Description
CRAWLER TRAVEL UNIT
5 Technical field [0001]
The present invention relates to a crawler travel unit mountable on a rear portion of a tractor or the like.
10 Background art [0002]
As a crawler travel unit, there can be mentioned those used in a semi-crawler tractor, in which the unit is installed as a rear wheel tire of the tractor, or replaceable with a rear wheel tire.
15 In the prior art of the crawler travel unit of this type, for example, as disclosed in
Patent document 1, a front driven wheel for adjusting tension, an driven wheel which loosely rotates and idling wheels therebetween are aligned in a front-rear direction and supported by a track frame; a drive wheel is arranged upward of the idling wheels; a crawler track is wrapped around all of these wheels; a tension adjusting mechanism for
20 supporting the front driven wheel and biasing the same in a direction that adjusts tension is sloping downward from the track frame to the front driven wheel; the track frame is made swingable about an axis which is in parallel with an axis of the drive wheel and positioned downward of the axis; a swing range regulatmg means for setting a swing range of the track frame is disposed on a driven wheel side relative to the swing axis; the front driven
25 wheel, driven wheel and idling wheels are supported by respective support shafts cantilevered outward from the track frame; and at least the support shaft of the idling wheel is sloping outward and downward. [0003]
Three idling wheels arranged in a front-rear direction are separately supported by
30 the track frame through the respective wheel shafts.
Patent document 1: Japanese Patent JP3560893B
Disclosure of the invention
35 Problem to be solved by the invention
[0004]

In the above-mentioned prior art, when a tractor travels on a flat ground, the three idling wheels arranged in the front-rear direction together support a load, by being brought into contact with the ground at the same time through the crawler track. However, when front and rear idling wheels run on obstacles, such as stones, an intermediate idling wheel 5 may be lifted and cannot support the load, i.e., the entire load is supported solely by the two (front and rear) idling wheels.
Especially, in a case where a load is on a rear portion of the track frame, when the front idling wheel runs on an obstacle, such as stone, a load on the rearmost idling wheel becomes excessive, leading to larger vertical vibration of the track frame. 10 [0005]
The object of the present invention is to provide a crawler travel unit that solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior arts.
Means to solve the problem
15 [0006]
In a first feature according to the present invention, the crawler type travel unit includes: a rear axle case of a travel machine body; a track frame swingably supported by the rear axle case through a rocking shaft; a front driven wheel disposed on a front end portion of the track frame; a rear driven wheel disposed on a rear end portion of the track
20 frame; at least three idling wheels aligned between the front driven wheel and the rear driven wheel at intervals in a longitudinal direction; a rear axle supported by the rear axle case; a drive wheel which is disposed upward of a longitudinal intermediate portion of the track frame and is configured to receive a power transmitted from the rear axle; and a crawler belt wrapped around the drive wheel, the front driven wheel, the rear driven wheel
25 and the idling wheels, wherein each of two idling wheels on a rear side of the at least three idling wheels is pivoted on a first rocking link, and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the first rocking link is pivoted on the track frame through a first pivot shaft. [0007]
In a second feature of the crawler type travel unit according to the present
30 invention, the at least three idling wheels is four idling wheels composed of the two idling wheels on the rear side and two idling wheels on a front side relative to the two idling wheels on the rear side, and each of the two idling wheels on the front side is pivoted on a second rocking link, and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the second rocking link is pivoted on the track frame through a second pivot shaft.
35 [0008]
In a third feature of the crawler type travel unit according to the present invention,

