Abstract: A weld head angle adjustment system includes a weld head, a base unit, and an angle adjustment mechanism. The weld head includes a welding torch and an arc voltage control assembly that is operatively connected to the welding torch and configured to move the welding torch. The angle adjustment mechanism is operatively connects the weld head to the base unit and is designed to change an angle between the welding torch and the base unit while ensuring that an orientation between the welding torch and the arc voltage control assembly remains fixed as the angle between the welding torch and the base unit is changed. In some embodiments, the angle adjustment mechanism includes a bolt that connects the weld head to the base unit. The angle adjustment mechanism is configured such that the angle between the welding torch and the base unit can be adjusted when the bolt is in a first state and the angle is fixed when the bolt is in a second state.

Abstract: A tractor unit system includes a tractor unit that has a travel drive gear. The travel drive gear includes a drive gear portion and at least one drive roller portion. The system also includes a guide track that has a track gear. The track gear includes a track gear portion and at least one land portion. The at least one drive roller portion and the at least one land portion are configured such that the at least one drive roller portion contacts the at least one land portion when the drive gear portion is engaged to the track gear portion. In some embodiments, a diameter of the at least one drive roller portion is equal to a pitch diameter of the drive gear portion. If the track gear portion is curved, in some embodiments a diameter of the at least one land portion equals a pitch diameter of the track gear portion. In other embodiments, if the track gear portion is straight, a dimension of the at least one land portion equals a pitch line of the track gear portion.

Abstract: A travel drive gear engagement mechanism for a tractor unit includes a clutch lever that has a cam portion. The clutch lever is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position at a point that is offset from a center of an elongated portion of the cam portion. The engagement mechanism also includes a connecting member that operatively connects the cam portion of the clutch lever to a drive gear of a tractor unit. The connecting member is operatively connected to the cam portion at the offset point. The clutch level and connecting member are configured such that the drive gear engages a track gear when the clutch lever is in the first position and disengages from the track gear when the clutch lever is in the second position.

Abstract: A tractor unit mounting mechanism includes a clamping assembly that is configured to engage and disengage the tractor unit to a track guide. The tractor unit includes at least two pivot blocks with each pivot block including at least one rolling device and a locking mechanism. The at least one rolling device is designed to roll on a rail of the guide track. The clamping assembly is configured to operatively connect the at least one rolling device with the guide track when the tractor unit is engaged. The pivot block is configured to pivot such that the at least one rolling device can conform to a profile, e.g., a concave profile, convex profile, a straight profile, or any combination thereof, of the guide track as the tractor unit is engaging the guide track. The locking mechanism, e.g., a bushing, is configured to prevent the pivot block from pivoting once the tractor unit has engaged to the guide track.

Abstract: A tractor unit mounting mechanism includes a clamping assembly that is configured to engage and disengage a tractor unit to a guide track. The guide track includes a first rail and a second rail. The mounting assembly also includes at least one pivot block set that has a first pivot block and a second pivot block. Each of the first pivot block and the second pivot block includes a first rolling device and a second rolling device. When the tractor unit is in a disengaged position, a first distance between an outer portion of the first rail and an outer portion of the second rail is greater than a second distance between the first rolling devices of the at least one pivot block set, and the first distance is less than a third distance between the second rolling devices of the at least one pivot block set.

Abstract: A lead/lag torch angle adjustment system for a weld held. The weld head device includes a torch head assembly that includes an electrode. The weld head device also includes a support device that supports the torch head assembly and a barrel assembly that is operatively connected to the torch head assembly and the support device. The barrel assembly is configured to change at least one of a lead angle and a lag angle of the electrode with respect to a workpiece. The barrel assembly includes an adjustment mechanism that includes a first section that is operatively connected to the torch head assembly. The adjustment mechanism also includes a second section that is configured to accept the mount plate. The barrel assembly also includes a mount plate that is operatively connected to the support device and at least one barrel clamp. The barrel clamp is configured to attach to the mount plate and also configured to accept the second section.