Abstract: A manually-rotatable hubcap for wheel/axle apparatus, the wheel configured to rotate with respect to the axle and having a wheel inner surface substantially parallel to the axle, the hubcap comprising: (a) a hubcap body having a lubrication filling port and a sealing surface facing the wheel inner surface; (b) retention structure for attaching the hubcap body to the wheel; and (c) a seal between the sealing surface and the wheel inner surface.

Abstract: A system for braking a track module of a work vehicle includes a frame, a track module supported relative to the frame, and a computing system. The track module includes an idler wheel, roller wheels, a track extending in an endless loop around the idler and roller wheels, and a tensioning actuator configured to adjust a tension on the track. The tensioning actuator increases the tension on the track from a lower tension to a higher tension when a braking operation in association with the track module is initiated and subsequently reduces the tension on the track from the higher tension to the lower tension when the braking operation is ceased.

Abstract: A track-module apparatus comprising: (a) idler-arm axle structure for a vehicle and having leading and trailing idler-arm axles; (b) a leading idler arm rotatably attached to the leading idler-arm axle and extending forwardly to a leading-arm distal end at which a leading ground-engaging idler wheel is rotatably attached and rearwardly to a rearward suspension end; (c) a trailing idler arm rotatably attached to the trailing idler-arm axle and extending rearwardly to a trailing-arm distal end at which a trailing ground-engaging idler wheel is rotatably attached and forwardly to a forward suspension end; (d) bogie-axle structure (i) affixed to one of the idler arms, (ii) having at least one bogie-arm axle, and (iii) positioning the at least one bogie-arm axle adjacent to and below the idler-arm axle of the idler arm to which it is affixed; (e) leading-arm and trailing-arm suspension elements rotatably attached to and extending downwardly from the rearward and forward suspension ends, respectively, and each havi

Abstract: A manually-rotatable hubcap for wheel/axle apparatus, the wheel configured to rotate with respect to the axle and having a wheel inner surface substantially parallel to the axle, the hubcap comprising: (a) a hubcap body having a lubrication filling port and a sealing surface facing the wheel inner surface; (b) retention structure for attaching the hubcap body to the wheel; and (c) a seal between the sealing surface and the wheel inner surface.

Abstract: A track-module apparatus comprising: (a) idler-arm axle structure for a vehicle and having leading and trailing idler-arm axles; (b) a leading idler arm rotatably attached to the leading idler-arm axle and extending forwardly to a leading-arm distal end at which a leading ground-engaging idler wheel is rotatably attached and rearwardly to a rearward suspension end; (c) a trailing idler arm rotatably attached to the trailing idler-arm axle and extending rearwardly to a trailing-arm distal end at which a trailing ground-engaging idler wheel is rotatably attached and forwardly to a forward suspension end; (d) bogie-axle structure (i) affixed to one of the idler arms, (ii) having at least one bogie-arm axle, and (iii) positioning the at least one bogie-arm axle adjacent to and below the idler-arm axle of the idler arm to which it is affixed; (e) leading-arm and trailing-arm suspension elements rotatably attached to and extending downwardly from the rearward and forward suspension ends, respectively, and each havi

Abstract: A vehicle track module having a frame, the module mountable on a rotatable axle of a vehicle and having a drive wheel rotatably mounted to the frame, leading and trailing idler wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, at least one bogie wheel in contact with the track and positioned between the idler wheels, and a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels, and the at least one bogie wheel is a cylindrical wheel with a tapered elastomeric tire therearound. The track module may include a module center plane parallel to the drive wheel and the bogie wheel may be thicker toward the center plane. A track assembly for a vehicle including a frame for mounting with respect to the vehicle and a plurality of wheels in contact with a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels with at least one wheel being cylindrical and including a tapered elastomeric tire.