the at least three idling wheels is three idling wheels composed of the two idling wheels on the rear side and one idling wheel on a front side relative to the two idling wheels on the rear side, a horizontal distance during contact with the ground between a center of the rocking shaft and a center of a spindle of the front driven wheel is set longer than a 6 horizontal distance between the center of the rocking shaft and a center of a spindle of the rear driven wheel, and the rocking shaft is disposed downward of a center of the drive wheel, so as to give an upward force to a front portion of the travel unit when tension is applied to the crawler belt, and a horizontal distance between the center of the rocking shaft and a center of the first pivot shaft is set shorter than a horizontal distance between
10 the center of the rocking shaft and a wheel shaft of the idling wheel on the front side. [0009]
In a fourth feature of the crawler type travel unit according to the present invention, a horizontal distance during contact with the ground between a center of the rocking shaft and a center of a spindle of the front driven wheel is set longer than a
15 horizontal distance between the center of the rocking shaft and a center of a spindle of the rear driven wheel, and the rocking shaft is disposed downward of a center of the drive wheel, so as to give an upward force to a front portion of the travel unit when tension is applied to the crawler belt, and a horizontal distance between the center of the rocking shaft and a center of the first pivot shaft is set shorter than a horizontal distance between
20 the center of the rocking shaft and a center of the second pivot shaft. [0010]
In a fifth feature of the crawler type travel unit according to the present invention, the rocking shaft is disposed at a position immediately below a center of the drive wheel and optionally displaced frontward from the position.
25 In a sixth feature of the crawler type travel unit according to the present invention,
the first pivot shaft of the first rocking link has a height which is substantially the same as a height of a wheel shaft of each of the idling wheels on the rear side, and is arranged in the middle between the wheel shafts.
In a seventh feature of the crawler type travel unit according to the present
30 invention, the second pivot shaft of the second rocking link has a height which is substantially the same as a height of a wheel shaft of each of the idling wheels on the front side, and is arranged in the middle between the wheel shafts. [0011]
In an eighth feature of the crawler type travel unit according to the present
35 invention, a tension adjusting mechanism configured to support the front driven wheel and to bias the front driven wheel in a direction that adjusts tension is provided on a front

portion of the track frame, and the tension adjusting mechanism includes: an axle support
configured to support a spindle of the front driven wheel from both sides of the spindle;
and a pair of right and left tension springs configured to frontward bias the axle support.
[0012]
6 The crawler travel unit having the above-mentioned configurations has the
following effects.
For example, when the idling wheel on the front side runs on an obstacle M, such
as stone, two idling wheels on the rear side each pivoted on the first rocking link are
brought into contact with the ground at the same time due to the swing of the rocking link, 10 and therefore, the load on the rear portion of the track frame is shared by the two idling
wheels on the rear side, and the load on the idling wheel on the front side can be reduced
as well.
In addition, when the idling wheel on the front side of the two rear idling wheels
runs on an obstacle, the rearmost idling wheel is lowered due to the seesaw-like swing of 15 the rocking link, which suppresses the lifting of the pivot shaft of the rocking link, and
then suppresses vibration of the track frame.
Effect of the invention [0013]
20 According to the present invention, when the idling wheel on the front side runs
on an obstacle, such as stone, two idling wheels on the rear side are brought into contact with the ground at the same time due to the swing of the rocking link, and therefore, the load is shared by the two idling wheels on the rear side. The load on the idling wheel on the front side, in addition to the load on the idling wheel on the rear side, can be reduced
25 as well, and vertical vibration of the track frame can be reduced.
Best mode for carrying out the invention [0014]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to 30 the drawings. Various embodiments will be disclosed, and a combination of a feature of one embodiment with a feature of another embodiment is also encompassed in the present invention.
Example 1 35 [0015]
FIGs. 1 to 5 and 7 illustrate a first embodiment. In FIG. 7, an entire tractor T is

