US3711928A - Method of repairing and servicing lubricated track chains - Google Patents

Method of repairing and servicing lubricated track chains Download PDF

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Publication number
US3711928A
US3711928A US00130650A US3711928DA US3711928A US 3711928 A US3711928 A US 3711928A US 00130650 A US00130650 A US 00130650A US 3711928D A US3711928D A US 3711928DA US 3711928 A US3711928 A US 3711928A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
pin
links
bushing
track
overlapping
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US00130650A
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English (en)
Inventor
R Boggs
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Caterpillar Inc
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Caterpillar Tractor Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Caterpillar Tractor Co filed Critical Caterpillar Tractor Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3711928A publication Critical patent/US3711928A/en
Assigned to CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE. reassignment CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/32—Assembly, disassembly, repair or servicing of endless-track systems
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49718—Repairing
    • Y10T29/49719—Seal or element thereof

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for disassembling and assembling individual hinge joints of a crawler tractor track chain wherein a plurality of manually actuated portable tools are utilized to separate coacting pins, bushings and links to facilitate convenient removal and replacement of faulty joint components.
  • the components are principally vital, sensitive, lubricant-containing seals.
  • the invention enables reassembly of associated members without tediously disassembling all of the track sections intermediate a leaking joint and a track master joint.
  • a principal object of the present invention is the provision of a safe, simple and efficient method for individually servicing faulty track hinge joints.
  • a further object is the provision of simple and efficient tooling that facilitates individual disassembly, removal, and replacement of faulty labyrinth bushings and seals.
  • Still another object is the specific method of adapting manually actuated portable tools to spaced, cooperating track links for application of substantial force for spreading and separation of link ends from complementing coacting bushings.
  • An additional object is the provision of a hollow master pin to complement the force application tool and allow efficient assembly and service of a track joint.
  • a further object is the provision of a method by which the hollow pin is plugged to serve as a lubricantdistributing reservoir for internal bearing surfaces.
  • Still another object is the provision of a hollow pin which is constructed to afford ease of assembly and disassembly of a hinge joint.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of track chain that has been separated for service proximate the track idler;
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a section of a portion of track with the central portion ofa pin and bushing of a faulty joint shown removed as by a cutting torch;
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of a track section wherein one end of an adjoining pin has been freed from its coacting link end by a portable press shown attached, and a complementing U-shaped spacer bracket has been inserted intermediate and coaxially about the interrupted portions of the faulty joints, link, pin and bushing ends;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view with the loosened track components further separated
  • FIG. 5 is also a plan view ofa length of track chain in which the pin in the faulty joint has been removed and the overlapping ends of an adjacent link have been spread for complete separation by a simple, manually actuated force application tool;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a separated track hinge joint being reassembled, assisted by a pair of flat guide plates that protect the seal faces;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating how a reduced diameter, tapered dummy pin can be used to facilitate alignment of link and bushing bores;
  • FIG. 8 also is a perspective view showing how nuts at each end of a threaded force applicator disposed within a hollow master pin would be used to secure aligned links on the pin ends to minimize end play;
  • FIG. 9 shows in greater detail the manually actuated force application tool or link separator with adapter brackets used for joint disassembly
  • FIG. 10 depicts the alternate configuration of the force application tool as used for reassembly of the track joints
  • FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a tapered dummy pin used for aligning and temporarily holding an assembled joint.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the front portion of a roller frame of a crawler tractor generally shown at 10 including an idler l2 and a separated section of track chain generally shown at 14 upon which such vehicles are supported and by which they are steered. Normally when track trouble occurs, the chains are broken or separated proximate the idler to allow convenient use of tools and expedient servicing of the faulty component.
  • the track chain 14 comprises a plurality of ground-engaging plates or track shoes 16 each of which is rigidly secured to a pair of spaced, parallel, interconnected track links 18, as by bolts 20.
  • each pair of track links 18 is pivotally connected by means of a track pin 22 and bushings 24 to an adjacent and cooperating pair of links in such manner that an articulated chain is formed.
  • the end links of such chains are normally connected by means of a master pin or a two-piece master link (not shown) to facilitate breaking or separating and servicing of the track chain.
