Abstract: A glued trussed joist, joint and method are provided which include two chords, the lower chord and the upper chord located a distance from each other and two elongated webs are located between the chords. The upper ends of the webs are connected in the upper chord and the lower ends of the webs connected in the lower chord. The lower ends of the webs have at least one tenon finger and the lower chord has a matching mortise routing. The tenon fingers are inserted using glue to make a joint to resist forces and moments in the joist and the chord routing goes through the chord.

Abstract: A final drive seal guard for a track-type tractor including a base component adapted to be stationarily fixed to the tractor and to surround a portion of a spindle housing of the final drive, a sprocket component adapted to be carried on and surround a portion of a sprocket hub of the final drive that rotates about an axis, and an intermediate component adapted to be bolted over the exterior of one of said base and sprocket components and surround portions of both of said base and sprocket components, the intermediate component and another of said base or sprocket components being mutually arranged to form a radially extending sealing gap at a potential path of debris into the guard at a location free of a relatively long axial gap upstream in said potential path.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the tracks of a track-driven vehicle comprising a mounting plate, at least one positioning arm connected to and extending from the mounting plate, and at least one brush assembly attached to and extending from a positioning arm, where the mounting plate, positioning arm, and brush assembly are configured so that when the mounting plate is mounted to a vehicle the brush is positioned to clean the track of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel assembly with a debris guard is disclosed, the debris guard being configured to prevent hair and thread from winding around an axle and interfering with the operation of the wheel. The debris guard, which is mounted between the wheel and the robot chassis, comprises a spool and a plurality of tines. The spool is positioned between the wheel and chassis to collect debris that would otherwise wind around the axle. In the preferred embodiment, the tines are arrayed in proximity to a gap between the debris guard and the hub in order to inhibit debris from migrating to the axle exposed between the guard and wheel. The debris guard is intended for a wide variety of wheeled devices.

Abstract: A ground engaging track for a track-type machine includes a set of identical standard track shoes each having a relatively narrow shoe footprint, and a sweeping track shoe having a relatively wide shoe footprint. The sweeping track shoe is connectable via track links with the standard track shoes in an endless chain configuration such that the sweeping track shoe juts outwardly of the standard track shoes, for sweeping debris from a clearance between the track and a main frame of the track-type machine. The sweeping track shoe includes bolting apertures formed therein and communicating between an upper shoe surface and a ground contacting shoe surface, the bolting apertures being arranged in a directional link bolting pattern. The directional link bolting pattern defines a minor shoe axis and a major shoe axis, and the sweeping shoe body may be configured such that an inboard sweeping edge is spaced further than an outboard edge from the minor shoe axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of a vehicle, such as a landfill compactor, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a wheel having a rim from which radially extend a plurality of cleats or tips. A subset of tips may be provided circumferentially around a laterally inner edge of the wheel. A wheel guard may be mounted between adjacent pairs of tips of the subset. Each wheel guard may be welded to the rim and to the adjacent pairs of tips. Each wheel guard may be a unitary piece of metal, or could be provided in two or more segment so as to be adjustable and thus facilitate use on wheels of differing diameters, or with different tip spacing. The wheel guards and adjacent tips form a continuous barrier around the circumference of the wheel to prevent debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of the compactor.

Abstract: The track system includes a plurality of track assemblies, each having track; a frame structure to mount the track to the vehicle; and inner wheels in contact with an inner surface of the track. The track assembly also includes two drive gears disposed externally to the track and configured to frictionally engaged an outer surface of a corresponding one of the tires. The drive gears are drivingly connected with the track for transmitting power thereto. Each one of the drive gears has a rotation axis, a plurality of elongated traction bars extending substantially parallel and circumferentially to the rotation axis, and open ends. The elongated traction bars are spaced-apart from one another and define channels therebetween allowing granular and liquid materials to flow inwardly towards the rotation axis, and outwardly of the drive gears through the apertured ends.

Abstract: A ground engaging track for a track-type machine includes a set of identical standard track shoes each having a relatively narrow shoe footprint, and a sweeping track shoe having a relatively wide shoe footprint. The sweeping track shoe is connectable via track links with the standard track shoes in an endless chain configuration such that the sweeping track shoe juts outwardly of the standard track shoes, for sweeping debris from a clearance between the track and a main frame of the track-type machine. The sweeping track shoe includes bolting apertures formed therein and communicating between an upper shoe surface and a ground contacting shoe surface, the bolting apertures being arranged in a directional link bolting pattern. The directional link bolting pattern defines a minor shoe axis and a major shoe axis, and the sweeping shoe body may be configured such that an inboard sweeping edge is spaced further than an outboard edge from the minor shoe axis.

