Abstract: An extended-life tire chain and method of extending the life of a tire chain. An extended-life tire chain has a plurality of chain links, a plurality of twin clevises each secured to two of the links, and a plurality of clevis pins each having a head on one of its extremities. Each twin clevis has two receptacles. Each clevis pin is removably disposed in a different one of the receptacles. The twin clevises are oriented such that, when the tire chain is installed on a tire, the heads project radially away from a tread surface of the tire.

Abstract: A track pad includes a shoe member that has two bottom voids extending upwardly from the ground engaging surface of the shoe member, and which form a central support pillar having a serpentine surface laterally on side of the central support pillar, and another serpentine surface laterally on the other side of the central support pillar. The two bottom voids form oval perimeters at the ground engaging surface.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a connection plate, which is disposed between a drive unit configured to provide power to a traveling body for a dozer and a sprocket configured to rotate by receiving power of the drive unit, the connection plate including a body having a through-hole in which one region of the drive unit is penetratively disposed, a first support portion formed at one side of the body and configured to support the sprocket, and a second support portion formed at the other side of the body and configured to support the drive unit.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

Abstract: A method of making a crawler shoe for a mobile machine having a track assembly is disclosed. The method may include casting a crawler shoe from manganese steel, the crawler shoe having at least one wear surface that engages the track assembly. The method may further include solution treating the crawler shoe to form fully austenitic manganese steel, applying an explosive material to the at least one wear surface, and detonating the explosive material.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

Abstract: Exemplary arrangements for drive chains are disclosed. In one exemplary arrangement, a tooth shaped link member for a drive chain comprises a web portion, a first side tooth, a second side tooth and a central guide tooth. The web portion extends between opposing side portions of the link member. The first side tooth and the second side tooth each include an apex that is oriented at an angle to extend toward the central guide tooth. In another exemplary arrangement, a drive chain comprises a plurality of inner links that are operatively connected to a plurality of outer links, where a pair of rollers are mounted between the inner links with a pin being positioned between the rollers.

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: A track chain joint for an endless track chain of a track-type vehicle is configured to engage first and second sprockets of a drive wheel of the track-type vehicle. Exemplarily, the joint has a pin, a bushing on the pin, first and second collars positioned respectively axially outboard of the bushing on the pin, and first and second drive caps positioned respectively axially outboard of the first and second collars and fixed to the pin, the first and second drive caps configured to engage respectively the first and second sprockets. Such components may be embodied in a cartridge.

Abstract: A track chain joint for an endless track chain of a track-type vehicle is configured to engage first and second sprockets of a drive wheel of the track-type vehicle.

Abstract: An endless track chain assembly for an endless track vehicle having drive teeth received in tapered slots in a drive wheel. The drive teeth are replaceable in situ by a movement in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the drive wheel. The drive teeth inter-fit with tapered inserts on the endless chain assembly so that all the driving forces are transmitted between the two replaceable wear elements. The inserts are inter-connected with pairs of links in a three point mounting as a structural unit to increase torsional rigidity and enable bushings that inter-connect adjacent links to be smaller that conventional bushings. The inserts on the endless chain assembly are readily replaceable by fasteners accessed from the exterior of the endless chain assembly.

Abstract: A shoe (10) for a crawler track has two roller paths (16, 17) thereon, upon which a dual rim roller travels in use. The roller paths (16, 17) are aligned with leading and trailing lugs (11, 12) respectively, of the shoe 10. Drive lugs (18, 19) are provided on the outside of the roller paths (16, 17). In use, the drive lugs (18, 19) are engaged by sprocket teeth to drive the crawler track. The drive lugs (18, 19) stand proud of the roller paths (16, 17), but may also be recessed below the roller paths.

Abstract: A track shoe connecting link 25 has shaft holes 31, 32 at both end portions. In the track shoe connecting link 25, a plurality of insertion holes 39 are formed between the shaft holes 31, 32, and window holes 40, 41 are formed so as to correspond to each insertion hole 39. A bolt 43 is inserted through each of the insertion holes 39 and a nut 44 is screwed onto a distal end of the bolt 43 in each of the window holes 40, 41. Accordingly, the track shoe connecting link 25 is fixed to a track shoe 26. The area of the window hole 41 that is adjacent to the second shaft hole 32 is greater than the area of the window hole 40. Accordingly, the rigidity of the track shoe connecting link 25 becomes smaller toward the second shaft hole 32.

Abstract: An idler for use on a tracked vehicle of the type having a track that includes a plurality of track links joined together, which track links pass around the idler. The idler includes a plurality of generally flat surfaces that come into contact with corresponding generally flat surfaces on the track links as the track links pass around the idler. Reduced wear results. The generally flat surfaces on the idler may be provided by removable wear plates.

Abstract: The invention provides a crawler type traveling apparatus which can be stably used for a long time period, and furthermore provides a crawler belt sprocket and a segment thereof which is best suited for the crawler type traveling apparatus. A crawler type traveling apparatus is provided with a crawler belt (3) and a crawler belt sprocket (2). The crawler belt (3) is structured such that a plurality of links (4) are connected via a bearing structure body (5) having a pin (7) a bush (8) which is outward fitted to the pin (7), and seal member (10, 10) which are arranged in both end sides of the bush (8). Guide portions (G, G) making an intrusion into a portion between the relatively facing links (4, 4) are protruded from both side surfaces of the sprocket (2). The sprocket (2) is connected via the bearing structure body (5), and a gear tooth portion (26) thereof makes an intrusion into the portion between the relatively facing links (4, 4) so as to be engaged with the bush (8).

