Abstract: A straddle mount idler assembly for use with a crawler assembly of a crawler machine. The straddle mount idler assembly includes an idler wheel positioned between inboard and outboard arms of a crawler assembly, the idler wheel fixed both rotationally and axially to an idler shaft. The wheel and shaft are fixed rotationally via locking key and axially via segmented retaining plate and bolts. The axial coupling of the wheel and shaft allows for axial thrust to be controlled outboard the crawler frame for easier access and maintenance. A sealed thrust plate assembly with a dedicated lubrication port is mounted to each bearing block. A retainer nut threadably engages the idler shaft, allowing ready tightening of the retainer when the thrust plate experiences wear, and the retaining nut is fixed to the shaft via a locking bar. A set of integrated inspection ports enable inspection and measurement of the thrust plate without splitting crawler tracks.

Abstract: A straddle mount idler assembly for use with a crawler assembly of a crawler machine. The straddle mount idler assembly includes an idler wheel positioned between inboard and outboard arms of a crawler assembly, the idler wheel fixed both rotationally and axially to an idler shaft. The wheel and shaft are fixed rotationally via locking key and axially via segmented retaining plate and bolts. The axial coupling of the wheel and shaft allows for axial thrust to be controlled outboard the crawler frame for easier access and maintenance. A sealed thrust plate assembly with a dedicated lubrication port is mounted to each bearing block. A retainer nut threadably engages the idler shaft, allowing ready tightening of the retainer when the thrust plate experiences wear, and the retaining nut is fixed to the shaft via a locking bar. A set of integrated inspection ports enable inspection and measurement of the thrust plate without splitting crawler tracks.