Abstract: A construction machine includes a chassis, at least one continuous track supporting the chassis, at least one rim operatively associated with the continuous track, a shaft rotatably associated with the rim, and a collar operatively associated with the shaft and a guard plate. The collar has a variably angled face interfacing with the rim, and a labyrinth is formed between the collar and the rim via the variably angled face.

Abstract: A face seal assembly and rotating assembly for a track machine are disclosed. The face seal assembly includes a first seal ring, an annular housing, a second seal ring, and a bias member. The first seal ring is fixed to a rotating part for rotation about an axis. The first seal ring includes a seal face and a radially outer surface press-fittingly confronting an annular bore in the rotating part. The annular housing is spaced axially inward from the first seal ring and rotationally fixed. The annular housing includes an axially inner surface and a radially inner surface. The second seal ring is disposed axially between the first seal ring and the annular housing. The second seal ring includes a seal face confronting the seal face of the first seal ring. The bias member is compressed between the annular housing and the second seal ring.

Abstract: An idler group is disclosed for a mobile machine having a tracked undercarriage with an endless track. The idler group may include a retainer disposed on an axle and within an opening in an idler. The retainer may be configured to achieve an interference fit with the idler sufficient to hold the retainer within the opening of the idler during operation of the mobile machine. In another embodiment, a retaining ring may be disposed within a channel formed in the idler and may contact the retainer. In yet another embodiment, a swaged connection may be formed between the idler and the axle.

Abstract: A roller assembly is disclosed. The roller assembly may have a roller shell. The roller shell may have a bore. The roller assembly may also have a substantially cylindrical shaft. The shaft may extend from a shaft proximate end to a shaft distal end. The shaft may be disposed within the bore. The roller assembly may also have a first collar disposed between the shaft proximate end and the roller shell. The first collar may be interferingly engaged with the shaft. The roller assembly may further have a second collar disposed between the shaft distal end and the roller shell. The second collar may also be interferingly engaged with the shaft.

Abstract: A track assembly having a wear monitoring system is disclosed. The track assembly may have a chain assembly including a plurality of track links, a traction assembly including track shoes secured to the plurality of track links, a drive sprocket, an idler assembly including an idler and a mount, and a roller assembly including a plurality of rollers and a roller frame. The wear monitoring system may have a wear sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a current position of a first component of the track assembly, and a controller in communication with the at least one wear sensor, the controller being configured to determine an amount of wear experienced by the track assembly based on the signal. The first component may be configured such that wear of at least a second component causes the first component to move to the current position from a previous position.

Abstract: A cartridge for a track chain is disclosed. The cartridge includes a track pin. The cartridge also includes a rotatable bushing and a rotatable bearing located on the track pin. The cartridge further includes a first thrust bearing located on the track pin between the bearing and the bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the rotatable bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads. The cartridge may further include a collar located at an end of the track pin. The cartridge includes a second thrust bearing located between the bearing and the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads.

Abstract: An idler group is disclosed for a mobile machine having a tracked undercarriage with an endless track. The idler group may include a retainer disposed on an axle and within an opening in an idler. The retainer may be configured to achieve an interference fit with the idler sufficient to hold the retainer within the opening of the idler during operation of the mobile machine. In another embodiment, a retaining ring may be disposed within a channel formed in the idler and may contact the retainer. In yet another embodiment, a swaged connection may be formed between the idler and the axle.

Abstract: A cartridge for a track chain is disclosed. The cartridge includes a track pin. The cartridge also includes a rotatable bushing and a rotatable bearing located on the track pin. The cartridge further includes a first thrust bearing located on the track pin between the bearing and the bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the rotatable bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads. The cartridge may further include a collar located at an end of the track pin. The cartridge includes a second thrust bearing located between the bearing and the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads.

