Patent Publication Number: US-2011061809-A1

Title: Moving tracks dozer equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly and associated pin structure

Description:
This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 10/505,602, filed on Feb. 28, 2005, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US03/39169 filed on Dec. 09, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/314,754 filed on Dec. 09, 2002. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein and the benefit to is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a moving tracks dozer equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly and an associated pin structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to an elastomeric bearing assembly for use in conjunction with the equalizer link of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle and an associated pin structure operable for securing the elastomeric bearing assembly and the equalizer link to the roller frame assembly of the tractor or other earth-moving vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical tractor or other earth-moving vehicle, also referred to herein as a “dozer,” includes an equalizer link operable for securing the cab assembly of the dozer to the moving tracks or wheels of the dozer, allowing for uniform track-to-ground or wheel-to-ground contact. This equalizer link consists of a hot-rolled steel member or forging. A cylindrical center bearing is provided to secure the equalizer link to the cab assembly of the dozer and two spherical bearings are provided at each end of the equalizer link to the secure the equalizer link to a roller frame assembly associated with the moving tracks or wheels of the dozer, accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions. Typically, these spherical end bearings are manufactured from hardened steel and constitute a major wear item. Although the spherical end bearings are sealed and lubricated, the spherical end bearings typically last from about 1,000 hours to about 3,000 hours and, due to inadequate lubrication, fail. Such failure occurs because of the proximity of the spherical end bearings to the tracks or wheels of the dozer and the resulting exposure to dirt, mud, and debris. Failure of the spherical end bearings limits articulation and may destroy the end joints of the equalizer link. Typically, this necessitates expensive re-manufacturing of the retaining-ring groove, seal, and/or bore of the end joints of the equalizer link. For example, a major reworking of the equalizer link may cost as much as about $2,700 and may lead to dozer downtime of about 1 week. Even in a non-failure case, the spherical end bearings must be regularly lubricated and maintained. 
     Thus, what is needed is an elastomeric bearing assembly for use in conjunction with the equalizer link of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle and an associated pin structure operable for securing the elastomeric bearing assembly and the equalizer link to the roller frame assembly of the tractor or other earth-moving vehicle. Preferably, this elastomeric bearing assembly may be used in conjunction with the cylindrical center bearing or the spherical end bearings of the equalizer link, providing a cost-effective, low-maintenance option for reducing and/or preventing equalizer link failure. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an elastomeric bearing assembly for use in conjunction with the equalizer link of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle and an associated pin structure operable for securing the elastomeric bearing assembly and the equalizer link to the roller frame assembly of the tractor or other earth-moving vehicle. This elastomeric bearing assembly may be used in conjunction with the cylindrical center bearing or the spherical end bearings of the equalizer link, providing a cost-effective, low-maintenance option for reducing and/or preventing equalizer link failure. Advantageously, the elastomeric bearing assembly of the present invention does not require complex machining and allows +/−3.0 degrees cocking and +/−3.5 degrees torsion with acceptable strains. A radial load of about 25.0 K produces moderate compression stresses that are well within specified requirements. These compression stresses may be further reduced with a large package width. Because the elastomeric bearing assembly of the present invention incorporates rubber, it does not require lubrication and it prevents relative motion or sliding between metal surfaces. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, an elastomeric bearing assembly includes a concentric outer member operable for securely engaging a bore structure associated with a first structural member, wherein the concentric outer member is disposed substantially within the bore structure. The elastomeric bearing assembly also includes a concentric inner member operable for securely engaging a pin structure associated with a second structural member, wherein the concentric inner member is disposed substantially within the concentric outer member. The elastomeric bearing assembly further includes an elastomeric section disposed between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member, wherein the elastomeric section is bonded to a surface of the inner member and a surface of the outer member, and wherein the elastomeric section is operable for accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions of the second structural member relative to the first structural member. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, an elastomeric bearing assembly for use in conjunction with the equalizer link of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle includes a concentric outer member operable for securely engaging a bore structure associated with a first structural member, wherein the concentric outer member is disposed substantially within the bore structure. The elastomeric bearing assembly also includes a concentric inner member operable for securely engaging a pin structure associated with a second structural member, wherein the concentric inner member is disposed substantially within the concentric outer member. The elastomeric bearing assembly further includes an elastomeric section disposed between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member, wherein the elastomeric section is bonded to a surface of the inner member and a surface of the outer member, and wherein the elastomeric section is operable for accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions of the second structural member relative to the first structural member. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, an elastomeric bearing assembly includes a concentric outer member and a concentric inner member, wherein the concentric inner member is disposed substantially within the concentric outer member. The elastomeric bearing assembly also includes an elastomeric section disposed between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member, wherein the elastomeric section is bonded to a surface of the inner member and a surface of the outer member, and wherein the elastomeric section is operable for accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions of the concentric inner member relative to the concentric outer member. 
