Reversible Track Link With Replaceable Rail and Method

Conventional track type vehicles, such as crawler tractors, are adapted for heavy duty work during various construction and earthworking operations. Each endless track assembly thereof comprises a pin and bushing assembly for pivotally connecting each pair of adjacent links and track shoes together. The bushings, which further function as drive lugs adapted to engage the teeth of a drive sprocket, are subjected to wear and require periodic repair or replacement. The servicing of such bushings is time consuming and necessitates rather expensive repair or replacement procedures. In addition, a rail segment is oftentimes secured on one side of each link and must be replaced periodically.

An object of this invention is to overcome the above briefly described problems by providing an economical track link assembly and method for expeditiously providing a new bearing surface on a drive lug attached to the link upon reversal of a rail segment and track shoe thereon. At least one continuous bore is formed transversely through the track link to intersect upper and lower surfaces thereof, having the rail segment and track shoe disposed thereon, respectively. An internally threaded annular boss is secured to an underside of the rail segment and is disposed in the bore and fastening means extend upwardly through the track shoe and the bore into threaded engagement with the boss. The method is carried forth by interchanging the dispositions of the rail segment and track shoes.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned side elevational view of a track link assembly embodying this invention; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the track link assembly.

Referring to the drawing, a track link assembly 10 is adapted for use in an endless track assembly of a track-type vehicle, such as a crawler tractor. In particular, each pair of adjacent link assemblies are connected together by a pin 11 and annular bushing 12 in a conventional manner to form the endless track assembly. In operation, bushings 12 further function as drive lugs upon their engagement with the teeth of a conventional drive sprocket (not shown) of the tractor.

The track link assembly comprises a track link 13 which is symmetrical in configuration about a longitudinal axis X thereof to adapt it for reversal purposes, hereinafter described. The track link defines substantially flat upper and lower parallel surfaces 14 and 15, respectively, and has a pin and bushing assembly 11-12 mounted on each longitudinal end thereof. A pair of longitudinally spaced first bores 16 are formed transversely through the link to intersect surfaces 14 and 15 thereof.

A generally flat rail segment 17, adapted to engage track rollers mounted on the suspension system of the tractor (not shown), is disposed on surface 14. A pair of longitudinally spaced and internally threaded bosses 18 are suitably secured to the underside of the rail segment, such as by inertia welding techniques. Each of the bosses is closely fitted within a respective bore 16 to prevent lateral movement of the rail segment relative to the track link.

A standard track shoe 19 is disposed on lower surface 15 of the track link and is secured thereon by a pair of fastening means, such as shoulder bolts 20. Each of the bolts comprises a cylindrical portion 21 which extends upwardly into close fitting relationship within a second bore 22, formed through the track shoe, and the lower end of bore 16 which is aligned with bore 22 and has an inside diameter identical thereto. A reduced necked-down portion 23 of the bolt terminates at its upper end at threads 24 which threadably engage boss 18.

Upon the undue wearing of one side of bushing 12 by its continuous engagement with the teeth of the tractor's drive sprocket (not shown), the endless track assembly is initially disconnected at its conventional master track link (not shown). Shoulder bolts 20 are then removed to release rail segment 17 and track shoe 19 from each of the track link assemblies. The rail segment and track shoe are then interchanged and reattached at surfaces 15 and 14, respectively, to provide a new and unused sprocket engaging bearing surface on bushing 12. Bosses 18 aid in piloting the rail segment into its correct position whereas cylindrical portions 21 of the bolts aid in precisely piloting the bolts into threaded engagement with the bosses. The endless track assemblies are then each reinstalled on the tractor by reconnecting the master track links thereof.