Patent ID: 8100483

Claim:
A track assembly for a machine comprising: a track having a first chain assembly, a second chain assembly, and a track pin coupling said first chain assembly with said second chain assembly, and said track including a first seal and a second seal located within a first bore and a second bore, respectively, of first and second inboard track links of the first and second chain assemblies, each of said first and second inboard track links including a region adjacent the corresponding seal; a drive sprocket; and an idler configured to guide said track and contacting said track between said chain assemblies at a contact interface, said idler defining an axis of rotation and including an outer diameter surface positioned at a constant radial distance from the axis of rotation, a first outboard axial side surface facing the first inboard track link and adjoining the outer diameter surface at a first corner, and a second outboard axial side surface facing the second inboard track link and adjoining the outer diameter surface at a second corner, and said idler further including axially protruding steps located on said axial side surfaces, each of which include concentric radially inward and radially outward step edges defining circles centered on the axis of rotation; said contact interface having means, including material to be subjected to wear located on each of said axially protruding steps, for inhibiting track link wear in the regions of the inboard track links adjacent said seals by way of contacting the material with the inboard track links during guiding said track such that contact between the corners of said idler and the regions adjacent said seals is limited.