     In a still further embodiment of the present invention, a method for installing an elastomeric bearing assembly includes providing: a concentric outer member operable for securely engaging a bore structure associated with a first structural member; a concentric inner member operable for securely engaging a pin structure associated with a second structural member, wherein the concentric inner member is disposed substantially within the concentric outer member; and an elastomeric section disposed between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member, wherein the elastomeric section is bonded to a surface of the inner member and a surface of the outer member, and wherein the elastomeric section is operable for accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions of the second structural member relative to the first structural member. The method for installing the elastomeric bearing assembly also includes pressing the concentric outer member, the concentric inner member, and the elastomeric section into the bore structure using a ram apparatus, thereby precompressing the elastomeric section. 
     The invention includes a method of making an earth-moving track-type tractor vehicle dozer maintenance repair of a moving tracks dozer equalizer link with a worn lubricated bearing by removing the worn lubricated bearing from the dozer equalizer link end and installing in place an unlubricated laminated elastomeric bearing assembly with a concentric outer nonextensible solid member operable for securely engaging the dozer equalizer link bore, a concentric inner nonextensible solid member operable for securely engaging a pin structure, with the concentric inner member disposed substantially within the concentric outer member, and an elastomeric section elastomer bonded between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member. 
     The invention includes a moving track-type tractor vehicle with an equalizer link between a first moving track roller frame assembly and second moving track roller frame assembly with the equalizer link having a substantially circular with an unlubricated laminated elastomeric bearing assembly received in the bore with the elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member securely engaging the bore, a concentric inner nonextensible solid member disposed substantially within the concentric outer member, and an elastomeric section bonded between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member with the elastomeric section radially compressed between the concentric outer and inner member 
     The invention includes a method of making a dozer equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly for a moving tracks dozer equalizer link having a substantially circular equalizer link bore with an inside diameter ID. The method includes providing a tubular nonextensible solid concentric inner member, providing a concentric outer member first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular half with an outside top and a concentric outer member second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular half with an outside bottom, concentrically disposing the tubular nonextensible solid concentric inner member substantially within the concentric outer member first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular half and the concentric outer member second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular half, elastomerically bonding the tubular nonextensible solid concentric inner member to the first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular half and the second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular half with an elastomer with an elastomeric section in between the inner and outer members to form an elastomeric bearing assembly with an outside diameter OD from first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular half outside top to the second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular half outside bottom wherein the elastomeric bearing assembly outside OD is at least a hundred and five percent of the equalizer link bore inside diameter ID. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a typical equalizer link operable for securing the cab assembly of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle to the moving tracks or wheels of the tractor or other earth-moving vehicle, allowing for uniform track-to-ground or wheel-to-ground contact; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an equalizer link, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 1 , installed in a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of the mechanism by which a cylindrical center bearing of the equalizer link of  FIG. 1  is secured to a saddle structure associated with the cab assembly of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the mechanism by which spherical end bearings of the equalizer link of  FIG. 1  are secured to a roller frame assembly associated with the tracks or wheels of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the elastomeric bearing assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the elastomeric bearing assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a