Abstract: The invention relates to a tracked vehicle (11) comprising a vehicle body (30), at least one track assembly (21) and a suspension device (S). Said track assembly (21) is arranged to be supported by said vehicle body (30) by means of said suspension device (S), said track assembly comprising a track support beam (22) for supporting a plurality of road wheels (23, 23a), an endless track (25) being disposed around said road wheels. Said suspension device (S) comprises a bogie arrangement (50) rotatably attached to a fastening point (P0) of said vehicle body (30) about an axis of rotation (Z0) transversal to the longitudinal extension of said track assembly (21) and attached to said track support beam (22) in connection to at least two fastening points (P1, P2) so that the track support beam (22) is allowed to rotate in a rotational plane extending along the longitudinal extension of said track support beam (22) about said axis of rotation.

Abstract: A track assembly is formed from an endless track, an elongate guide member, a drive sprocket, and a plurality of track engaging rollers. The endless track has an inner surface having a plurality of parallel circumferential ridges. Formed between the circumferential ridges is a circumferential channel. The guide member is at least partially positioned and closely received within the circumferential channel. The track engaging rollers are arranged in a pair of parallel rows near an outer side of each circumferential ridge. During track rotation, the guide member remains closely received within the channel, and the rollers contact the outer side of the ridges to resist lateral movement of the track. Positioning of the guide member in the circumferential channel, with the rollers outside the ridges, laterally stabilizes the track thereby reducing the risk of the track slipping off the track assembly.

Abstract: A track support rail for slidably supporting a track assembly of a machine includes a body having a first body end, a second body end, a crown portion, and an upper support surface. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between the first and second body ends. The crown portion is disposed between the first and second body ends along the longitudinal axis. The upper support surface extends along the longitudinal axis between the first and second body ends. The upper support surface includes first and second curved segments. The first curved segment has a first curved shape and extends from the first body end toward the crown portion of the body. The second curved segment has a second curved shape and extends from the second body end toward the crown portion of the body. The first curved shape is different from the second curved shape.

Abstract: A track assembly for a machine comprising track pads with a ground engaging surface opposite link engaging surfaces and a lug protruding between the link engaging surfaces. The track assembly includes pairs of links disposed on the link engaging surfaces of the track pads. The pairs of links include an outer link having an outer bushing end and an outer pin end, and an inner link spaced-apart from the outer link. The inner link has an inner bushing end and an inner pin end. A distance between the inner bushing ends and the outer bushing ends is less than a distance between the inner pin ends and the respective outer pin ends. The track assembly includes pins connecting the bushing ends of pairs of links to the pin ends of adjacent pairs of links forming endless chains. The endless chains connect adjacent track pads in an endless loop.

Abstract: A crawler has a track tensioning system. The crawler includes a crawler frame having a bottom; at least one drive tumbler supported on the frame; a track made of a plurality of connected track shoes and is wrapped around the drive tumbler so that a plurality of the shoes are in contact with the drive tumbler. The track tensioning system, mounted to the frame, includes a roller engaging the inside surface of the track; and a roller positioning structure attached to the frame that can raise the roller relative to the bottom of the frame to thereby increase the tension of the track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tracked running gear, in which two running gears are arranged parallel to one another and each running gear has a longitudinal member (1) and a running gear chain (2) which runs around the longitudinal member in the longitudinal direction thereof and forms an upper and a lower strand, and at least one traction drive, composed of a motor, transmission and a drive gearwheel which meshes into the running gear chain and also a deflecting wheel which permits chain tensioning by means of a movement relative to the fixed part of the longitudinal member, characterized in that at least one additional traction drive (3) which acts on the upper strand is provided on the longitudinal member, wherein the running gear length is changed or remains unchanged.