Abstract: A debris guard includes a plurality of fasteners and an outer cover including two or more sections that when assembled form an annular inner wall. Each of the two or more sections includes at least one mounting feature shaped to receive at least one of the plurality of fasteners. An inner guard includes a mounting portion and a seal.

Abstract: A track roller frame cleaning mechanism is provided. The track roller frame cleaning mechanism includes a linkage configured to pivotally attach to a rotating track member and means for cleaning a surface of the track roller frame coupled to the linkage.

Abstract: An axle guard assembly of a machine protects against intrusion of wire wrap into a central cavity of a ground engaging device. The guard, which is mounted to the axle, includes a wall disposed within the cavity of the ground engaging device. A cover can be provided which includes a flange circumscribing a central portion. The central portion is disposed axially inwardly of an inboard opening to the cavity. The flange can extend radially outwardly from the central portion and axially outwardly toward the wall. The periphery of the cover can be configured such that it is larger than the opening to the cavity. In another aspect, a support vane can be provided which extends along a longitudinal axis between a first wall and a second wall and includes a planar vane surface extending substantially radially to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An all-terrain straddle type vehicle includes, inside a wheel, a disc rotor that rotates as the wheel rotates, a caliper for clamping the disc rotor to brake the rotation of the wheel, and a scraper for scraping out dirt, mud, sand, snow and other debris deposited on a rim of the wheel. An edge of a scraping surface of the scraper extends obliquely from upstream toward downstream of a rotation direction of the wheel with respect to a rotation plane of the wheel.

Abstract: A compactor wheel is mountable on an axle of a compaction machine. The compactor wheel may comprise a hub mountable to an axle of a compaction machine; a rim mounted to the hub, the rim having a face; a plurality of compaction cleats mounted to the face of the rim; an axle guard movable relative to the rim during rotation of the compactor wheel; and structure for coupling the axle guard to at least one of the hub and the rim.

Abstract: A crawler traveling apparatus includes a traveling vehicle body having a rear axle case, a track frame supported via a pivot shaft to the rear axle case, a pair of front and rear driven wheels mounted at front and rear end portions of the track frame, a pair of the rear driven wheels being provided on the right and left sides across a rear end portion of the track frame, a free wheel mounted at an intermediate portion of the track frame, a crawler entrained about a drive wheel, the front and rear driven wheels and the free wheel, a rearwardly downward inclined face formed at an upper portion of the rear end portion of the track frame, the inclined face being configured to cause an amount of earth/sand to drop off its surface; and a rear upper cover provided at an upper portion of the rear portion of the track frame in the vicinity of said inclined face, the rear upper cover forming a rear upper inclined face that is oriented downward in the right/left outward direction, the rear upper inclined face being conf

Abstract: A tracked machine may be equipped with a debris guard in order to inhibit entry of debris from an exterior to an interior of a track roller frame. An idler, track roller frame, track and debris guard may be configured to create a difficult to traverse serpentine debris entry pathway into the track roller frame. This may be accomplished by flanking opposite sides of a track chain with a pair of guard plates, and further inhibiting debris entry by including an in board guard shield that defines a slot that surrounds a portion of the idler.

Abstract: A debris guard includes a plurality of fasteners and an outer cover including two or more sections that when assembled form an annular inner wall. Each of the two or more sections includes at least one mounting feature shaped to receive at least one of the plurality of fasteners. An inner guard includes a mounting portion and a seal.

Abstract: A guard for a crawler type land vehicles having a frame, a final drive on each side of the frame, the final drive including a spindle housing with a flange bolted to the frame and a sprocket hub rotationally supported on the spindle housing, a track sprocket on the sprocket hub, the spindle housing and hub establishing a small gap to form a mechanical shield to protect a rotational seal within the space enclosed by the spindle housing and sprocket hub, the guard being adapted to be assembled radially outward of the mechanical shield, the guard having a circular shell member for bolting to an inside face of the sprocket hub and extending axially in one piece across substantially all of the distance between the spindle flange and the sprocket hub, the guard shell having an internal circumferential groove, a circular radial flange for mounting in the space between the spindle flange and the sprocket hub, the guard shell being diametrally split whereby it can be radially assembled around the spindle flange with t

Abstract: A track roller frame cleaning mechanism is provided. The track roller frame cleaning mechanism includes a linkage configured to pivotally attach to a rotating track member and means for cleaning a surface of the track roller frame coupled to the linkage.

