Abstract: A bushing for use in a tracked undercarriage of a track-type machine includes a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end. An outer surface extends between the first end and the second end and is shaped to engage a sprocket of the tracked undercarriage. The bushing also includes an annular inner surface disposed between the first end and the second end defining an internal cavity shaped to receive a track pin. An innermost portion of the inner surface forms a crown having a radius less than or equal to (PL2)/[(24E ?DRBush4)(1?cos[(PL)/(16E?DRBush4))] where L is the length of the bushing, P is the weight of the track-type machine, E is the Modulus of Elasticity of the bushing, and RBush is a radius of the innermost portion of the annular internal cavity.

Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

Abstract: A track shoe for a track-type vehicle. The track shoe includes a base plate and a grouser projecting away from the base plate. A capping surface structure of substantially horseshoe shaped cross-section is disposed across a distal portion of the grouser. The capping surface structure covers portions of a distal edge surface and adjacent lateral surfaces. The capping surface structure is formed from an material characterized by enhanced wear resistance relative to portions of the grouser underlying the capping surface structure.

Abstract: A lobed bushing is provided for a track assembly of a track-type machine. The track assembly includes a first chain and a second chain coupled together with a track pin. A bushing, defining a longitudinal axis, includes a central bore oriented along the longitudinal axis and extending from a first end of the bushing to a second end of the bushing for receiving the track pin. The bushing includes a first lobe positioned at a first location about the longitudinal axis and a second lobe positioned at a second location about the longitudinal axis that is less than about 180° from the first location. The first end of the bushing has a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A bushing includes an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end, and a second end. An end face forms at least part of each of the first end and the second end. At least one of the exterior surface and the end face includes a sealing surface formed at least in part of a coating including a material having a hardness level greater than about 1200 Knoop. The sealing surface has a thickness greater than about 35 microns and an average roughness (Ra) less than about 0.25 micron. In one embodiment, the bushing may be used on an endless track for a track-type work machine.

Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

Abstract: A method for coating a substrate is disclosed. The method includes applying a coating to a surface of the substrate and heating the applied coating and a first portion of the substrate. The first portion includes the surface of the substrate and less than the entire substrate. The method further includes cooling the applied coating and the first portion.

Abstract: A cartridge bearing assembly for a track chain of a track type work machine is provided. The cartridge bearing assembly includes axial/radial load bearing insert members positioned about a pin, and a rotatable bushing positioned therebetween. Crowned sleeve bearings are disposed between the insert members and the pin, as well as between the pin and the rotatable bushing. Collars are disposed at opposite ends of the pin and fixedly coupled thereto, trapping the other components of the cartridge assembly therebetween. A method of operating a track type work machine is further provided, including reducing wear between coupled track links by reacting axial loads via insert members positioned about a track pin.

Abstract: A track roller assembly for guiding an endless track includes a central supporting shaft, a roller shell having a through bore, a pair of bushings surrounding the shaft and positioned within the roller through bore, and a pair of split rings which secure the roller shell in a fixed position with respect to the bushings and the shaft. A seal assembly at each end of the through bore seals in lubricating fluid and seals out dirt and other harmful matter. The split rings hold the shaft, bushings, and roller shell together and eliminate threaded fasteners which reduce the useful wear life of the roller shells. Resilient load rings in the seal assemblies provide proper loading of the seal assemblies and prevent dirt from eroding the load rings.

Abstract: An isolated rim roller assembly guides and supports portions of the endless track of a track-type vehicle as that portion of the track travels between a drive wheel and an idler wheel of the vehicle. The metallic rims of the roller assembly are isolated from the roller shell by cushioning rings which are bonded to the rims and the roller shell. Noise and vibration generated by the metal to metal contact between the endless track and the rims is isolated from the remainder of the roller assembly by the cushioning rings. Conventional track supporting rollers have metal tread portions which generated objectionable noise and impact between the track and the treads. The subject roller assembly, with the isolated rims, reduces the noise and impact levels.

Abstract: A drive sprocket assembly for driving an endless track chain assembly for propelling a vehicle includes a support hub, which is mountable to the power drive system of the vehicle, and a plurality of replaceable sprocket segments which are secured to the support hub. Each sprocket segment includes replaceable teeth which are resiliently isolated from the other components of the sprocket segment by a plurality of non-metallic resilient discs, thus reducing noise generated by the sprocket teeth striking the endless chain assembly. Conventional drive sprocket assemblies use a one-piece toothed sprocket, or tooth segments having several teeth, bolted directly to a support member. These prior sprocket assemblies generate considerable noise and vibration from impacting of the teeth with an endless chain. The subject sprocket assembly produces low levels of noise by utilizing individual replaceable teeth, or teeth segments, which are isolated from the other components of the sprocket segments by resilient discs.

Abstract: An idler wheel assembly for supporting and guiding an endless track chain assembly of a track-type vehicle includes a spoked idler wheel having a plurality of aligned apertures through the sidewalls. A resilient plug assembly is contained within each set of aligned apertures. A resilient pad isolates each plug assembly from the idler wheel. Conventional spoked idler wheels have a plurality of holes through the sidewalls. These holes collect debris which can damage the idler wheel or other undercarriage components. The subject idler wheel assembly includes resilient plug assemblies to close the apertures and maintain the sound reducing characteristics of the idler wheel assembly.

Abstract: A retaining pin, a metallic washer and a resilient retaining ring for use in securing an earthworking tip to an adapter. Positive retention of earthworking tips on their adapters by their retaining pins during its work cycle is extremely important from an operational, as well as a cost, standpoint. The loss of the tips materially affects production in addition to the time-consuming expense of replacement or repair of the components. Not only must the tips be adequately retained, they must be capable of quick removal for replacement purposes. The retaining pin has an outer peripheral surface and an annular groove defined in the peripheral surface. The washer is slidably disposed on the pin. The washer has a frusto-conical side surface and an inner peripheral surface with an annular groove defined in the peripheral surface. The ring has a cross-section with a predetermined radial thickness and when assembled is disposed in locking engagement in a groove on the pin and the groove of the washer.

Abstract: In ground engaging tools, reliable fastening devices are needed to quickly and effectively secure replaceable earth working tips to adapters. The fastening pin assembly should be configured in such a way as to prevent pin loss or breakage which causes the tip to be lost and/or the adapter damaged. This invention consists of two pins and an interconnecting and retaining means. When assembled, each pin will extend approximately to the middle portion of the adapter through axially aligned bores defined in both the tip and adapter. The interconnecting and retaining means is located in the middle portion of the adapter between the two pins and retains the pins in the adapter bore. This invention protects against pin loss/and or breakage and is beneficial to all type of earth working replaceable tip applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metallic washer and a split resilient retaining ring for retaining pins of earthworking tips. Positive retention of earthworking tips on their adapters by their retaining pins during its work cycle is extremely important from an operational as well as a cost standpoint. The loss of the tips materially affect productions in addition to the time consuming expense of replacement or repair of the components. Not only must the tips be adequately retained, they must be capable of quick removal for replacement purposes. The washer having a frusto-conical side surface and an inside surface defining a bore and a groove opening into the bore is captured in a recess between a nose of the adapter and a sidewall of the tip. The ring having a cross-section with a predetermined radial thickness and is disposed in locking engagement in a groove on the pin and the groove of the washer.