Abstract: A crawler traction device for a crawler vehicle, in particular a tractor, the device having a carriage, a drive sprocket rotating about a first axis, an idler wheel rotating about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The track is looped about the drive sprocket and the idler wheel and meshes with the drive sprocket along a meshing arc. The traction device has a noise and vibration damping device having an auxiliary roller which rotates about a third axis parallel to the first axis and is eccentric with respect to the drive sprocket as well as smaller in diameter than the drive sprocket. The noise and vibration damping device only cooperates with the track along a portion of the track located, in use, immediately upstream from the meshing arc and interposed between the auxiliary roller and the terrain.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing vibrational effects of track chain assembly catenary hang is disclosed. A work machine includes a pair of track roller assemblies one positioned on each side of the work machine. The vibration reducing apparatus and method includes repositioning undercarriage components to vary the catenary hang from one side of the work machine to the other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting structure of a carrier roller that can decrease vibration occurred in an endless track chain assembly because a location of a carrier roller installed on a lower frame can be controlled. According to the present invention, the mounting structure of the carrier roller is a mounting structure of a carrier roller installed on a lower frame for supporting an upper side of an endless track chain assembly. Further, the mounting structure of the carrier roller includes a mounting part installed on the lower frame, a support part coupled to the mounting part so as to enable its location to be controlled, and a carrier roller coupled to the support part for supporting the endless track chain assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a support roller of a crawler type traveling apparatus which can prevent a rotational resistance from being increased by the soil or the like, and can stably achieve a function serving as the support roller for a long time. The invention provides a support roller of a crawler type traveling apparatus provided with a shaft (1), a support portion (2) supporting a center portion in an axial direction of the shaft (1), and a pair of rollers (3, 3) respectively arranged in both end portions (1a, 1a) of the shaft (1) and rotating together with the shaft (1). A mounting seat portion (36) of the support portion (2) to a track frame (51) is set within a range (S) of a roller outer shape formed by a pair of rollers (3, 3) in a plan view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an undercarriage equipped with a coreless rubber crawler in a chain drive configuration, and more particularly, to a track system undercarriage for a skid loader in which an auxiliary axle and an auxiliary sprocket are provided to solve the problem of load concentration at the contact points of a coreless rubber crawler, which is adopted to reduce the total load of a vehicle. A gear chain is provided surrounding a main axle and the auxiliary axle, so that the load is dispersed over a large contact area of the coreless rubber crawler, thereby relieving internal stress concentrations at the sprocket and the coreless rubber crawler, and significantly improving the life span of the coreless rubber crawler.

Abstract: Star carrier roller assemblies have been used in certain tracked mobile machines, such as those used in the timber industry, that must operate in cold weather and/or over rough terrain. Due to interaction of the star carrier roller assembly with a track chain assembly, undesirable wear on the star carrier roller assembly occurs. The present invention includes at least one star carrier roller assembly for a tracked mobile machine that limits the wear on the star carrier roller assembly. The star carrier roller assembly includes a carrier roller positioned adjacent to a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. Each tooth includes a tooth width and a tooth angle. A ratio between the tooth width and a difference of a pitch length and a bushing diameter of a track chain assembly is less than 0.3, and the tooth angle is greater than or equal to zero degrees (0°).

Abstract: A track driven device having a suspension system, positive hydraulic braking system, positive drive belt system and belt tensioning system for an improved ride, reducing belt wear and belt failure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skid track having equipment for a construction vehicle and, in particular, a vehicle (skid track) having a bucket 2 serving simultaneously for loading, said vehicle comprising a drive motor and a chassis 3 with a vehicle frame 4. On the vehicle frame 4, in each case running gear 5 with a driveable chain 6 is arranged at the side. For the chains 6, in each case a front guide and deflection wheel 7 at the bottom and a rear guide and deflection wheel 8 and also a third guide and deflection wheel 9 arranged at a higher level are provided. On both sides of the vehicle, in each case at least one of the two deflection wheels arranged at the bottom and serving simultaneously as guide and deflection wheels 7 and 8 has a sprocket 10, which engages in the chain 6 and can be connected to the drive motor.

