A ground-engaging track includes a track chain formed of standard links and at least one master link. The master link include a first half link and a second half link, clamped together by way of a forward bolt and a rearward bolt. Clamping surfaces of the first half link and the second half link form a first tooth set and a second tooth set, respectively, which may include a total of 2 or 3 full teeth and tooth roots, confined in distribution between a forward bolt hole and a rearward bolt hole.

A link assembly for a machine is disclosed herein. The link assembly includes a first master link portion, a full track link, and a plug. The full track link is coupled to the first master link portion. The plug is positioned within the full track link and adjacent to the first master link portion. The plug is positioned and shaped to prevent the rotational movement of the first master link portion.

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.

A method of fabricating a track link comprises creating a rail portion of a track link from a high alloy steel, creating a main body portion of a track link from a low alloy steel, and friction adhering the rail portion onto the main body portion.

A master link for a track chain is disclosed. The master link may include a first portion that abuts a first face of the link, a second portion that abuts a second face of the link, a first bore located on a first end of the link, a second bore located on a second end of the link, and a material located between the first portion and the second portion and extending between the first bore and the second bore. The material may create a separation between the first portion and the second portion to facilitate placement of the first bore and the second bore around outer diameters of corresponding mating members of a track chain. The material may be removable to remove the separation from between the first portion and the second portion.

A connection assembly for articulated chains which comprise mutually-pivoted links that are split between at least one initial link and at least one terminal link. The assembly comprises transverse holes of the initial link and of the terminal link, which are arranged in mutual alignment when the initial and terminal links are in the coupling configuration; a master pin, with shape and dimensions substantially complementary to those of the holes and adapted to be inserted into those holes in order to couple the initial and terminal links; at least one elastic peg that can be accommodated, with elastic forcing thereof, in at least one respective radial channel which is defined, in its outermost parts, on at least one link chosen from between the initial link and the terminal link and, in its innermost part, on the master pin.

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 first and second threaded pin bores and first and second threaded passages, a master link pin with threads on the outer circumferential surface along a distal portion, and first and second fasteners. The master link pin may be inserted into the master link box through one of the first or second pin bores. The fasteners may be secured in the threaded passages such that the first fastener abuts a proximal portion of the master link pin and the second fastener abuts a distal portion of the master link pin.

A clamping master track link includes a body that defines a first bore and a second bore, a first aperture disposed between the first bore and the second bore, a second aperture disposed between the first aperture and the second bore, a first strut with a first gap disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture, a second strut with a second gap disposed between the first aperture and the first bore, and a bridge disposed between the second aperture and the second bore. The first bore defines a cylindrical bore surface that is at least partially textured.

A method of servicing a track chain assembly includes loosening a fastener to reduce a clamping force of a track link body on a track bushing. With the clamping force reduced, the method includes rotating the track bushing from a first position wherein a worn side of the track bushing faces a drive sprocket to a second position wherein an unworn side of the track bushing faces the drive sprocket. Once the track bushing in the second position, the method includes tightening the fastener to increase the clamping force on the track bushing. The method can be performed while leaving the track chain in place on a track machine.

A pair of master track links includes one master track link that has a rail portion that defines a length that is greater than 80% of the length of the body of the master track link.