Means and method for removing debris from the drive wheel of a track-driven vehicle

A device for removing debris from a drive wheel rotatably mounted to a vehicle body includes an auxiliary wheel rotatably mounted on the body adjacent an outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel. The auxiliary drive wheel has a substantially circumferential surface for engaging the outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel and thereby being rotated by the drive wheel in a direction opposite the rotation of the drive wheel. The auxiliary wheel dislodges debris on the drive wheel and discharges it away from the track mechanism of the vehicle. A selector mechanism can be provided to selectively move the auxiliary wheel out of engagement with the drive wheel. The auxiliary wheel can be mounted radially adjacent to the drive wheel so that it contacts the upper section of the drive wheel. This device allows a method of removing debris from a rotating drive wheel by mounting a debris gathering wheel adjacent the drive wheel and bringing the rotatable debris gathering wheel into frictional contact with the drive wheel so as to remove debris from the drive wheel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to the field of vehicles driven by continuous 
loop tracks. More particularly, this invention relates to a means and 
method for removing debris from the drive wheels of such track-driven 
vehicles. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
During recent years, the agricultural industry in the United States has 
seen an explosion in new technology aimed at reducing compaction in the 
fields. Track-driven tractors are rapidly gaining acceptance as 
alternatives to traditional wheeled tractors in order to reduce 
compaction. Although these track-driven tractors solved many of the 
problems of their wheeled counterparts, they present some disadvantages of 
their own. 
One common obstacle to track efficiency is the buildup of cornstalks and 
other field debris in the power trains of the tractors. This impairs 
efficiency and produces premature wear on the power train and belt or 
track. Farmers currently remedy this situation by stopping the tractor and 
removing the chaff manually, which results in significant downtime. 
Manufacturers of track-driven tractors have been actively searching for a 
solution to this problem. One manufacturer has installed permanent, 
rigidly mounted shields to block the flow of chaff. However, these shields 
merely create a new area in which debris can be lodged. Other solutions 
have typically involved the use of a stationary blade which is mounted so 
as to engage the drive wheel. These stationary scraper blades or bars tend 
to clog, wear, require adjustment over time, and may present serious pinch 
hazards. 
Therefore, there is a need for an improved means and method for removing 
debris from the drive wheel of a track-driven vehicle. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A device for removing debris from a tracked drive wheel rotatably mounted 
on a vehicle body and including an auxiliary wheel rotatably mounted on 
the body adjacent an outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel. The 
auxiliary wheel has a substantially circumferential surface for engaging 
the outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel and is rotated by the 
drive wheel in a direction opposite the direction of the drive wheel. The 
engagement of the auxiliary wheel with the drive wheel causes debris on 
the drive wheel to be dislodged therefrom and discharged away from the 
track mechanism of the vehicle. A selector mechanism can be provided to 
selectively move the auxiliary wheel out of engagement with the drive 
wheel. The auxiliary wheel can be mounted radially adjacent to the drive 
wheel so that it contacts the upper section of the drive wheel. This 
device makes possible a method of removing debris from a rotating tracked 
drive wheel which includes the steps of mounting a debris gathering wheel 
adjacent the drive wheel and bringing the rotatable debris gathering wheel 
into frictional contact with the drive wheel so as to remove debris from 
the drive wheel. 
The auxiliary wheel can be mounted in a variety of different configurations 
so as to constantly or selectively engage the drive wheel. 
Thus, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of a 
means and method for removing debris from the drive wheel of a 
track-driven vehicle. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a 
self-adjusting device for removing debris from the drive wheel of a 
track-driven vehicle. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a debris 
removing device which is mounted radially adjacent to the drive wheel. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a debris 
removing device which frictionally engages the drive wheel and is rotated 
thereby. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a method of 
removing debris from the drive wheel of a track-driven vehicle wherein a 
debris gathering wheel is rotatably mounted on the vehicle adjacent the 
drive wheel and brought into engagement therewith. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a debris 
gathering wheel that has a resiliently deformable outer layer thereon for 
engaging the drive wheel to remove debris therefrom. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a device 
which is easily retrofitted on existing track-driven vehicles. 
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a debris 
removing device which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, and 
reliable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In FIG. 1, a track-driven tractor is designated by the reference numeral 
10. The tractor 10 has at least one flexible, continuous loop track 12 at 
each side thereof which engage the ground for propulsion. The tracks 12 
are generally made of a rubber-based material. A drive wheel assembly 14 
drivingly engages the track 12 at each side of the tractor 10. A 
conventional manner by a conventional engine (not shown) drives the drive 
wheel assembly 14 in a known manner. 
