Hinge assembly for undercarriage system of work machine

An undercarriage system for a work machine, the undercarriage system comprising:

• a track frame;
• a track coupled to the track frame;
• a leg column;
• and
• a hinge assembly including:
• a first bracket assembly disposed proximal to a fore end of the work machine relative to a direction of travel of the work machine, the first bracket assembly including:
• a first bracket coupled with the track frame of the undercarriage system that is coupled with the track of the undercarriage system;
• and
• a second bracket coupled with the leg column of the undercarriage system, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are pivotable relative to each other;
• a second bracket assembly disposed proximal to an aft end of the work machine relative to the direction of travel of the work machine, the second bracket assembly including:
• a third bracket coupled with the track frame;
• and
• a fourth bracket coupled with the leg column,
• wherein the third bracket and the fourth bracket are pivotable relative to each other;
• and
• a coupling member that removably couples the first bracket assembly with the second bracket assembly, wherein the first bracket, the second bracket, the third bracket, and the fourth bracket are in alignment with each other to receive the coupling member, wherein the coupling member allows a pivoting of each of the first bracket relative to the second bracket and the third bracket relative to the fourth bracket to allow a pivoting motion of the track about a lateral axis of the work machine, and wherein the lateral axis is orthogonal to the direction of travel of the work machine.

A method of pivoting a track of an undercarriage system of a work machine, the undercarriage system including a track frame that is coupled with the track of the undercarriage system, the method comprising:

• providing a first bracket assembly proximal to a fore end of the work machine relative to a direction of travel of the work machine, wherein the first bracket assembly includes a first bracket coupled with the track frame of the undercarriage system that is coupled with the track of the undercarriage system and a second bracket coupled with a leg column of the undercarriage system, and wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are pivotable relative to each other;
• providing a second bracket assembly proximal to an aft end of the work machine relative to the direction of travel of the work machine, wherein the second bracket assembly includes a third bracket coupled with the track frame and a fourth bracket coupled with the leg column, wherein the third bracket and the fourth bracket are pivotable relative to each other, and wherein a coupling member of the undercarriage system removably couples the first bracket assembly with the second bracket assembly;
• moving the work machine on a ground surface;
• encountering, by the track, an object or a depression that is present on the ground surface;
• causing, via the coupling member, a pivoting of each of the first bracket relative to the second bracket and the third bracket relative to the fourth bracket;
• and
• pivoting the track about a lateral axis of the work machine based on the pivoting of each of the first bracket relative to the second bracket and the third bracket relative to the fourth bracket, wherein the lateral axis is orthogonal to the direction of travel of the work machine.