle of the track chain assembly about the idler wheel, or the drive sprocket.

Abstract: A track shoe includes a ground engaging surface, and a track link engaging surface. A hole extends through the shoe from the ground engaging surface to the track link engaging surface. The ground engaging surface includes a first region disposed adjacent the hole, and a second region extending from the first region away from the hole having a different surface roughness than the first surface roughness.

Abstract: A roller mounting assembly for a ground-engaging track system includes a frame, and a roller block coupled to the frame and including a shaft support surface extending through the roller block. The roller mounting assembly further includes a damper resiliently deformable, relative to the roller block, to dampen loads transmitted between the roller block and the frame. Embodiments of a roller block assembly and a damping shim assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wear monitoring system includes a pair of track links for a track assembly of a machine, with a sensing device disposed within a cavity formed in a link body of each of the pair of track links. One or more communication devices are associated with the sensing devices, and a computing device is wirelessly connected over a communication network with each of the communication devices. One or more of the sensing devices and the computing device are configured to detect one or more of a distance between the sensing device disposed in one of the pair of track links and the sensing device disposed in another of the pair of track links, and a distance between the sensing device disposed in one of the pair of track links and a remote device. The computing device is configured to determine internal wear between components of at least one of the pair of track links based on changes in the detected distance.

Abstract: A track joint assembly in a track-type machine includes a track link having a pin bore and a bushing bore formed therein. A track pin is attached to the track link within the pin bore, and a track bushing is attached to the track link within the bushing bore. The track pin and the track link are attached by way of a tight interference-fit, and the bushing and track link are attached by way of a light interference-fit. Once placed in service, the bushing can commence rotation during track operation to reduce wear and obviate the need for bushing turns during servicing.

Abstract: An idler assembly includes a hub defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, and a stepped circumferential surface having a first radially inner face, and a radially outer circumferential surface, forming a raised ridge portion. The radially outer circumferential surface defines an outer diameter, and the first radially inner face defines an inner diameter. A ratio of the outer diameter to the inner diameter ranges from 1.06 to 1.28.

Abstract: A method of producing a rotating guide component for a track assembly includes fixing at least one wear member to an outer surface of a tubular or annular substrate. The at least one wear member includes an inner portion, and the tubular or annular substrate includes an outer portion. The inner portion is mated to the outer portion, and the wear member is brazed to the tubular or annular substrate.

Abstract: A ground-engaging track shoe includes a shoe plate having link-side fixturing surfaces and ground-side fixturing surfaces. The link-side fixturing surfaces and the ground-side fixturing surfaces are raised in profile relative to a link-facing surface and a ground-facing surface, respectively. The fixturing surfaces enable a fixture to clamp the track shoe for support during processing, enabling improvements in maintaining portions of the track shoe flat and reducing part to part variation.

Abstract: A ground-engaging track shoe in a track joint assembly includes a shoe plate having bolt holes extending through a middle plate section between a planar link-bolting surface and a ground-contact surface. A weight relief channel is formed in the middle plate section upon a link-bolting side of the track shoe, and extends inwardly from the planar link-bolting surface. The weight relief channel is arranged between a forward bolt hole set of the bolt holes and a back bolt hole set of the bolt holes in a fore-aft direction.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a track link comprises creating a rail portion of a track link from a high alloy steel, creating a main body portion of a track link from a low alloy steel, and friction adhering the rail portion onto the main body portion.

Abstract: A pair of master track links has a first master track link including a first body. The first body defines a first bore and includes a first interface region including a plurality of teeth, and at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth includes a free end and a crown defining a crown width proximate the free end of the at least one tooth. The at least one tooth also includes a root disposed opposite the crown defining a root width, and the crown width is greater than the root width.

Abstract: An idler wheel for use with a track chain of a vehicle that includes a plurality of track pins and bushings comprises a main body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the main body including a central portion disposed along the axis of rotation defining an axial extremity of the radial portion, and at least a first outside portion disposed along the axis of rotation that includes an undulating circumferential perimeter.

Abstract: A track chain assembly comprises a plurality of track links connected to each other by either a track pin or a track bushing, a first master track link including a first interface region including a plurality of teeth, a second master track link including a second interface region including a plurality of teeth, and the first interface region and the second interface region are configured such that the plurality of teeth of both the first master track link and second master track link are configured to share substantially the same load when the track chain assembly is in use.

Abstract: A track link comprises a body defining a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface, a proximate end and a distal end, a first bore adjacent the distal end defining a first longitudinal axis and a second bore adjacent the proximate end defining a second longitudinal axis; wherein either the first bore or the second bore is a blind bore, forming a counterbore configured to house a seal assembly and the counterbore defines a wall that forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the bore that is greater than zero degrees.

Abstract: A clamping master track link comprises a body that defines a first bore and a second bore, a first aperture disposed between the first bore and the second bore, a second aperture disposed between the first aperture and the second bore, a first strut with a first gap disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture, a second strut with a second gap disposed between the first aperture and the first bore, and a bridge disposed between the second aperture and the second bore.

Abstract: An idler wheel for use with a track chain of a vehicle that includes a plurality of track pins and bushings comprises a main body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the main body including a central portion disposed along the axis of rotation defining an axial extremity of the radial portion, and at least a first outside portion disposed along the axis of rotation that includes an undulating circumferential perimeter.