# US 9,434,428 B2 · Track pad wear indicator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,428 B2 - Document ID: US9434428B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/298,067 - Filed: 2014-06-06 - Published: 2015-12-10 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-06 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: David J. Hakes; Benoit Abello; Roger E. Lawson; Zoran Marjanovic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434428B2 ## CPC - B62D 55/20: of articulated type, e.g. chains {(with lubrication means B62D55/092)} - B62D 55/21: Links connected by transverse pivot pins - B62D 55/32: Assembly, disassembly, repair or servicing of endless-track systems - Y10T 29/49718: Repairing - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A track pad is disclosed for use for a track type mobile machine having a sprocket and an idler wheel. The track pad may have a first link with a rail surface configured to engage the sprocket and the idler wheel, and a second link oriented generally parallel with the first link and having a rail surface configured to engage the sprocket and the idler wheel. The track pad may also have a shoe connected to the first and second links at a side opposite the rail surfaces, and a wear indicator formed within the rail surface of at least one of the first and second links. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A track pad for a track type mobile machine having a sprocket and an idler wheel, the track pad comprising: a first link having a rail surface configured to engage the sprocket and the idler wheel; a second link oriented generally parallel with the first link and having a rail surface configured to engage the sprocket and the idler wheel; a ground engaging element connected to the first and second links at a side opposite the rail surfaces; and a wear indicator formed within the rail surface of at least one of the first and second links, wherein the wear indicator includes a plurality of recesses formed within the rail surface of at least one of the first and second links. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of recesses has a different depth. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses are formed in a line along a length direction of the at least one of the first and second links. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses are formed in a grid pattern. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein the wear indicator includes at least one hole drilled into the rail surface of at least one of the first and second links. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein the wear indicator includes at least one chevron recessed within the rail surface of at least one of the first and second links. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein the wear indicator includes at least one alpha-numeric symbol recessed within the rail surface of at least one of the first and second links. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein the wear indicator is formed within the rail surfaces of both the first and second links. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein: the wear indicator is a first wear indicator; and the track pad further includes: a drive surface located between the first and second links and configured to engage lugs of the sprocket; and a second wear indicator formed within the drive surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The track pad of claim 1, wherein the first link, the second link, and the shoe are formed as a single integral component. ### Claim 11 A method of retrofitting a track of an existing track type machine with a track pad wear indicator, the method comprising: measuring an amount of wear in links of a track pad forming a portion of the track; and fabricating at least one recess within a least one of the links of the track pad, the at least one recess corresponding with the amount of wear measured in the links. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein fabricating the at least one recess includes fabricating a plurality of recesses, each of the plurality of recesses corresponding with a different amount of material that can be worn away before the track pad should be replaced. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein fabricating the plurality of recesses includes fabricating the plurality of recesses to each have a different depth. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein fabricating the at least one recess includes drilling at least one hole. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further including disconnecting a master link of the track to expose a rail surface of the at least one of the links. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein fabricating at least one recess within a least one of the links includes fabricating at least one recess within each of the links of the track pad. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein: the track pad is a first track pad; and the method further includes: measuring an amount of wear in links of additional track pads forming a portion of the track, a number of the additional track pads being less than all of a remaining number of track pads; and fabricating at least one recess within a least one of the links of each of the additional track pads. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further including: measuring an amount of wear in a drive surface of the track pad; and fabricating at least one recess within the drive surface to have a depth corresponding to the amount of wear measured in the drive surface.