Roller frame assembly and method in ground engaging track system with anti-sag rollers

Abstract

A ground engaging track system (14) includes a track roller frame (16), an idler (28), and a back-bow resistant roller (52, 54) supported by the track roller frame (16) at a location between a track roller (50) and the idler (28). The back-bow resistant roller (52, 54) defines an idler space (56) that partially receives the idler (28) therein and is positioned to resist back-bowing of a deflection sensitive section (118) of a ground engaging track (38).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to ground-joined track systems, and more specifically, to anti-bend rollers in ground-joined track systems, said anti-bend rollers being positioned to resist the backbend of deflection-sensitive track sections. Background Technology

[0002] Ground-engaging tracked systems in off-highway equipment are used globally in applications ranging from construction, road building, and forestry to mining, landfills, and many others. In a typical example, the annular rings of the track links are arranged in parallel track chains attached to track plates and extend around a plurality of rotating elements, including one or more idler pulleys, track rollers, load-bearing rollers, and drive sprockets.

[0003] Machines employing such tracked systems are typically subjected to extremely harsh operating conditions, including traversing hard and / or uneven substrate materials or soft, loose substrate materials containing stumps, rocks, debris, or other materials. Ground-jointing tracked systems are also used to propel machines up steep slopes and carry many tons of machine and material weight. Tracked system components are generally designed to be quite robust and are usually maintainable given the harsh conditions. Harsh field conditions can also lead to uneven or unpredictable wear on various components, requiring regular maintenance and / or replacement to maintain performance. Engineers often seek improvement and alternative strategies to optimize and / or manage wear and lifespan, as well as to address new observations or characterizations related to tracked system maintenance and performance. An example of a ground-jointing tracked system is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,364,438 to Hasselbusch et al. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, a ground-engaging track system includes a track roller frame having a front end and a rear end, and an idler wheel recoil assembly mounted to the track roller frame. The idler wheel is supported at the front end of the frame by the idler wheel recoil assembly and includes an idler wheel tread extending circumferentially around an idler wheel axis. The idler wheel is movable in a fore-and-aft direction between a rear stop position and a forward position. The ground-engaging track system also includes an inner anti-bend roller supported by the track roller frame and an outer anti-bend roller supported by the track roller frame. An idler wheel space is defined between the inner and outer anti-bend rollers. The idler wheel tread is located within the idler wheel space at the rear stop position of the idler wheel.

[0005] In another aspect, a track roller frame assembly includes a track roller frame having a front end, a rear end, an upper side, and a lower side. An idler roller is supported for rotation at the front end of the frame. The track roller frame assembly also includes an inner anti-bend roller supported by the track roller frame and having a first half-shaft, the first half-shaft cantilevering a first roller housing having a first roller tread and a first roller housing inner side for rotation about a first roller axis. The track roller frame assembly also includes an outer anti-bend roller supported by the track roller frame and including a second half-shaft, the second half-shaft cantilevering a second roller housing having a second roller tread and a second roller housing inner side for rotation about a second roller axis. The first and second roller housing inner sides define an idler space extending between the inner and outer anti-bend rollers in an inward-outward direction, and the idler roller is partially positioned within the idler space.

[0006] In another aspect, a method of operating a ground-engaging track system includes advancing a ground-engaging track of interconnected track links attached to track plates around an idler wheel and track rollers coupled to a track roller frame. The method further includes rotating the idler wheel about an idler wheel axis and the track rollers about track roller axes based on the advancement of the ground-engaging track. The method also includes pushing the deflection-sensitive segment upwards based on contact between a deflection-sensitive segment of the ground-engaging track extending between the idler wheel and a front track roller in the track rollers and a non-uniform portion of at least one of the contours or components of an underlying substrate. The method further includes using anti-bend rollers supported by the track roller frame to resist backbends of the deflection-sensitive segment, the anti-bend rollers contacting the ground-engaging track longitudinally between the idler wheel axis and the track roller axis of the front track roller in the track rollers.