pin structure associated with the elastomeric bearing assembly of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the components of the pin structure of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9A-B  show embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 10A-F  show embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 11A-B  show embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 12A-F  show embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As described above, the present invention provides an elastomeric bearing assembly for use in conjunction with the equalizer link of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle and an associated pin structure operable for securing the elastomeric bearing assembly and the equalizer link to the roller frame assembly of the tractor or other earth-moving vehicle. Likewise, the pin structure may be used to secure the elastomeric bearing assembly and the equalizer link to a saddle structure associated with the cab assembly of the tractor or other earth-moving vehicle. Accordingly, this elastomeric bearing assembly may be used in conjunction with the cylindrical center bearing or the spherical end bearings of the equalizer link, providing a cost-effective, low-maintenance option for reducing and/or preventing equalizer link failure. An equalizer link is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the equalizer link  10  consists of a structural member  12 , such as a hot-rolled steel member, a forging, or the like. The center portion  14  of the structural member  12  includes a cylindrical center bearing  16 . A first end portion  18  of the structural member  12  includes a first spherical end bearing  20  and a second end portion  22  of the structural member  12  includes a second spherical end bearing  24 . The equalizer link is operable for securing the cab assembly of a tractor or other earth-moving vehicle to the moving tracks or wheels of the tractor or other earth-moving vehicle, allowing for uniform track-to-ground or wheel-to-ground contact. An installed equalizer link  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the cylindrical center bearing  16  ( FIG. 1 ) of the equalizer link  10  is rotatably attached to a saddle structure associated with the cab assembly of the dozer. Likewise, the first spherical end bearing  20  ( FIG. 1 ) disposed within the first end portion  18  of the structural member  12  and the second spherical end bearing  24  ( FIG. 1 ) disposed within the second end portion  22  of the structural member  12  are each attached via a pin structure  30  to a roller frame assembly  32  associated with the moving tracks or wheels (not shown) of the dozer.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the specific mechanisms by which the cylindrical center bearing  16  is secured to the saddle structure (see  FIG. 3 ) and the spherical end bearings  20 , 24  are secured to the roller frame assembly  32  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a bearing assembly  40 , such as the elastomeric bearing assembly of the present invention, is disposed within a substantially circular bore  42  running through the center portion  14  of the structural member  12  comprising the equalizer link  10 . A pin structure  30 , such as the pin structure of the present invention, is inserted through the substantially circular bore  42  running through the center portion  14  of the structural member  12 . The pin structure  30  is also inserted through a first substantially circular opening  44  and a second substantially circular opening  46  running through the saddle structure associated with the cab assembly of the dozer, thus securing the equalizer link  10  to the cab assembly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , another bearing assembly  40 , such as the elastomeric bearing assembly of the present invention, is disposed within a substantially circular bore  52  running through each of the end portions  18 , 22  of the structural member  12  comprising the equalizer link  10 . A pin structure  30 , such as the pin structure of the present invention, is inserted through the substantially circular bore  52  running through each of the end portions  18 , 22  of the structural member  12 . The pin structure  30  is also inserted through a first substantially circular opening  54  and a second substantially circular opening  56  running through the roller frame assembly  32  associated with the moving tracks or wheels (not shown) of the dozer, thus securing the equalizer link  10  to the tracks or wheels. