An apparatus (1) for cleaning the outer side of the hull (60) of a marine vessel (50) and for cleaning the wall (70) of cargo holds, the apparatus (1) comprising a housing (2) provided with magnetic continuous tracks (3) at opposing lateral sides of the housing (2), a front wheel (6) and a rear wheel (5) for each of the magnetic continuous tracks (3), each magnetic continuous track (3) comprising a plurality of links (9) interconnected by drive pins (10), the links (9) having an inwardly facing side (18) and an outwardly facing side (19), a guide (40) configured to engage the drive pins (10) for preventing the links (9) in a first portion of the extent of the of at least one of the magnetic continuous tracks (3) between the front wheel (6) and the rear wheel (5) from moving in the direction in which the outwardly facing side (19) faces and a submersible apparatus for cleaning the outer side of the hull of a marine vessel and for cleaning the wall of cargo space in the cargo holds that comprises a watertight housing provided with continuous magnetic tracks at opposing lateral sides of the housing. A watertight housing provided with continuous magnetic tracks at opposing lateral sides of said housing. At least one drive motor in the housing operably connected to at least one continuous magnetic track for driving the continuous magnetic tracks. The housing being provided with a main side between the continuous magnetic tracks.

An apparatus (1) for cleaning the outer side of the hull (60) of a marine vessel (50) and for cleaning the wall (70) of cargo holds, the apparatus (1) comprising a housing (2) provided with magnetic continuous tracks (3) at opposing lateral sides of the housing (2), a front wheel (6) and a rear wheel (5) for each of the magnetic continuous tracks (3), each magnetic continuous track (3) comprising a plurality of links (9) interconnected by drive pins (10), the links (9) having an inwardly facing side (18) and an outwardly facing side (19), a guide (40) configured to engage the drive pins (10) for preventing the links (9) in a first portion of the extent of the of at least one of the magnetic continuous tracks (3) between the front wheel (6) and the rear wheel (5) from moving in the direction in which the outwardly facing side (19) faces and a submersible apparatus for cleaning the outer side of the hull of a marine vessel and for cleaning the wall of cargo space in the cargo holds that comprises a watertight housing provided with continuous magnetic tracks at opposing lateral sides of the housing. A watertight housing provided with continuous magnetic tracks at opposing lateral sides of said housing. At least one drive motor in the housing operably connected to at least one continuous magnetic track for driving the continuous magnetic tracks. The housing being provided with a main side between the continuous magnetic tracks.

A vehicle drive system can include wheels that have flat portions corresponding to the areas of relative flexibility of stiffness of a track. When the discontinuous, angular profile of the track of the vehicle can deform about a matching angularly-profiled wheel, a smoother ride with less power loss can be produced, and ratcheting (caused by loosened or mismatched engagement between the track and a driving structure) can be reduced.

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.

A steel track chain component, such as a track bushing, may be formed with a carburized portion, a hardface portion, and a core portion. The core portion may be softer than the carburized portion, which in turn, may be softer than the hardface portion. This configuration of the various portions of the component may allow for relatively high wear resistance of the component, as well as toughness. The core portion may be mostly ferrite crystal structure, while the carburized portion and the hardface portions may include martensitic and/or austenitic crystal structure. The carburized portion may be formed by carburizing the track chain component in a heated and carbon rich environment. The hardface portion may be formed by welding a hardface alloy over at least a portion of the carburized portion.

A steel track chain component, such as a track bushing, may be formed with a carburized portion, a hardface portion, and a core portion. The core portion may be softer than the carburized portion, which in turn, may be softer than the hardface portion. This configuration of the various portions of the component may allow for relatively high wear resistance of the component, as well as toughness. The core portion may be mostly ferrite crystal structure, while the carburized portion and the hardface portions may include martensitic and/or austenitic crystal structure. The carburized portion may be formed by carburizing the track chain component in a heated and carbon rich environment. The hardface portion may be formed by welding a hardface alloy over at least a portion of the carburized portion.

An example bushing has three portions along its radial direction including an inner portion most proximal to a central hole of the bushing, an outer portion most distal from the center hole, and a core portion between the inner portion and the outer portion. The core portion has a hardness that is less than the hardness of the inner portion or the outer portion of the bushing. The bushing may be formed using high carbon steel, which in some cases may be spheroidal cementite crystal structure. A rough bushing may be formed using the high carbon steel, followed by a direct hardening process, and an induction hardening process on the inner surface most proximal to the central hole of the bushing. The induction hardening on the inner surface may harden the outer portion while tempering the core portion of the bushing.

An example bushing has three portions along its radial direction including an inner portion most proximal to a central hole of the bushing, an outer portion most distal from the center hole, and a core portion between the inner portion and the outer portion. The core portion has a hardness that is less than the hardness of the inner portion or the outer portion of the bushing. The bushing may be formed using high carbon steel, which in some cases may be spheroidal cementite crystal structure. A rough bushing may be formed using the high carbon steel, followed by a direct hardening process, and an induction hardening process on the inner surface most proximal to the central hole of the bushing. The induction hardening on the inner surface may harden the outer portion while tempering the core portion of the bushing.

A master link box for use with a link assembly of a work machine is disclosed. The master link box may include first and second master links with pin bores and lateral annular recesses disposed around the pin bores, a master link pin with a radial projection at a proximal end and a distal annular groove in the outer circumferential surface near the distal end, and a master retaining ring. The master link pin may be inserted through either master link until the radial projection of the master link pin abuts the lateral recess of one of the master links. The master retaining ring may be secured in the distal annular groove to prevent the master link pin from retracting through the master link box. The master retaining ring may be secured in the distal annular groove without press-fitting the master retaining ring.