[0007] In another aspect, a roller for a ground-engaging track system in a machine includes a roller housing having an outer tread extending circumferentially about a roller axis and extending axially between a first roller housing axial end having an inner surface and a second roller housing axial end having an outer surface. The roller housing also includes an inner surface extending circumferentially about a roller axis and forming a journal bore and a thrust bore extending axially between the journal bore and the inner surface of the roller housing. The roller also includes a roller shaft having a housing support end within the journal bore and a mounting end projecting outwardly from the axial end of the second roller housing. A face seal assembly is at least partially positioned within the roller housing at the axial end of the second roller housing. A thrust flange is attached to the mounting end and positioned within the thrust bore, and a cover is attached to the roller housing and at least partially positioned within the thrust bore. A thrust bearing is captured within the roller and contacts the thrust flange. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a side view schematic diagram of a machine having a ground-engaging track system according to one embodiment;

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective cross-sectional view of a ground-mounted track system according to one embodiment;

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a ground-jointing track system according to one embodiment;

[0011] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of an anti-bending roller according to one embodiment;

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a track roller frame assembly in a ground-adhesive track system according to one embodiment;

[0013] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional side view schematic diagram of a roller for a ground-engaging track system according to another embodiment; and

[0014] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional side view of a roller for a ground-engaging track system according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] refer to Figure 1 A machine 10 according to one embodiment is shown. The machine 10 includes a frame 12 and a ground-engaging track system 14 coupled to the frame 12. The ground-engaging track system 14 (hereinafter referred to as "track system 14") includes a track roller frame assembly 15 having a track roller frame 16 having a front end 18, a rear end 20, an upper side 21, and a lower side 23. An idler wheel recoil assembly 22 is mounted to the track roller frame 16 and includes a yoke 24 and an actuator 26 coupled to the yoke 24. An idler wheel 28 is supported at the front end 18 by the idler wheel recoil assembly 22 and can be mounted to rotate about an idler wheel rotation axis 32 to the yoke 24. The idler wheel recoil assembly 22 supports the idler wheel 28 for translational movement in a longitudinal direction between the front end 18 and the rear end 20 of the frame, such that the idler wheel 28 can move in response to impacts, etc., during operation of the track system 14 in a manner generally known. Actuator 26 may include a gas spring, a coil spring, or any other suitable actuator or combination of actuators. Idler 28 may be in a rear stop position in the fore-and-aft direction, approximately as shown... Figure 1The track system 14 is movable between the forward positions shown, for example, when the actuator 26 bottoms out or otherwise stops its translational movement in the rear stop position. The idler wheel 28 includes an idler wheel tread 30 extending circumferentially about the idler wheel rotation axis 32. The track system 14 may also include a rear idler wheel 34 and a drive sprocket 36, wherein the idler wheel 28, rear idler wheel 34, and drive sprocket 36 are arranged in a so-called “high-drive” configuration. In other cases, the rotatable track contact elements of the track system 14 may have different arrangements, for example, for an oval track configuration. The track system 14 also includes a ground-engaging track 38, which includes track links 40 attached to track plates 58 and forming annular loops extending around the various rotatable track contact elements.

[0016] Still referencing Figure 2 The ground-engaging track 38 may include an inner track chain 42 forming an inner track rail 46 with interconnected track links 40, and an outer track chain 44 forming an outer track rail 48 with interconnected track links 40. Track plates 50 may be attached to both the inner track chain 42 and the outer track chain 44, respectively. The machine 10 is shown in the context of a tracked tractor; however, in other embodiments, the machine 10 may be a tracked loader, a half-track, or another type of off-road machine. A plurality of track rollers 50 may be coupled to the track roller frame 16 at the underside 23 of the frame and support most of the weight of the machine 10 in a generally conventional manner. The ground-engaging track 38 includes a deflection-sensitive section 118 extending between the idler spool 28 and the front track roller in the track rollers 50, such as Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. Based at least in part on the adaptation to the fore-and-aft movement of the idler wheel 28 supported by the idler wheel recoil assembly 22, without further adaptation discussed herein, the deflection-sensitive section 118 can be pushed upwards during use in a manner that negatively impacts ride, climbing performance, and potentially other parameters. It should be understood that the deflection-sensitive section 118 is defined based on which portion of the ground-engaging track 38 currently extends between the idler wheel 28 and the front or forward track rollers in the track rollers 50, and different portions of the ground-engaging track 38 will be understood as deflection-sensitive sections as the ground-engaging track 38 advances around the various rotatable track contact elements.

