Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Jon C Christensen

Roger L Boggs

A track-type vehicle (10) includes a track roller frame (13), a track idler (18) mounted forwardly on the track roller frame (13), and a recoil system (19) interconnected between the track roller frame (13) and the track idler (18). Conventional recoil systems, such as those employing one or more return springs therein, are sometimes subjected to adverse impact loads which could unduly subject undercarriage components to high stresses. This invention is directed to a slider assembly (29) slidably mounted for fore and aft movements on the track roller frame (13) and having the track idler (18) rotatably mounted thereon. Linear movement of the slider assembly (29) on the track roller frame (13) is guided by a pair of guides (30) laterally spaced on either side of the track idler (18).

Recoil system with guided slide assembly for track-type vehicles

A wheel has a hub and a rim connected to the hub. Teeth are positioned on the outer surface of the rim and arcuately spaced one from the other by a root area. The root areas have an outer periphery and define a root diameter. The wheel has an annular opening in communication with said outer periphery of the root areas. A hoop having an outside diameter greater than the root diameter is positioned in the annular opening for movement in response to operation of the wheel and cleaning of material from the root areas in response to the movement.

Growing community of inventors

Chillicothe, IL, United States of America

Jon C Christensen