Abstract: A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine has a roller rim having central passage defined therein. The roller assembly also has a roller shaft positioned in the central passage of the roller rim. Moreover, the roller assembly has a retainer secured to the roller rim so as to retain the roller shaft in the central passage. The retainer is prepared by a process including the steps of (i) arranging a first type of metal powder in a first predetermined location, (ii) arranging a second type of metal powder in a second predetermined location, the second type of metal powder being different than the first type of metal powder, and (iii) sintering both the first type of metal powder and the second type of metal powder. A method of manufacturing a roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine is configurable in either a first roller configuration or a second roller configuration. The roller assembly has a roller shaft and a roller hub journalled for rotation about the roller shaft. A first roller rim having a first outer diameter is secured to the roller hub when the roller assembly is configured in the first roller configuration. A second roller rim having a second outer diameter is secured to the roller hub when the roller assembly is configured in the second roller configuration. The first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter. A method of manufacturing a roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly of a work machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine has a roller rim having (i) central passage, and (ii) an inwardly extending annular flange defined therein. The inwardly extending annular flange extends into the central passage so as to define a flange opening having a first diameter. The roller assembly also has a roller shaft having a first end portion which is positioned outside of the central passage of the roller rim and a second end portion which is positioned within the central passage of the roller rim. The second end portion of the roller shaft has an outwardly extending annular flange secured thereto. The outwardly extending annular flange of the roller shaft has a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. An undercarriage for a work machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine has a roller rim having central passage defined therein with (i) a first end of the central passage of the roller rim defining a first access opening, and (ii) a second end of the central passage of the roller rim defining a second access opening. The roller assembly also has a roller shaft having a first end portion which is positioned outside of the central passage of the roller rim and a second end portion which is positioned within the central passage of the roller rim, the second end portion of the roller shaft having an outwardly extending annular flange secured thereto. Yet further, the roller assembly has a retainer press fit into the second access opening. In addition, the roller assembly has an axial thrust bearing interposed between the outwardly extending annular flange of the roller shaft and the retainer. A method for manufacturing a roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An undercarriage for a construction machine having a support frame and at least one carrier roller positioned on an upper surface of the support frame for providing upper guidance to the chain or band. The carrier roller is constructed from two bearing pins coaxially arrange on opposite sides of the roller, and includes a plurality of axially parallel driving pins arrange equidistantly along a coaxial circumferential circle on one side face of the roller. The driving cams on the chain engage between two adjacent driving pins thereby eliminating relative movement between the chain or band and the carrier roller.

Abstract: This invention is to suppress repeated striking noises as generated by a crawler belt (29) when taken up onto a drive sprocket (25) in a polygonally bent shape. A crawler belt support block (34) is fixedly mounted on top of an upper reinforcing plate (19) of a bracket (15) on the side of the drive sprocket. The crawler belt support block (34) includes a skid block (36) with a crawler belt sliding surface (36B) to be held in sliding contact with lower surfaces of respective links (30) of the crawler belt (29) to guide same in a direction tangential of the drive sprocket (25) when the crawler belt (29) is taken up onto the drive sprocket (25). The crawler belt support block suppresses vertical movements as would occur to the crawler belt (29) when taken up onto the drive sprocket (25) in a polygonally bent shape, to reduce the repeated striking noises generated by meshing engagement of bushes (32) of the crawler belt (29) and the drive sprocket (25).

Abstract: A crawler track guide rail having an upper elongated surface engagable with the shoes of a crawler track, a lower surface engagable with a crawler track support frame, and a foot which extends downward into the frame to transfer load resulting from the engagement of the shoes with the guide rail to the frame. The guide rail has at least one elongated lower surface and may have two elongated lower surfaces which are engageable with the frame. Where there are two elongated surfaces of the guide rail in engagement with the frame, the foot of the guide rail is positioned between the two elongated surfaces. The guide rail has a plurality of fasteners for retaining it on the crawler frame extending through the guide rail and the frame The fasteners have a selected tolerance fit with the frame and the foot of the guide rail has a smaller tolerance fit with the frame than that of the fasteners.

Abstract: An improved marsh craft construction uses spaced apart pontoons with endless belts (e.g.,. rubber) that encircle the pontoons and ride upon a rail system. Lugs are fastened to the belts for sliding against the rails. Drive wheels have cylindrical pins that intermesh with correspondingly shaped surfaces of the lugs. This improved construction eliminates any roller chain.

Abstract: A heavy duty belt laying work machine includes a frame, a driver wheel mounted in supporting relation to the frame on each lateral side thereof, an idler wheel assembly disposed on each lateral side of the frame. The idler wheel assembly includes an idler wheel and a carry-roller, each of which is rotatably connected to an idler support arm that is pivotally mounted in supporting relation to the frame. A mid-roller is disposed on each lateral side of the frame between the driver wheel and the idler wheel assembly and rotatably connected to a mid-roller support arm mounted in supporting relation to the frame. An endless, inextensible belt is entrained about each respective idler wheel and driver wheel on each lateral side of the frame and contacts the mid-roller and the carry-roller. Apparatus are provided for controllably tensioning and urging each belt into frictional driven engagement with a corresponding one of the driver wheels.