Abstract: A track assembly is to be mounted on a drive axle of a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, at least one leading idler wheel mounted to the front of the frame for rotation about a transverse leading idler wheel axis, at least one trailing idler wheel mounted to the rear of the frame for rotation about a traverse trailing idler wheel axis parallel to the leading idler wheel axis, a single drive wheel assembly, and at least two slide rails. The slide rails have corresponding forward-facing portions, central portions, and rearward-facing portions. The forward-facing portions project from the front ends of the central portions by a projection that is greater than a length of the central portions. A vehicle having the track assembly is also described.

Abstract: A track system for a vehicle has an attachment assembly mountable to a chassis of a vehicle and defining an attachment-assembly-pivotable connector pivot axis; a track assembly including a support frame disposed laterally outward from the attachment assembly, the support frame including a leading frame assembly and a trailing frame assembly, each frame assembly including a frame member connectable to the attachment assembly pivotable connector and a frame-suspension pivotable connector; at least one wheel-load-bearing connector, and at least one idler wheel being at least indirectly connected to the frame member via the at least one wheel-load-bearing connector. The track system further has a sprocket wheel, an endless track, and a suspension assembly having a forward suspension pivotable connector, a rearward suspension pivotable connector, and a suspension member operatively connected to the forward suspension pivotable connector and to the rearward suspension pivotable connector.

Abstract: An attachment system for attaching an implement mounting assembly to a vehicle. The attachment system includes a vehicle attachment component that is fastenable to a front portion of the frame of the vehicle, and a frame attachment component that is removably attachable to the vehicle attachment component on one end via a securing axis, and pivotably attachable to the implement assembly on another end about a pivoting axis. When fastened to the vehicle, the vehicle attachment component is located upward from the underside of the frame. When the frame attachment component is attached to the vehicle attachment component, the securing axis is located upward from the underside portion of the frame, and the pivoting axis is located downward therefrom.

Abstract: Track system for a vehicle having a chassis and a drive shaft extending laterally outwardly from the chassis includes: An attachment assembly having a pivot. A multi-member frame assembly including: a leading frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the pivot for pivoting about a pivot axis; a trailing frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the pivot for pivoting about the pivot axis; a leading wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the leading frame member; a trailing wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the trailing frame member. A damper interconnecting the leading frame member and the trailing frame member. A leading idler wheel assembly; a trailing idler wheel assembly; support wheel assemblies; a gearbox; a sprocket wheel; and an endless track.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to vehicle and machinery in agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and powersport. It further generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies used with such vehicles. The track system comprises a drive wheel and a plurality of idler wheels mounted on a support frame. At least one of the plurality of wheels is operatively mounted on the support frame via a damping system adapted to provide a damping value dynamically varying as a function of the load applied. Track systems do not benefit from the damping provided by the layer of air within the tires. The disclosed damping system has the objective to overcome one this drawback by providing a smooth ride for tracked vehicles. The damping system comprises a cylinder fluidly connected to a reservoir. Damping ratio is varied by varying a flow circulating area between the cylinder and the reservoir.

Abstract: Endless track system tensioning system comprising: Tensioner having a cylinder and a piston within the cylinder forming a variable volume chamber containing liquid. Reservoir containing liquid and gas fluidly connected to the cylinder chamber. Conduit fluidly connected between the chamber and the reservoir allowing liquid to flow therebetween to move a position of the piston. The gas applying hydrostatic pressure to liquid biasing the piston toward an extended position, biasing an idler wheel assembly against an endless track. Valve disposed along the conduit for controlling liquid flow through the conduit, movable between: Open position in which liquid is allowed to flow, rendering piston movable, allowing for relative movement between a frame and an idler wheel assembly. Closed position in which liquid is prevented from flowing rendering piston effectively immovable within the chamber, effectively preventing relative movement between frame and idler wheel assembly.

Abstract: A track system comprising a dynamic tensioning device located between an idler wheel and the support frame as to apply proper tension in the track. The dynamic tensioning device is adapted to block at its current length upon the occurrence of a determined condition. The dynamic tensioner is adapted to substantially maintain its length when an acceleration and or deceleration of the track system reaches a predetermined value. For instance, such characteristic is relevant in an event of emergency braking. A dynamic tensioner would become contracted and the tension in the endless track would become too low. A low tension could cause the endless track to ratchet.

Abstract: A grouser assembly is selectively attachable to an endless track having a carcass, side edges and traction lugs. The grouser assembly includes a body having top and bottom faces. The body includes a recess defined in the bottom face that is shaped to receive a traction lug of the endless track. The grouser assembly further includes ground-contacting projections connected to the body and extending away from the top face, and first and second attachment assemblies connected to the body. The second attachment assembly has an attached configuration and a released configuration, and is positioned relative to the first attachment assembly such that when (i) the traction lug is received in the recess, (ii) the first attachment assembly attaches the grouser assembly to the carcass, and (iii) the second attachment assembly is in the attached configuration, the second attachment assembly attaches the grouser assembly to the endless track.

Abstract: A frame assembly for supporting an implement on a vehicle includes a support frame attachable to the vehicle, a lever pivotable on the support frame between a first and second positions, and a biasing assembly connecting the lever to the support frame. The implement is connectable to the lever via an implement support frame. The biasing assembly is movable between an extended position and a compressed position and is biased toward the extended position. The lever and the biasing assembly define an acute angle that opens toward the vehicle when the support frame is removably attached to the vehicle and the lever is in the first position.