Abstract: A deflector for reducing the ingestion of snow and/or other debris in one of the sprocket wheel and the idler wheel area of a vehicle equipped with endless tracks is provided. The deflector generally comprises a rigid plate associated with the vehicle and positioned near the sprocket wheel or the idler wheel thereof, and a resilient pad having an upper portion coupled with the rigid plate and a lower portion freely extending from the upper portion and extending toward the inner surface of the track to limit the ingestion of snow and/or other debris in the sprocket wheel or idler wheel area of the vehicle during its operation. The lower portion of the resilient pad is generally provided with reinforcing elements which allow the resilient pad to be essentially rigid in the direction of ingestion yet pivotable in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A guard for the axle seal of a wheeled tractor being an annular steel structure that bridges the plane of the seal between a spindle and final drive including a pair of axially spaced flanges having circular outer peripheries, at least one of the outer peripheries of the flanges being sized to produce a narrow gap seal with a circular interior surface of a wheel rim, a hub extending axially between the flanges and spaced radially inward of said flange outer peripheries, the flanges, hub and interior wheel surface defining an annular space adapted to trap debris.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device to deflect debris and to reduce the accumulation thereof in the guide lug receiving space defined between the inner and outer portions of a wheel of a tracked vehicle. The device generally comprises a resilient band structure having a loop or collar portion partially disposed around the wheel of the vehicle and inside the guide lug receiving space thereof, a connecting portion adapted to be mounted into a support element fixed to the tracked vehicle and located about the wheel, and a deflecting portion extending between the loop portion and the connecting portion. The loop portion at least partially embraces the wheel and generally remains in a slipping contact therewith in order to support the deflecting portion. The deflecting portion effectively deflects debris away from the guide lug receiving space of the wheel and also prevents excessive accumulation of debris therein.

Abstract: A rubber crawler running device which includes a drive wheel connected to a drive shaft of a vehicle body, an idler wheel, and a rubber crawler having rubber projections formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof at predetermined intervals, the drive wheel and the idler wheel being disposed substantially horizontally, the rubber crawler being wound around the drive wheel and the idler wheel and contacting the running surface, wherein the drive wheel is formed so that engaging teeth thereof which engage with the rubber projections are exposed at right and left sides, and further comprising a guide skirt body fixed to the vehicle body and disposed at transverse direction outer sides of the drive wheel at a portion at which the rubber crawler is wound around the drive wheel, with a gap being kept between the drive wheel and the guide skirt body.

Abstract: A labyrinth-guard arrangement for a joint between a compactor wheel and a machine that protects against intrusion of wire wrap into a central cavity of the wheel is disclosed. The labyrinth-guard is formed by a cooperation between a first flange connected to an inner cylindrical portion of the wheel, and a second flange connected to a guard plate. The first and second flanges, along with other surrounding components, cooperate to form the labyrinth-guard.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device to deflect debris and to reduce the accumulation thereof in the guide lug receiving space defined between the inner and outer portions of a wheel of a tracked vehicle. The device generally comprises a resilient band structure having a loop or collar portion partially disposed around the wheel of the vehicle and inside the guide lug receiving space thereof, a connecting portion adapted to be mounted into a support element fixed to the tracked vehicle and located about the wheel, and a deflecting portion extending between the loop portion and the connecting portion. The loop portion at least partially embraces the wheel and generally remains in a slipping contact therewith in order to support the deflecting portion. The deflecting portion effectively deflects debris away from the guide lug receiving space of the wheel and also prevents excessive accumulation of debris therein.

