Importance

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Abstract

A track assembly for a skid steer type wheeled vehicle comprises a series of identical track segments, with each of the segments having a wheel or tire retaining flange depending from opposite ends thereof. Each flange has a pair of connecting lugs or tongues extending in one direction (e.g., in the direction of travel), with a single connecting lug extending in the opposite direction. Each lug or tongue pair is positioned to sandwich an opposing single lug or tongue therebetween from an adjacent track segment. Thus, each of the segments connects directly to another identical segment, with no intermediate connecting links being required. The interconnecting lugs or tongues extend straight from their respective flanges with no lateral offset, thus precluding any bending loads upon the lugs and producing a pure shear force across each connecting bolt or pin. The lugs or tongues are preferably hardened for greater durability, with the assembly including bushings for greater bearing area. The connecting pins are preferably threaded bolts secured in place by cooperating nuts. The cleats of the present track segments are configured to provide a self cleaning action when the vehicle is in motion, with the facing cleat extensions of each track segment capturing mud and other debris therebetween to act as a shoe or pad, thus reducing wear of the present track assembly.

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First Claim