Ground engaging track for a machine having multiple toothed backbone links

Abstract

A ground engaging track (26) includes a track chain (28) formed from standard links (34) and at least one master link (36). The master link (36) includes first and second half links (40, 42) clamped together by front and rear bolts (44, 46). Clamping surfaces (50, 66) of the first and second half links (40, 42) form first and second sets of teeth (52, 68), respectively, which can include a total of 2 or 3 full teeth and tooth roots (82, 84) limited to being distributed between the front and rear bolt holes (74, 76).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to ground-engaging tracks in machines, and more specifically to multi-toothed main links. Background Technology

[0002] Various types of machines feature ground-jointed tracks composed of multiple links that are linked together to form a flexible, endless loop extending around a rotatable track engagement element. Mining, construction, forestry, road construction, and other industries rely heavily on machines with ground-jointed tracks. As with any machine system, it may be desirable to provide mechanisms for easy disassembly of certain components for maintenance or repair. For this purpose, "main links" are incorporated into many ground-jointed tracks, and many different designs have been developed over the years.

[0003] In a common main link design category, multiple teeth are located on individual main link sections, which can interlock to mate together. Fasteners such as bolts are used to secure the respective link sections together, and the main link is positioned within the machine track, where its operation is very similar to any other link. When it is desired to disconnect the track for maintenance, servicing, transport, etc., the fasteners holding the link sections together are removed, allowing the track to be separated by disassembling the link sections. More than one main link can be used in a given track chain, and an assembled track consisting of parallel track chains typically has at least two main links. While the basic two-part main link design has proven quite useful, the ruggedness of many environments in which tracked machines operate can impose additional demands on durability and service life, and some existing main links tend to fail prematurely.

[0004] The number, spacing, orientation, curvature, and other geometric features of the teeth in the main link can vary, and engineers have experimented with many different designs over the years. It has also been found that, in certain situations, single-tooth designs offer a practical strategy. However, single-tooth main links still have drawbacks and, in some cases, appear to allow rotation or wobbling between link sections, ultimately leading to performance degradation or failure.

[0005] Multi-tooth master link designs have their own advantages and disadvantages. While multiple teeth can help achieve robust interlocking between link sections, significant machining time may be required during manufacturing to produce individual link sections with many teeth. Furthermore, the numerous radial tooth surfaces on each section can concentrate field-experienced stresses, which can ultimately lead to performance degradation or failure, especially in hard rock environments.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0174175, granted to Livesay et al., relates to a main link for a track, comprising a profiled surface of a first link member and a second link member having a sinusoidal segmental form defined by teeth and adjacent recesses. While Livesay et al.'s application has advantages, for the reasons mentioned above and others, there remains room for improvement and alternative strategies in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In one aspect, a main link for a ground-engaging track includes a first half link having: a first link belt having a first lateral opening formed therein; and a first clamping surface having a first set of teeth, an ascending ramp extending between the first set of teeth and a plate side of the first half link, and a descending ramp extending between the first set of teeth and a rail side of the first half link. The main link further includes a second half link having: a second link belt having a second lateral opening formed therein; and a second clamping surface having a second set of teeth, an ascending ramp extending between the second set of teeth and a plate side of the second half link, and a descending ramp extending between the second set of teeth and a rail side of the second half link. A front bolt hole and a rear bolt hole are each partially formed within each of the first and second half-links, intersecting each of the first and second clamping surfaces, and configured to receive the front bolt and rear bolt, respectively, for clamping the first and second half-links together to interlock the first and second tooth sets. Each of the first and second tooth sets includes a plurality of teeth alternating with a plurality of tooth roots, said tooth roots including a front tooth root adjacent to a corresponding rising ramp and a rear tooth root adjacent to a corresponding falling ramp. The first and second tooth sets are positioned between the front and rear bolt holes.

