Abstract: The compaction of foreign materials in the track assembly (15) of a track-type vehicle (10) tends to subject the track assembly (15) to unduly high tensions. Such compaction can severely curtail the service lives of undercarriage components. Although flexible guards (26) function well during normal operation, when the vehicle (10) engages an immovable object, the track assembly (15) tends to separate-away from said track roller frame (13). An imposition of an outside force (F.sub.H) on the flexible guard could cause it to bind within the track assembly (15). This invention is directed to a backup plate (35) secured on the track roller frame (13) for preventing inward movement of the flexible guard (26) substantially within the confines of the track assembly (15) during this condition of vehicle operation.

Abstract: A roadable track assembly (12) includes a plurality of track shoes (14) having a roadable grouser (20) bar attached to each shoe (14). The grouser bar (20) is of a size, shape, and material to provide good penetration and traction in most soils and also provides acceptable wear life. A vehicle (10) equipped with an endless track assembly (12) having the subject grouser bars (20) can travel on asphalt type roadways without causing permanent damage to the roads. Track-type vehicles having conventional metal track shoe grousers often cause permanent damage when traveling upon asphalt roads. The subject roadable track shoe grousers (20) have sufficient surface area and resilience to produce low ground pressure on the roads and eliminate damage while providing sufficient traction for agricultural work.

Abstract: A wheel has a hub and a rim connected to the hub. Teeth are positioned on the outer surface of the rim and arcuately spaced one from the other by a root area. The root areas have an outer periphery and define a root diameter. The wheel has an annular opening in communication with said outer periphery of the root areas. A hoop having an outside diameter greater than the root diameter is positioned in the annular opening for movement in response to operation of the wheel and cleaning of material from the root areas in response to the movement.

Abstract: A wheel of a driven track of a track-type vehicle has a plurality of teeth connected to a hub. A plurality of annular springs is positioned in the openings of the teeth and actuated in response to associated plungers on the springs contacting a portion of the track. The springs controllably resist the impact forces of the track that are directed onto the wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for rotating the bushings of an assembled and in-place track of a tractor to present new bushing wear areas to the sprockets which engage these bushings.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the noise made by circulation of an endless drive chain comprising a plurality of substantially identical links about a drive sprocket and idler is disclosed. According to the invention, a substantial portion of the energy present in pivotal movement of adjacent links with respect to each other, which occurs as the links are received on the drive sprocket and idler, is absorbed and returned to the pivotal movement therebetween which occurs when the links leave their engagement with the drive sprocket and idler. Specific embodiments of the invention particularly suited for use in reducing track noise in a track-type vehicle are described.

Abstract: A track shoe wear assembly for endless track-type vehicles includes at least one support member being of a construction sufficient for releasable connection to a track shoe and a separate drive member releasably connected to the support member.

Abstract: A wheel of a driven track of a track-type vehicle has a rim connected to a hub with an annular chamber formed between the rim and the hub. A plurality of annular springs are positioned in the chamber and actuated by plungers in response to contacting a portion of the track. The springs controllably resist the impact forces of the track that are directed onto the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel has rims that are radially movable relative to the hub in response to forces acting on the rim. The rim is biased by resilient material to return to its normal position in response to removal of the force on the rim.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is apparatus for rotating the bushings of an assembled and in-place track of a tractor to present new bushing wear areas to the sprockets which engage these bushings. The apparatus includes a clamp member which is capable of applying rotative force to the bushing to be rotated and means for providing such necessary force.

Abstract: A resilient element is associated with an overlapping portion of a crawler tractor track shoe so that the adjacent shoe initially contacts the resilient element during back-bend flexure prior to the grouser of this same adjacent shoe contacting the overlap portion of the first shoe. The resilient element, by reducing impact velocity, serves to lessen operating noise and prolong shoe life.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a part including a bore with a bearing integrally cast thereto, the thus formed part and apparatus for this forming the part. The process includes hot machining a bore into a billet in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and introducing molten bearing material, e.g., molten bronze about a mandrel positioned in the bore while maintaining the billet, the mandrel and the bearing material in the non-oxidizing atmosphere. The mandrel is drawn from the bore while the bearing material is cooled by cooling and solidifying means therein adjacent an end of the mandrel which is last to exit the bore. The cooling is sufficient to progressively solidify the material as the mandrel is drawn through it and out of the bore.

Abstract: A rotatable resilient contacting element attachable to track shoes of a crawler type vehicle.

Abstract: A track-type vehicle comprises a plurality of articulated track shoes each comprising a pair of downwardly converging sidewalls terminating at a grouser extending the full width thereof. The sidewalls define a V-shaped trough-like configuration and a track link is releasably attached thereto. A pair of parallel lugs are formed on the upper ends of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A track-type vehicle comprises a plurality of articulated track shoes each comprising a pair of downwardly converging sidewalls terminating at a grouser extending the full width thereof. The sidewalls define a V-shaped trough-like configuration and a track link is releasably attached thereto. A pair of parallel lugs are formed on the upper ends of the sidewalls.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is apparatus for rotating the bushings of an assembled and in-place track of a tractor to present new bushing wear areas to the sprockets which engage these bushings. The apparatus includes a clamp member which is capable of applying rotative force to the bushing to be rotated and means for providing such necessary force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a part including a bore with a bearing integrally cast thereto, the thus formed part and apparatus for thus forming the part. The process includes hot machining a bore into a billet in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and introducing molten bearing material, e.g., molten bronze about a mandrel positioned in the bore while maintaining the billet, the mandrel and the bearing material in the non-oxidizing atmosphere. The mandrel is drawn from the bore while the bearing material is cooled by cooling and solidifying means therein adjacent an end of the mandrel which is last to exit the bore. The cooling is sufficient to progressively solidify the material as the mandrel is drawn through it and out of the bore.

Abstract: A resilient contacting assembly attachable to track shoes of a crawler type vehicle. The contacting element is formed of a plurality of discs for improving the wear life of the contacting element.

Abstract: A track-type vehicle comprises a plurality of articulated track shoes each comprising a pair of downwardly converging sidewalls terminating at the grouser extending the full width thereof. The sidewalls define a V-shaped trough-like configuration and a track link is releasably attached thereto. A pair of parallel lugs are formed on the upper ends of the sidewalls.