Mining shovel with bushings at pin locations

Abstract

A cartridge includes a body, an aperture extending through the body sized to receive a pivot pin, and a spherical bushing disposed within the body. The cartridge also includes a first internal seal disposed axially on one side of the bushing and a second internal seal disposed axially on an opposite side of the bushing. The cartridge also includes an end cap disposed at least partially within the aperture that abuts the bushing and prevents the bushing from moving axially in a first direction within the aperture.

1 . A pivot pin assembly comprising:
 a pivot pin having a first end and a second, opposite end spaced from the first end along a central axis; and   an end plate configured to be coupled to the second end of the pivot pin, the end plate having a cylindrical body that includes surfaces that define a viewing through-hole through the body, wherein the viewing through-hole is configured to be offset from the central axis when the end plate is coupled to the pivot pin.   
     
     
         2 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the through-hole is configured to be radially offset from the central axis. 
     
     
         3 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical body includes an inner surface configured to face the second end of the pivot pin, and an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, wherein the through-hole extends from the outer surface to the inner surface. 
     
     
         4 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical body defines an elongate groove along the inner surface, the elongate groove extending along a diameter of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the pivot pin includes surfaces that define an aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the aperture is configured to be axially aligned with the viewing through-hole. 
     
     
         7 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising two fasteners fixed to the second end of the pivot pin. 
     
     
         8 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the cylindrical body of the end plate defines an elongate groove along the inner surface, the elongate groove extending along a diameter of the body, wherein portions of the fasteners are configured to be disposed in the elongate groove. 
     
     
         9 . A mining machine comprising:
 a first machine component;   a second machine component; and   the pivot pin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot pin is coupled to both the first machine component and the second machine component, wherein the pivot pin pivotally couples the first machine component to the second machine component.   
     
     
         10 . The mining machine of  claim 9 , wherein the first machine component is a bail and the second machine component is a dipper. 
     
     
         11 . An end plate for covering an end of a pivot pin, the end plate comprising:
 a cylindrical body having an inner surface and an opposite, outer surface;   a central axis extending through the body;   wherein the body defines an elongate groove along the inner surface, the elongate groove extending along a diameter of the body.   
     
     
         12 . The end plate of  claim 11 , wherein the body includes surfaces that define a viewing through-hole through the body, wherein the viewing through-hole is radially offset from the central axis. 
     
     
         13 . The end plate of  claim 12 , wherein the through-hole extends from the outer surface to the inner surface. 
     
     
         14 . A pivot pin assembly comprising:
 a pivot pin; and   the end plate of  claim 11  coupled to the pivot pin.   
     
     
         15 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the pivot pin extends along the central axis and includes a first end and a second, opposite end, wherein the second end faces the end plate and includes surfaces that define an aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the body includes surfaces that define a viewing through-hole, wherein the aperture is axially aligned with the viewing through-hole. 
     
     
         17 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the pivot pin extends along the central axis and includes a first end and a second, opposite end, wherein the second end faces the end plate, wherein the pivot pin assembly further includes two fasteners fixed to the first end. 
     
     
         18 . The pivot pin assembly of  claim 17 , wherein portions of the fasteners are disposed in the elongate groove. 
     
     
         19 . A mining machine comprising:
 a first machine component;   a second machine component;   a pivot pin coupled to both the first machine component and the second machine component, wherein the pivot pin pivotally couples the first machine component to the second machine component, the pivot pin including a first end and a second end spaced axially from the first end; and   the end plate of  claim 11  coupled to the pivot pin.   
     
     
         20 . The mining machine of  claim 19 , wherein the first machine component is a bail and the second machine component is a dipper.