초록 ▼

A tensioning system for an endless track of a crawler-type vehicle includes an actuator, such as a dual-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston, which is coupled to a roller to translate the roller into and out of engagement with the endless track to tension or slack the endless track, respectively. Th

A tensioning system for an endless track of a crawler-type vehicle includes an actuator, such as a dual-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston, which is coupled to a roller to translate the roller into and out of engagement with the endless track to tension or slack the endless track, respectively. The tensioning system has a mechanical stop that limits retraction of the actuator, and thus limits how much slack can be created in the endless track. The actuator automatically adds tension to the endless track when an undertensioned condition is present and automatically removes tension from the endless track when an overtensioned condition is present. To add additional slack to the endless track for removing the endless track for service, repair, or replacement, the mechanical stop may be removed which allows additional retraction of the actuator and thus disengagement of the roller from the endless track.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A track tensioning system for use with a tracked vehicle having an endless track entrained about a series of rollers, comprising:a dual-acting fluid operated cylinder having a piston operative to force one of the rollers into engagement with the endless track when the piston is in an ex

We claim: 1. A track tensioning system for use with a tracked vehicle having an endless track entrained about a series of rollers, comprising:a dual-acting fluid operated cylinder having a piston operative to force one of the rollers into engagement with the endless track when the piston is in an extended position and operative to remove tension placed on the endless track by the roller when the piston is retracted from the extended position, wherein the dual-acting cylinder is adapted to automatically retract the piston when the endless track encounters an obstruction; anda mechanical stop associated with the piston and operative to limit retraction of the piston when the endless track encounters an obstruction.