Abstract: A link for a track-type machine is disclosed. The link may have a body portion. The link may also have an aperture extending through the body portion. The aperture may have a cylindrical portion. Additionally, the aperture may have an annular groove formed in the cylindrical portion. The aperture may also have a tapered portion. The tapered portion may abut the cylindrical portion, and may taper toward the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A track assembly for a track-type machine is disclosed. The track assembly includes inner and outer track links. A rotatable bushing is positioned about a track pin and a sleeve bearing is positioned about the track pin. A first seal member is disposed between an inner track link and the rotatable bushing and a second seal member is disposed between inner and outer track links. A first thrust ring is engaged with the rotatable bushing and a second thrust ring is engaged with the sleeve bearing. A first contact member is engaged with the first seal member and a second contact member is engaged with the second seal member. The first and second contact members are configured to inhibit wear of the first and second seal members.

Abstract: A master link for a chain assembly is provided. The master link includes a body member with a first side, a second side positioned opposite the first side, a shoe surface configured to receive a track shoe, and a rail surface positioned opposite the shoe surface. The master link also includes first and second apertures extending through the body member from the first side to the second side and third and fourth apertures located between the first and second apertures. The master link also includes a strut member dividing the third and fourth apertures. The master link also includes a first gap located in the body member and extending from the first aperture to the third aperture and a second gap located in the body member and extending from the fourth aperture to the second aperture. The master link further includes a third gap located in the strut member and extending from the third aperture to the fourth aperture.

Abstract: A link for a track-type machine is disclosed. The link may have a body portion. The link may also have an aperture extending through the body portion. The aperture may have a cylindrical portion. Additionally, the aperture may have an annular groove formed in the cylindrical portion. The aperture may also have a tapered portion. The tapered portion may abut the cylindrical portion, and may taper toward the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A master link for a chain assembly is provided. The master link includes a body member with a first side, a second side positioned opposite the first side, a shoe surface configured to receive a track shoe, and a rail surface positioned opposite the shoe surface. The master link also includes first and second apertures extending through the body member from the first side to the second side and third and fourth apertures located between the first and second apertures. The master link also includes a strut member dividing the third and fourth apertures. The master link also includes a first gap located in the body member and extending from the first aperture to the third aperture and a second gap located in the body member and extending from the fourth aperture to the second aperture. The master link further includes a third gap located in the strut member and extending from the third aperture to the fourth aperture.

Abstract: A track assembly for a track-type machine is disclosed. The track assembly includes inner and outer track links. A rotatable bushing is positioned about a track pin and a sleeve bearing is positioned about the track pin. A first seal member is disposed between an inner track link and the rotatable bushing and a second seal member is disposed between inner and outer track links. A first thrust ring is engaged with the rotatable bushing and a second thrust ring is engaged with the sleeve bearing. A first contact member is engaged with the first seal member and a second contact member is engaged with the second seal member. The first and second contact members are configured to inhibit wear of the first and second seal members.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the status of a water softener at a remote location. The system includes a water softener controller with a control processing unit for determining the status of the water softener. The system also includes a water softener transmitter and a water softener indicator. The transmitter is coupled to the controller and transmits the status of the water softener to the indicator. The water softener indicator receives and displays the status message. The system is capable of determining whether the water softener is operating normally, whether the salt level is low or whether the water softener needs servicing.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the status of a water softener at a remote location. The system includes a water softener controller with a control processing unit for determining the status of the water softener. The system also includes a water softener transmitter and a water softener indicator. The transmitter is coupled to the controller and transmits the status of the water softener to the indicator. The water softener indicator receives and displays the status message. The system is capable of determining whether the water softener is operating normally, whether the salt level is low or whether the water softener needs servicing.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a remote display of the operating condition of a water treatment system having an electronic control utilizing a voice grade telephone system. A tone generator is associated with electronic control to generate tones which are transmitted through the telephone system to a decoder which provides digital signals to a microcomputer which provides a display of the operating conditions of the water treatment system at a remote location.

Abstract: A liquid treatment apparatus or system having a liquid treatment medium bed which is regenerated by passing through it a solution formed by dissolving a solid in a liquid. An automatic control system initiates a regeneration cycle when necessary. Indicia are provided in association with the container containing the solid material such that an appropriate indicia will represent the amount of solid material in the container. By providing the control circuit with the indicia, the control circuit will record the amount of solid material remaining and initiate an alarm when the amount of solid material remaining is below a predetermined level.