Abstract: A deflector for reducing the ingestion of snow and/or other debris in one of the sprocket wheel and the idler wheel area of a vehicle equipped with endless tracks is provided. The deflector generally comprises a rigid plate associated with the vehicle and positioned near the sprocket wheel or the idler wheel thereof, and a resilient pad having an upper portion coupled with the rigid plate and a lower portion freely extending from the upper portion and extending toward the inner surface of the track to limit the ingestion of snow and/or other debris in the sprocket wheel or idler wheel area of the vehicle during its operation. The lower portion of the resilient pad is generally provided with reinforcing elements which allow the resilient pad to be essentially rigid in the direction of ingestion yet pivotable in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A snow remover for removing snow lying upon an inner surface of an endless drive track of a snowmobile includes a mounting portion and a scraping portion. The snow remover of the present invention is to be attached to a stationary structure of the snowmobile such that the scraping portion extends towards the inner surface of a lower section of the endless drive, to scrape off snow. Thus, this portion of snow is prevented from being thrown onto the riders of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A track cover adapted for use on an item of heavy construction equipment having at least one track. The track cover comprises an outside panel and a tread panel. The tread panel is preferably connected to the outside panel. The track cover also comprises an assembly for removably attaching the track cover to the item of heavy equipment. The track cover is adapted to cover at least a portion of the at least one track of the item of heavy construction equipment and retain dirt, rocks and other debris.

Abstract: Vibration or the like is prevented for long-term use by normalizing, with operation continuing, a tread of a crawler belt link through grinding in an early stage where uneven wear such as corrugated wear occurs. With a crawler belt of a crawler vehicle wound, an abrasive plate for grinding the tread of the crawler belt link is disposed to contact the tread. While the crawler vehicle does normal traveling work, the abrasive plate corrects the tread of the crawler belt link for the uneven wear. The vibration of a vehicle body can thus be prevented during travel with no uneven wear produced.

Abstract: A cutter bar is provided for trimming debris away from the wheel-track interface of a tracked vehicle. A pivot attachment is provided wherein a knife having a cutting edge is removably mounted to a bracket by way of fasteners which will shear when a pre-selected force is applied to them. The bracket is mounted to the vehicle structure so that the knife is disposed in close proximity to the drive wheel and endless track of the vehicle. Accordingly, when a piece of tough debris is encountered by the knife edge some of the fasteners will shear and the knife pivots out of the way so that the debris can pass by without causing damage to the wheel or track. The knife and fasteners being readily serviceable with inexpensive parts.

Abstract: The disclosure includes an ignition control circuit comprising a transformer having at its secondary side an operating winding, and at least one filament winding. In a pre-heating phase, only the filament winding, which is normally connected to the filaments of a lamp, is active. In this way, the filaments of the lamp are heated first. After a predetermined time, the secondary operating winding is switched on, by a triac. This triac is a compact component producing no or little heat. The invention provides a simple and economic ignition circuit for gas discharge lamps.

Abstract: A travel gear of a crawler work vehicle has a plurality of double bogie type track wheel devices. The double bogie type track wheel devices respectively include a first arm member attached to the lower part of a track frame so as to be swingable in the vertical direction, a second arm member whose almost center portion in the longitudinal direction is rotatably attached to the tip of the first arm member, and a pair of front and rear track wheels rotatably attached to front and rear ends of the second arm member and rolling on the tread of a crawler. A pair of first guard devices for preventing intrusion of a foreign matter into a space between the pair of front and rear track wheels and the crawler are attached to both side faces in the width direction of the vehicle of the first arm member.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display device includes a pair of substrates arranged with a predetermined gap maintained therebetween, a dispersing fluid disposed between the pair of substrates, a plurality of charged particles mixed in the dispersing fluid, at least a pair of display electrodes arranged on one of the substrates and defining a pixel, and a guard electrode arranged in a border between adjacent pixels. The guard electrode limits the movement of the charged particles to within a single pixel when the guard electrode is biased at a potential higher than (lower than) each of the display electrodes of the two adjacent pixels with the border arranged therebetween if the particles are positively (negatively) charged.

Abstract: A snow removal machine propelled by crawler belts trained around drive wheels and driven wheels is provided. The snow removal machine has a scraper confronting the outer periphery of the driven wheel so as to remove snow adhering to and accumulating on the outer periphery during snow removing operation. It prevents increase in tension of the crawler belt due to the increased diameter of the driven wheel in appearance that might otherwise be caused by snow adhering to the outer periphery.

Abstract: In the operation of a track chain assembly a high degree of wear is normally experienced due to the environment in which a track-type machine must operate. This wear is typically accelerated by foreign matter that is carried by an idler member of the track chain assembly and is permitted to remain on its contact surfaces as they engage the other track chain components. The present invention provides a scraper assembly that defines a plurality of scraping portions that are adapted to carry a scraping insert on an end portion thereof. The scraping inserts are continuously urged into engagement with the contact surfaces of the idler to remove foreign material therefrom before the contact surfaces engage other track chain components.