[0008] On the other hand, a ground-engaging track includes a track chain having a plurality of track links connected end-to-end and including a plurality of standard links and main links. The main links include a first half-link and a second half-link. The first half-link includes a first link belt and a first clamping surface forming a first set of teeth. The second half-link includes a second link belt and a second clamping surface forming a second set of teeth. Front bolt holes and rear bolt holes are each partially formed within each of the first and second half-links and intersect each of the first and second clamping surfaces, and are configured to receive front and rear bolts respectively to clamp the first and second half-links together, such that the first and second sets of teeth interlock. The first and second sets of teeth each include a plurality of teeth alternating with a plurality of tooth roots and are confined between the front and rear bolt holes.

[0009] In another aspect, a main link for a ground-engaging track includes a first half link having: a first link belt having a first lateral opening formed therein; and a first clamping surface forming a first set of teeth, an ascending ramp extending between the first set of teeth and a plate side of the first half link, and a descending ramp extending between the first set of teeth and a rail side of the first half link. The main link further includes a second half link having: a second link belt having a second lateral opening formed therein; and a second clamping surface forming a second set of teeth, an ascending ramp extending between the second set of teeth and a plate side of the second half link, and a descending ramp extending between the second set of teeth and a rail side of the second half link. A front bolt hole and a rear bolt hole are each partially formed in each of the first and second half links to receive a bolt for clamping the first and second half links together. The first and second sets of teeth each include a total of two full teeth and a total of three tooth roots. The front bolt hole and the rear bolt hole intersect with the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface, respectively, and are located outside the first tooth group and the second tooth group, so that the stress concentration position of the bolt hole is separated from the front and rear of the stress concentration position of the tooth root in the main link. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a side view of a machine with ground-engaging tracks according to one embodiment;

[0011] Figure 2 This is a side view of the main link according to one embodiment;

[0012] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the main link according to one embodiment;

[0013] Figure 4 This is a side view of the first half-link of the main link according to one embodiment;

[0014] Figure 5 This is another side view of the first half link;

[0015] Figure 6 This is the elevation view of the first half link;

[0016] Figure 7 This is an isometric view of the first half-link;

[0017] Figure 8 This is a side view of the second half of the main link according to one embodiment;

[0018] Figure 9 This is another side view of the second half link;

[0019] Figure 10 This is the elevation view of the second half link; and

[0020] Figure 11 This is an isometric view of the second half link. Detailed Implementation

[0021] refer to Figure 1 The image illustrates a tracked machine 10 according to one embodiment. The tracked machine 10 includes a frame 12 having an operator's cab 14 supported thereon. A hydraulically actuated implement system 15 of the machine 10 includes a blade 17 supported at the front end of the frame 12 and a plow 16 supported at the rear end of the frame 12. The tracked machine 10 can include any of a variety of machines, such as a tracked tractor, a tracked loader, a half-track machine, or others. The tracked machine 10 includes a track system 18 having ground-engaging tracks 26 mounted on a first side of the frame 12, and tracks mounted on the opposite side of the frame 12 and... Figure 1 A second, essentially identical ground-jointing track, not visible in the center. Track system 18 also includes a drive sprocket 20, a front idler sprocket 22, a rear idler sprocket 24, and multiple track support rollers 30. The ground-jointing track 26 extends in a generally conventional manner around the various rotatable track engagement elements. Track system 18 is depicted with a so-called high-drive configuration, in which the drive sprocket 20 is raised and operates in conjunction with the two idler sprockets 22 and 24. In other cases, track system 18 may have an elliptical track arrangement or others. The weight of the tracked machine 10 is substantially supported by the track support rollers 30, which roll along the inner surface of the ground-jointing track 26 on the track rails. The ground-jointing track 26 will typically comprise two parallel track chains. Figure 1 A track chain 28 visible in the image has multiple track links connected end-to-end, and includes multiple standard links 34 and at least one main link 36. As mentioned above, track chain 28 may be one of two parallel track chains, and therefore it should be understood that a second substantially identical or mirror-image track chain is hidden within. Figure 1 The track plate 32 is attached to each of the standard link 34 and the main link 36, and the track pin 38 connects the track chain 28 to its cooperating track chain (in... Figure 1 (Invisible in the middle) connection.

