Snow thrower track drive
A utility machine includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and an operator control assembly coupled to the frame. The operator control assembly includes controls to operate the utility machine. The utility machine further includes a track drive system coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame and to the drive wheel to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground surface.
1. A utility machine comprising:
a frame;
a prime mover supported by the frame;
an operator control assembly coupled to the frame, the operator control assembly including controls to operate the utility machine; and
a track drive system coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface, the track drive system including
a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover,
an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and
a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel,
wherein the idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame and to the drive wheel to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground surface, and
wherein a portion of the flexible track between the idler wheel and the ground surface is removed from contact with the ground surface when the idler wheel translates upwardly relative to the frame.
2. The utility machine of claim 1 , wherein in a first mode of operation, a virtual plane is defined by a bottom edge of the frame and a lowermost section of the flexible track extending between the drive wheel and the idler wheel, and wherein in a second mode of operation, the idler wheel is moved away from the virtual plane.
3. The utility machine of claim 2 , wherein the idler wheel is releasably securable in a first position corresponding to the first mode of operation and in a second position corresponding to the second mode of operation.
4. The utility machine of claim 2 , wherein in another mode of operation, the idler wheel is moved further away from the virtual plane, and wherein the idler wheel is releasably securable in a first position corresponding to the first mode of operation, in a second position corresponding to the second mode of operation, and in a third position corresponding to the another mode of operation.
5. The utility machine of claim 2 , wherein in another mode of operation, the idler wheel is moved toward the virtual plane.
6. The utility machine of claim 5 , wherein in the another mode of operation, a portion of the flexible track between the drive wheel and the ground surface is removed from contact with the ground surface while the idler wheel and the frame remain in contact with the ground surface in response to the idler wheel being spaced below the virtual plane.
7. The utility machine of claim 1 , wherein the idler wheel is movable toward and away from the controls of the operator control assembly.
8. The utility machine of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator supported by the operator control assembly or the frame, wherein the actuator is operable to allow movement of the idler wheel toward and away from the controls.
9. The utility machine of claim 1 , further comprising an idler wheel adjustment mechanism interposed between the idler wheel and the frame, wherein the idler wheel adjustment mechanism includes
an adjustment bar coupled to and extending from the idler wheel, the adjustment bar having a plurality of notches,
a pin selectively receivable in each of the plurality of notches,
a biasing member for urging the pin into each of the plurality of notches,
an actuator supported by the operator control assembly, and
a linkage member having a first end coupled to the pin and a second end coupled to the actuator,
wherein the actuator is operable to actuate the linkage member and move the pin out of each of the plurality of notches.
10. The utility machine of claim 9 , wherein when the pin is received in one of the plurality of notches, the idler wheel is inhibited from translating relative to the frame, and wherein when the pin is moved out of the plurality of notches, the idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame.
11. The utility machine of claim 1 , wherein the flexible track includes a lowermost section, and wherein the idler wheel is translatable relative to the drive wheel to move the lowermost section relative to the frame.
12. The utility machine of claim 1 , further comprising an idler wheel adjustment mechanism interposed between the idler wheel and the frame, wherein the idler wheel adjustment mechanism includes
a drive mechanism supported by the frame,
a plunger slideably mounted to the frame, the plunger coupled to the idler wheel to translate the idler wheel relative to the frame, and
an actuator supported by the frame or the operator control assembly and connected to the drive mechanism, the actuator operable to activate the drive mechanism, thereby moving the plunger and the idler wheel relative to the frame,
wherein a position of the plunger relative to the frame is infinitely adjustable by the drive mechanism between a retracted position and an extended position.
13. The utility machine of claim 1 , wherein the idler wheel translates along an arcuate path about the drive wheel.
14. The utility machine of claim 1 , wherein the utility machine is a snow thrower including an auger housing supported by the frame and an auger blade rotationally coupled to and disposed within the auger housing.
15. A utility machine comprising:
a frame;
a prime mover supported by the frame;
an operator control assembly coupled to the frame, the operator control assembly including controls to operate the utility machine;
a track drive system coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface, the track drive system including
a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover,
an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and
a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel; and
an idler wheel adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position of the idler wheel relative to the frame, the idler wheel adjustment mechanism including
an adjustment bar coupled to and extending from the idler wheel, the adjustment bar having a first notch and a second notch spaced apart from the first notch, and
a pin selectively received in the first notch to releasably secure the idler wheel in a first position relative to the frame and selectively received in the second notch to releasably secure the idler wheel in a second position that is different than the first position relative to the frame,
wherein a portion of the flexible track between the idler wheel and the ground surface is removed from contact with the ground surface when the idler wheel translates upwardly relative to the frame.
16. The utility machine of claim 15 , wherein the idler wheel is spaced a first vertical distance from the controls when the pin is received in the first notch, and wherein the idler wheel is spaced a second vertical distance from the controls when the pin is received in the second notch, and wherein the adjustment bar includes a third notch spaced apart from the first notch and the second notch, and wherein the pin is selectively received in the third notch to releasably secure the idler wheel in a third position relative to the frame, and wherein the idler wheel is spaced a third vertical distance from the controls when the pin is received in the third notch.
17. The utility machine of claim 15 , wherein the idler wheel adjustment mechanism further includes an actuator supported by the frame or the operator control assembly, and a linkage member having a first end coupled to the pin and a second end coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator is operable to actuate the linkage member to move the pin out of the first notch and the second notch, and wherein the linkage member includes a cable.
18. The utility machine of claim 15 , wherein the idler wheel translates along an arcuate path about the drive wheel.
19. The utility machine of claim 15 , further comprising a virtual plane being defined by a bottom edge of the frame and a lowermost section of the flexible track extending between the drive wheel and the idler wheel, wherein a portion of the flexible track between the drive wheel and the ground surface is removed from contact with the ground surface while the idler wheel and the frame remain in contact with the ground surface in response to the idler wheel being spaced below the virtual plane.
20. The utility machine of claim 15 , wherein the utility machine is a snow thrower including an auger housing supported by the frame and an auger blade rotationally coupled to and disposed within the auger housing.