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  includes an inner member  60  and an outer member  62 . The inner member  60  and the outer member  62  may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, a composite, or any other suitable nonextensible solid material. The inner member  60  is positioned adjacent to and concentrically about the surface of the pin structure  30  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 ), described above and described in further detail herein below. Preferably, the inner member  60  securely engages the pin structure  30 . Likewise, the outer member  62  is positioned adjacent to and concentrically within the substantially circular bore  42 , 52  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) running through the center portion  14  ( FIG. 3 ) and/or the end portions  18 , 22  ( FIG. 4 ) of the structural member  12  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 ). Preferably, the outer member  62  securely engages the substantially circular bore  42 , 52 . An elastomeric section  64 , made of rubber or the like, is disposed between and bonded to the surfaces of the inner member  60  and the outer member  62 . It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the inner member  60  and the outer member  62  have corresponding substantially concave and convex shapes, respectively, operable for accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the elastomeric section  64  has a substantially elliptical or barrel shape. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in another embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  includes an inner member  60  and an outer member  62 . The inner member  60  and the outer member  62  may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, a composite, or any other suitable material. The inner member  60  is positioned adjacent to and concentrically about the surface of the pin structure  30  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 ), described above and described in further detail herein below. Preferably, the inner member  60  securely engages the pin structure  30 . Likewise, the outer member  62  is positioned adjacent to and concentrically within the substantially circular bore  42 , 52  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) running through the center portion  14  ( FIG. 3 ) and/or the end portions  18 , 22  ( FIG. 4 ) of the structural member  12  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 ). Preferably, the outer member  62  securely engages the substantially circular bore  42 , 52 . An elastomeric section  64 , made of rubber or the like, is disposed between and bonded to the surfaces of the inner member  60  and the outer member  62 . It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the inner member  60  and the outer member  62  have corresponding substantially concave and convex shapes, respectively, operable for accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the elastomeric section  64  has a substantially elliptical or barrel shape. A plurality of concentric shim members  70  are also disposed within the elastomeric section  64 .  FIG. 6  shows two concentric shim members  70 , however, as is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, a greater or lesser number of concentric shim members  70  may be utilized. The concentric shim members  70  provide strength, rigidity, and stability to the elastomeric section  64 . The concentric shim members  70  may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, a composite, or any other suitable nonextensible solid material. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the inner member  60 , the outer member  62 , and the elastomeric section  64  may each have a substantially cylindrical shape, as opposed to the substantially concave and convex shapes illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Additionally, the ends of the outer member  62  may be crimped, so as to securely engage the substantially circular bore  42 , 52  running through the center portion  14  and/or the end portions  18 , 22  of the structural member  12 , enhancing the axial retention of the elastomeric bearing assembly  40 . 
     Installation-wise, the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  of the present invention may be forced into the substantially circular bore  42 , 52  running through the center portion  16  and/or the end portions  18 , 22  of the structural member  12  using a ram or the like. Preferably, the substantially circular bore  42 , 52  running through the center portion  16  and/or the end portions  18 , 22  of the structural member  12  has a substantially funnel shape operable for receiving the elastomeric bearing assembly  40 . Alternatively, a substantially funnel-shaped piece may be temporarily attached to the substantially circular bore  42 , 52  running through the center portion  16  and/or the end portions  18 , 22  of the structural member  12  for receipt of the elastomeric bearing assembly  40 . Advantageously, the installation technique described above precompresses the elastomeric bearing assembly  40 , enhancing its durability and general operation. Additionally, the elastomer contours utilized in conjunction with the elastomeric section  64  of the present invention accommodate elastomer bulge during precompression, reducing exposure to dirt, mud, and debris that may cause premature damage. Preferably the elastomer contours of the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  when installed in the equalizer link and used do extend beyond the edges of inner member  60  and outer member  62 , and preferably the elastomer contours of the elastomeric section  64  are recessed in from the edges of inner member  60  and outer member  62 . 