Abstract: A crawler track is provided which is improved in the service life of bushings engaging a driving wheel (sprocket) of a track type vehicle, thereby reducing the running cost and which can be used under high loading conditions and therefore has a wide range of applications covering all types of machines from small-sized to large-sized work machines. In the crawler track of the track type vehicle having a track chain composed of a plurality of track links each having a pair of links spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction and a pin for coupling the pair of links, the track links being connected in the form of a loop by their pins, each bushing engaging the driving wheel (sprocket) is rotatably mounted to its associated pin and a beam for coupling the pair of links is disposed at the center of the space between every adjacent pins.

Abstract: A device constituting a part of a band. The band being intended to be arranged around at least one wheel (2) of a vehicle for cooperation with a bed. The device comprising a grouser (1) intended to extend substantially across the envelope surface of the wheel (2), two members connected to the grouser and arranged at a mutually distance for forming a support for the grouser (1) on each side of the wheel (2). Connection members (4) including at least one opening (5) for receiving a part of a link element (6) fo connecting to devices being adjacent with respect to the longitudinal direction of the band. At least one of the support members (3) and one fo the connection members (4) are arranged in one piece to form a combination element (7). The opening (5) of the combination element (7) endings in a surface which is directed towards the grouser (1).

Abstract: A track assembly for a skid steer type wheeled vehicle comprises a series of identical track segments, with each of the segments having a wheel or tire retaining flange depending from opposite ends thereof. Each flange has a pair of connecting lugs or tongues extending in one direction (e.g., in the direction of travel), with a single connecting lug extending in the opposite direction. Each lug or tongue pair is positioned to sandwich an opposing single lug or tongue therebetween from an adjacent track segment. Thus, each of the segments connects directly to another identical segment, with no intermediate connecting links being required. The interconnecting lugs or tongues extend straight from their respective flanges with no lateral offset, thus precluding any bending loads upon the lugs and producing a pure shear force across each connecting bolt or pin. The lugs or tongues are preferably hardened for greater durability, with the assembly including bushings for greater bearing area.

Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a drive shaft and a sprocket drive assembly. The sprocket drive assembly includes a hub mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, a first side support secured to the hub, a second side support secured to the hub, and a plurality of engagement members each interposed between the first side support and the second side support. Each of the plurality of engagement members is rotatably secured to each of the first side support and the second side support. The drive mechanism further includes a track assembly which has a plurality of shoes which are secured to one another to form a track, and a plurality of drive lugs which are mounted to the plurality of shoes. Each of the plurality of drive lugs has a first grasping notch and a second grasping notch defined therein. The plurality of drive lugs includes a first drive lug and a second drive lug which are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: In the case of a connector endless track with travelling pad, the invention aims to guarantee a long service life for the travelling pads (1). The load-bearing surface of the travelling pad (1) on the carriageway is reduced by the engagement of a tooth (25) of a drive ring (26) into a tube body (5) of the connector endless track. In order to provide a compensation effect here the travelling pad (1) is extended in a direction towards the opening (3) and covers at least a portion (2) of the surface region of the opening (3) for the engagement of a drive ring (26).

Abstract: In the operation of conventional track assemblies it is common for an idler to have a pair of laterally extending wear treads to engage and support the wear rails defined by the track links of the track assembly as it is driven thereabout. This ultimately creates an arcuate wear pattern on the wear rails of the track links creating an extremely rough ride when the wear rails contact the track rollers suspended from a track roller frame. The present invention provides an idler member having a flange member that defines a raised center portion. The raised center portion contacts a roller bushing that extends between a pair of chain assemblies defined by the track assembly to support the track assembly as it is rotated therearound. The raised center portion further provides a pair of tapered side portions that are positioned between the chain assemblies and to provide lateral guiding thereof.

Abstract: A rotatable drive/support element having a support surface is used with a chain link having a hardened running surface extending in and adapted to ride in a travel direction on the support surface and a side surface also extending in the travel direction and normally out of contact with the element. The running surface has a predetermined width b and is formed of at least one edge region of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius R of curvature and a respective corner region extending from the edge region to the side region and of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius r of curvature. Herein r/b.congruent.0.05 to 0.11, and preferably R/b.congruent.2.4 to 3.1.

Abstract: The rubber tire traction device comprises two lengths of transversely spaced apart link chains and a plurality of cross members extending between the chains. Each cross member has a central portion to contact a tire tread portion and a pair of end portions, each of which has at least one tongue which is secured to a particular single link. In one embodiment, each end portion of the cross member has a second tongue to provide with the first tongue a pair of outwardly extending tongues, a recess being located between the tongues. One side portion and portions of generally arcuate end portions of the particular single link are secured to edges of the recess. Adjacent links interconnecting the particular link also enclose reinforced portions of the particular link and tongue secured together with sufficient clearance to permit hinging thereabouts.

Abstract: A rotatable drive/support element having a support surface is used with a chain link having a hardened running surface extending in and adapted to ride in a travel direction on the support surface and a side surface also extending in the travel direction and normally out of contact with the element. The running surface has a predetermined width b and is formed of at least one edge region of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius R of curvature and a respective corner region extending from the edge region to the side region and of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius r of curvature. Herein r/b≅0.05 to 0.11, and preferably R/b≅2.4 to 3.1.