Caterpillar Inc.

Alan H Lonn

Patrick Simon Campomanes

Gene R Klett

Michael P Larson

Daniel W Nelson

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a retainer system for a ground engaging tool. The retainer system may include a lock having a lock rotation axis and including an outer surface extending about the lock rotation axis and a retainer bushing having a retainer axis and an inner surface extending about the retainer axis. The inner surface may be configured to rotatably receive the outer surface of the lock. At least a portion of the outer surface may have a varying radius with respect to the lock rotation axis.

Retainer systems for ground engaging tools

Track guiding apparatus

Tip and adaptor assemblies are normally utilized to provide an arrangement in which the tip can be readily removed from the adaptor. It is advantageous to have a simple construction while still maintaining both good traction of the compactor wheel and good demolition of the material being crushed. In the subject arrangement, the tip and adaptor assembly is simple in construction and the tip, when worn, is readily removable from the adaptor. Furthermore, the tip includes both a demolition cleat and a transversely oriented traction cleat. All of the downward forces from the compactor wheel is transferred from a outer load transferring surface of the adaptor to a load transferring surface of the tip.

Tip and adaptor assembly

Ground engaging bits having hardned tips are beneficial when working extremely hard ground and/or planing asphalt or concreate. In these applications, the ground engaging bits rotate in their holders while performing the cutting action. Since the material needed to make a hardened tip is normally very expensive, it is beneficial to best utilize all, or at least most of, the hardened tip and to provide a hardened top that remains sharp during its effective life. The present ground engaging bit has a body with a convex non-linear forward end surface and a hardened tip with a corresponding concave non-linear rearward end surface to mate with the forward end surface of the body. The hardened tip has a continuous concave surface of revolution defined on its intermediate portion with a radius thereof being less than the diameter of its rearward flange portion. This arrangement uses less material to form the hardened tip and also provides a bonded surface that during the brazing operation allows the brazing material to freely flow evenly over the interface between the two surfaces. This arrangement provides an effective ground engaging bit that remains sharp during the life of the ground engaging bit while using less material to make the hardened tip.

Ground engaging bit having a hardened tip

Ground engaging bits used in abrasive road grading applications utilizing carbide inserts brazed to the leading face of the steel tip are beneficial on motor grader blades. Commercial road grading bit assemblies used consistent thickness, rectangular carbide inserts brazed to the leading edge of the steel tip. Due to wear and high residual stresses imparted upon the insert from the brazing operation, premature cracking and breaking of the carbide inserts occur. The subject bit arrangement utilizes a carbide insert with a flat rectangular cutting face of non-constant thickness brazed to a leading edge of a steel body. The carbide insert has a thickness that increases from the top of the carbide insert and reaches a maximum at the bottom of the steel body, where bit wear is the greatest. The increasing thickness of the carbide tip extends bit life over the current rectangular design and allows for a more efficient and economical use of the carbide. This design also reduces the residual stresses in the carbide insert which normally occur during the brazing operation, thus substantially reducing cracking and breaking, and further extending bit life.

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Edelstein, IL, United States of America

Alan H Lonn