Abstract: A hydraulic recoil and belt tension control system is connected to a hydraulic motor of an endless belt propulsion device so that a common source of fluid is used to both drive the hydraulic motor and maintain proper tension in a drive belt of the propulsion device. The hydraulic recoil and belt tension control system includes first and second check valves to direct pressurized fluid from the appropriate one of first and second motor conduits to an actuating chamber of a belt tension actuator. A relief valve relieves excessive pressure in the actuating chamber and returns fluid exhausted from the actuating chamber during recoil through either of third and fourth check valves to the appropriate one of the first and second motor conduits. Utilizing the hydraulic motor drive circuit as the source of fluid for the hydraulic recoil and belt tension control systems eliminates at least two conduits between the propulsion device and the vehicle to which the propulsion device is mounted.

Abstract: A belted undercarriage assembly for a vehicle, such as a non-powered towed trailer, includes first and second endless belt assemblies, one positioned on each side of the vehicle, first and second wheel supporting frame assemblies associated respectively with the first and second belt assemblies, and a supporting axle connected to each of the frame assemblies and to the vehicle. Each of the frame assemblies includes first and second rectangular shaped tubes which are adapted to telescope together. A first threaded adjusting mechanism controls the telescopic relationship of the first and second tubes and a second threaded adjusting mechanism controls lateral movement of the first tube relative to the second tube. Providing proper belt tension and alignment of the belt on the guide wheels are important to efficient and economical operation of a belted undercarriage assembly. If proper tension is not maintained, or if the belt drifts to one side or the other, undesirable heat buildup and wear are produced.

Abstract: Blade mechanisms being operated along the ground have a tendency to draft into the ground unless some positive form of control is provided to prohibit the downdrafting of the blade. In the subject arrangement, a blade and linkage mechanism is provided for stopping a blade from drafting downward with respect to the ground. The linkage mechanism includes a tilt arm attached between a work vehicle and a top portion of the blade and a push arm attached between the work vehicle and a bottom portion of the blade. The tilt arm is movable relative to the vehicle through an arc which if extended intersects the push arm between its pivot connections. When the blade drafts downward, the different orientations of the tilt arm and the push arm corrects the downdraft due to the rear of a skid plate attached thereto being tilted with respect to the ground. The changing orientation of the skid plate with respect to the ground causes the front of the blade to raise with respect to the ground.

Abstract: Blade assemblies having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom are useful for working soil and/or for removing objects buried under the surface of the ground. However, having a plurality of teeth extending below the blade assembly can be detrimental since ground clearance is reduced or if the blade assembly inadvertently lowers during movement of the vehicle from one job site to another. In the subject arrangement, a blade assembly is provided having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom. The plurality of teeth are retractable in response to movement of a mechanism within the blade assembly. Upon raising the blade assembly to its carry position with subsequent retraction of the plurality of teeth, a mounting bar assembly which is associated with the plurality of teeth is moved into a recessed pocket of a latching flange. The latching flange is attached to a vehicle by a frame assembly.

Abstract: A suspension system for a non-powered belted vehicle includes a pair of wheel assemblies positioned on each side of the vehicle, a flexible endless belt encircling each pair of wheel assemblies, and an axle assembly extending transverse to the wheel assemblies. The wheel assemblies are connected to the axle assembly by a plurality of pivotal arms and each pair of wheel assemblies are interconnected by a fluid actuated cylinder. Belted vehicles which utilize smooth wheels to frictionally engage the belt for driving and stopping the belt, require considerable tension between the wheels and the belt. High belt tension is desirable for driving and stopping but unnecessarily high belt tension is undesirable due to overstressing of vehicle components. The subject suspension system utilizes a variable load applied to the vehicle to increase the belt tension for efficient vehicle operation.