     The pin structure  30  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 ) of the present invention is operable for securing the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  of the present invention between two abutments, such as those associated with the saddle structure  48  ( FIG. 3 ) associated with the cab assembly of the dozer or the roller frame assembly  32  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) associated with the tracks or wheels of the dozer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , as described above, the pin structure  30  is inserted through the saddle structure  48  ( FIG. 3 ) associated with the cab assembly of the dozer or the roller frame assembly  32  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) associated with the tracks or wheels of the dozer and the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 ) of the present invention, securing the tracks or wheels to the cab assembly while allowing a plurality of axial, cocking, and torsion motions there between. Specifically, the pin assembly  30  securely engages the inner member  60  of the elastomeric bearing assembly  40 . Preferably, the pin structure  30  has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The pin structure  30  may have a plurality of radii, including, for example, a first radius  80  and a second radius  82 , wherein the first radius  80  is larger than the second radius  82 . The pin structure  30  may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, a composite, or any other suitable material. Preferably, a portion of the second radius  82  of the pin structure  30  forming a notch  84  is configured to fixedly engage a slot  86  disposed within a plate structure  88 . The plate structure  88  is fixedly attached to the roller frame assembly  32  associated with the tracks or wheels of the dozer. Thus, the pin structure  30  prevents the inner member  60  of the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  from rotating with respect to the roller frame assembly  32 . Alternatively, a collar  90  disposed about the second radius  82  of the pin structure  30  may form the  84  operable for engaging the slot  86  disposed within the plate structure  88 . The collar may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, a composite material, or any other suitable material. The pin structure  30  and, specifically, the notch  84  and the collar  90  are shown in greater detail in  FIG. 8 . 
     The invention includes a method of making an earth-moving waste handling moving track-type tractor vehicle dozer maintenance repair for a dozer  100  with moving tracks  102 , preferably with elevated drive sprockets  104  that drive the moving tracks  102  around the moving track roller frames  32 . The invention includes providing a moving tracks dozer equalizer link  10 , with the equalizer link including a worn lubricated spherical end bearing  20  in an end portion substantially circular bore  52  of an end portion  18  and removing the worn lubricated spherical end bearing from the dozer equalizer link end portion  18 . The method includes providing an unlubricated laminated elastomeric bearing assembly  40 . The laminated elastomeric bearing assembly  40  including a concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  operable for securely engaging said dozer equalizer link end portion bore  52  of the end portion  18 , a concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  operable for securely engaging a pin structure  30  associated with a second structural member  32 , the concentric inner member  60  disposed substantially within the concentric outer member  62 , and an elastomeric section elastomer  64  bonded between the concentric inner member  60  and the concentric outer member  62 . The method includes providing a pressing ram apparatus  110 , and pressing said elastomeric bearing assembly  40  with the pressing ram  110  into the dozer equalizer link end portion bore  52  wherein the concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  engages the dozer equalizer link end portion bore  52  and said elastomeric section  64  is precompressed. Preferably the pressing of the elastomeric bearing  40  into the link end is followed by staking the solid member  62  with a staking die  112  to further fix the bearing  40  in place in the bore  52  by crimping an edge of the outer member  62  towards the link end  18 . Preferably providing said elastomeric bearing assembly  40  with a concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  includes providing an elastomeric bearing assembly with said concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  comprised of an outer member first split half  114  and an outer member second split half  116 , with the outer member first split half  114  separated from the outer member second split half  116  wherein pressing the elastomeric bearing  40  into the bore presses the separated outer member first split half  114  and said outer member second split half  116  together and radially compresses the elastomeric section  64  between said concentric outer nonextensible solid  62  member and said concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60 , preferably with the outer member first split half  114  comprised of a first split cylinder tube half and the outer member second split half  116  comprised of a second split cylinder tube half and the concentric inner member  60  comprised of a nonsplit unitary cylindrical tube such as shown in  FIG. 12C-F . Preferably the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  includes at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  bonded in the elastomeric section  64  between the concentric outer member  62  and said concentric inner member  60 . Preferably the at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  is comprised of a shim member first split half  118  and a shim member second split half  120  with the first shim member split half  118  separated from the second shim member split half  120 . Preferably the concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric outer member with an inner cylinder surface  122  and the concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric inner member with an outer cylinder surface  124 , with said elastomeric section  64  bonded to the inner cylinder surface  122  and the outer cylinder surface  124 . Preferably the inner member  60  is non-split and pressing the bearing  40  into the bore  52  radially compresses the elastomer  64  between the inner and outer members and closes the split gaps  106  and  108 . Preferably the method includes providing an elastomeric bearing funnel  126  having a large diameter end  128  and a small diameter end  130 , aligning and temporarily attaching the elastomeric bearing funnel  126  with said dozer equalizer link end portion bore  52  with the small diameter end  130  adjacent the bore  52 . Preferably the elastomeric bearing has a dozer equalizer link operation life of at least 1000 hours, preferably 2000 dozer operations hour without the need for lubricating. 
