US 12,233,969 B2
Center tread idler in ground-engaging track system dimensioned to form a sprocketed idler wear pattern
Eric J Johannsen, Washington, IL (US); and David Jennings Hakes, Princeville, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/372,120.
Prior Publication US 2023/0018696 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. B62D 55/15 (2006.01); B62D 55/20 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 55/15 (2013.01) [B62D 55/20 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
7. A ground-engaging track system comprising:
a track including a plurality of track links coupled end-to-end by way of track pins to form two parallel track chains, and bushings upon each of the track pins;
a center tread idler including an inner surface defining an idler axis of rotation, and an outer tread surface extending circumferentially around the idler axis of rotation and positioned at a uniform distance from the idler axis of rotation;
each of the bushings defining a bushing diameter dimension, the track defining a track pitch dimension, and the outer tread surface of the idler defining an outer diameter dimension; and
a sum of the bushing diameter dimension and the outer diameter dimension is an integer or a half-integer multiple of the track pitch dimension.