Abstract An asphalt paving machine mounted on rubber tread tracks. Each track is equally tensioned hydraulically. Each track is made of shoes which are individually connected to band sections. Replaceable rubber inserts are fastened to each shoe. Replaceable retainers connected to each shoe engage bogie wheels which are attached to bogie carriages pivotally mounted on a torsionally flexible machine frame. A drive sprocket for each track is directly driven by a separate hydrostatic transmission with the sprocket supporting the track shoes and bands to maintain a constant pitch diameter for the track. The gear train between the hydrostatic motor and the sprocket is completely enclosed. A manual automatic engine speed control system is provided which automatically brings the paving machine engine to idle speed when the paving machine is stopped and brings the engine to its governed speed whenever the paving machine is moved. A closed center hydraulic system supplies fluid to operate power actuators.
A crawler-type land vehicle, such as a paving machine, having a pair of endless tracks to move said machine across a supporting surface; said machine having no resilient suspension between the frame therefor and said pair of tracks; the combination which comprises a pair of longitudinally extending side frame members; a plurality of cross frame members extending transversely between said side frame member; said side frame members and said cross frame members forming a frame structure free of diagonal cross bracing and having substantial torsional flexibility; a plurality of shafts non-resiliently supported in said frame structure and extending from the exterior of one side of one of said longitudinally extending side frame members to the exterior of the other of said pair of side frame members; an elongated carriage pivotally mounted on each end of each shaft; a pair of bogie wheels, each non-resiliently mounted on each end of each carriage; and said bogie wheels being engageable with said endless track on each side of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A crawler-type land vehicle, such as a paving machine, having a pair of endless tracks to move said machine across a supporting surface; said machine having no resilient suspension between the frame therefor and said pair of tracks; the combination which comprises a pair of longitudinally extending side frame members; a plurality of cross frame members extending transversely between said side frame member; said side frame members and said cross frame members forming a frame structure free of diagonal cross bracing and having substantial torsional flexibility; a plurality of shafts non-resiliently supported in said frame structure and extending from the exterior of one side of one of said longitudinally extending side frame members to the exterior of the other of said pair of side frame members; an elongated carriage pivotally mounted on each end of each shaft; a pair of bogie wheels, each non-resiliently mounted on each end of each carriage; and said bogie wheels being engageable with said endless track on each side of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that each carriage is free to pivot independently of the carriage mounted on the opposite end of its shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that three shafts are mounted on said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that each bogie wheel contacts the endless track means along the upper and lower paths of travel of said track means.