     The invention includes an earth-moving waste handling moving track-type tractor vehicle dozer  100  with moving tracks  102 , preferably with elevated drive sprockets  104  that drive the moving tracks  102  around the moving track roller frames  32 . The dozer  100  has a first left side moving track roller frame assembly  32  and a second right side moving track roller frame assembly  32  with an equalizer link  10  between said first moving track roller frame assembly  32  and said second moving track roller frame assembly  32 . The equalizer link  10  has a first end portion  18  with a first end portion substantially circular bore  52  and a second distal end portion  22  with a second end portion substantially circular bore  52 , with a first unlubricated laminated elastomeric end bearing assembly  40  received in the first end portion substantially circular bore  52  and a second unlubricated laminated elastomeric end bearing assembly  40  received in the second end portion substantially circular bore  52 . The first elastomeric end bearing assembly  40  including a concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  securely engaging the first end portion bore  52 , a concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  disposed substantially within the concentric outer member  62 , and an elastomeric section  64  bonded between the concentric inner member  60  and the concentric outer member  62  with the elastomeric section  64  radially compressed between said concentric outer and inner member. The concentric inner member  60  links the equalizer link first end portion  18  with said first moving track roller frame assembly  32 . The second unlubricated laminated elastomeric end bearing assembly  40  includes a concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  securely engaging the second end portion bore  52 , a concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  disposed substantially within the concentric outer member with an elastomeric section  64  bonded between the concentric inner member  60  and the concentric outer member  62  with the elastomeric section  64  radially compressed between the concentric outer and inner members. The concentric inner member  60  links the equalizer link second end portion  22  with the second moving track roller frame assembly  32 . Preferably the elastomeric end bearings  40  in the equalizer link ends provide dozer equalizer link operation life of at least 1000 hours, preferably 2000 dozer operations hours without the need for lubricating. Preferably the first elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is comprised of a first elastomeric bearing assembly outer member first split half  114  and a first elastomeric bearing assembly outer member second split half  116  with the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  pressed into said bore  52  with said elastomeric section  64  radially compressed between concentric outer nonextensible solid member split halves  114  and  116  and the nonsplit concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60 . Preferably the second elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is comprised of a second elastomeric bearing assembly outer member first split half  114  and a second elastomeric bearing assembly outer member second split half  116  with the elastomeric bearing assembly  40  pressed into the bore  52  with the elastomeric section  64  radially compressed between said concentric outer nonextensible solid member halves  114 , 116  and the nonsplit concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60 , preferably with the first half  114  being a first split cylinder half and the second half  116  being a second split cylinder half. Preferably the first elastomeric bearing assembly  40  includes at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  bonded in the elastomeric section  64  between the concentric outer member  62  and the concentric inner member  60  and the second elastomeric bearing assembly  40  includes at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  bonded in the elastomeric section  64  between said concentric outer member  62  and the concentric inner member  60 , most preferably with the shim member  70  being a tubular cylinder shape. Preferably the first elastomeric bearing assembly at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  is comprised of a shim member first split half  118  and a shim member second split half  120 , preferably a split cylinder shaped half  118  and a split cylinder shaped half  120 , and the second elastomeric bearing assembly at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  is comprised of a shim member first split half  118  and a shim member second split half  120 , preferably a split cylinder shaped half  118  and a split cylinder shaped half  120 . Preferably the first elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric outer member with an inner cylinder surface  122  and said first elastomeric bearing assembly concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric inner member with an outer cylinder surface  124 , with the first elastomeric bearing assembly elastomeric section  64  bonded to the first elastomeric bearing assembly inner cylinder surface  122  and the first elastomeric bearing assembly outer cylinder surface  124 . Preferably the inner member  60  is non-split and pressing the assembly  40  into the bore  52  radially compresses the elastomer  64  between the inner and outer member halves. The second elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric outer member with an inner cylinder surface  122  and the second elastomeric bearing assembly concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric inner member with an outer cylinder surface  124 , with the second elastomeric bearing assembly elastomeric section  64  bonded to the second elastomeric bearing assembly inner cylinder surface  122  and said second elastomeric bearing assembly outer cylinder surface  124 , preferably with the inner member  60  non-split and pressing the assembly  40  into the bore  52  radially compresses the elastomer  64  between the inner member and the outer member halves. 