Abstract: An assembly for stopping and retaining a floating piston within a closed cylinder includes a plurality of retaining ring segments which are seated within a groove provided in the internal wall of the cylinder. The retaining ring segments are held securely in place by a plurality of retaining plates which are clamped together by a plurality of threaded fasteners. The assembly is positioned deep within the cylinder at a specific location by a special tool. This tool also activates portions of the stop assembly to initially seat the retaining ring segments in the groove. A floating piston and associated seals are used in a combination oil and gas cylinder to separate the pressurized oil chamber from the compressed gas chamber. In order to maintain the piston in the cylinder while one chamber is evacuated and the other chamber remains pressurized, a piston stop and retainer assembly is required.

Abstract: A vehicle capable of high speed operation over rough terrain has a suspension system including an elevated drive wheel, a front idler wheel, and a rear idler wheel with an elastomeric drive belt entrained therearound. The drive belt is driven by friction, and the suspension system includes a front suspension strut device having a recoil mechanism and a resilient front strut that resiliently biases the front idler wheel forwardly and downwardly. A braking device is in a protected location within side portions of the front idler wheel and reacts against the front suspension strut device to brake the vehicle. Such braking reaction minimizes the reduction of frictional engagement between the drive wheel and the drive belt due to the reaction of the drive belt against the recoil mechanism when traveling forwardly.

Abstract: A suspension system for the idlers and guide wheels, and related structures, of a belted track-type vehicle provides cushioning for the vehicle and components as the vehicle traverses obstacles and uneven terrain. The suspension system also provides tensioning and recoil for the endless track belt during ingestion of foreign material between the belt and the idler wheel. The suspension system includes a plurality of hydropneumatic struts connected between the vehicle frame and various belt guiding and supporting components. Most endless track machines utilize auxiliary frame assembles on each side of the main vehicle frame to support track guiding rollers, idler wheels, suspension systems, and track recoil mechanisms. These auxiliary frame assembles are bulky, heavy, and complicated and generally limit the total amount of suspension and recoil afforded to the idler wheels and track guide wheels.

Abstract: A recoil and tensioning assembly for the track and idler of a self-laying track vehicle maintains a constant tensioning force on the endless track. The assembly provides recoiling of the idler wheel during shock loading of the idler wheel or during ingestion of foreign material between the track and the idler and drive wheels. The recoil and tensioning assembly includes a recoil member which telescopes into a cylinder and includes a first chamber filled with a compressible gas and a second chamber filled with a non-compressible oil. A floating piston separates the two chambers and serves to compress the gas during a recoil cycle. Conventional recoil systems for self-laying track-type vehicles utilize pre-compressed large diameter steel coil springs to resist recoiling during light loading of the idler wheel and to return the idler wheel to normal position after recoiling during heavy loading.

Abstract: An end face seal assembly is disclosed for use in severe service applications, such as for use in sealing a track joint. The seal assembly includes a rubber load ring, an L-shaped metal seal ring and a polyurethane seal ring. The polyurethane seal ring is mounted in a groove provided in the end face of the track bushing and has a seal lip which dynamically seals against a radial sealing surface of the metal seal ring. The load ring mounts the metal ring in the counterbore of the outer track link and provides the axial force for urging the metal seal ring into axial sealing engagement against the seal lip. The seal assembly eliminates grooving of the bushing end face which occurs with the use of prior art seals which use such end face as a dynamic sealing surface. The metal seal ring of the present seal assembly is made of an extremely hard and corrosion resistant material so as to virtually eliminate such grooving.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle equipped with a pair of belts arranged on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle's frame wherein each belt is entrained about an elevated drive wheel, a front and a rear idler wheel, and roller wheels arranged longitudinally between the idler wheels. Resilient front, intermediate, and rear struts connected respectively between the frame and a support apparatus of which the front idler comprises a portion, between the frame and one set of roller wheels, and between the frame and the rear idler wheel provide the vertical support for the vehicle's frame. Fluid interconnection of the front struts provides lateral load sharing during low speed vehicle operation and, during high speed vehicle operation, fluid interconnection of each front strut with its own accumulator provides independent suspension. Selective fluid interconnection of the rear strut with a recoil strut which provides the desired belt tension maintains belt to wheel engagement for high speed vehicular operation.