  • the track joint shown in section illustrates how a typical seal, such as indicated at 26, is disposed in a counterbore 28 in the inner face 30 of each overlapping link end 32.
  • the axial dimensions of such seals vary; however, each is normally precisely designed to function under optimum loading parameters when assembled.
  • a labyrinth hinge joint with bushing ends 34 protruding into a receiving counterbore is often employed in heavy duty chains because the closely nested ends serve to prevent detrimental entry of foreign debris as well as to provide loading of the seals.
  • the damaged bushing is cut in two places leaving bushing stubs 36 extending about three-fourths inch inward of the inner links 18.
  • the center section of the damaged bushing is thereupon removed. It should be noted that this step of removing the damaged bushing by cutting may be eliminated in some applications where sufficient play is inherent in a track to permit joint separation without the necessity of destruction of a bushing.
  • a generally U-shaped spacer member 38 is inserted between the inner links concentric with the axis of the damaged joint to permit external application of force to remove the two pin stubs from the links as will be hereinafter described.
  • a portable pin press 40 grips the spaced links as shown by fingers 42 as a plunger 44 is hydraulically extended to expel the stubs.
  • the pin adjacent the faulty joint is only partially removed, as shown at 22', to facilitate service.
  • separation of the adjoining links 18 for removal and reassembly of the track seals may then be accomplished.
  • Bushing stubs 36 may be conveniently removed with a press and a new bushing installed and a new pin inserted therein.
  • a modified link separator or force applicator means 46 comprising a threaded rod 48 to which a pair of nuts 50, annular sleeves 52 and adapter brackets 54 with auxiliary attaching screws 56 are attached in a manner that allows rotation of the inwardly disposed nuts to apply an outwardly acting force. Attention is further directed to FIG. 9 for a more complete showing of the force applicator means. After removal of the pin in the faulty joint, such a simple portable tool suitably attached to the links would allow sufficient spreading of the complementing links that they can be readily detached from the extending bushing ends 34.
  • the force applicator means provides the substantial force required to hold the links in a spread condition for reinstallation, as described below.
  • a track section with the spread links is reconnected to an adjacent track joint with the assistance of a pair of shim-like guide plates 58.
  • Such plates are desirable to temporarily shield and protect the sensitive seals during assembly since, if the heavy track sections should be dropped or should move unexpectedly, seal damage could rapidly occur from the sharp edges of the overlapping link and bushing surfaces.
  • Such shim-like guide plates also serve to compress the seals (not shown) in links 18 as the bushing 24 slides between the adjoining links 18.
  • dummy track pin 62 When approximate alignment is achieved, the shimlike guide plates are removed. Turning to FIG. 7, the tapered end 60 of dummy track pin 62 is inserted through link end 32 and bushing 24. The dummy pin is then driven into place to temporarily hold the links together. The force applicator means 46 is then removed. A more complete showing of dummy pin 62 may be gotten by referring to FIG. 11. After insertion of the dummy pin, a hollow pin (not shown) is pressed into place with a pin press (now shown) thereby displacing dummy pin 62 as will hereinafter be described.
  • a second threaded coupling means 64 is used coaxially in conjunction with a hollow track pin 66 to secure the two spaced links and chain ends which eliminate detrimental hinge joint end play.
  • applicator 46 and the shim-like guide plates 58 are removed prior to insertion of the dummy pin, which is subsequently expelled by assembly of the hollow hinge pin, as aforementioned.
  • the hollow pin is diametrically sized to afford a slightly lower interference fit than a standard track pin. To achieve such a fit and to facilitate assembly, the central portion of the hollow pin is relieved (not shown), leaving an enlarged head portion on each end of the pin.
  • Such a design will effectively serve as a primary or auxiliary master pin or joint when and wherever it is assembled in the track chain.
  • Tightening two nuts 68 and washers 70 on coupling means 64 creates thousands of pounds of force sufficient to assure elimination of end play of the links on the pin ends.
  • the open pin remaining after removal of the coupling means can be conveniently plugged and filled with oil, which will flow to pin and bushing bearing surfaces through one or more radial ports in the pin to afford lubrication so necessary for a long service life.
  • a method of servicing a chain consisting of a plurality of track shows secured to pairs of spaced parallel interconnected track links that are articulately joined by coacting, concentrically disposed pin and bushing means, said method comprising:
  • link separator means used for spreading said links is a threaded rod with complementing pairs of nuts, spacers and adapter brackets with integral link attaching means.
  • the coupling means is a threaded force application tool to create a final compressive force to eliminate all end play in the hinge joint.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Hand Tools For Fitting Together And Separating, Or Other Hand Tools (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
US00130650A 1971-04-02 1971-04-02 Method of repairing and servicing lubricated track chains Expired - Lifetime US3711928A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13065071A 1971-04-02 1971-04-02

Publications (1)

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US3711928A true US3711928A (en) 1973-01-23

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00130650A Expired - Lifetime US3711928A (en) 1971-04-02 1971-04-02 Method of repairing and servicing lubricated track chains

