Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Caterpillar Inc.

Carl P Adams

Thomas E Oertley

Robert D Roley

William J Spivey

Royce D Allen

Frederick L Kokaly

A track adjusting flow controlling mechanism sets the optimum tension or 'controlled sag' in the endless track of a track type vehicle. A piston and associated valve assembly control flow of pressurized fluid to a track adjusting clyinder. Movement of the piston tensions the track with substantially no sag ('S') and subsequent retraction of the piston provides correct track tension with an optimum track sag ('S'). Supply of pressurized fluid to the piston and valve assembly is controlled by the vehicle operator from the operator's station. Conventional track adjusting operations require considerable time and effort and are often an undesirable task. In view of this, the adjusting task is often neglected with the resulting rapid wear of the track and related components. The subject track adjusting mechanism provides a quick and simple operation to provide proper track adjustment.

Track adjuster flow control mechanism

A mounting assembly (22) for an inside arm C-frame (18) of a bulldozer blade (26) is provided and includes a pair of brackets (30,30, 130,130) joined together by a tractor belly guard (32). Each bracket (30,30, 130,130) is pinned to the tractor frame (12) by a main pin (50) in the upper portion thereof and has a trunnion (52,152) at the lower portion thereof for connection to the arms (20,20) of the C-frame. The forward portions (60,162) of the brackets (30,130) are pinned (74) to the tractor frame (12) in a way as to constrain only that force known as torque or moment of rotational force, generated about said main pin (50). The belly guard (32) can be pivoted down out of the way for servicing the tractor.

Bulldozer blade mounting assembly

A hitch and drawbar assembly (10) arranged so that bolts (38) securing the hitch (17) to the drawbar (18) have substantially only tension forces applied thereto in transmitting a pulling force from the vehicle (11) to the hitch. The drawbar of the assembly is pivotally mounted to the frame (12) of the vehicle by suitable pins (15,16) and a support (21) is provided for retaining the drawbar in a desired, generally horizontal, slightly downwardly rearwardly inclined disposition. The support is arranged to permit slight movement of the drawbar longitudinally while maintaining the drawbar against pivotal movement so as to assure the transmission of pulling forces from the vehicle frame to the drawbar substantially solely through the pins. The drawbar may be thusly supported to a casing portion (20) of the vehicle as such mounting assures the prevention of transmission of pulling forces on the casing portion.

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Metamora, IL, United States of America

Carl P Adams