Track changing apparatus and methods associated therewith

An apparatus for changing an elastomeric endless track on an armored vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

• a hoist member including a concave shape between an upper end and a lower end of the hoist member, the hoist member further including an upper lifting bar;
• and
• a main frame interconnected to the lower end of the hoist member, the main frame selectively rotatable relative to the hoist member between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, the main frame including:
• a variable length upper beam member including upper beam framing interconnecting a first track spreader at a first longitudinal end of the variable length upper beam member and a second track spreader at a second longitudinal end of the variable length upper beam member, wherein the first and second track spreaders are independently and selectively positionable at any position between and including a longitudinally extended position and a longitudinally retracted position;
• a variable length lower beam member interconnected to the variable length upper beam member, the variable length lower beam member including lower beam framing interconnecting first and second road wheel guides situated at corresponding first and second longitudinal ends of the variable length lower beam member, wherein the first and second road wheel guides are selectively positionable at any position between and including a longitudinally extended position and a longitudinally retracted position, the variable length lower beam member further including first and second rotatable standoffs interconnected to the lower beam framing, wherein said first and second rotatable standoffs are selectively positionable at any position between and including a lowered position and an upward position;
• and
• a plurality of variable height connectors interconnecting the variable length upper beam member to the variable length lower beam member, the plurality of variable height connectors selectively positionable at any position between and including an expanded position and a collapsed position;
• wherein the main frame is configured for contacting the elastomeric endless track for mounting the elastomeric endless track to the armored vehicle or removing the elastomeric endless track from the armored vehicle.

A method of installing a track on an armored vehicle, comprising:

• engaging a track changing apparatus with an elastomeric endless track, the engaging including contacting a plurality of powered movable members of the track changing apparatus with the elastomeric endless track to cause the elastomeric endless track to be placed in tension;
• advancing the track changing apparatus toward the armored vehicle to place the elastomeric endless track in mounting proximity with the armored vehicle;
• adjusting tension in the elastomeric endless track by moving at least some of the plurality of powered movable members such that the elastomeric endless track at least partially engages the armored vehicle;
• and
• disengaging the track changing apparatus from the elastomeric endless track such that the elastomeric endless track is attached to the armored vehicle.