[0022] In practical implementation strategies, each track chain in a ground-joint track according to this disclosure includes at least one master link 36. For example, one, two, three, or possibly more master links may be provided in each track chain to provide multiple locations where the track 26 can be disconnected for maintenance or replacement. It should also be appreciated that while ground-joint tracks are considered a practical application, in other cases, tracks having master links according to this disclosure may be used in conveyors or other applications. As described above, the track chain 28 may include a plurality of standard links 34 and master links 36. The standard links 34 may be straight links, offset links with lateral offset link belts, links integrally formed with track plates, or any of a variety of other types of links. As will further become apparent from the following description, it is envisioned that the master links 36 provide improved resistance to breakage or performance degradation during their field service life.

[0023] Still referencing Figure 2 and 3 The main link 36 includes a first half link 40 having a first link band 48. A first lateral opening 49 is formed in the first link band 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lateral opening 49 includes a track pin opening configured to receive a track pin via an interference fit. Alternatively or additionally, an active pin retaining feature, such as a circlip or retainer, may be used to secure the track pin in the first lateral opening 49. The first half link 40 further includes a first clamping surface 50 forming a first tooth set 52, an ascending ramp 54 extending between the first tooth set 52 and the plate side 56 of the first half link 40, and a descending ramp 58 extending between the first tooth set 52 and the rail side 60 of the first half link 40. The main link 36 further includes a second half link 42 having a second link band 62. A second lateral opening 64 is formed in the second link band 62 and, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a sleeve opening configured to receive a track pin sleeve, such as via an interference fit. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the construction and arrangement of track pins and sleeves used to connect adjacent parallel track chains. The sleeve openings according to this disclosure generally differ from the track pin openings, at least in size. Therefore, as from... Figure 2 and 3 It can be seen that the diameter of the second transverse opening 64 can be larger than that of the first transverse opening 49. However, this disclosure is therefore not limited, and arrangements where the opening 64 is smaller than the opening 49, or arrangements where the openings 64 and 49 are of equal size, still fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0024] The second half-link 42 further includes a second clamping surface 66 forming a second tooth set 68, an ascending ramp 70 extending between the second tooth set 68 and the plate side 56 of the second half-link 42, and a descending ramp 72 extending between the second tooth set 68 and the rail side 60 of the second half-link 42. The plate side 56 of each of the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42, as well as the main link 36 itself, is configured to attach to one side of the track plate 32 as shown. The rail side 60 is the opposite side of each of the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42, as well as the main link 36, and is configured to be together with adjacent track links in the track chain 28 to form a track rail that is contacted by the track support roller 30 during use. For descriptive convenience, the terms “ascending,” “descending,” “forward,” “reverse,” and similar directional indicators are used herein, and they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the description to any particular orientation or arrangement of the subject features described. Similarly, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., should not be considered as a requirement for any particular ordering, orientation, or other limitation of this specification, and are used herein for convenience.

[0025] A front bolt hole 74 and a rear bolt hole 76 are each partially formed within each of the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42, and respectively receive the front bolt 44 and the second bolt 46 for clamping the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42 together, such that the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 interlock. The front bolt hole 74 and the rear bolt hole 76 may each open in the plate side 56 of the second half-link 42 and terminate within the first half-link 40. Each of the front bolt hole 74 and the rear bolt hole 76 may have internal threads within the first half-link 40. The first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 each include a plurality of teeth 78 and 80, and a plurality of tooth roots 82 and 84 alternating with the respective teeth 78 and 80. The first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 are confined to be distributed between the front bolt hole 74 and the rear bolt hole 76. "Restricted distribution" means that the teeth and tooth roots in each of the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 are arranged integrally between the two bolt holes 74 and 76, the meaning of which will become further apparent from the following description. Multiple teeth 78 and 80 comprise a total of two or three full teeth in each of the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68. In an improved embodiment, multiple teeth 78 and 80 comprise a total of two full teeth and a total of three tooth roots in each of the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68. A full tooth, as described herein, comprises a complete front and rear tooth so that the profile includes both the front and rear tooth faces, and the width across the corresponding half-link is complete and uninterrupted. Therefore, teeth intersecting by bolt holes will be interrupted along the width, and the front and rear will be interrupted and thus incomplete, and teeth comprising only one or only a portion of the front or rear tooth face are also incomplete. When the main link 36 is assembled and used, and the first half link 40 and the second half link 42 are clamped together, and the first tooth group 52 and the second tooth group 68 are interlocked, the stress concentration positions of the bolt holes can be spaced apart at the front and rear of the stress concentration positions at the tooth roots by positioning the front bolt hole 74 and the rear bolt hole 76 outside the first tooth group 52 and the second tooth group 68, respectively.

