A pin retention device comprises a fastener defining a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end along the longitudinal axis, a head at the first end and a threaded portion at the second end, a tubular spacer defining a thru-hole configured to receive the fastener, and a nut defining a threaded hold configured to mate with the threaded portion of the fastener.

This invention refers to a flexible shoe for endless tracks of heavy machinery, disclosing a constructive configuration that guarantees greater flexibility and adaptability to the terrain in which the heavy machine circulates and allows that only worn or broken parts of the flexible shoe be replaced. This invention also refers to a flexible shoe manufacturing method, thus disclosing a low-cost simple manufacturing process, making it possible for the flexible shoe to be manufactured only by means of cutting, assembly and steel plate welding processes.

This invention refers to a flexible shoe for endless tracks of heavy machinery, disclosing a constructive configuration that guarantees greater flexibility and adaptability to the terrain in which the heavy machine circulates and allows that only worn or broken parts of the flexible shoe be replaced. This invention also refers to a flexible shoe manufacturing method, thus disclosing a low-cost simple manufacturing process, making it possible for the flexible shoe to be manufactured only by means of cutting, assembly and steel plate welding processes.

The present invention relates to a linkage unit (101) for a roller chain link assembly of a caterpillar track, the unit comprising a bushing (102) which has a body and a seat (103) retaining a sealing member (104) at each of the respective axial ends of the body, an outer roller (105) mounted on the bushing (102) for rotation relative to the bushing (102) and means for reducing friction (106) disposed between the internal surface of the outer roller (105) and the outer surface of the bushing (102). The present invention also relates to a roller chain link assembly (110) having the aforementioned linkage unit (101) and a caterpillar track (301) suitable for use in track-type machines employing the roller chain link assembly (110).

The present invention relates to a linkage unit (101) for a roller chain link assembly of a caterpillar track, the unit comprising a bushing (102) which has a body and a seat (103) retaining a sealing member (104) at each of the respective axial ends of the body, an outer roller (105) mounted on the bushing (102) for rotation relative to the bushing (102) and means for reducing friction (106) disposed between the internal surface of the outer roller (105) and the outer surface of the bushing (102). The present invention also relates to a roller chain link assembly (110) having the aforementioned linkage unit (101) and a caterpillar track (301) suitable for use in track-type machines employing the roller chain link assembly (110).

A track pad may include a base member and a roller path member extending from the base member. The roller path member may include a roller path surface for engaging with a roller of a machine. The roller path member may include a leading side and a trailing side in a direction of travel of the machine. The roller path member may include a hardened region that extends from the roller path surface and a body region adjacent the hardened region. The hardened region may have a greater hardness than the body region. The hardened region may have a uniform depth from the leading side to the trailing side of the roller path member.

A track pad may include a base member and a roller path member extending from the base member. The roller path member may include a roller path surface for engaging with a roller of a machine. The roller path member may include a leading side and a trailing side in a direction of travel of the machine. The roller path member may include a hardened region that extends from the roller path surface and a body region adjacent the hardened region. The hardened region may have a greater hardness than the body region. The hardened region may have a uniform depth from the leading side to the trailing side of the roller path member.

In some implementations, a monitoring system may include a sensor device located on an inner surface of a bushing of a track link. The sensor device may be configured to generate data indicating an amount of strain or wear experienced by a portion of the bushing. The monitoring system may include a wireless communication device communicatively coupled to the sensor device and configured to transmit information indicating the data. The monitoring system may include a controller configured to determine an amount of wear, of the portion of the bushing, based on the data, and generate wear information indicating the amount of wear.

A ground-engaging track shoe includes a shoe plate having link-side fixturing surfaces and ground-side fixturing surfaces. The link-side fixturing surfaces and the ground-side fixturing surfaces are raised in profile relative to a link-facing surface and a ground-facing surface, respectively. The fixturing surfaces enable a fixture to clamp the track shoe for support during processing, enabling improvements in maintaining portions of the track shoe flat and reducing part to part variation.

A ground-engaging track shoe includes a shoe plate having link-side fixturing surfaces and ground-side fixturing surfaces. The link-side fixturing surfaces and the ground-side fixturing surfaces are raised in profile relative to a link-facing surface and a ground-facing surface, respectively. The fixturing surfaces enable a fixture to clamp the track shoe for support during processing, enabling improvements in maintaining portions of the track shoe flat and reducing part to part variation.