shown. The tractor T with a crawler travel unit 1 has a travel machine body 30. The travel machine body 30 includes an engine E, a transmission case 31, a front axle frame (not shown) and the like. The tractor T has a front wheel as a steering control wheel which can be power-driven, attached to the front axle frame. The engine is covered with 5 a bonnet, and an operation part and a driver's seat are held in a cabin or ROPS. in a rear portion of the travel machine body 30, a rear working machine (implement), such as a rotary cultivator, is towed or supported through a hydraulic pressure device and a three-point link mechanism (H). Hereinbelow, the descriptions will be made with reference to the drawings showing a left side of the crawler travel unit 1, but the
10 corresponding members are similarly arranged on a right side of the crawler travel unit 1. [0016]
The crawler travel unit 1 has: a track frame 2 made of a squared column material, plate material, pipe material or the like; a front driven wheel (adjustmg wheel) 3 configured to adjust tension; a rear driven wheel 4 which loosely rotates; and idling
15 wheels 5 arranged between the front driven wheel 3 and the rear driven wheel 4, with these wheels being aligned in a front-rear direction and supported by the track frame 2. A drive wheel 6 is arranged upward of the idling wheels 5, and a crawler belt 7 is wrapped around the front driven wheel (adjusting wheel) 3, the rear driven wheel 4, the idling wheels 5 and the drive wheel 6. The track frame 2 is swingable about a rocking shaft 8
20 which is in parallel with an axis of the drive wheel 6 and positioned downward of the axis. The front driven wheel 3 is rotatably supported through a support shaft 3A by a free end of a downward sloping tension adjusting mechanism 9 which is attached to a front end of an upper face of the track frame 2. [0017]
25 The tension adjusting mechanism 9 for adjusting tension of the crawler belt 7
includes: a support 11 fixed to a ramp 2a in the upper face of the track frame 2 which is frontward downslope; an axle support 10 which is supported slidably in a longitudinal direction by the support 11 and in turn supports a spindle 3 A of the front driven wheel 3; a tension spring 12 configured to bias the axle support 10 to a front driven wheel 3 side; and
30 a sag correction unit 13 configured to shift the axle support 10 to the front driven wheel 3 side to thereby absorb loosening of the crawler belt 7, if any. A numeral 17 in FIG. 1 indicates a cover over the tension adjusting mechanism 9. [0018]
The axle support 10 includes: a support plate 10a which is in parallel with the
35 support 11; a pair of right and left bearings 1 Ob protruding from a front face of the support plate 10a, which is for supporting the spindle 3A from right and left sides; and a pair of

right and left guide rods 10c protruding from a rear face of the support plate 10a, which
are inserted into corresponding holes in the support 11. On each of the right and left
guide rods 10c, the tension spring 12 is disposed.
[0019]
5 The sag correction unit 13 includes: an inner cylinder 14 fixed to the rear face of
the support plate 10a of the axle support 10; an outer cylinder 15 which is fixed to the
ramp 2a and fits onto the inner cylinder 14; a pusher 16 which is disposed inside the inner
cylinder 14 and configured to push the axle support 10 frontward relative to the support 11.
The pusher 16 has a hydraulic structure configured to prevent the axle support 10 from 10 regressing by intrusion of grease thereinto, when the crawler beh 7 is loosened and the
axle support 10 shifts fi-ontward. It should be noted that the pusher 16 may be a push
screw type.
The inner cylinder 14 and the outer cylinder 15, each in a shape of a cylinder, are
fitted to each other, with the inner cylinder 14 slidable in the outer cylinder 15, and form a 15 yoke part for supporting the front driven wheel 3. Accordingly, as compared with a case
where each of the inner cylinder 14 and the outer cylinder 15 is in a squared cylinder
shape, gaps can be made smaller and thus rattling sound and friction can be reduced.
[0020]
The pair of the guide rods 10c side by side serve as stopper for preventing a 20 rotational movement of the axle support 10. The right and left guide rods 10c have the
respective tension springs 12 provided thereon, which together serve as a double
suspension structure to support the front driven wheel 3, leading to increase in a right-left
direction stability and a lasting quality in tension adjustment by the front driven wheel 3.
[0021]
25 A rear end of the track frame 2 is in a two-pronged shape, by which a spindle 4A
of the rear driven wheel 4 is rotatably supported through a pair of right and left bearings
18.
The idling wheels 5 has a smaller diameter than those of the front driven wheel 3
and the rear driven wheel 4, and three idling wheels 5 supported by corresponding wheel 30 shafts 5A are arranged on the track frame 2 at intervals m the front-rear direction. As
best shown in FIG. 4, each idling wheel 5 is formed of a pair of idling wheels arranged
side by side with a gap therebetween. Each of this pair of idling wheels may be rotatable
independently of each other, or may be rotatable uniformly.
[0022]
35 Of the idling wheels 5, one idling wheel 5 on a front side has the wheel shaft 5A
supported through a single bracket 24 (FIG. 2) fixed to a lower face of the track frame 2.

