Track mounting tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10974778-B2
Application number	US-201816044800-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 25, 2018
Priority date	Jul 25, 2017
Publication date	Apr 13, 2021
Grant date	Apr 13, 2021

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of a track mounting tool for use with track removal from, and mounting on, a power machine. The tool includes features which aid in the tasks of track removal and/or track installation. In exemplary embodiments, the tool includes track hanger towers which are configurable to carry a track for mounting on, or after removal from, either side of a power machine. The tool includes a track engager mechanism, which is pivotable for use with either side of a power machine or for mounting of a track at a front or rear idler.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A track mounting tool configured for use in removing tracks from, and installing tracks on, a power machine, the track mounting tool comprising:
a base configured to be positioned adjacent a track frame of the power machine, the base having wheels to allow the base to be moved beneath the track frame; and
a plurality of hanger towers coupled to the base and spaced apart on the base to carry a track for installation on the track frame, or after removal from the track frame, wherein each of the plurality of hanger towers comprises a vertically extending member, and a horizontally extending hanger member secured to the vertically extending member and having a length configured to extend along at least a majority of a track width of the track such that the horizontally extending member is suitable to carry the track thereon.

2. The track mounting tool of claim 1 , wherein the track mounting tool further comprises a plurality of tower mounts secured to the base, each of the plurality of tower mounts configured to accept one of the plurality of hanger towers for coupling to the base.

3. The track mounting tool of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of tower mounts is configured to removably couple one of the plurality of hanger towers to the base such that the plurality of hanger towers can be coupled to the base in different configurations for use in removing tracks from, and installing tracks on, different sides of the power machine.

4. The track mounting tool of claim 1 , and wherein each of the plurality of hanger towers further includes a connection mechanism configured to detachably secure the horizontally extending hanger member to the vertically extending member.

5. A track mounting tool configured for use in removing tracks from, and installing tracks on, a power machine, the track mounting tool comprising:
a base configured to be positioned adjacent a track frame of the power machine;
a plurality of hanger towers coupled to the base and spaced apart on the base to carry a track for installation on the track frame, or after removal from the track frame; and;
a track engagement mechanism coupled to the base and configured to engage and stretch the track.

6. The track mounting tool of claim 5 , wherein the track engager mechanism comprises a shoe having an arcuate shape and configured to engage an inside surface of the track to stretch the track.

7. The track mounting tool of claim 6 , wherein the base is configured to be positioned beneath the track frame of the power machine.

8. The track mounting tool of claim 6 , wherein the track engager mechanism is coupled to the base by a center mount, and wherein the track engager mechanism further comprises:
a rail having the shoe mounted at one end thereof, wherein the center mount is configured to support the rail; and
a handle coupled to the center mount; and
wherein the track engager mechanism is configured such that actuation of the handle causes the center mount to force the rail and shoe to extend away from the center mount to engage and stretch the track.

9. The track mounting tool of claim 8 , and further comprising a pivot mechanism configured to rotatably couple the rail to the center mount to allow the rail to be rotated and extended in either of two directions relative to the base.

10. The track mounting tool of claim 8 , and further comprising a rail guard post tower coupleable to the base, the rail guard post tower having a rail guard vertically extending member coupleable to the base, and a rail guard horizontally extending member coupled to the rail guard vertically extending member, the rail guard post tower having a height such that the rail guard horizontally extending member is positioned adjacent and above the rail when the rail guard vertically extending member is coupled to the base in order to provide an upper limit on an amount of deflection of the rail when the shoe engages the track.

11. The track mounting tool of claim 5 , and further comprising a plurality of dowel pin holders coupled to the base and configured to store dowel pins for use in removal of the track from the track frame.

12. A track mounting tool configured for use in removing tracks from, and installing tracks on, a power machine positioned on a support surface, the track mounting tool comprising:
a base configured to be positioned adjacent a track frame of the power machine, the base having wheels to allow the base to be moved beneath the track frame with the wheels of the base positioned on the support surface; and
a track engager mechanism coupled to the base and configured to engage and stretch the track.

13. The track mounting tool of claim 12 , wherein the track engager mechanism comprises a shoe having an arcuate shape and configured to engage an inside surface of the track to stretch the track.

14. The track mounting tool of claim 13 , wherein the arcuate shape of the shoe has a radius of curvature which is larger than a radius of curvature of an idler of the power machine over which the track will be installed.

15. The track mounting tool of claim 13 , wherein the track engager mechanism is coupled to the base by a center mount, and wherein the track engager mechanism further comprises:
a rail having the shoe mounted at one end thereof, wherein the center mount is configured to support the rail; and
a handle coupled to the center mount; and
wherein the track engager mechanism is configured such that actuation of the handle causes the center mount to force the rail and shoe to extend away from the center mount to engage and stretch the track.

16. The track mounting tool of claim 12 , wherein the base is configured to be positioned beneath the track frame of the power machine.

17. A track mounting tool configured for use in removing tracks from, and installing tracks on, a power machine, the track mounting tool comprising:
a base configured to be positioned adjacent a track frame of the power machine, the base having wheels to allow the base to be moved beneath the track frame, the base further having a plurality of tower mounts positioned on and secured to a first side of the base; and
a plurality of hanger towers configured to be coupled to the base and spaced apart on the base to carry a track for installation on the track frame, or after removal from the track frame, wherein each of the plurality of hanger towers comprises a vertically extending member configured to be positioned within one of the plurality of tower mounts on the first side of the base, and a horizontally extending hanger member secured to the vertically extending member and extending from the first side of the base to a second side of the base a distance which allows the horizontally extending hanger members of the plurality of hanger towers to carry the track thereon.

Assignees

• Clark Equipment Co

Inventors

• Soik Austin
• Brechting Anthony
• Domitrovich Daniel
• Fordahl Joseph
• Jensen Andrew
• Anderson Patrick

Classifications

• B62D55/244

  Moulded in one piece, with either smooth surfaces or surfaces having projections, e.g. incorporating reinforcing elements · CPC title

• B62D55/32 Primary

  Assembly, disassembly, repair or servicing of endless-track systems · CPC title