[0026] Figure 2 The diagram also shows several dimensional and proportional attributes of the main link 36. The front bolt hole 74 and the rear bolt hole 76 define a center-to-center bolt hole distance of 101. The first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42 together define a link spacing distance of 100 (the center-to-center distance between the first transverse opening 49 and the second transverse opening 64). The first transverse opening 49 and the front bolt hole 74 define a first opening to bolt distance of 98. The second transverse opening 64 and the rear bolt hole 76 define a second opening to bolt distance of 99. Figure 2 The dimensional and proportional attributes identified in the text, as well as the relationships between and among the other attributes discussed herein, and the significance of assembling a total of two or three full teeth with the desired geometry, will become further apparent from the following description.

[0027] Still referencing Figure 4-11 Various views of the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42 are shown. Figure 6 As depicted, the first half-link 40 defines a front width of 104. (As shown in the image) Figure 10 As depicted, the second half-link 42 defines a rear width 106. The first clamping surface 54 and the second clamping surface 70 are generally complementary, and therefore each of the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42 can be understood to define a front width 104 and a rear width 106. Figure 7 As can be seen, the first tooth group 52 defines the tooth width or full width 102. The complementary second tooth group 68 can be similarly understood as defining the full width 104. The relationship between and among the face widths 104, 106, full width 102 and other features is further discussed below.

[0028] It should be remembered that each of the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 includes a plurality of teeth alternating with a plurality of tooth roots. As depicted in the figures, the plurality of tooth roots 82 of the first tooth set 52 and the plurality of tooth roots 84 of the second tooth set 68 each include front tooth roots 82 and 84. The front tooth root in the first half link 40 is to be understood as the tooth root 82 closest to the link band 48, and the front tooth root 84 of the second tooth set 68 is to be understood as the tooth root furthest from the link band 62. Each of the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 also includes rear tooth roots 82 and 84, respectively, the rear tooth root being the tooth root 82 furthest from the link band 48 in the case of half link 40, and the tooth root 84 being the tooth root 84 closest to the link band 62 in the case of second half link 42. Each of the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 also includes a front transition surface extending from the corresponding front tooth roots 82 and 84. In the case of the first tooth set 52, the front transition surface is shown at 86 and extends from the front tooth root 82 to the rising ramp 54. In the case of the second tooth set 68, the front transition surface is shown at 88 and extends from the front tooth root 84 to the rising ramp 70. Each of the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 further includes a rear transition surface extending from the respective rear tooth roots 82 and 84. In the case of the first tooth set 52, the rear transition surface is shown at 90 and extends from the rear tooth root 82 to the falling ramp 58. In the case of the second half-link 42, the rear transition surface is shown at 92 and extends from the rear tooth root 84 to the falling ramp 72. In the actual implementation strategy, the front bolt hole 74 intersects one of the front transition surfaces 86 and 88, but not the other of the front transition surfaces 86 and 88. The rear bolt hole 76 intersects one of the rear transition surfaces 90 and 92, but not the other of the rear transition surfaces 90 and 92. In the case of the first half-link 40, the front transition surface 86 forms a radius larger than the radius of the front tooth root formed by the front tooth root 82. In the case of the second half-link 42, the rear transition surface 92 forms a radius larger than the radius of the rear tooth root formed by the rear tooth root 84. Also from... Figure 5 As can be seen, the rear transition surface 90 forms a semi-tooth surface, and from Figure 8 As can be seen, the front transition surface 88 forms a semi-tooth surface.