Abstract: A wear guard which prevents debris from entering a final drive assembly of a waste handling machine. The wear guard allows for easy inspection and cleaning of debris from the final drive assembly via an inspection port without the need for removing the entire drive assembly and other components. The wear guard is also designed to be installed on different types of final drive assemblies thus providing great design flexibility. This is provided via the use of spacers. The wear guard has a readily accessible lifting point requiring no special tooling. The wear guard also eliminates many of the distortion problems caused by welding while also reducing machining, dimension control and providing improved appearance.

Abstract: A seal protection assembly for protecting an axle, wheel, gasket, and seal for a wheel attached to an axle on a vehicle. The assembly includes a body housing, a rim edge, and a mounting bracket. The assembly is mounted to the vehicle to protect the wheel axle, gasket, and seal from harmful contact with extraneous material from the operating environment of the vehicle, while allowing for maintenance access to the axle components. Multiple assembly sets for protecting all of the wheel seals on a vehicle are also disclosed along with a method for manufacturing the assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of preventing refuse from wrapping around the axle of a work machine is disclosed. A work machine includes a frame, an axle, at least one wheel, an operator compartment, an engine, and an axle protection system. The at least one wheel has a rim extension having an outer portion. The axle protection system includes a roof guard and an axle guard assembly. The axle guard assembly has a plate and a labyrinth guard. A channel is provided by the configuration of the guard assembly, plate, and labyrinth guard such that the outer portion of the rim extension is received by the channel. The plate extends substantially vertically from the perimeter of the axle guard assembly. Preferably, a flexible member is attached to the edge of the plate and extends such that it is urged in contact with the roof guard.

Abstract: A tractor includes a track assembly having a frame, an idler wheel mechanically coupled to the frame, a drive wheel mechanically coupled to the frame, an endless track disposed around the idler wheel and the drive wheel, and a number of mid-rollers interposed between the idler wheel and the drive wheel. The tractor also includes a first protection member having a first upper edge and a first lower edge. The first protection member is secured to the frame such that a portion of the frame is positioned behind the first protection member. The tractor further includes a number of first guard members secured to the first protection member so that (i) the first guard members extend downwardly beyond the first lower edge toward the endless track and (ii) the first guard members are spaced apart from each other along the first lower edge such that a gap is defined between adjacent first guard members.

Abstract: A guard for off road vehicles to protect the final drive area from debris which otherwise causes destructive abrasion and seal failure and particularly suited for the final drive of a track chain sprocket on a crawler. The guard encloses the space surrounding the final drive spindle housing and seal between the housing and a hub on which the sprocket is mounted. The guard can be safely installed on existing machines without disassembly of major parts of the final drive.

Abstract: A device for removing debris from a drive wheel rotatably mounted to a vehicle body includes an auxiliary wheel rotatably mounted on the body adjacent an outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel. The auxiliary drive wheel has a substantially circumferential surface for engaging the outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel and thereby being rotated by the drive wheel in a direction opposite the rotation of the drive wheel. The auxiliary wheel dislodges debris on the drive wheel and discharges it away from the track mechanism of the vehicle. A selector mechanism can be provided to selectively move the auxiliary wheel out of engagement with the drive wheel. The auxiliary wheel can be mounted radially adjacent to the drive wheel so that it contacts the upper section of the drive wheel.

Abstract: A mobile construction vehicle has a pair of parallel first and second track assemblies. Each track assembly has a continuous drive belt with a plurality of teeth thereon, driven by a drive wheel with a plurality of lugs thereon. The drive belt teeth and drive wheel lugs have substantially identical matching profiles, to provide drive belt retention for preventing the teeth from disengaging from the drive wheel lugs, during a turning maneuver of the vehicle.

Abstract: In the operation of machines such as landfill compactors it is common to provide a shear assembly that is mounted between the axle assembly and a wheel that is rotatably mounted thereon to sever material that would otherwise become entrained about the axle assembly. Material of relatively large gauge may become lodged within the shear assembly and create large loading forces between the wheel and the axle components that have been known to damage various drive train components. The present invention provides a cutting apparatus that has a first (34) and second shear blade (40) mounted to the axle assembly (10) and wheel (12) respectively. The second shear blade (40) is bolted (66,68,70) to the wheel (12) in a manner wherein selected ones of the mounting bolts (66,68,70) are sized in a manner in which forces of a preselected magnitude will shear the bolts (68,70) thus limiting the amount of force transmitted to the drive train components.