Of the idling wheels 5, two idling wheels 5 on a rear side (positioned at an intermediate portion and a rear portion) have the respective wheel shafts 5A pivoted on a rocking link 20. A longitudinal intermediate portion of the rocking link 20 is pivoted swingably m a seesaw manner, through a pivot shaft 22, on a bracket 21 fixed to the track frame 2. The 5 rocking link 20 is also called "equalizer link", "swing arm", "balance (scale) link", or "swing member". [0023]
A height of the pivot shaft 22 of the rocking link 20 may be, as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, set higher than a height of the wheel shaft 5A of the idling wheel 5, or may be, as
10 shown in FIG. 5, set substantially the same as the height of the wheel shaft 5A of the idling wheel 5. In addition, in the drawing, a distance Tl from the pivot shaft 22 to the intermediate idling wheel 5 and a distance T2 from the pivot shaft 22 to the rear idling wheel 5 are set the same, and alternatively, one of them may be set longer than the other. In this specification, unless otherwise specifically defined, a distance between two
15 members means a distance between a center of one member and a center of the other. [0024]
A horizontal distance SI between the rocking shaft 8 and the pivot shaft 22 of the rocking link 20 is set shorter than a horizontal distance S2 between the rocking shaft 8 and the wheel shaft 5A of the front idling wheel 5, so that the load is supported by the track
20 frame 2, mainly with the two rear idling wheels 5, rather than with the front idling wheel 5.
The drive wheel 6 is a sprocket (a drive transmission member in a shape of a disk with cogs on an outer circumference thereof) fitted to an outer end face of a rear axle (driving shaft) 33. The rear axle 33 is supported by a rear axle case 34 protruding
25 laterally from a rear portion of the transmission case 31 forming the travel machine body 30 and outward protrudes further from the rear axle case 34. In the case of a tractor with wheels, a tire is attached instead of the drive wheel 6. [0025]
A pitch circle diameter 6P of the drive wheel 6 is set approximately half of a
30 diameter of an outer circumference of the tire, and in a power transmission system of the front wheel, a decelerator is incorporated in order to make a circumferential velocity of the front wheel approximately equivalent to that of the drive wheel 6. It should be noted that there may be installed a transmission for making the circumferential velocity of the front wheel larger than the circumferential velocity of the drive wheel 6.
35 Since the drive wheel 6 is arranged upward of the idling wheel 5, the drive wheel
6, the front driven wheel 3 and the rear driven wheel 4 form a triangle shape, with the

drive wheel 6 corresponding to an upper vertex of the triangle, and the front driven wheel 3 and the rear driven wheel 4 corresponding to lower vertices. When wrapped around all of the wheels, the crawler belt 7 is arranged in a shape of an approximate triangle as a side view, with the idling wheel 5 positioned on a base of the approximate triangle. The 5 crawler belt 7 is also called "(elastic) caterpillar", or "endless track". [0026]
The crawler belt 7 may be a crawler belt made of iron, and alternatively, may be a crawler track made of rubber with tensile bodies embedded therein in a circumferential direction, as in the present case. In a center portion in a width direction, engagement
10 holes for engaging with cogs (engagement protrusions) of the drive wheel 6 are formed at even intervals in a circumferential direction, in an outer circumferential ground contact surface, a plurality of protruding lugs with a set pattern are formed, while in an inner periphery, protrusions for preventing wheel detachment are formed. As for the set pattern of lugs, various shapes can be used, including those of the prior arts, such as linear
15 bars each extending in a transverse direction, and pairs of longitudinally extending linear bars each pair having a space therebetween which becomes larger towards a rear portion. The crawler belt 7 may have cored bars as tensile body each extending in the width direction, which are embedded at even intervals in a circumferential direction. [0027]
20 On the track frame 2, there stands an extending stage 36 formed of a plate
material extending from a main body of the track frame 2 to a travel machine body 30 side. On the extending stage 36, a swing support 35 is fixed with bolts, while an upper portion of the swing support 35 is supported by the rocking shaft 8 which is a horizontal and transversal shaft supported by a reinforcing frame 37.
25 [0028]
The reinforcing frame 37 includes: mounting frames 38 fixed to the corresponding right and left rear axle cases 34 with bolts; and a connecting member 39 which is fixed to a lower face of the transmission case 31 with bolts and is cormected to the corresponding mounting frames 38 at right and left ends of the cormecting member 39.
80 On a top stop plate 38a of the mounting frame 38, a cabin support stage 40 is mounted.
The rocking shaft 8 is attached to the mounting frames 38 located on both sides in the reinforcing frame 37, and the swing support 35 is swingably fitted to the rocking shaft 8. An axis of the rocking shaft 8 is in parallel with an axis of the rear axle 33 and located downward of the axis of the rear axle 33. The axis of the rocking shaft 8 may be located
35 at a position immediately below the rear axle 33, and alternatively may be further displaced frontward by a distance K from the position immediately below the rear axle 33,