[0017] To mitigate or eliminate undesirable deflection or so-called "backbend" of the ground-engaging track 38, the track system 14 includes an inner anti-backbend roller 52 supported by a track roller frame 16 and an outer anti-backbend roller 54 supported by the track roller frame 16. See also... Figure 3The idler wheel space 56 is defined in the inner-outer direction between the inner anti-bending roller 52 (hereinafter referred to as "roller 52") and the outer anti-bending roller 54 (hereinafter referred to as "roller 54"), and the idler wheel 28 is partially positioned within the idler wheel space 56. The idler wheel tread 30 can be located within the idler wheel space 56 at the rear stop position of the idler wheel 28, and also within the idler wheel space 56 at the forward position of the idler wheel 28. Figure 1 In the figure, the idler wheel axis 32 is shown approximately at its forward position relative to the idler wheel 28, and is indicated by reference numeral 32' at its rear stop position relative to the idler wheel 28. Figure 1 The text also describes the translation distance 39 between the forward position and the rear stop position.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, rollers 52 and 54 are respectively rotatable relative to each other about a first roller axis 60 and a second roller axis 61. Rollers 52 and 54 may be arranged coaxially such that the first roller axis 60 and the second roller axis 61 are collinear. Roller 52 may include a first half-shaft 62 and a first roller housing 66, the first roller housing being cantilevered by the first half-shaft 62 to rotate about the first roller axis 60. Roller 52 may include an inner surface 68 of the first roller housing that may be located at the innermost axial end of roller 52. Roller 54 may include a second half-shaft 70 and a second roller housing 72, the second roller housing being cantilevered by the second half-shaft 70 to rotate about the second roller axis 61 and including an inner surface 73 of the second roller housing that may be located at the innermost axial end of roller 54. As can be seen from the accompanying drawings, the inner surface 68 of the first roller housing and the inner surface 73 of the second roller housing can each be substantially planar and substantially circular, respectively, such that the idler space 56 is a volume, and as shown, a cylindrical volume, which extends continuously and unobstructed between the inner surface 68 of the first roller housing and the inner surface 73 of the second roller housing.

[0019] Roller 52 may further include a first roller tread 74 extending circumferentially around a first roller axis 60, and a first radially projecting circumferential flange 76 adjacent to the first roller tread 74. Roller 54 may include a second roller tread 78 extending circumferentially around a second roller axis 61, and a second radially projecting circumferential flange 80 adjacent to the second roller tread 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the first roller tread 74 extends axially between the inner surface 68 of the first roller housing and the first radially projecting circumferential flange 76, and the second roller tread 78 extends axially between the inner surface 73 of the second roller housing and the second radially projecting circumferential flange 80. Flanges 76 and 80 may contact track links 40 to limit lateral displacement of the ground-engaging track 38, including track chains 42 and 44, relative to the two rollers 52 and 54 through the contact between the flanges 76 and 80 on rollers 52 and 54 and the track links 40. In other embodiments, flanges 76 and 80 may be positioned adjacent to the inner surfaces 68 and 73 of the roller housing. In yet another embodiment, flanges 76 and 80 may be arranged substantially as shown, and rollers 52 and 54 may be equipped with additional radially projecting circumferential flanges adjacent to the inner surfaces 68 and 73, respectively.