As best seen in FIG. 2, the drive wheel assembly 14 includes a pair of 
laterally spaced drive wheels 16, 18 on each side of the tractor 10. A 
plurality of longitudinally spaced teeth 20 protrude downwardly from the 
underside of the track 12 and are tapered so as to fit frictionally 
between the drive wheels 16, 18. Although the drawings illustrate a pair 
of drive wheels 16 and 18, a single drive wheel, having a groove formed in 
the periphery thereof, could be used. As seen in FIG. 3, the teeth 20 
extend linearly along the track 12. The teeth 20 are tapered in a 
direction perpendicular to the drive wheels 16, 18, as well as being 
tapered longitudinally. The teeth 20 keep the track 12 in its proper 
position on the drive wheels 16, 18. Referring again to FIG. 1, a front 
drive wheel 22 is longitudinally spaced in front of the rear drive wheels 
16, 18 so as to maintain the proper tension on the track or belt 12. All 
of the structure described thus far is conventional. 
FIG. 2 shows the area adjacent the drive wheels 16, 18 in greater detail. 
The guards shown in FIG. 1 have been removed in FIG. 2 for clarity. The 
drive wheels 16, 18 are rotatably mounted to the body of the vehicle or 
tractor 10. The drive wheels 16, 18 each have an outer peripheral surface 
for engaging the substantially flat underside of the track 12 on opposite 
sides of the teeth 20. Preferably, the outer peripheral surface 24 of the 
drive wheels 16, 18 comprises a substantially planar circumferential 
surface. An auxiliary or debris removing wheel 26 is rotatably mounted 
adjacent the outer peripheral surface 24 of one or more of the drive 
wheels 16, 18. The auxiliary wheel 26 has a substantially planar outer 
circumferential surface 28 which engages the outer peripheral surface 24 
of the drive wheel 16, 18. 
In the simplest embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5, an elongated mounting arm 30 
mounts the auxiliary wheel 26 to the body of the tractor 10. The mounting 
arm 30 has one end 32 rigidly attached or fixed to the body of the tractor 
by a plurality of conventional fasteners 34. The other end of the mounting 
arm 30 is free, and the auxiliary wheel 26 is rotatably mounted thereon. 
The wheel 26 mounts on an axle member 36 which is cantilevered to the arm 
30. The auxiliary wheel 26 has a layer of spongy or resiliently deformable 
tread 38 extending around a rigid hub 40. The tread 38 can be formed of a 
rubber-based material. The layer of tread 38 is substantially planar and 
extends circumferentially around the hub 40 so as to engage the 
circumferential surface of the drive wheel 16, 18. The hub 40 is 
substantially rigid and has a central opening 42 extending horizontally 
therethrough for journaling the axle member 36. A retaining member 44 
extends radially outward from the free end of the axle member 36 so as to 
limit the movement of the auxiliary wheel 26 away from the body. 
In use, the debris removing wheel 26 mounts adjacent the drive wheel 16, 18 
of the tractor 10, as shown in FIG. 3. The debris gathering wheel 26 is in 
frictional contact with the drive wheel 16, 18. Preferably, the tread 
layer 38 is approximately one inch thick, but is compressible to 
approximately one-half inch thick when it contacts the drive wheel 16, 18. 
This contact causes the auxiliary or debris removing wheel 26 to rotate in 
an opposite direction than the drive wheel 16, 18 (as indicated by the 
arrows). As debris, which is being carried by the drive wheel 16, 18, 
contacts the tread layer 38 of the auxiliary wheel 26, the debris is 
separated from the drive wheel 16, 18 and thrown downwardly and clear of 
the track 12 by the auxiliary wheel 26. Thus, the auxiliary wheel 26 
effectively removes debris from the drive wheel 16, 18. The auxiliary 
wheel 26 is preferably mounted radially adjacent to the drive wheel 16, 18 
and engages the upper portion thereof. At the point of engagement, the 
debris is transferred from the drive wheel 16, 18 to the debris gathering 
wheel 26. Once the portion of the debris gathering wheel 26 having the 
debris transferred thereto has rotated past engagement with the drive 
wheel 16, 18, gravity discharges the debris downwardly. The centrifugal 
force generated by the auxiliary wheel 26 may also assist in discharging 
of the debris. 
In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the mounting arm 30 
is pivotally mounted to the body of the tractor 10 by a pin 46. A selector 
mechanism 48 is attached to the free end of the mounting arm 30. Here, the 
selector mechanism 48 is shown to be a hydraulic cylinder 50 with a ram 
52. However, electrical or mechanical means can also be used without 
detracting from the invention. The selector mechanism 48 moves the 
auxiliary wheel 26 into and out of contact with the upper section of the 
drive wheel 16, 18. Thus, the auxiliary wheel 26 can be moved into 
engagement with the drive wheel 16, 18 as desired. 
Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. A hydraulic cylinder 50 has a 
movable ram 52 extending therefrom which moves the auxiliary wheel 26 
axially along the axle member 36. When the ram 52 is retracted, the 
auxiliary wheel 26 is retracted from the drive wheel 16, 18. When 
extended, the ram 52 pushes the wheel 26 into engagement with the drive 
wheel 16, 18. Again, the auxiliary or debris removing wheel 26 engages the 
upper section of the drive wheel 16, 18. 
In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred 
embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed, 
these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for 
purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts, 
as well as in the substitution of equivalents, are contemplated as 
circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the 
spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following 
claims.