Abstract: An implement mounting assembly is mountable to a vehicle after having been positioned using a retractable cable. The implement mounting assembly has a frame defining a cable routing space, an attachment point to which the cable is attachable, and an auto-release cable management assembly including a hook, first and second underside guide surfaces for guiding the cable towards the hook as the cable retracts, and a gate. The gate is positioned with respect to the hook to be movable between open and closed positions in which the hook is accessible and inaccessible to the cable. The gate is biased towards the closed position. When a tension in the cable is above a threshold tension, the gate moves into the open position and the cable accesses the hook, and when the tension decreases to below the threshold tension, the gate moves towards the closed position releasing the cable from the hook.

Abstract: Damping system for an endless track system, comprising: Damper operatively connectable between frame members for damping relative movement therebetween, including: cylinder and piston movable therewithin forming variable volume chamber containing liquid. Reservoir containing liquid and gas connected to chamber. Conduits connecting chamber to reservoir for allowing liquid to flow therebetween to move the piston. Gas in reservoir applying hydrostatic pressure to liquid, biasing piston toward an extended position and causing piston to move theretowards when load on endless track system is decreased, and causing piston to move toward a retracted position when load on endless track system is increased.

Abstract: Windshield adjustment mechanism includes a support including part of a first pivotable connector and part of a second pivotable connector that are spaced apart from one another. Mechanism includes a mount that has a guideway and part of a third pivotable connector. Mechanism includes a carriage that has part of the first pivotable connector and is slidingly mounted with respect to the guideway. Mechanism includes a link that includes part of the second pivotable connector and part of the third pivotable connector that are spaced apart from one another. First pivotable connector, second pivotable connector, third pivotable connector are positioned, and support, guideway, carriage and link are positioned, oriented and dimensioned, such that sliding of carriage causes simultaneous (i) translating of support and of carriage with respect to mount via translation of first pivotable connector, (ii) pivoting of support with respect to carriage about a first pivotable connector axis.

Abstract: A track for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels for driving the track on a terrain. The track has an endless elastomeric carcass having a wheel-facing side that is mountable onto the plurality of wheels, and a ground-facing side opposite the wheel-facing side. A plurality of elastomeric traction surfaces is positioned on the ground-facing side. Each of the traction surfaces has a first shape when the track is not mounted onto the plurality of wheels. A plurality of primary load distribution members is positioned transversely and distributed longitudinally in the carcass so as to distribute at least parts of downward wheel forces applied by at least one of the wheels when the track is being driven down onto the wheel-facing side of the carcass into the traction surfaces via flexion of the primary load distribution members.

Abstract: A self-detaching support frame system for an implement designed to self-detach from a vehicle by actuation of a release handle located within arm reach of the driver is disclosed. The self-detaching support frame system for an implement allow the user to at least partially, preferably entirely, disengages the support frame assembly by activating a control, preferably a single control such as a handle located near the vehicle steering.

Abstract: An electric actuator to be primarily used on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) having implements such as snow plow is disclosed. The main purpose of the actuator is to allow the driver to rotate the blade when it is not touching the ground without having to get out of the vehicle. The actuator is composed of a stator assembly and a motor assembly. An electric motor is concealed in the motor assembly and drives a screwed or grooved part that engages the threaded or grooved inner surface of the stator assembly. Rotation of the screwed or grooved part induces a translational movement alongside the longitudinal axis of the actuator assembly. The translation movement induces the elongation or the retraction of the actuator depending on the rotating direction of the electric motor.

Abstract: An attachment system for securing an accessory to a vehicle is disclosed. The attachment system generally comprises at least a locking mechanism mountable to, or integral with, the accessory, and a base mounted to, or integral with, the vehicle. The locking mechanism generally comprises an actuator configured to actuate or displace at least a pair of locking elements between an inoperative (or unlocked) position and an operative (or locked) position. The base generally comprises at least one opening configured to at least partially receive the locking mechanism. The attachment system generally allows the installation and removal of the accessory by actuating the actuator of the at least one locking mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to vehicle and machinery in agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and powersport. It further generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies used with such vehicles. The track assembly includes components having particular features that, alone or in combination, participate in decreasing the vibrations 5 undergone by the vehicle. According to embodiments, split frames are used with suspension, tandem subassemblies, “tridem subassemblies”, adjustable damping components, drive shaft openings, lowering of resulting the track band tension and rosta assemblies.

Abstract: A steering assembly for supporting a track system on a vehicle includes a steering knuckle, a first member being secured to a top side of the steering knuckle, a second member being secured to a bottom side of the steering knuckle, and a support frame. The support frame has a top portion being secured to the first member, a bottom portion being secured to the second member and being configured to be secured to the track system to support the track system on the vehicle, and a central portion extending between the top portion and the bottom portion of the support frame and being positioned solely on one of the front side and the rear side of the steering knuckle when the steering assembly is in use.

Abstract: A track system for a vehicle having a rear swing arm that is movable between a compressed suspension position and an extended suspension position. The track system has a frame and a dynamic traction device. The frame is pivotably attachable to the swing arm. The dynamic traction device has at least two elongate portions, one of which is movable relative to the other between a retracted position and an extended position and biased toward the retracted position. In use, the elongate portions interconnect the vehicle and the frame. When the vehicle is lifted off terrain, during at least a part of a movement of the swing arm from the compressed suspension position toward the extended suspension position, the dynamic traction device applies a torque to the frame and thereby changes a longitudinal angular position of the frame counter-clockwise relative to a left side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Track system for a vehicle having a chassis and a drive shaft extending laterally outwardly from the chassis includes: An attachment assembly having a leading pivot and a trailing pivot. A multi-member frame assembly including: a leading frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the leading pivot for pivoting about a leading pivot axis; a trailing frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the trailing pivot for pivoting about a trailing pivot axis; a leading wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the leading frame member; a trailing wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the trailing frame member. A damper interconnecting the leading frame member and the trailing frame member. A leading idler wheel assembly; a trailing idler wheel assembly; support wheel assemblies; a gearbox; a sprocket wheel; and an endless track.