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3711928A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5237654B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1329526A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT948403B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3831257A (en) * 1973-04-11 1974-08-27 Caterpillar Tractor Co Method and apparatus for assembling welded track hinge joints
US4258463A (en) * 1979-02-05 1981-03-31 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Track mounting tool and method
US20050023897A1 (en) * 2003-07-31 2005-02-03 Anderton Peter W. Method and apparatus for rebuilding track assembly
US6951096B2 (en) 2002-05-21 2005-10-04 Caterpillar Inc. Method and apparatus for installing links on an endless track chain
US7007360B2 (en) 2002-05-21 2006-03-07 Caterpillar Inc. Method and apparatus for disassembling a track chain
US7100353B1 (en) * 2005-08-15 2006-09-05 Caterpillar Inc. Portable track link disassembly tool
US20090070980A1 (en) * 2007-09-19 2009-03-19 Livesay Richard E System for servicing machine track and method
US20150375815A1 (en) * 2015-09-14 2015-12-31 Caterpillar Global Mining Llc System for removing pin of a track assembly
WO2022240672A1 (en) * 2021-05-14 2022-11-17 Rexnord Industries, Llc Systems and methods for repairing chains
WO2023014324A1 (en) * 2021-08-02 2023-02-09 Fnss Savunma Si̇stemleri̇ A.Ş. Track transport and assembly / disassembly apparatus for tracked military vehicles
US20240328480A1 (en) * 2021-12-09 2024-10-03 Rexnord Industries, Llc Systems and Methods for Assembling and Repairing Chains

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS53133261U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1977-03-29 1978-10-21
CN102745271A (zh) * 2012-07-16 2012-10-24 重庆市双恩农机制造有限公司 链条式农机行走履带

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3028723A (en) * 1958-03-24 1962-04-10 Owatonna Tool Co Method and apparatus for assembling and disassembling the chains of crawler-type tractors
US3075346A (en) * 1958-02-21 1963-01-29 Rodgers Hydraulic Inc Track press having opposed rams and retractable jaw
US3183585A (en) * 1962-12-31 1965-05-18 William A West Method for replacing bushings

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3075346A (en) * 1958-02-21 1963-01-29 Rodgers Hydraulic Inc Track press having opposed rams and retractable jaw
US3028723A (en) * 1958-03-24 1962-04-10 Owatonna Tool Co Method and apparatus for assembling and disassembling the chains of crawler-type tractors
US3183585A (en) * 1962-12-31 1965-05-18 William A West Method for replacing bushings

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3831257A (en) * 1973-04-11 1974-08-27 Caterpillar Tractor Co Method and apparatus for assembling welded track hinge joints
US4258463A (en) * 1979-02-05 1981-03-31 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Track mounting tool and method
US6951096B2 (en) 2002-05-21 2005-10-04 Caterpillar Inc. Method and apparatus for installing links on an endless track chain
US7007360B2 (en) 2002-05-21 2006-03-07 Caterpillar Inc. Method and apparatus for disassembling a track chain
US20050023897A1 (en) * 2003-07-31 2005-02-03 Anderton Peter W. Method and apparatus for rebuilding track assembly
US7100353B1 (en) * 2005-08-15 2006-09-05 Caterpillar Inc. Portable track link disassembly tool
US20090070980A1 (en) * 2007-09-19 2009-03-19 Livesay Richard E System for servicing machine track and method
US20150375815A1 (en) * 2015-09-14 2015-12-31 Caterpillar Global Mining Llc System for removing pin of a track assembly
WO2022240672A1 (en) * 2021-05-14 2022-11-17 Rexnord Industries, Llc Systems and methods for repairing chains
US11958102B2 (en) 2021-05-14 2024-04-16 Rexnord Industries, Llc Systems and methods for repairing chains
WO2023014324A1 (en) * 2021-08-02 2023-02-09 Fnss Savunma Si̇stemleri̇ A.Ş. Track transport and assembly / disassembly apparatus for tracked military vehicles
US20240328480A1 (en) * 2021-12-09 2024-10-03 Rexnord Industries, Llc Systems and Methods for Assembling and Repairing Chains
US12181019B2 (en) * 2021-12-09 2024-12-31 Rexnord Industries, Llc Systems and methods for assembling and repairing chains

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1329526A (en) 1973-09-12
JPS5237654B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1977-09-24
IT948403B (it) 1973-05-30

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE.,ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.;REEL/FRAME:004669/0905

Effective date: 19860515

Owner name: CATERPILLAR INC., 100 N.E. ADAMS STREET, PEORIA, I

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.;REEL/FRAME:004669/0905

Effective date: 19860515