and serves as a swing center of the track frame 2 in the front-rear direction (vertical
direction at the front and rear ends of the track frame 2).
[0029]
In the crawler travel unit 1 m a shape of an approximate triangle as a side view, a 5 horizontal distance between the rear axle 33 and the front driven wheel 3 is set longer than
a horizontal distance between the rear axle 33 and the rear driven wheel 4, and a
horizontal distance LI between the rocking shaft 8 and the front driven wheel 3 is set
longer than a horizontal distance L2 between the rocking shaft 8 and the rear driven wheel
4.
10 In the case where the axis of the rocking shaft 8 is located at the position
immediately below the rear axle 33 or displaced frontward from the position, and at the
same time, where the horizontal distance LI frontward of the axis of the rocking shaft 8 of
the crawler travel made 1 is made longer to some extent than the horizontal distance
rearward, if the crawler travel unit 1 is lifted and tension is applied to the crawler belt 7, a 15 front portion of the crawler travel unit 1 tends to be lifted to balance tensions, between
tension from the drive wheel 6 to the front driven wheel 3, and tension from the drive
wheel 6 to the rear driven wheel 4. When the crawler fravel unit 1 is brought into contact
with the ground under this condition, an upward force is given to the front portion of the
travel unit. Because of this upward force, running on the obstacle is facilitated, which 20 enhances a traveling performance of the crawler travel unit 1 on the farm ground, leading
to increase in a fravel stability and a traction power.
[0030]
As shown in FIGs. 1 and 4, the front and rear driven wheels 3,4 are positioned
higher than a horizontal tangent line of the idling wheels 5 on a ground side (i.e., an inner 25 periphery of the crawler belt 7) by a height H, and even when the front driven wheel 3 is
shifted away and downward from a center of the crawler belt 7 by the tension adjustment,
the front driven wheel 3 is always kept above the tangent line.
The ftmction of the three idling wheels 5 according to the first embodiment will
be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 1,2 and 5.
30 When traveling on a flat ground as shown in FIG. 5(A), like in the prior art, three
wheels are brought into contact at the same time with the crawler belt 7, i.e., the farm
ground.
[0031]
When the front idling wheel 5 runs on an obstacle M as shown in FIG. 5(B), the 35 rocking link 20 swings in a seesaw manner and exerts an effect of distributing the load
(which is called "equalizer effect"), and the rear idling wheel 5 and also the intermediate

idling wheel 5 are brought into contact with the ground at the same time. Since the horizontal distance SI between the rocking shaft 8 and the pivot shaft 22 is shorter than the horizontal distance S2 between the rocking shaft 8 and the front idling wheel 5, the load on the pivot shaft 22 becomes larger and the load on the front idling wheel 5 becomes 5 smaller in the case of the present invention where the load is supported by the front idling wheel 5 and the pivot shaft 22, as compared with the conventional case where the load is supported by two wheels, i.e., the front idling wheel 5 and the rear idling wheel 5. [0032]
The thus exerted larger load is shared at the same time by the intermediate idling
10 wheel 5 and the rear idling wheel 5, through the rocldng link 20 pivoted on the pivot shaft 22. Since the load is shared by the intermediate idling wheel 5 and the rear idling wheel 5, the load on the rear idling wheel 5 becomes smaller, as compared with the conventional case where the load is supported by two wheels, i.e., the front idling wheel 5 and the rear idling wheel 5.
15 [0033]
Therefore, when the front idling wheel 5 runs on the obstacle M, three wheels share the load, and the load on the front idling wheel 5 becomes relatively small, which reduces the load that tends to suppress a lifting force on a front driven wheel 3 side.
Accordingly, by setting the horizontal distance LI during contact with the ground
20 between the rocking shaft 8 and the front driven wheel 3 longer than the horizontal distance L2 between the rocking shaft 8 and the rear driven wheel 4, an upward force is imparted to the front portion of the travel unit when tension is applied to the crawler belt 7. As a result, it is secured that running on an obstacle in paddy field or wet paddy becomes smooth, and that a traveling performance is enhanced. In addition, since the rear idling
25 wheel 5 does not give a localized large load to the crawler belt 7, damage on the inner periphery of the crawler belt 7 is reduced. [0034]
When the intermediate idling wheel 5 runs on the obstacle M as shown in FIG. 5(C), the rocking link 20 swings and the intermediate idling wheel 5 and also the rear
30 idling wheel 5 are brought into contact with the ground at the same time. Since the pivot shaft 22 is located between the intermediate idling wheel 5 and the rear idling wheel 5, like in the case where the front idling wheel 5 runs on the obstacle M, a vertical movement of the pivot shaft 22 supporting the rocking link 20 becomes smaller than a vertical movement of the intermediate idling wheel 5 in the conventional case where the load is
35 supported by two wheels, i.e., the front idling wheel 5 and the rear idling wheel 5. As a result, vibration of the travel machine body 30 is reduced.