Abstract: A vehicle track module having a frame, the module mountable on a rotatable axle of a vehicle and having a drive wheel rotatably mounted to the frame, leading and trailing idler wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, at least one bogie wheel in contact with the track and positioned between the idler wheels, and a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels, and the at least one bogie wheel is a cylindrical wheel with a tapered elastomeric tire therearound. The track module may include a module center plane parallel to the drive wheel and the bogie wheel may be thicker toward the center plane. A track assembly for a vehicle including a frame for mounting with respect to the vehicle and a plurality of wheels in contact with a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels with at least one wheel being cylindrical and including a tapered elastomeric tire.

Abstract: A vehicle track module having a frame, the module mountable on a rotatable axle of a vehicle and having a drive wheel rotatably mounted to the frame, leading and trailing idler wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, at least one bogie wheel in contact with the track and positioned between the idler wheels, and a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels, and the at least one bogie wheel is a cylindrical wheel with a tapered elastomeric tire therearound. The track module may include a module center plane parallel to the drive wheel and the bogie wheel may be thicker toward the center plane. A track assembly for a vehicle including a frame for mounting with respect to the vehicle and a plurality of wheels in contact with a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels with at least one wheel being cylindrical and including a tapered elastomeric tire.

Abstract: Track-module bogie-suspension apparatus for attachment to a track module having a frame, a drive wheel and an endless track. The bogie-suspension apparatus comprises (a) a bogie assembly having a bogie mount, at least one rotatable ground-engaging bogie wheel thereon, and forward and rearward bogie-mount connections; (b) first and second load- and ground-responsive suspension joints spaced from one another in a forward/rearward direction; and (c) leading and trailing suspension elements each having an upper end and a lower end, the upper ends of the leading and trailing suspension elements rotatably attached to the first and second suspension joints, respectively, and the lower ends thereof rotatably attached to the rearward and forward bogie-mount connections, respectively.

Abstract: In vehicle track-module apparatus including a module frame, a drive wheel rotatable with respect to the frame, ground-engaging leading and trailing wheels, at least one ground-engaging bogie wheel, and an endless track extending around the wheels and driven by its engagement with the drive wheel, the improvement comprising: (a) a leading suspension arm rotatable with respect to the frame and extending forwardly to a distal end at which a leading-wheel assembly is rotatably attached and rearwardly to a rearward suspension end; (b) a trailing suspension arm rotatable with respect to the frame and extending rearwardly to a distal end at which a trailing-wheel assembly is rotatably attached and forwardly to a forward suspension end; (c) a bogie assembly having a bogie mount and the at least one bogie wheel rotatable with respect thereto; and (d) leading and trailing suspension elements rotatably attached to and extending from the rearward and forward suspension ends, respectively, to rearward and forward rotatabl

Abstract: Track-module bogie-suspension apparatus for attachment to a track module having a frame, a drive wheel and an endless track. The bogie-suspension apparatus comprises (a) a bogie assembly having a bogie mount, at least one rotatable ground-engaging bogie wheel thereon, and forward and rearward bogie-mount connections; (b) first and second load- and ground-responsive suspension joints spaced from one another in a forward/rearward direction; and (c) leading and trailing suspension elements each having an upper end and a lower end, the upper ends of the leading and trailing suspension elements rotatably attached to the first and second suspension joints, respectively, and the lower ends thereof rotatably attached to the rearward and forward bogie-mount connections, respectively.

Abstract: In vehicle track-module apparatus including a module frame, a drive wheel rotatable with respect to the frame, ground-engaging leading and trailing wheels, at least one ground-engaging bogie wheel, and an endless track extending around the wheels and driven by its engagement with the drive wheel, the improvement comprising: (a) a leading suspension arm rotatable with respect to the frame and extending forwardly to a distal end at which a leading-wheel assembly is rotatably attached and rearwardly to a rearward suspension end; (b) a trailing suspension arm rotatable with respect to the frame and extending rearwardly to a distal end at which a trailing-wheel assembly is rotatably attached and forwardly to a forward suspension end; (c) a bogie assembly having a bogie mount and the at least one bogie wheel rotatable with respect thereto; and (d) leading and trailing suspension elements rotatably attached to and extending from the rearward and forward suspension ends, respectively, to rearward and forward rotatabl

Abstract: A vehicle track module having a frame, the module mountable on a rotatable axle of a vehicle and having a drive wheel rotatably mounted to the frame, leading and trailing idler wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, at least one bogie wheel in contact with the track and positioned between the idler wheels, and a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels, and the at least one bogie wheel is a cylindrical wheel with a tapered elastomeric tire therearound. The track module may include a module center plane parallel to the drive wheel and the bogie wheel may be thicker toward the center plane. A track assembly for a vehicle including a frame for mounting with respect to the vehicle and a plurality of wheels in contact with a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels with at least one wheel being cylindrical and including a tapered elastomeric tire.

