Guard assembly for track drive motors

Claim 2

A track-type vehicle disposed for movement along a longitudinal axis thereof comprising a pair of laterally spaced and parallel track assemblies extending in the direction of said axis, a vehicle frame supporting said track assemblies, laterally spaced drive motors mounted on said frame with each motor operatively connected to a respective one of said track assemblies, and a guard assembly, comprising separable upper and lower covers, detachably mounted on said frame to at least substantially enclose said motors, said bottom cover comprising a generally horizontally disposed plate member extending longitudinally in the direction of said axis, an upright member secured to a rearward end of said plate member to extend upwardly therefrom and laterally between said track assemblies, a rearward end of said plate member and the lateral ends of said upright member removably attached to said frame.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 further comprising first and second mounting brackets, having said lower cover removably attached thereto, secured to a case which mounts each of said drive motors on said frame, said first bracket positioned below a respective drive motor and said second bracket positioned on a rearward side of such drive motor, the lateral ends of said upright member removably attached to said second brackets.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1 wherein said upper cover comprises a forward flange removably attached to said frame and a rearward flange removably attached to said upright member.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1 further comprising hinge means for hingedly connecting a forward end of said lower cover on said frame whereby said lower cover can be pivoted downwardly to expose said drive motors.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4 wherein said hinge means comprises a plurality of laterally spaced hook members secured to said frame with each hook member engaging a slot formed through the forward end of said lower cover.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1 further comprising conduit means operatively connected to each of said drive motors for communicating operating fluid thereto and having substantial portions thereof extending longitudinally in the direction of said axis, between said upper and lower covers.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 6 wherein said guard assembly compRises a centrally disposed tunnel portion extending longitudinally in the direction of said axis to enclose said conduit means and a laterally extending tunnel portion positioned on each side of said centrally disposed tunnel portion to enclose each of said drive motors.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 7 wherein said bottom cover comprises a generally horizontally and centrally disposed plate member cooperating with a vertically spaced, overlying central portion and laterally spaced sidewalls of said top cover to define said centrally disposed tunnel portion.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 8 wherein said plate member extends forwardly from said laterally extending tunnel portions and has its forward end attached to a bottom plate of said frame, said laterally extending tunnel portions spaced rearwardly from said bottom plate to define enlarged openings therebetween for permitting the egress of dirt and the like therethrough.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 1 further comprising towline attachment means secured to and projecting beyond a rearward end of said lower cover.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 10 further comprising force transmitting means disposed between said frame and said lower cover for transmitting towing forces directly to said frame.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 11 wherein said attachment means comprises a projection on said lower cover having an aperture formed therethrough and said force transmitting means comprises a shear block secured to a bottom surface of said frame to abut a shear strip secured to said lower cover.

Claim 14

A track-type vehicle disposed for movement along a longitudinal axis thereof comprising a pair of laterally spaced and parallel track assemblies extending in the direction of said axis, a vehicle frame supporting said track assemblies, laterally spaced drive motors mounted on said frame with each motor operatively connected to a respective one of said track assemblies, a guard assembly, comprising separable upper and lower covers, detachably mounted on said frame to at least substantially enclose said motors, and hinge means hingedly connecting a forward end of said lower cover on said frame whereby said lower cover can be pivoted downwardly to expose said drive motors, said hinge means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced hook members secured to said frame with each hook member engaging a slot formed through the forward end of said lower cover.

Claim 15

A track-type vehicle disposed for movement along a longitudinal axis thereof comprising a pair of laterally spaced and parallel track assemblies extending in the direction of said axis, a vehicle frame supporting said track assemblies, laterally spaced drive motors mounted on said frame with each motor operatively connected to a respective one of said track assemblies, a guard assembly, comprising separable upper and lower covers, detachably mounted on said frame to at least substantially enclose said motors, and hinge means hingedly connecting a forward end of said lower cover on said frame whereby said lower cover can be pivoted downwardly to expose said drive motors, said hinge means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced hook members secured to said frame with each hook member engaging a slot formed through the forward end of said lower cover.

Claim 16

A track-type vehicle disposed for movement along a longitudinal axis thereof comprising a pair of laterally spaced and parallel track assemblies extending in the direction of said axis, a vehicle frame supporting said track assemblies, laterally spaced drive motors mounted on said frame with each motor operatively connected to a respective one of said track assemblies, a guard assembly, comprising separable upper and lower covers, detachably mounted on said frame to at least substantially enclose said motors, towline attachment means secured to and projecting beyond a rearward end of said lower cover, and force transmitting means disposed between said frame and said lower cover for transmitting towing forces directly to said frame, said attachment means comprising a projection on said lower cover having an aperture formed therethrough and said force transmitting means comprising a shear block secured to a bottom surface of said frame to abut a shear strip secured to said lower cover.

Claim 17

A track-type vehicle disposed for movement along a longitudinal axis thereof comprising a pair of laterally spaced and parallel track assemblies extending in the direction of said axis, a vehicle frame supporting said track assemblies, laterally spaced drive motors mounted on said frame with each motor operatively connected to a respective one of said track assemblies, a guard assembly, comprising separable upper and lower covers, detachably mounted on said frame to at least substantially enclose said motors, towline attachment means secured to and projecting beyond a rearward end of said lower cover, and force transmitting means disposed between said frame and said lower cover for transmitting towing forces directly to said frame, said attachment means comprising a projection on said lower cover having an aperture formed therethrough and said force transmitting means comprising a shear block secured to a bottom surface of said frame to abut a shear strip secured to said lower cover.