A CONVEYING AND CLEARING CHAIN ARRANGEMENT FOR TRACK MAINTENANCE MACHINES

摘要

An arrangement for excavating bulk material from a track bed and for conveying the excavated bulk material, which comprises an endless driven excavating and conveying chain vertically adjustably mounted on a frame of a track working machine, and a guide wherein the chain is guided in an endless path. The chain is comprised of a succession of chain links and joints connecting adjacent chain links, the joints having two pivoting axles for the adjacent chain links, the axles extending perpendicularly to each other to permit pivoting of the chain links. The guide includes two longitudinal guide sections, an excavated bulk material discharge station at adjacent upper longitudinal guide section ends, and a transverse guide section connecting the lower longitudinal guide section ends opposite to the discharge station, the longitudinal guide sections forming transition portions at the lower ends for connection to the transverse guide section, the transition portions being bent in a direction extending substantially parallel to the plane of the track bed. Guide elements for the chain links guide the chain longitudinally along the transition portions. A chain guide roller in each transition portion deflects the chain from a respective longitudinal guide section to the transverse guide section.