     The invention includes a moving tracks dozer equalizer link  10  for linking a first moving track roller frame assembly  32  and a second moving track roller frame assembly  32  of a dozer  100 , preferably a dozer with elevated drive sprockets  104  that drive the moving tracks  102  around the moving track roller frames  32 . The equalizer link  10  has a first end portion  18  with a first end portion substantially circular bore  52  and a second distal end portion  22  with a second end portion substantially circular bore  52 , a first unlubricated laminated elastomeric end bearing assembly  40 , said first elastomeric end bearing assembly  40  including a concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  securely engaging the first end portion bore  52 , a concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60 , said concentric inner member  60  disposed substantially within the concentric outer member  62 , and an elastomeric section  64  bonded between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member. Preferably the elastomeric section  64  is radially compressed between the concentric outer member  62  and the inner member  60 . The concentric inner member  60  linking the equalizer link first end portion  18  with the first moving track roller frame assembly  32 . The equalizer link  10  includes a second unlubricated laminated elastomeric end bearing assembly  40 , the second elastomeric end bearing assembly including a concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  securely engaging second end portion bore  52 , a concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  disposed substantially within the concentric outer member  62 , and an elastomeric section  64  bonded between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member with the elastomeric section  64  radially compressed between the concentric outer and inner members with the concentric inner member  60  linking equalizer link second end portion  22  with the second moving track roller frame assembly  32 . Preferably the elastomeric end bearings  40  in the equalizer link ends provide dozer equalizer link operation life of at least 1000 hours, preferably 2000 dozer operations hours without the need of lubrication. Preferably the first elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is comprised of a first elastomeric bearing assembly outer member first split half  114  and a first elastomeric bearing assembly outer member second split half  116  with the elastomeric bearing assembly pressed into the bore with the elastomeric section  64  radially compressed between said concentric outer nonextensible solid member halves and the concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  and the second elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is comprised of a second elastomeric bearing assembly outer member first split half  114  and to a second elastomeric bearing assembly outer member second split half  116  with the elastomeric bearing assembly pressed into the bore with the elastomeric section radially compressed between the concentric outer nonextensible solid member and the concentric inner nonextensible solid member, (preferably with the second elastomeric bearing assembly outer member first split half  114  being a first split cylinder half and the second elastomeric bearing assembly outer member second split half  116  being a second split cylinder half. Preferably the first elastomeric bearing assembly  40  includes at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  bonded in the elastomeric section  64  between the concentric outer member  62  and the concentric inner member  60  and the second elastomeric bearing assembly  40  includes at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  bonded in the elastomeric section  64  between the concentric outer member  62  and the concentric inner member  60 , preferably with the shim member  70  having a cylinder tube shape. Preferably the first elastomeric bearing assembly at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  is comprised of a shim member first split half  118  and a shim member second split half  120  preferably being split cylinder tube shaped Preferably the second elastomeric bearing assembly at least one concentric nonextensible solid shim member  70  is comprised of a shim member first split half  118  and a shim member second split half  120  preferably being split cylinder tube shaped. Preferably the first elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric outer member with an inner cylinder surface  122  and said first elastomeric bearing assembly concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric inner member with an outer cylinder surface  124 , with the first elastomeric bearing assembly elastomeric section  64  bonded to the first elastomeric bearing assembly inner cylinder surface  122  and said first elastomeric bearing assembly outer cylinder surface  124  with the inner member non-split and pressing the assembly into the bore  52  radially compresses the elastomer  64  between the inner and outer members Preferably the second elastomeric bearing assembly concentric outer nonextensible solid member  62  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric outer member with an inner cylinder surface  122  and said second elastomeric bearing assembly concentric inner nonextensible solid member  60  is a substantially cylinder-shaped concentric inner member with an outer cylinder surface  124 , with the second elastomeric bearing assembly elastomeric section  64  bonded to the second elastomeric bearing assembly inner cylinder surface  122  and the second elastomeric bearing assembly outer cylinder surface  124 . Preferably the inner member is non-split and pressing the assembly  40  into the bore  52  radially compresses the elastomer between the inner and outer member. 