[0029] It should be remembered that the first clamping surface 50 and the second clamping surface 66 are formed complementaryly to each other. Therefore, unless otherwise stated or obvious from the context, the description and discussion of features of one of the clamping surfaces 50 or 66 herein can be understood by analogy to apply to the other. Thus, in one embodiment, the first tooth set 52 and the second tooth set 68 are substantially mirror images of each other, as are the rising ramps 54 and 70 and the descending ramps 58 and 72. Figure 5 Additional features of the first tooth set 52 are shown, which will be understood to apply by analogy to the features of tooth set 68. It should be remembered that the rear transition surface 90 extends from the rear tooth root 82 to the descending ramp 58. The rear transition surface 90 may form a half-tooth as indicated above, comprising a tooth surface oriented relative to a horizontal plane at a tooth angle 94, which is the same as the similarly defined tooth angle of each of the teeth in tooth set 52. The tooth angle 94 may be approximately 55°. Each of the teeth 78 also defines a tooth radius 91. The tooth radius 91 may be from 1.98 mm to 4 mm. Each of the teeth 78 may be front-to-back symmetrical and together define a tooth-to-tooth distance 96. The tooth-to-tooth distance, or tooth spacing, may be from 13 mm to 18 mm. The front tooth root 82 forms an introduced root radius, which in Figure 5 The figure is shown with reference numeral 93 in the accompanying drawings. The lead-in radius 93 is larger than the radius formed by the other tooth roots 82 and can merge with the transition surface 86, which in turn merges with the rising ramp 54. The rear tooth root 84 of the second half-link 42 forms a similar lead-in radius. "Merge" means a smooth transition such that the endpoints of the line segments in the profile defined by the front tooth roots 82 are also the endpoints of the line segments in the profile formed by the transition surface 86, which in turn transitions to the endpoints of the line segments formed by the rising ramp 54. The lead-in radius 93 can be from 4.8 mm to 6 mm, and the lead-in radius in the second tooth set 68 can also be like this. Dimensional or dimensionless quantities given herein are to be understood as encompassing deviations from the listed quantities within the measurement error.

[0030] As described above, certain proportional and dimensional properties of the main link 36 cooperate to achieve two or three full-tooth assemblies within the spatial envelope between the front bolt hole 74 and the rear bolt hole 76. One of these proportional properties is the ratio of the bolt hole distance 101 to the link spacing distance 100. The bolt hole distance 101 is the distance in the front-rear direction between the central axes of the bolt holes 74 and 76. The link spacing distance 100 is the distance in the front-rear direction between the central axes of the first transverse opening 49 and the second transverse opening 64. The ratio of the bolt hole distance 101 to the link spacing distance 100 can be from 0.22:1 to 0.33:1. In an embodiment, the bolt hole distance 101 is from 44 mm to 91 mm, and the link spacing distance 100 is from 203 mm to 318 mm. It should also be remembered that the first opening-to-bolt distance 98 is defined by the first transverse opening 49 and the front bolt hole 74. The second opening-to-bolt distance 99 is defined by the second transverse opening 64 and the rear bolt hole 76. The first hole-to-bolt distance 98 extends in the front-to-back direction between the central axes of the corresponding holes. The second hole-to-bolt distance 99 extends in the front-to-back direction between the central axes of the corresponding holes. The ratio of the first hole-to-bolt distance 98 to the bolt hole distance 101 and the ratio of the second hole-to-bolt distance 99 to the bolt hole distance 101 can be from 0.5:1 to 1:1. It should also be noted that the first transverse opening 49 may include a pin opening, and the second transverse opening 64 may include a sleeve opening. In this embodiment, the ratio of the first hole-to-bolt distance 98 to the bolt hole distance 101 is from 0.57:1 to 1:1. Also in this embodiment, the ratio of the second hole-to-bolt distance 99 to the bolt hole distance 101 is from 0.55:1 to 0.86:1.