[0020] In practice, rollers 52 and 54 can be substantially the same, and either one can be used in the position of the other. Therefore, reference is now also made to... Figure 4 The following description of roller 52 can be understood by analogy as also applicable to roller 54. The first half-shaft 62 may include a first enlarged shaft head 64, on which a first roller housing 66 is supported. Roller 54 may be constructed similarly or identically. The track roller frame assembly 15, particularly roller 52, may also include a journal bearing 94 radially located between the enlarged shaft head 64 and the roller housing 66. Roller 52 may also include a thrust bearing 96 axially located between the enlarged shaft head 64 and the roller housing 66. In some embodiments, a second thrust bearing 97 may be positioned opposite the first thrust bearing 96. The first half-shaft 62 may also include an axially extending oil hole 104 and a radially extending transverse bore 106, the transverse bore being configured to supply lubricating oil from the oil hole 104 to the respective bearing surfaces.

[0021] For example Figure 2 As shown, the track roller frame assembly 15 may further include a first clamping mount 84 attached to the track roller frame 16 and supporting the first half-shaft 62. Figure 2 The image also shows a second clamping mount 87, which is attached to the track roller frame 16 and supports the second half-shaft 70, the second half-shaft being... Figure 2Not visible in the image. The track roller frame assembly 15, particularly the roller 52, may also include a first face seal assembly 92 that seals between the first half-shaft 62 and the first roller housing 66, and it should be understood that a second face seal assembly may be sealingly disposed between the second half-shaft 70 and the second roller housing 72. The first clamping mount 84 may include a clamp body 86 and a plurality of bolts 90, the clamp body having a hole 88 formed therein receiving the first half-shaft 62, one of the plurality of bolts being shown, the plurality of bolts clamping the clamp body 86 to the track roller frame 16. The clamping mount 87 may be constructed similarly.

[0022] Still referencing Figure 5 A more detailed view of the track system 14 and track roller frame assembly 15 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the track rollers 50 may include standard track rollers supported by the track roller frame 16 and longitudinally distributed along the track roller frame 16 behind the inner anti-bend roller 52 and the outer anti-bend roller 54. As contemplated herein, a standard track roller refers to a track roller comprising a roller housing 57 having an inner tread surface 53 and an outer tread surface 55 that simultaneously contact both track chains when assembled for use. However, embodiments using non-standard track rollers (e.g., cantilevered split track rollers similar to or identical to the anti-bend rollers 52 and 54), or some combination of standard track rollers and split track rollers, are contemplated. The roller-to-roller spacing 110 between the standard track rollers 50 may be different from (e.g., less than) the roller-to-roller spacing 112 between the front or forward track rollers of the standard track rollers 50 and each of the anti-bend rollers 52 and anti-bend rollers 54. The roller-to-roller spacing 110 may be similar to or possibly equal to the roller-to-idler spacing 114 between roller axes 60, 61 and idler axis 32, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In this example, the roller-to-roller spacing 110 is defined between the roller axes 51 of the standard track rollers 50.

[0023] Now for reference Figure 6This diagram illustrates another roller 152 suitable for use as an anti-bend roller in a ground-engaged track system for a machine. Roller 152 can be used in a similar or identical manner to that described with respect to other rollers discussed herein, and the foregoing description should be understood to apply similarly to roller 152 unless otherwise stated or apparent from the context. Roller 152 includes a roller housing 166 having an outer tread 174 that extends circumferentially about a roller axis 160 and extends axially between a first roller housing axial end 161 having an inner roller housing surface 168 and a second roller housing axial end 169 having an outer roller housing surface 171. Roller housing 166 also includes an inner housing surface 173 that extends circumferentially about a roller axis 160 and forms a journal bore 175, and a thrust bore 177 extending axially between the journal bore 175 and the inner roller housing surface 168.

[0024] Roller 152 also includes a roller shaft 162, which includes a housing support end 163 within a journal bore 175 and a mounting end 165 projecting outwardly from an axial end 169 of the second roller housing. A face seal assembly 192 may be at least partially positioned within the roller housing 166 at the axial end 169 of the second roller housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the face seal assembly 192 is partially received within an axially extending recess 187 formed in the roller housing 166. A radially extending circumferential flange 176 is adjacent to an outer tread surface 174, and the outer tread surface 174 extends axially between the flange 176 and the inner surface 168 of the roller housing. Similar to the foregoing embodiments, a second flange or an alternative flange location may be used. A recessed, radially inwardly inclined transition surface 180 extends from the outer tread surface 174 to the inner surface 168 of the roller housing.