     The invention includes a method of making a dozer equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly  40  for a moving tracks dozer equalizer link  10  having a substantially circular equalizer link bore  52  with an inside diameter ID. The method comprises the steps of providing a cylindrical tubular nonextensible solid concentric inner member  60 , providing a concentric outer member first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  114  with an outside top  132  and a concentric outer member second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  116  with an outside bottom  134 , concentrically disposing the cylindrical tubular nonextensible solid concentric inner member  60  substantially within the concentric outer member first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  114  and the concentric outer member second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  116 , elastomerically bonding the cylindrical tubular nonextensible solid concentric inner member  60  to the first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  114  and the second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  116  with an elastomer  64  with an elastomeric section in between the inner and outer members to form an elastomeric bearing assembly  40  with an outside diameter OD from first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half outside top  132  to the second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half outside bottom  134  wherein the elastomeric bearing assembly outside OD is at least a hundred and five percent of the equalizer link bore inside diameter ID for which is to be pressed into. Preferably the elastomeric bearing assembly outside diameter OD&gt;ID of the equalizer link bore inside diameter ID, preferably with 0.95 OD≧ID. Preferably the made elastomeric end bearings has a dozer equalizer link operation life of at least 1000 hours, preferably 2000 dozer operations hours without the need of lubrication. Preferably the thickness of the elastomeric section  64  thickens from a thinner elastomer section thickness  136  to a thicker elastomer section thickness  138  as a function of the radial progression from the outside top  132  and outside bottom  134  positions radially towards the split gaps  106  and  108 , with the installed bearing  40  pressed into the bore  52  having a radially uniform elastomeric section  64  thickness. In a preferred embodiment such as shown in  FIG. 12C-E  the elastomeric bearing  40  has one concentric shim member  70  that is comprised of a first split half shim  118  and a second split half shim  120 . Preferably the bearing with the elastomeric bearing assembly outside OD pressed into and installed for dozer operation has an elastomeric precompression of at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, from the radially compression of the elastomeric section  64  between the outer member  62  and the inner member  60 . Such elastomeric precompression being the difference between the total elastomer thickness as made bonded and the total elastomer thickness as installed in the equalizer link bore, divided by the total elastomer thickness as made bonded, multiplied by 100 [((total elastomer thickness as made bonded−total elastomer thickness as installed)/(total elastomer thickness as made bonded)×100)≧5, preferably≧10] The method includes providing a concentric shim member first shim member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  118  and a concentric shim member second shim member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  120 , concentrically disposing said first shim member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  118  between said first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  114  and the cylindrical tubular nonextensible solid concentric inner member  60  and the second shim member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  120  between the second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half  116  and the cylindrical tubular nonextensible solid concentric inner member  60  wherein the shim members are elastomerically bonded in the elastomer  64  between the inner member and said outer members. Preferably the elastomer  64  defines a first split gap  106  which separates said first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half from said second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half and the first shim member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half from the second shim member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half, and a second split gap  108  which separates the first outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half from the second outer member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half and the first shim member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half from the second shim member nonextensible solid split tubular cylinder half. Preferably the elastomeric bearing  40  is oriented and aligned in the bore  52  of the dozer equalizer link  10  with the first split gap  106  and the second split gap  108  in alignment with the longitudinal length of the equalizer link with the split gaps substantially normal to the static load of the dozer. 
     Although the elastomeric bearing assembly of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments and examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.