[0031] As discussed above, the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42 define a front width 104 and a rear width 106. Since the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42 are complementary and fit together, the face width 104 and face width 106 can be found on either the first half-link 40 or the second half-link 42, but for convenience, they are marked only on one of the first half-link 40 and the second half-link 42. Each of the front width 104 and the rear width 106 is the widest or nearly widest portion of the corresponding half-link outside the enlarged central section forming the corresponding tooth set. The ratio of the front width 104 to the total width 102 and the ratio of the rear width 106 to the total width 102 can be from 0.4:1 to 0.8:1. In an improved embodiment, and where the first lateral opening 49 includes a pin opening and the second lateral opening 64 includes a sleeve opening as described above, the ratio of the front width 104 to the total width 102 is from 0.57:1 to 0.75:1. Also in this embodiment, the ratio of the rear width 106 to the full width 102 can be from 0.4:1 to 0.63:1. The different dimensions relative to the full width 102 and the locally enlarged face widths 104 and 106 can help support the bolt 44 and dissipate stress through a relatively larger volume of material surrounding the bolt holes 74 and 76 than would have been originally available. The enlarged widths of the corresponding half-links with face widths 104 and 106 will generally be limited to the longitudinal or front and rear extents. Therefore, in a practical implementation, each of the first half-links 40 and 42 can protrude outward to accommodate the placement of additional link material. Furthermore, the bolt holes 74 and 76 can be laterally offset relative to each other to a greater extent than would have been originally possible. Figure 6 As shown, the front width 104 can be measured along the width at both the front and rear positions, where the inner curved surface profile 105 of the first half-link 40 transitions to the linear surface profile 111. The second face width 106 can be measured along the width at the position where the curved inner surface profile 107 transitions to the linear surface profile 113.

[0032] Industrial applicability

[0033] It should be remembered that the bolt holes in the main link 36 are positioned relative to the corresponding tooth set such that there is no overlap between the bolt holes and the first and last tooth roots. In other words, the bolt holes are positioned, and the shape and size of the two or three full teeth are determined such that the distribution of the tooth set is confined to the space between the bolt holes. The bolt holes (and the material surrounding and defining the bolt holes) can be subjected to stress concentration during use. Similarly, stress concentration can occur at the relatively tightly curved tooth root radii in a set of teeth. This disclosure reflects the finding and observation that overlap of features with a tendency to generate stress concentration can lead to an increased risk of performance degradation, such as cracking or failure in the main link. Although some early main link designs employed overlapping bolt holes and tooth roots, in this disclosure, these features are spaced apart from each other to avoid the superposition of stress concentration locations. Therefore, according to this disclosure, a reduced risk of fracture is expected.

[0034] This disclosure also reflects findings and observations relating to limitations of single-tooth designs in main links and main links with more than three teeth. In the case of some single-tooth main links, providing only a single interlocking tooth and recess on each of the two half links can lead to challenges in achieving half-link interlocking, potentially causing rotation or wobbling during use, which could ultimately lead to performance degradation or failure. In the case of more than three teeth, it is anticipated that, without compromising other factors such as tooth size or shape, including tooth-to-tooth distance, tooth angle, tooth radius, lead root radius, manufacturability, and potentially other factors, the teeth cannot be fitted into the space between bolt holes in at least some track links. Therefore, the dimensional and proportional properties of the main link 36 reflect a balance of such factors, in which the optimal range of size and shape ranges of teeth and the number of teeth can be implemented in the space between bolt holes.

[0035] This specification is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made to the embodiments currently disclosed without departing from the full and reasonable scope and spirit of this disclosure. Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and claims. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and are interchangeable with “one or more”. The term “one” or similar language is used when intended to indicate only one item. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” etc., are intended to be open-ended terms. Additionally, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on”, unless otherwise expressly stated.