[0025] Roller 152 also includes a thrust flange 191 attached to the housing support end 163 of roller shaft 162. The thrust flange 191 is positioned within a thrust bore 177. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the thrust bore 177 has a larger diameter in the radial direction, and the journal bore 175 has a smaller diameter in the radial direction. The inner housing surface 173 may include an inner shoulder surface 195 transitioning between the journal bore 175 and the thrust bore 177. A journal bearing 194 may be radially positioned in roller 152 between the housing support end 163 and the inner housing surface 173. Roller 152 also includes a cover 193 attached to roller housing 166 and at least partially positioned within the thrust bore 177. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 193 may be attached to roller housing 166 via a threaded connection formed by the internal threads 181 of roller housing 166 and the external threads 182 of cover 193. In an alternative embodiment, the cover 193 may be attached by another suitable mechanism (e.g., interference fit, bolting, or welding, to name just a few examples). A thrust bearing 197 is captured within the roller 152 and contacts the thrust flange 191. The thrust bearing 197 may include a first thrust bearing sandwiched between the thrust flange 191 and the inner shoulder surface 195. The roller 152 may include a second thrust bearing captured between the thrust flange 191 and the cover 193. The thrust flange 191 may be a part separate from and attached to the roller shaft 162. The attachment between the roller shaft 162 and the thrust flange 191 may be achieved by a threaded connection formed by an external thread 185 on the thrust flange 191 and an internal thread 183 on the roller shaft 162.

[0026] In other embodiments, interference fits, bolts, welding, or any other suitable attachment strategy may be used. The lubricant cavity 200 may be partially formed by each of the housing cap 193 and the thrust flange 191. A plug 186 may be positioned in the housing cap 193 for accessing and filling the lubricant cavity 200, etc. As described above, the thrust flange 191 may be a separate part from the roller shaft 162 and may be partially positioned within an axially extending recess 184 formed in the housing support end 163 of the roller shaft 162. In yet another embodiment, a threaded connection may be formed by a protrusion of the roller shaft 162 equipped with external threads that mate with internal threads on the thrust flange. The thrust flange and the roller shaft may be formed as a single integral piece, or any of a variety of other constructions may be used. The thrust flange 191 extends radially outward from the housing support end 163. Figure 6As can be seen, thrust bearings 197 and 199 are respectively positioned between thrust flange 191 and roller housing 166 and between thrust flange 191 and housing cover 193, enabling them to respond to thrust loads between roller housing 166 and roller shaft 162 in either the inward or outward direction. Roller shaft 162 may be equipped with an internal bore (unnumbered), generally similar to the internal bores of other embodiments described herein, which delivers lubricating oil or the like from lubricant cavity 200 to journal bearing 194 and associated bearing surfaces.

[0027] Now for reference Figure 7 The diagram illustrates a roller 252 according to another embodiment, again configured similarly to other embodiments discussed herein for deployment in a ground-engaged track system. Roller 252 includes a roller housing 266 having an outer tread surface 274 extending circumferentially about a roller axis 260 and extending axially between a first roller housing axial end 261 having an inner roller housing surface 268 and a second roller housing axial end 269 having an outer roller housing surface 271. Roller housing 266 also includes an inner housing surface 273 extending circumferentially about the roller axis 260, forming a journal bore 275 in which a journal bearing 294 is positioned, and a thrust bore 277 extending axially between the journal bore 275 and the inner roller housing surface 268. Face seal assembly 292 may be constructed similarly to other face seal assemblies discussed herein and provides a fluid seal between roller housing 266 and roller axis 262. A face seal assembly 292 is at least partially located within the roller housing 266 at the axial end 269 of the roller housing. A radially extending circumferential flange 276 is formed adjacent to the tread surface 274 and may be one of two flanges, or located at other locations on the roller housing 266, consistent with alternatives in other embodiments shown. A thrust flange 291 is attached to the roller shaft 262 and positioned within a thrust bore 277. A cover 293 is attached to the roller housing 266 and at least partially positioned within the thrust bore 277. A first thrust bearing 297 is captured within the roller 252 and contacts the thrust flange 291.

