Caterpillar Inc.

Jerry D Fidler

Mark Steven Diekevers

John James Krone

Michael A Roussin

Jon S Burdick

Dave E Keedy

Daniel L Mikrut

Roger E Lawson

Larry K Rhodes

Brian D Jensen

Jeffery R Arulandu

A hammerless mechanical attachment system comprising a C-clamp member, a first wedge member, a second wedge member and a threaded tensioning device for attaching a tooth adapter to a base cutting edge of an implement. The C-clamp member has a generally C-shaped body with a forwardly facing abutment surface and a forwardly extending flange having a threaded aperture therein. The first wedge member has a forward side having a first wedge surface thereon, an opposite rearward side having a second abutment surface thereon positionable against the first abutment surface of the C-clamp member, and a through bolt hole disposed along a longitudinal axis parallel to the second abutment surface. The bolt hole is disposed in alignment with the threaded aperture in the flange when the second abutment surface is placed in abutment with the first abutment surface of the C-clamp. The second wedge member has a rearwardly facing side having a second wedge surface thereon and a forwardly facing side having a third abutment surface thereon. The second wedge surface is positionable in abutting relationship with the first wedge surface of the first wedge member. The threaded tensioning device is disposed through the bolt hole in the first wedge member and threadably engaged with the threaded aperture in the flange of the C-clamp member, whereby the second wedge member is caused to move in a forward direction upon tightening of the threaded tensioning device for securing the adapter to the base edge.

Hammerless mechanically attached adapter system

In the operation of conventional track assemblies it is common for an idler to have a pair of laterally extending wear treads to engage and support the wear rails defined by the track links of the track assembly as it is driven thereabout. This ultimately creates an arcuate wear pattern on the wear rails of the track links creating an extremely rough ride when the wear rails contact the track rollers suspended from a roller frame. The present invention provides a sprocketed idler that contacts a roller bushing that extends between a pair of chain assemblies defined by the track assembly to support the track assembly as it is rotated therearound. The sprocketed idler with roller bushings provides lateral guidance for the track assembly and, in combination with the roller bushings, provides noise reduction compared to conventional track assemblies.

Sprocketed idler for a track assembly

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.

Scraping apparatus for a track idler

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.

Biased scraping apparatus for an idler

A retaining pin, a metallic washer and a resilient retaining ring for use in securing an earthworking tip to an adapter. Positive retention of earthworking tips on their adapters by their retaining pins during its work cycle is extremely important from an operational, as well as a cost, standpoint. The loss of the tips materially affects production in addition to the time-consuming expense of replacement or repair of the components. Not only must the tips be adequately retained, they must be capable of quick removal for replacement purposes. The retaining pin has an outer peripheral surface and an annular groove defined in the peripheral surface. The washer is slidably disposed on the pin. The washer has a frusto-conical side surface and an inner peripheral surface with an annular groove defined in the peripheral surface. The ring has a cross-section with a predetermined radial thickness and when assembled is disposed in locking engagement in a groove on the pin and the groove of the washer. The retaining ring, in use, is operative in conjunction with the grooves in the pin and washer to prohibit disassembly of the pin from the washer without an external force being applied to the pin sufficient to shear the retaining ring or to fracture the washer.

Retaining pin having a positive keeper means

Impact rippers are useful in fracturing rocks, concrete, etc. which cannot be fractured by ripping alone. Operating the impactor of the impact ripper without sufficient loading applied to the ripper tip is detrimental to the life of the impact ripper. The subject control system includes a pilot operated selector valve which blocks pressurized fluid from the impactor in the absence of pilot fluid thereto and is shifted by pressurized pilot fluid to a position to direct pressurized fluid to the impactor. A pressure switch is rendered conductive when the fluid pressure generated in a hydraulic cylinder exceeds a predetermined value due to loading on the ripper tip. This actuates a solenoid valve to direct pressurized pilot fluid to the selector valve. Thus the impactor is activated only when the loading on the ripper tip is above a preselected threshold and is automatically deactivated when the loading on the ripper tip drops below the preselected threshold.

Impact ripper and control

Impact rippers are useful for ripping solid rock. The service life of the impactor can be extended if the impactor is operated only when the ripper shank is loaded sufficient to transmit the impact energy into the material being ripped. The subject control system uses control signals generated by a plurality of signal generating means when the ripper shanks are loaded above a predetermined level to control the operation of the hydraulically actuated impactors associated with such ripper shanks. The number of control signals being generated is also used to control the volume of fluid made available for use by the impactors being operated at an given time to control the operating speed thereof. Thus, only the impactor(s) associated with a ripper shank(s) loaded above the predetermined level is operated thereby avoiding non-productive and harmful impactor operation if the ripper shank(s) is not sufficiently loaded.

Control system for a multiple shank impact ripper

The invention relates to a metallic washer and a split resilient retaining ring for retaining pins of earthworking tips. Positive retention of earthworking tips on their adapters by their retaining pins during its work cycle is extremely important from an operational as well as a cost standpoint. The loss of the tips materially affect productions in addition to the time consuming expense of replacement or repair of the components. Not only must the tips be adequately retained, they must be capable of quick removal for replacement purposes. The washer having a frusto-conical side surface and an inside surface defining a bore and a groove opening into the bore is captured in a recess between a nose of the adapter and a sidewall of the tip. The ring having a cross-section with a predetermined radial thickness and is disposed in locking engagement in a groove on the pin and the groove of the washer. The ring, in use, is operative in conjunction with the grooves in the pin and washer to prohibit disassembly of the pin from the washer without an external force being applied to the pin sufficient to shear the ring or fracture of the washer with the side walls of the washer constructed to effectively concentrate the external force close to the interface of the grooves.

Positive keeper means for pins of earthworking tips

A mounting arrangement for a linear impact ripper pivotally connected to a support frame and including an elongated torque tube or crossbeam having a pair of forwardly extending end plates pivotally mounting the crossbeam to the support frame. A pair of impactor mounting plates extend downwardly from the cross beam and position a linear reciprocating impact hammer therebelow. A pair of ripper shank mounting plates extend forwardly from the crossbeam to provide a pivot mounting for a ripper shank. The mounting frame transfers forces from the individual components into the crossbeam for effectively minimizing the transfer of shock forces from the ripper assembly to the vehicle.

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Mossville, IL, United States of America

Jerry D Fidler