Abstract: A track-type vehicle capable of high speed operation over rough terrain includes a frame supported by lefthand and righthand suspension mechanisms individually having a plurality of hydropneumatically actuated struts for supporting the frame on a plurality of wheels. An elastomeric drive belt is entrained about these wheels and is frictionally driven by an elevated drive wheel. Forces from several struts are directed into the frame in a centralized common region which minimizes rocking of the vehicle. A front idler wheel is urged forwardly and downwardly against the drive belt by a hydropneumatically actuated recoil mechanism, and a front strut also acts on the front idler wheel to resiliently urge it downwardly. A plurality of pivoting members are cooperatively connected to the struts to more evenly distribute forces against the drive belt.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00322 Sec. 371 Date May 14, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date May 14, 1979 PCT Filed May 14, 1979 WO80/02526 Nov. 27, 1980The ends (14,16) of cylindrical bushings 10) in which pins rotate bear relatively heavy loads. This can lead to a slight internal deformation of the bushing (10) which can interfere with free rotation of the pin. Such a problem is encountered, for example, with track pin bushings. A solution to this problem is to contour the ends (14,16) of the bushing (10) so that the inner diameter thereof flares (28,30) outwardly toward the bushing ends (14,16). This has not previously been accomplished via a single relatively non-critical operation. In the present invention a first end (14) of a cylindrically bored tube (10) is compressed radially inwardly sufficient to force it to a reduced internal diameter (18).

Abstract: A unitary bogie pad has a base portion, an intermediate portion, and a cap portion each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration. The base portion is of a columnar configuration, the intermediate portion has outer annular walls sloping generally inwardly, and the cap portion is of a generally domed configuration. The base portion has a bottom surface and an outer surface hingedly connected to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A track assembly comprises a pair of laterally spaced links releasably secured to each track shoe thereof. A drive lug extends between the links and a rail is disposed on each link. A plurality of bolts provide common fasteners for releasably securing the links, track shoe, drive lug and rails together. A pair of such bolts are preferably disposed on each lateral side of each link to increase the lateral stability of the links and overall structure integrity of the track assembly.

Abstract: A sprocket for driving a chain has a pocket between adjacent teeth at least partially defined by an arcuate root surface and oppositely disposed topping surfaces. The root surface, in turn, is defined by a radius centered on the pocket center line having a length at least as great as the sum of the radius of the chain bushings plus one half the backlash of the chain. The topping surfaces lie radially outward from the respective ends of the root surface and are defined by radii centered at points circumferentially spaced from the pocket. The topping surfaces may extend outwardly from the respective ends of the root surface and at the point of merger be tangent therewith.

Abstract: A chain drive sprocket formed of a plurality of sprocket segments arranged seriatim alternately to define a continuous equiangularly spaced annular series of sprocket teeth with a first group of the sprocket segments having a different number of teeth from the alternating second group. Each of the segments may have a similar number of mounting bolt holes, which, in the circular sprocket arrangement, are equiangularly spaced about the axis of the sprocket. The sprocket segments are of different angular extent and the end bolt holes of different sprocket segments may be spaced differently from the end surfaces of the sprocket segments. The sprocket radii centered between opposed adjacent end surfaces may be angularly spaced from the radial centerline through the root between the end teeth of the sprocket segments at opposite sides of the adjacent end surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides a suspension system for track-type vehicles. The system comprises a resilient assembly for mounting on the track roller frame of the vehicle which includes a tubular member having a stack of resilient pads therewithin and a plurality of spaced coaxial resilient members therearound. The mounted assembly effectively cushions relative vertical and horizontal movement between the track roller frame and main frame of the vehicle. An alternate embodiment includes a resilient assembly having a plurality of obliquely oriented resilient pads mounted upon the track roller frame to form a pocket for receiving a complimentary mating bracket secured to the main frame of the vehicle. The assembly effectively cushions horizontal and vertical relative movement between the main and track roller frames of the vehicle.