[0035]
When the intermediate idling wheel 5 runs on the obstacle M, not just one but both of the front idling wheel 5 and the rear idling wheel 5 are brought into contact with the ground and thus both share the load; when the rear idling wheel 5 runs on the obstacle 5 M, not only the front idling wheel 5 but also the intermediate idling wheel 5 is brought into contact with the ground and thus both share the load, which reduces the maximum load per wheel.
FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment. The intermediate portion of the track frame 2 has four idling wheels 5 aligned at intervals in the front-rear direction. Two
10 idling wheels 5 on the front side and two idling wheels 5 on the rear side are pivoted on rocking links 20F,20R, respectively. Longitudinal intermediate portions of the respective rocking links 20F,20R are pivoted on the track frame 2, through pivot shafts 22F,22R, respectively. The horizontal distance SI between the rocking shaft 8 and the rear pivot shaft 22R is set shorter than a horizontal distance S3 between the rocking shaft 8 and the
15 front pivot shaft 22F.
The two idling wheels 5 on the rear side pivoted on the rocking link 20R on the rear side have the same load-supporting effect as that of the first embodiment; and the two idling wheels 5 on the front side pivoted on the rocking link 20F on the front side also have a similar effect to the above.
20 [0036]
In combination with the fact that front and rear driven wheels 3,4 are positioned higher than the horizontal tangent line of the idling wheel 5 on a ground side by the height H, since the four idling wheels 5 including the front and rear wheels are pivoted on the respective front and rear rocking links 20F,20R, the load is shared by bringing the four
25 idling wheels 5 into contact with the ground at the same time due to the above-described equalizer effect. As a result, the load on the rocking link 20F can be reduced, and vibration of the track frame 2 can be suppressed.
It should be noted that, the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention would be most preferable when the shapes of the members and the positional relationships
30 in terms of the front-rear, lateral and vertical directions are as illustrated in FIGs. 1 to 6. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the members and configurations may be altered, or various combinations thereof may be adopted. [0037]
35 For example, the rocking shaft 8 may be disposed at a position below the center
of the drive wheel 6, and at the same time, far backward from a position immediately

below, as long as an upward force is given to the front portion when tension is applied to
the crawler belt 7. When the idling wheels 5 are composed of four wheels, only the two
rear wheels may be supported by the rocking link 20, and the remaining two front wheels
may be separately supported by the track frame 2. 5
Industrial applicability
[0038]
The present invention can be utilized as a crawler travel unit mountable on a rear
portion of a tractor or the like. 10
Brief description of drawings
[0039]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a relevant part thereof. 15 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a relevant part thereof.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional rear view thereof.
FIG. 5 shows diagrams illustrating an equalizer effect of idling wheels.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing an entire tractor. 20
Explanation of reference numerals
[0040]
T tractor
1 crawler travel unit
25 2 track frame
3 front driven wheel
4 rear driven wheel
5 idling wheel 5A wheel shaft
30 6 drive wheel
7 crawler
8 rocking shaft 20 rocking link 22 pivot shaft
35

