Abstract: Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A shoe for a crawler track includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, a roller path axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends. The intermediate portion includes a roller-engaging portion disposed along the roller path axis, the intermediate portion including four successive faces that form a parallelogram when viewed from a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, two of the four faces being disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a track pad for a chain of a chain wheel drive, the track pad having a bearing surface provided with at least one grouser (1, 2), extending in the lateral direction of the bearing surface, wherein at least one flat part (4, 5) is provided next to at least one grouser part (1, 2) in the lateral direction of the bearing surface. Further, the invention comprises a track pad for a chain of a chain wheel drive, the track pad having a bearing surface provided with at least one grouser (32, 33) protruding from a base plate (40), the grouser (32, 33) extending in the lateral direction of the bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface of the base plate has a profile in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A crawler belt link includes a center portion, one end portion located on one end side of the center portion, and the other end portion located on the other end side of the center portion. In a second surface, the center portion has a first portion of a rail surface, the one end portion has a second portion of the rail surface, and the other end portion has a third portion of the rail surface. A first outer circumferential portion reaching the second portion of the rail surface is located closer to a second side portion with respect to a bushing hole surrounding portion. Accordingly, a crawler belt link and a crawler belt apparatus can be implemented, by which wear of the rail surface above a bushing hole can be suppressed while maintaining the width of the crawler belt link to be relatively small.

Abstract: A cross-link for a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the belts having a ground-facing side. In one embodiment, the cross-link comprises an elongate member for mounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate member having a belt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facing side when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The elongate member defines a channel including a bottom portion and a pair of sidewalls opposite one another on either side of the bottom portion. The cross-link also comprises a sole mountable in the channel for engaging a ground surface on which the tracked vehicle travels, the sole comprising a pair of sidewall-engaging surfaces for engaging the sidewalls when the sole is mounted in the channel.

Abstract: A link assembly for an endless track may include a first track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the first track link having substantially planar sides. The link assembly may also include a second track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the second track link having substantially planar sides. Additionally, the link assembly may include a third track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the third track link having substantially planar sides, the third track link being pivotally connected to the first track link at a first pivot joint, and the third track link being pivotally connected to the second track link at a second pivot joint.

Abstract: A track link has a link body. The link body of the track link may include a first substantially planar side surface, a second substantially planar side surface opposite the first substantially planar side surface, a shoe face extending between the first and second substantially planar side surfaces, and a roller rail extending between the first and second substantially planar side surfaces opposite the shoe face.

Abstract: The additional traction accessory for use with a continuous track includes a U-shaped member in which one side is more elevated than the opposing side. The U-shaped member has an overall length greater than the overall width of the continuous track that the accessory is installed upon. The accessory acts as a larger cleat when compared to a cleat of a stuck continuous track. A first embodiment employs a pair of hooks and a ratcheting means that are designed to attach the accessory onto the continuous track between two cleats on a temporary basis in order to improve the traction of a continuous track by the addition of a larger cleat onto a continuous track that is stuck in a muddy area or area having loose soil. A second embodiment employs a slideable hook that locks at different lengths via bolting means to accommodate different continuous track widths.

Abstract: A traction enhancement device for a snowmobile including a plurality of traction studs extending from a stud plate. The device configured for mounting to a snowmobile track by a central mounting stud extending through the track and the stud plate. The device provides for a plurality of traction studs to be mounted to the track with only a single hole in the track. A method of mounting a fraction enhancement device to a snowmobile track that provides a plurality of traction studs with only a single hole through the track.

Abstract: A continuous track with replaceable components permits a light weight tracked vehicle to benefit from the cost savings associated with repairable tracks. Each repairable track includes two parallel continuous belts, each belt includes embedded plates to reinforce the belts and distribute the load applied by the vehicle drive train and the load applied by the shoe to the belts. Each shoe assembly engages the parallel belts and includes a track guide, a shoe plate and a shoe. The number, separation and orientation of the shoe assemblies are preset for a set of parallel belts, however shoe assemblies and the elements of the shoe assemblies may be used for many different belt sets. Any suitable fasteners may be used to secure each shoe assembly to the belts.

Abstract: In a track with a rotatable bushing which is brought into engagement with a sprocket of a track-type vehicle, it is intended that strength is enhanced rationally by link functionality sharing and by combination of such assigned functional tasks for achieving further improvements in rotatable bushing function. To this end, a first bolt insertion hole provided in a track shoe mount surface of an external link and a second bolt insertion hole provided in a track shoe mount surface of an internal link are arranged on the same straight line, and a straight line connecting the first bolt insertion hole and the second bolt insertion hole is situated at a position more interior than a contact plane of the external link and internal link.

Abstract: An elastic track shoe is provided wherein loosening of bolts is prevented by use of a rigid core bar and the thickness of an elastic body subjected to a load can be increased irrespective of grousers. To this end, the core bar is integrally formed by casting, forging or precutting, a ground engaging side of the core bar is covered with the elastic body, and a portion of the core bar defined by projection of a ground engaging face of the elastic body is divided into two parts.

Abstract: A master link for a track chain assembly is provided. The master link includes a body portion having first and second spaced apart apertures extending therethough. A gap extends radially outward from one of the first and second apertures. At least one fastener operatively engages an aperture that extends through the gap. As the fastener is secured the width of the gap is reduced thereby reducing the diameter of one of the first and second apertures providing a clamping force.