[0028] As shown in the figure, a thrust bearing 297 is sandwiched between a thrust flange 291 and a roller housing 266. The thrust flange 291 can be attached to the roller shaft 262 by any strategy contemplated herein or otherwise, or it can be integrally formed with the roller shaft 262. A plug 286 is positioned within a housing cover 293 to fluidly seal the lubricant cavity 300. The roller 252 may also include a pin hole 259 oriented generally perpendicular to the roller axis 260 and extending through the roller shaft 262 to receive, for example, a locating or mounting pin in a clamping mounting assembly or track roller frame.

[0029] Roller 252 is similar to and interchangeable with roller 152, but also has some differences. While roller 152 includes a first thrust bearing 197 and a second thrust bearing 199 on opposite axial sides of thrust flange 191, roller 252 includes only one thrust bearing operably connected between roller housing 266 and thrust flange 291, and another thrust bearing 299 operably connected between face seal assembly 292 and roller housing 266. Roller 252 may also differ from roller 152 in its roller shaft construction. Although the roller support end 163 of roller shaft 262 is relatively enlarged relative to mounting end 165, roller shaft 262 may be a straight shaft with a substantially uniform diameter along its axial length.

[0030] Industrial applicability

[0031] As mentioned above, track system configurations, including roller placement, can depend on many different factors, including the need for the idler rollers to be able to translate relative to the corresponding track roller frame in response to vibrations during use. The need to accommodate idler roller translation may cause the relatively unsupported section of the ground-engaging track to extend behind the idler roller, since standard track rollers are typically not placed where the idler roller is likely to collide with it. During use, interaction with the base material can sometimes cause the unsupported section of the track to deflect upwards or "bend backwards" in a manner that negatively impacts riding or performance, for example, during climbing operations.

[0032] Based on this disclosure, and continuing to refer to the references Figure 1 Operating the track system 14 may include advancing the ground-engaging track 38 around the idler wheel 28, track rollers 50, and various other rotatable track contact elements. During the advancement of the ground-engaging track 38 in either the forward or reverse direction of travel, the idler wheel 28 rotates about its idler axis 32 and the track rollers 50 rotate about their axis 51, based on the advancement of the ground-engaging track 38. Figure 1As shown, machine 10 is positioned on base material 116. A deflection-sensitive segment 118 extends between idler wheel axis 32 and track roller axis 51 of the front track roller in track roller 50. A non-uniform portion 120 is present in or on the base 116. The base 116 may include any of soil, gravel, landfill waste, or various other base materials. The non-uniform portion 120 represents a non-uniformity in at least one of the contours or composition of the underlying base 116. A non-uniformity in the contour may represent protrusions, etc., in other, more or fewer uniform components of the base material. A non-uniformity in the underlying base may also be a non-uniformity in the composition, such as the presence of rocks in soil, large rocks among smaller rocks, tree stumps, or various other obstacles. When the deflection-sensitive segment 118 travels on and contacts the non-uniform portion 120, the segment 118 may be pushed upward based on the contact between the segment 118 and the non-uniform portion 120. Figure 1 Arrow 122 indicates a generally upward-oriented load. As mentioned above, in some earlier designs without anti-bend rollers, pushing upwards on deflection-sensitive track segments could cause backbends. According to this disclosure, one or more anti-bend rollers 52 and 54, supported by the track roller frame 16 and in contact with the ground-engaging track 38, resist the backbend of segment 118. The contact between the ground-engaging track 38 and the one or more anti-bend rollers can occur longitudinally between the idler axis 32 and the track roller axis 51 of the front track roller in the track roller 50.