Claims
1. A crawler type travel unit comprising:
a rear axle case (34) of a travel machine body (30);
a track frame (2) swingably supported by the rear axle case (34) through a 5 rocking shaft (8);
a front driven wheel (3) disposed on a front end portion of the frack frame (2);
a rear driven wheel (4) disposed on a rear end portion of the frack frame (2);
at least three idling wheels (5) aligned between the front driven wheel (3) and the
rear driven wheel (4) at intervals in a longitudinal direction;
10 a rear axle (33) supported by the rear axle case (34);
a drive wheel (6) which is disposed upward of a longitudinal intermediate portion of the track frame (2) and is configured to receive a power transmitted from the rear axle (33); and
a crawler belt (7) wrapped around the drive wheel (6), the front driven wheel (3), 15 the rear driven wheel (4) and the idling wheels (5),
wherein each of two idling wheels (5) on a rear side of the at least three idling wheels (5) is pivoted on a first rocking link (20), and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the first rocking link (20) is pivoted on the track frame (2) through a first pivot shaft (22).
20 2. The crawler type travel unit according to Claim 1, wherein
the at least three idling wheels (5) is four idling wheels (5) composed of the two idling wheels (5) on the rear side and two idling wheels (5) on a front side relative to the two idling whpels (5) on the rear side, and
each of the two idling wheels (5) on the front side is pivoted on a second rocking 25 link (20), and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the second rocking link (20) is pivoted on the frack frame (2) through a second pivot shaft (22F).
3. The crawler type travel unit according to Claim 1, wherein
the at least three idling wheels (5) is three idling wheels (5) composed of the two 30 idling wheels (5) on the rear side and one idling wheel (5) on a front side relative to the two idling wheels (5) on the rear side,
a horizontal distance (LI) during contact with the ground between a center of the
rocking shaft (8) and a center of a spindle (3 A) of the front driven wheel (3) is set longer
than a horizontal distance (L2) between the center of the rocking shaft (8) and a center of a
35 spindle (4A) of the rear driven wheel (4), and the rocking shaft (8) is disposed downward
of a center of the drive wheel (6), so as to give an upward force to a front portion of the

travel unit when tension is applied to the crawler belt (7), and
a horizontal distance (SI) between the center of the rocking shaft (8) and a center of the first pivot shaft (22) is set shorter than a horizontal distance (S2) between the center of the rocking shaft (8) and a wheel shaft (5 A) of the idling wheel (5) on the front side. 5
4. The crawler type travel unit according to Claim 2, wherem
a horizontal distance (LI) during contact with the ground between a center of the rocking shaft (8) and a center of a spindle (3 A) of the front driven wheel (3) is set longer than a horizontal distance (L2) between the center of the rocking shaft (8) and a center of a 10 spindle (4A) of the rear driven wheel (4), and the rocking shaft (8) is disposed downward of a center of the drive wheel (6), so as to give an upward force to a front portion of the travel unit when tension is applied to the crawler belt (7), and
a horizontal distance (SI) between the center of the rocking shaft (8) and a center of the first pivot shaft (22R) is set shorter than a horizontal distance (S3) between the 15 center of the rocking shaft (8) and a center of the second pivot shaft (22F).
5. The crawler type travel unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein
the rocking shaft (8) is disposed at a position immediately below a center of the drive wheel (6) and optionally displaced frontward from the position. 20
6. The crawler type travel unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein
the first pivot shaft (22,22R) of the first rocking link (20) has a height which is substantially the same as a height of a wheel shaft (5 A) of each of the idling wheels (5) on the rear side, and is arranged in the middle between the wheel shafts (5 A). 25
7. The crawler type travel unit according to Claim 2 or 4, wherein
the second pivot shaft (22F) of the second rocking link (20) has a height which is substantially the same as a height of a wheel shaft (5A) of each of the idling wheels (5) on the front side, and is arranged in the middle between the wheel shafts (5A). 30
8. The crawler type travel unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein
a tension adjusting mechanism (9) configured to support the front driven wheel
(3) and to bias the front driven wheel (3) in a direction that adjusts tension is provided on a
front portion of the track frame (2),
35 the tension adjusting mechanism (9) comprising: an axle support (10) configured
to support a spindle (3A) of the front driven wheel (3) from both sides of the spindle (3A);

and a pair of right and left tension springs (12) configured to frontward bias the axle support (10).