Abstract: A continuous flexible track for extending about a plurality of aligned wheels on a vehicle or track module, the track includes an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface having inwardly-projecting wheel-engaging lugs. Each lug has a proximal end, a distal surface, front and back surfaces and opposite side surfaces. Each lug further includes a flex-groove extending between the side surfaces and from the distal surface toward the proximal end, thereby dividing the lug into two portions to allow around-wheel hinging motion. In most preferred embodiments, a lug-receiving cap may be positioned over and replaceably secured with respect to each lug. A method for prolonging the useful life of such a track is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle track-module including an upper drive wheel, a plurality of idler and bogey wheels, and an endless rubber track with spaced lugs which extends around the wheels and is driven by the drive wheel, which has: a middle main plate with a outer edge of first diameter and inward and outward sides forming the exposed inward and outward surfaces of the drive wheel; drive members axially across and projecting radially beyond the main-plate edge to a second diameter, each drive member having axially inward and outward end portions, a middle portion affixed at its middle position to the main-plate edge, and an outer track-engaging surface; and a rigidity ring affixed to the inward end portions of the drive members and having an inner diameter no less than half the first diameter and an outer diameter no greater than the second diameter. In some embodiments, the axial dimension of the track-engaging surfaces of the drive members is at least 50% greater than the axial dimension of the track lugs.

Abstract: A vehicle track-module including an upper drive wheel, a plurality of idler and bogey wheels, and an endless rubber track with spaced lugs which extends around the wheels and is driven by the drive wheel, which has: a middle main plate with a outer edge of first diameter and inward and outward sides forming the exposed inward and outward surfaces of the drive wheel; drive members axially across and projecting radially beyond the main-plate edge to a second diameter, each drive member having axially inward and outward end portions, a middle portion affixed at its middle position to the main-plate edge, and an outer track-engaging surface; and a rigidity ring affixed to the inward end portions of the drive members and having an inner diameter no less than half the first diameter and an outer diameter no greater than the second diameter. In some embodiments, the axial dimension of the track-engaging surfaces of the drive members is at least 50% greater than the axial dimension of the track lugs.

Abstract: A continuous flexible track for extending about a plurality of aligned wheels on a vehicle or track module, the track includes an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface having inwardly-projecting wheel-engaging lugs. Each lug has a proximal end, a distal surface, front and back surfaces and opposite side surfaces. Each lug further includes a flex-groove extending between the side surfaces and from the distal surface toward the proximal end, thereby dividing the lug into two portions to allow around-wheel hinging motion. In most preferred embodiments, a lug-receiving cap may be positioned over and replaceably secured with respect to each lug. A method for prolonging the useful life of such a track is provided.

Abstract: A track apparatus of the type mountable on a rotatable axle of a vehicle is provided with a frame having excellent rigidity. The frame, which is preferably of unique uni-body construction, includes first and second portions that define a drive wheel receipt well therebetween for receiving the drive wheel of the track apparatus.

Abstract: A drive wheel is provided for mounting on a rotatable axle of a vehicle for driving a continuous flexible track. The flexible track includes an inner surface having a plurality of lugs and terminating at terminal surfaces. The drive wheel includes a central hub mountable on the axle of the vehicle for rotational movement therewith. First and second side-surfaces extend radially from the central hub and an outer rim interconnects the radial outer edges of the side-surfaces. It is intended that the terminal surfaces of the lugs engage the outer rim of the drive wheel such that the lugs are supported when the flexible track is driven by the drive wheel.