[0033] 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 understand that various modifications can 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 appended claims. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more”. The term “one” or similar language is used when intended to refer to 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 ground-engaging track system (14), comprising: The track roller frame (16) includes the front end (18) and the rear end (20) of the frame. Idler wheel recoil assembly (22) mounted to the track roller frame (16); An idler wheel (28) supported by the idler wheel recoil assembly (22) at the front end (18) of the frame includes an idler wheel tread (30) extending circumferentially around the idler wheel axis (32) and is movable in the front-rear direction between a rear stop position and a forward position; Inner anti-bend rollers (52, 152, 252) supported by the track roller frame (16). The outer anti-bend roller (54) supported by the track roller frame (16); and The idler wheel space (56) is defined between the inner anti-bending roller (52, 152, 252) and the outer anti-bending roller (54), and the idler wheel tread (30) is located in the idler wheel space (56) at the rear stop position of the idler wheel; The inner anti-bending rollers (52, 152, 252) include a first half-shaft (62, 162, 262), a first roller housing (66, 166, 266) supported on the first half-shaft (62, 162, 262) to rotate about the first roller axis and having an inner side surface (68, 168, 268) of the first roller housing, a first roller tread (74, 174, 274), and a first radially projecting circumferential flange (76, 176, 276) adjacent to the first roller tread (74, 174, 274). The outer anti-bending roller (54) includes a second half-shaft (70), a second roller housing (72) supported on the second half-shaft (70) to rotate about the second roller axis and having an inner side surface (73) of the second roller housing, a second roller tread (78), and a second radially projecting circumferential flange (80) adjacent to the second roller tread (78).

2. The ground-jointing track system (14) according to claim 1, wherein: The inner anti-bending rollers (52, 152, 252) and the outer anti-bending rollers (54) can rotate freely relative to each other.

3. The ground-engaging track system (14) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: Multiple standard track rollers (50), the multiple standard track rollers being supported by the track roller frame (16) and longitudinally distributed along the track roller frame (16) behind the inner anti-bend rollers (52, 152, 252) and the outer anti-bend rollers (54); and The ground-joining track (38) includes an inner track chain (42) forming track links (40) connected together by inner track rails (46) in contact with the inner anti-bend rollers (52, 152, 252), an outer track chain (44) forming track links (40) connected together by outer track rails (48) in contact with the outer anti-bend rollers (54), and a plurality of track plates (58) respectively attached to the inner track chain (42) and the outer track chain (44).

4. A track roller frame assembly (15), comprising: Track roller frame (16), the track roller frame includes a front end (18), a rear end (20), an upper side (21), and a lower side (23). An idler wheel (28) is supported to rotate at the front end (18) of the frame; Inner anti-bend rollers (52, 152, 252), the inner anti-bend rollers being supported by the track roller frame (16) and including a first half-shaft (62, 162, 262), the first half-shaft cantilever supporting a first roller housing (66, 166, 266) having a first roller tread (74, 174, 274) and an inner side surface (68, 168, 268) of the first roller housing, for rotation about the first roller axis; An outer anti-bend roller (54), the outer anti-bend roller being supported by the track roller frame (16) and including a second half-shaft (70), the second half-shaft cantilevering a second roller housing (72) having a second roller tread (78) and a second roller housing inner side surface (73) for rotation about a second roller axis; and The inner side surfaces (68, 168, 268) of the first roller housing and the inner side surface surface (73) of the second roller housing define an idler space (56) extending in the inner-outer direction between the inner anti-bending rollers (52, 152, 252) and the outer anti-bending rollers (54), and the idler (28) is partially positioned within the idler space (56).

5. The track roller frame assembly (15) according to claim 4, wherein: The idler wheel space (56) is a volume that extends continuously between the inner side surface (68, 168, 268) of the first roller housing and the inner side surface (73) of the second roller housing; The inner anti-bending rollers (52, 152, 252) include a first radially projecting circumferential flange (76, 176, 276), and the outer anti-bending roller (54) includes a second radially projecting circumferential flange (80); and The first roller tread (74, 174, 274) extends axially between the inner side surface of the first roller housing (68, 168, 268) and the first radially projecting circumferential flange (76, 176, 276), and the second roller tread (78) extends axially between the inner side surface of the second roller housing (73) and the second radially projecting circumferential flange (80).