Abstract: A detachable grouser assembly for use with vehicles having continuous flexible tracks includes a traction grouser adapted and constructed to fit onto a track of the vehicle. A selectively releasable mechanical attachment assembly connects the traction grouser to the track of the vehicle.

Abstract: A crawler pad to be mounted on the tread board of a crawler track shoe includes an elastic pad body (1) and a metal core (2) buried in the elastic pad body (1). The metal core (2) includes a locking member (4) movably inlaid therein, a fixed hook (6) rigidly secured to its one end, and a detachable hook (5) detachably secured to its other end. The locking member (4) and the detachable hook (5) have ratchet teeth (4a), (5a) on their mutual surfaces which are inclined to permit the detachable hook (5) to slide in its inserting direction and intermesh with one another in its withdrawing direction, thereby allowing the detachable hook (5) to be locked. The detachable hook (5) has preferably a groove (5b) for inserting a releasing pin (9) on its surface where the ratchet teeth are formed. The releasing pin (9) is operable to unlock intermeshing between the ratchet teeth of the locking member and the detachable hook (5).

Abstract: Low ground pressure tire chains for skid-steer loaders and other construction machinery. A track (12) for parallel drive wheeled vehicles (10) having spaced apart pairs of wheels (14,16) assembled with a plurality of base units (24) pivotally interconnected in series by opposing links (26), each base unit comprising a pair of opposing side supports (32) with a wedge portion (36) extending towards the opposing side support to wedgingly receive a portion of a tire in a gap between the opposing side support's. A pair of spaced-apart transverse cross members (34) extending between the side supports and define cavities (50) between a leading edge and the wedge portion for receiving fasteners to secure a bottom plate (52) to the base unit. The assembled track mounts around the tires of the loader to provide traction and floatation of the loader during operation in mud or sand.

Abstract: A track (12) for small loaders (10) having spaced-apart pairs of wheels (14, 16) assembled with a plurality of base units (24) pivotally interconnected in series by opposing links (26), each base unit comprising a pair of opposing side supports (32) with a wedge portion (36) extending towards the opposing side support to wedgingly receive a portion of a tire in a gap between the opposing side supports. A pair of spaced-apart transverse cross members (34) extend between the side supports and define cavities (50) between a leading edge and the wedge portion for receiving fasteners to secure a bottom plate (52) to the base unit. The assembled track mounts around the tires of the loader to provide traction and floatation of the loader during operation in mud or sand.

Abstract: Fitting and exchanging operations are easily performed without using bolts. In a rubber pad 2 to be equipped to an iron crawler belt 1, a vulcanized rubber material 6 is adhered to a second surface of a flat metal core 5 having a first hook 7 and second hook 8 formed at opposite ends of the metal core 5. The length of the second hook 8 is longer than that of the first hook 7, and the length of concavity 9 formed on a first surface of the metal core 5 opposite the longer second hook 8 is no more than one fifth of the length of the metal core 5 in the cross direction of the iron crawler belt.

Abstract: A replaceable tire gripping system for endless track for extending the useful life and operation of an endless track with grouser members. The inventive device includes a grouser bar having a first side and a second side, a pair of side walls attached to opposing ends of the grouser bar, a plurality of openings within the grouser bar, a plurality of grip members positionable within the plurality of openings with a portion exposed through the second side of the grouser bar, and a wear plate attached to the first side of the grouser bar for retaining the grip members within the openings. The openings and the grip members are preferably tapered for allowing the broad end of the grip members to be substantially flush with the first side and the wear plate.

Abstract: In the case of highly mobile vehicles overloading of the travelling pads (3) of crawler tracks frequently gives rise to incipient cracks in the base plate (14), which generally start from the bottom of the incision of the tongue. A long service life for the travelling pad (3) with base plate (14) is achieved by the base plate (14) being incision-free in the retaining region (10).

Abstract: Improved tracks for a remote controlled sludge removal apparatus. The improved tracks include a plurality of spikes connected to the surface of the tracks at an angle to the tracks enabling the spikes to bite into sludge when the sludge removal apparatus of the invention is traveling forward.

Abstract: A reversible endless track 10 engages a drive sprocket 12 and track rollers 14 of a track type vehicle. The endless track 10 has a plurality of track link assemblies 16 that includes a symmetrical track link 20, wear bars 22 with rail surfaces 24, and track shoes 26. The track link has a central relief port 30. An upper and lower wear bar 22 are slidably mounted onto the upper and lower surfaces 32 and 34 of the track link forming a mortise joint 50. A pair of plow bolts 54 pass through a respective aperture 56 in the wear bar 22 and extend through the entire assembly. The bolts have extending threaded ends 55 that engage an acorn nut 60 in its threaded receptacle 62 to affix track shoe 26 thereon. The head surface 66 of the bolt 54 is flush with the rail surface 24 of the wear bar 22.

Abstract: A crawler pad to be mounted on a tread surface of a crawler plate forming a crawler for forming an elastic tread for protecting a road surface, comprises an elastic member forming the tread of the crawler pad, a reinforcement supporting the elastic member, a fixed hook member integrally formed with the reinforcement for engaging with one edge of the crawler plate, a detachable hook member detachably secured at the other end of the reinforcement for engaging with the other edge of the crawler plate, and a fastening member for firmly securing the detachable hook to the other end of the reinforcement, the fastening member having an outer end placed at an inwardly shifted position relative to the outer end portion of the detachable hook member.