Claims

1. A main link (36) for a ground-jointing track (26) include: A first half link (40) includes a first link band (48) having a first lateral opening (49) formed therein; and a first clamping surface (50) having a first tooth set (52), an ascending ramp (54) extending between the first tooth set (52) and the plate side (56) of the first half link (40), and a descending ramp (58) extending between the first tooth set (52) and the rail side (60) of the first half link (40). The second half link (42) includes a second link band (62) having a second lateral opening (64) formed therein; and a second clamping surface (66) forming a second tooth set (68), an ascending ramp (70) extending between the second tooth set (68) and the plate side (56) of the second half link (42), and a descending ramp (72) extending between the second tooth set (68) and the rail side (60) of the second half link (42); and The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) are each partially formed in each of the first half link (40) and the second half link (42), and intersect with each of the first clamping surface (50) and the second clamping surface (66), and are configured to receive the front bolt (44) and the rear bolt (46) respectively for clamping the first half link (40) and the second half link (42) together so that the first tooth set (52) and the second tooth set (68) interlock; The first tooth group (52) and the second tooth group (68) each include a plurality of teeth that alternate with a plurality of tooth roots (82, 84), wherein the plurality of tooth roots (82, 84) include a front tooth root (82) adjacent to a corresponding rising ramp (54, 70) and a rear tooth root (84) adjacent to a corresponding falling ramp (58, 72). The first tooth set (52) and the second tooth set (68) are positioned between the front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76), such that the teeth and tooth roots (82, 84) of each of the first tooth set (52) and the second tooth set (68) are integrally arranged between the front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76); and The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) are positioned relative to the corresponding tooth groups (52, 68) so that there is no overlap between the bolt holes (74, 76) and the first and last tooth roots.

2. The main link (36) according to claim 1, wherein: The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) define a center-to-center bolt hole distance (101), and the first half-link (40) and the second half-link (42) together define a link spacing distance (100) as the center-to-center distance between the first transverse opening (49) and the second transverse opening (64); and The ratio of the bolt hole distance (101) to the chain link distance (100) is 0.22:1 to 0.33:

1.

3. The main link (36) according to claim 2, wherein: The bolt hole spacing (101) is 44 mm to 91 mm; and The link spacing (100) is 203 mm to 318 mm.

4. The main link (36) according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein: The first transverse opening (49) and the front bolt hole (74) define the distance from the first opening to the bolt (98), and the second transverse opening (64) and the rear bolt hole (76) define the distance from the second opening to the bolt (99). The ratio of the distance from the first opening to the bolt (98) to the distance from the bolt hole (101) and the ratio of the distance from the second opening to the bolt (99) to the distance from the bolt hole (101) are 0.5:1 to 1:

1.

5. The main link (36) according to claim 4, wherein: The first half link (40) and the second half link (42) define a front width (104) and a rear width (106), and each of the first tooth set (52) and the second tooth set (68) defines a tooth width (102). The ratio of the front width (104) to the tooth width (102) and the ratio of the rear width (106) to the tooth width (102) are 0.4:1 to 0.8:1; and The plurality of teeth comprises a total of two full teeth in the first tooth group (52) and the second tooth group (68).

6. The main link (36) according to claim 5, wherein: The first transverse opening (49) includes a pin opening, and the second transverse opening (64) includes a sleeve opening; The ratio of the distance from the first opening to the bolt (98) to the distance from the bolt hole (101) is 0.57:1 to 1:1; The ratio of the distance from the second opening to the bolt (99) to the distance from the bolt hole (101) is 0.55:1 to 0.86:1; The ratio of the front width (104) to the tooth width (102) is 0.57:1 to 0.75:1; The ratio of the rear width (106) to the tooth width (102) is 0.4:1 to 0.63:1; The plurality of teeth are defined with a tooth spacing of 13 mm to 18 mm and a tooth radius of 1.98 mm to 4 mm; Each of the plurality of tooth roots (82, 84) in the first tooth group (52) and the second tooth group (68) each includes an introduction root radius (93) of 4.8 mm to 6 mm.