6. The track roller frame assembly (15) according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a first clamping mount (84) attached to the track roller frame (16) and supporting the first half-shaft (62, 162, 262), a first surface sealing assembly (92, 192, 292) sealing between the first half-shaft (62, 162, 262) and the first roller housing (66, 166, 266), a second clamping mount (87) attached to the track roller frame (16) and supporting the second half-shaft (70), and a second surface sealing assembly sealing between the second half-shaft (70) and the second roller housing (72).

7. The track roller frame assembly (15) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the first half-shaft (62, 162) and the second half-shaft (70) includes an enlarged shaft head (64), and further includes a journal bearing (94, 194) radially located between each respective enlarged shaft head (64) and the roller housing (66, 72, 166), and a thrust bearing (96, 97, 197, 199) axially located between each respective enlarged shaft head (64) and the roller housing (66, 72, 166).

8. A method of operating a ground-engaging track system (14), comprising: The ground-engaging track (38) of the track links (40) attached to the track plate (58) and connected together moves forward around the idler wheel (28) and the track roller (50) connected to the track roller frame (16); Based on the forward movement of the ground-engaging track (38), the idler wheel (28) rotates about the idler wheel axis and the track roller (50) rotates about the track roller axis. The deflection-sensitive segment (118) of the ground-engaging track (38), extending between the idler wheel (28) and the front track roller in the track roller (50), is pushed upward based on the contact between the deflection-sensitive segment (118) and a non-uniform portion of at least one of the contours or components of the underlying base (116); and The backbend of the deflection-sensitive section (118) is resisted by anti-bend rollers (52, 54, 152, 252) supported by the track roller frame (16), the anti-bend rollers being in contact with the ground-engaging track (38) at a position longitudinally located between the idler axis and the track roller axis of the front track roller in the track rollers (50); The backbend resistance to the deflection-sensitive section (118) further includes the use of two backbend resistance rollers (52, 54, 152, 252) to resist the backbend, the two backbend resistance rollers being cantilevered on the track roller frame (16) facing each other, such that the idler space (56) receiving the idler wheel (28) extends continuously therebetween.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises restricting the lateral displacement of the ground-engaging track (38) relative to the two anti-bend rollers (52, 54, 152, 252) by contact between the radially projecting circumferential flanges (76, 80, 176, 276) on the two anti-bend rollers (52, 54, 152, 252) and the track links (40) in the ground-engaging track (38).

10. A roller (152, 252) for a ground-engaging track system (14) in a machine (10), comprising: Roller housings (166, 266) including roller outer treads (174, 274), the roller outer treads extending circumferentially around the roller axis and extending axially between a first roller housing axial end (161, 261) having inner roller housing surfaces (168, 268) and a second roller housing axial end (169, 269) having outer roller housing surfaces (171, 271); The roller housing (166, 266) also includes an inner surface (173, 273) that extends circumferentially around the roller axis and forms a journal hole (175, 275) and a thrust hole (177, 276) that extends axially between the journal hole (175, 275) and the inner surface of the roller housing (168, 268). Roller shaft (162, 262), the roller shaft includes a housing support end (163) in the journal hole (175, 275) and a mounting end (165) protruding outward from the axial end (169, 269) of the second roller housing. A face sealing assembly (192, 292) is at least partially positioned within the roller housing (166, 266) at the axial end (169, 269) of the second roller housing; Thrust flanges (191, 291) are attached to the shell support end (163) and positioned within the thrust holes (177, 276); A cover (193, 293), said cover being attached to the roller housing (166, 266) and at least partially positioned within the thrust bore (177, 276); and Thrust bearings (197, 199, 297, 299) are captured within the rollers (152, 252) and contact the thrust flanges (191, 291).

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