Mechanism for detecting misalignment in a continuous belted machine

A tracked work machine having a track roller assembly comprising:

• a track roller frame having a bogie frame pivotally attached thereon;
• a drive wheel mounted on the track roller frame;
• an idler wheel mounted on the track roller frame;
• an endless track belt disposed about the drive and idler wheels, the endless track belt defining an inner surface, a ground-contacting outer surface, and a pair of edges, wherein the endless track belt comprises a plurality of track guide blocks positioned on the inner surface and centrally located between the pair of edges;
• a plurality of supporting mid-rollers located between the drive wheel and the idler wheel and configured to engage the plurality of guide blocks to aid in maintaining alignment of the endless track belt, each of the plurality of mid-rollers comprising a cylindrical shaft mounted on the bogie frame and a pair of mid-roller hubs having respective roller wheels attached thereon mounted on the shaft, with one mid-roller hub and wheel on either side of the bogie frame, wherein each mid-roller hub has a guide facing the plurality of track guide blocks;
• and
• an alignment sensing mechanism positioned adjacent the endless track belt configured to detect a misalignment condition of the endless track belt, the alignment sensing mechanism comprising at least one sensor paddle mounted on the bogie frame adjacent to the mid-roller shaft such that a lower lobe of the sensor paddle resides adjacent the guide blocks of the endless track belt such that sideways movement of the endless track belt causes the guide blocks to contact the sensor paddle before the guide blocks contact the guide on any of the plurality of mid-rollers.