Abstract: In the operation of machines of the type that are typically designed to traverse terrain having deposits of debris, it is a common problem to have the debris become attached to the wheels of the machine and rotate therewith. In many instances this causes material to become entrained around the axles of the machine requiring continual maintenance and occasionally causing damage to the axle components. In the present invention a guard assembly is provided that defines a scraping member that is positioned in radially inner and laterally overlapping relation to an outer cylindrical surface defined by each wheel. The scraping member function to remove material that may become attached to the wheels during their movement over the terrain. Functioning as such, material is prevented from becoming entrained about the respective axle assemblies of the machine.

Abstract: In the operation of a construction machine over terrain strewn with debris, there is a tendency for the debris to work itself into areas of sealing interface such as between an axle and the final drive assemblies of the machine. When this occurs the seals and possible the life of the drive components can be greatly reduced. The present invention comprehends a guard assembly that has a bracket member that is positioned on an axle adjacent a cylindrical hub defined by the wheels. The guard assembly utilizes a plurality of plates positioned within, above and laterally spaced from the hub of an adjacent wheel to prevent the ingress of foreign material into the hub. The hub and the sealed interfaces and other components housed therein are thereby protected from possible damage as a result of contact with the foreign material.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a track assembly of a tractor includes a first protection member positioned adjacent to the track assembly, the first protection member being movable between a first position and a second position. The apparatus also includes a biasing assembly for biasing the first protection member into the first position.

Abstract: An edge scraper device for the inboard edge of a belted track-type vehicle removes debris from the track edge as the vehicle operates in muddy or trash-laden environments by close-proximity relationship to the track edge. Spring biasing and adjustment devices retain the scraper device in a functionally close proximity to the track edge. The edge scraper device is mounted substantially above the track to prevent fallen debris from accumulating on the device.

Abstract: Several embodiments of yieldable cutter blades are disclosed for use on a land vehicle to reduce the tendency of debris from being entrained and wrapped on rotary parts and their supports such as on wheels and axles or drive sprocket hubs and associated support housings. The blades yield in response to an excessive cutting force which could potentially damage support bearings for the rotary part in extraordinary conditions. In the various embodiments, a yieldable blade is retained in its operating position by a set of bolts of predetermined strength. When an excessive cutting force occurs, the bolts break away and permit the blade to yield away from its operative cutting position.

Abstract: Apparatus for inhibiting elongate flexible elements such as wire cable and the like from entangling the axle assembly (1) of a vehicle wheel (2) comprises a guard member (40 securable to the vehicle axle assembly (1) between the wheel (2) and the body of the vehicle (3). The guard member (4) has a radially outer portion (9) which in use lies adjacent the wheel rim (2b) so as to substantially prevent elongate flexible elements from passing between the guard member (4) and the wheel (2). The outer portion (9) of the guard member (4) may be provided with at least one cutting edge (10) for cutting elongate flexible elements which are pulled thereover by rotation of the vehicle wheel 2. A further member (5) may be provided which in use extends between the vehicle body (3) and the guard member (4) so as to inhibit elongate flexible elements from passing between the vehicle body (3) and the guard member (4) and entangling the axle assembly (1).

Abstract: In the operation of a track chain assembly a high degree of wear is normally experienced due to the environment in which a track-type machine must operate. This wear is typically accelerated by foreign matter that is carried by an idler member of the track chain assembly and is permitted to remain on its contact surfaces as they engage the other track chain components. The present invention provides a scraper assembly that defines a plurality of scraping portions that continuously engage the contact surfaces of idler to remove foreign material therefrom before the contact surfaces engage other track chain components.

Abstract: A guard for a crawler type land vehicles having a frame, a final drive on each side of the frame, the final drive including a spindle housing with a flange bolted to the frame and a sprocket hub rotationally supported on the spindle housing, a track sprocket on the sprocket hub, the spindle housing and hub establishing a small gap to form a mechanical shield to protect a rotational seal within the space enclosed by the spindle housing and sprocket hub, the guard being adapted to be assembled radially outward of the mechanical shield, the guard having a circular shell member for bolting to an inside face of the sprocket hub and extending axially in one piece across substantially all of the distance between the spindle flange and the sprocket hub, the guard shell having an internal circumferential groove, a circular radial flange for mounting in the space between the spindle flange and the sprocket hub, the guard shell being diametrally split whereby it can be radially assembled around the spindle flange with t