Caterpillar Inc.

Dewaine A Kautsch

Sean C McGinnis

Endless rubber track laying machines are provided with a pair of track laying assemblies positioned on opposite sides of the work machine. Each track laying assembly includes an endless rubber belt entrained around a drive wheel, an idler wheel, and a plurality of supporting mid-rollers. The present supporting mid-roller includes a heat shield that is positioned between individual roller segments and guide blocks positioned on the inner surface of the endless rubber belt. With the heat shield in this position, heat generated from the guide blocks contacting the individual roller segments is dissipated, thereby increasing the life of the individual mid-roller components.

Heat shielded mid-roller

Existing track laying work machines fail to provide adequate suspension for reducing shock loads transmitted to machine components and the operator. The present suspension system provides suspension members interposed the main frame of the work machine and an elongated beam supported by first and second track roller frames. Cushioning members separate the roller frame from the elongated beam and drive wheel hub, to provide further isolation from shock and torsional movement of the roller frame.

Suspension system for a work machine

Present reaction arms for use with an endless belt fail to adequately disperse the debris from the drive wheel and the endless belt. The present reaction arm includes a cushioning member interposed a first end and an outer surface of a center portion of a hub assembly. And, the reaction arm includes a second end being attached to a chassis of a work machine. The reaction arm is axially positioned within a pair of sides of an endless belt and is generally centered along an axis defined by the pair of sides.

Track roller frame with inside reaction arm

Present drive wheels for use with an endless belted track fail to adequately disperse the debris at the interface between the drive wheel and the endless belted track. The present drive wheel includes a mounting hub having a plurality of cantilevered drive members. An opened ended slot is provided between each of the plurality of driving members to provide an effective escape path for debris.

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DeKalb, IL, United States of America

Dewaine A Kautsch