7. A main link (36) for a ground-jointing track (26) include: The first half link (40) includes a first link band (48) having a first lateral opening (49) formed therein; and a first clamping surface (50) forming a first tooth set (52), an ascending ramp (54) extending between the first tooth set (52) and the plate side (56) of the first half link (40), and a descending ramp (58) extending between the first tooth set (52) and the rail side (60) of the first half link (40). The second half link (42) includes a second link band (62) having a second lateral opening (64) formed therein; and a second clamping surface (66) forming a second tooth set (68), an ascending ramp (70) extending between the second tooth set (68) and the plate side (56) of the second half link (42), and a descending ramp (72) extending between the second tooth set (68) and the rail side (60) of the second half link (42). The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) are each partially formed in each of the first half link (40) and the second half link (42) to receive bolts for clamping the first half link (40) and the second half link (42) together; The first tooth group (52) and the second tooth group (68) each include a total of two full teeth and a total of three tooth roots (82, 84). The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) intersect the first clamping surface (50) and the second clamping surface (66), respectively, and are located outside the first tooth group (52) and the second tooth group (68), such that the stress concentration positions of the bolt holes are spaced apart at the front and rear of the stress concentration positions at the tooth roots in the main link (36); and The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) are positioned relative to the corresponding tooth sets (52, 68) so that there is no overlap between the bolt holes (74, 76) and the first and last tooth roots.

8. A ground-adhesive track (26), comprising: Track chain (28), the track chain having multiple track links connected end to end and including multiple standard links (34) and main links (36). The main link (36) includes a first half link (40) and a second half link (42); The first half link (40) includes a first link band (48) and a first clamping surface (50) forming a first tooth set (52); The second half link (42) includes a second link band (62) and a second clamping surface (66) forming the second tooth set (68). The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) are each partially formed in each of the first half link (40) and the second half link (42), and intersect with each of the first clamping surface (50) and the second clamping surface (66), and are configured to receive the front bolt (44) and the rear bolt (46) respectively to clamp the first half link (40) and the second half link (42) together, such that the first tooth set (52) and the second tooth set (68) interlock; The first tooth set (52) and the second tooth set (68) each include a plurality of teeth alternating with a plurality of tooth roots (82, 84), and are constrained to be distributed between the front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76), such that the teeth in each of the first tooth set (52) and the second tooth set (68) and the tooth roots (82, 84) are integrally arranged between the front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76); and The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) are positioned relative to the corresponding tooth groups (52, 68) so that there is no overlap between the bolt holes (74, 76) and the first and last tooth roots.

9. The ground-jointing track (26) according to claim 8, wherein: The plurality of teeth comprises a total of two or three full teeth in each of the first tooth group (52) and the second tooth group (68); The front bolt hole (74) and the rear bolt hole (76) define the bolt hole distance, and the first half link (40) and the second half link (42) together define the link spacing distance; and The ratio of the bolt hole distance to the chain link distance is from 0.22:1 to 0.33:

1.

10. The ground-jointing track (26) according to claim 9, wherein: The plurality of teeth comprises a total of two full teeth in each of the first tooth group (52) and the second tooth group (68); Each of the first tooth group (52) and the second tooth group (68) includes a front tooth root (82) and a front transition surface (86, 88) extending from the front tooth root (82), and a rear tooth root (84) and a rear transition surface (90, 92) extending from the rear tooth root (84). The front bolt hole (74) intersects with one of the surfaces of the front transition surfaces, but not with the other surface of the front transition surfaces (86, 88), and the rear bolt hole (76) intersects with one of the surfaces of the rear transition surfaces (90, 92), but not with the other surface of the rear transition surfaces (90, 92); The first link band (48) includes a first transverse opening (49), and the second link band (62) includes a second transverse opening (64). The first transverse opening (49) and the front bolt hole (74) define the distance from the first opening to the bolt, and the second transverse opening (64) and the rear bolt hole (76) define the distance from the second opening to the bolt; and The ratio of the distance from the first opening to the bolt to the distance to the bolt hole and the ratio of the distance from the second opening to the bolt to the distance to the bolt hole are 0.5:1 to 1:1.

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