Abstract: A track work vehicle includes a track system including a drive wheel supported by an axle housing that drives a continuous ground-engaging track, a saddle assembly that guides the track about the drive wheel and an undercarriage frame that supports one or more idler wheels that guide the track along a ground surface. The track work vehicle further includes a fender assembly that includes at least one fender coupled to the axle housing to overlap a portion of the track.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending traction band disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, a supporting structure, and idler and/or road wheels. The supporting structure of the traction assembly comprises an independent suspension generally replacing the suspension of the vehicle. In use, the suspension of the vehicle is replaced by a rigid member that can be adjustable in length in a further embodiment. The presence of a suspension in the supporting structure of the traction assembly decreases its unsprung mass.

Abstract: A crawler track chassis is motivated by the reciprocating movement of hydraulic cylinder's piston rod.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies for use as wheel replacement for normally wheeled vehicles. The track system uses a traction band disposed about a sprocket wheel, idler wheels and road wheels for propulsion. The idler wheels and road wheels are typically pivotally mounted to a support frame, itself configured to be coupled to the sprocket wheel via a support member. The track system also comprises a movement limiting link mounted both to the support member and to the vehicle frame. The movement limiting link limits longitudinal and lateral movements of the track system, such as to prevent contact between the track system and the vehicle.

Abstract: A track frame is swingably supported by a rear axle case of a travel machine body through a rocking shaft; front and rear driven wheels are disposed in front and rear end portions of the track frame; at least three idling wheels are disposed on an intermediate portion of the track frame at intervals in a longitudinal direction; a drive wheel which is disposed upward of a longitudinal intermediate portion of the track frame and is configured to receive a power transmitted from a rear axle supported by the rear axle case; and a crawler belt is wrapped around the drive wheel, the front driven wheel, the rear driven wheel and the idling wheels. Two idling wheels on a rear side of the at least three idling wheels are pivoted on a first rocking link, and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the first rocking link is pivoted on the track frame through a first pivot shaft.

Abstract: In order to achieve a solution which assists a farmer in working land in a way which reduces the risk of soil compaction of the land there is, among others, a method of determining a work trajectory to be followed by an agricultural work vehicle. The method includes accessing a soil carry capacity map of an area of land to be worked by the agricultural work vehicle, receiving load data of the agricultural work vehicle so as to determine the agricultural work vehicle load and determining the work trajectory to be followed by the agricultural work vehicle. The work trajectory is determined by correlating the soil carry capacity map and the load data of the agricultural work vehicle, so as to optimize that the area to be worked with low carry capacity is worked with low agricultural work vehicle load.

Abstract: An endless track suspension is comprised of a suspension support beam having an idler wheel assembly connected to a respective one of opposed ends thereof. At least one of the idler wheel assemblies has an endless track binding mechanism. Support wheels are secured to the suspension support beam and project from a lower face thereof. A drive sprocket is secured elevated above the suspension support beam by a support arm. The drive sprocket is secured to a vehicle drive axle by a coupling ring. The drive sprocket, the support wheels and idler wheels constitute an endless track support assembly for supporting an endless track in drivable engagement thereabout. A flexible connection of the drive sprocket support arm and the support wheels absorbs shocks and vibrations transmitted to the vehicle drive axle by the displacement of the endless track over a rough ground surface.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and road wheels, and a guide rail.

Abstract: A track assembly having a drive sprocket capable of concentrically supporting several detachable drive rings containing drive teeth shaped to rotate without interfering with track support idler wheels, to provide a reduced center of gravity and substantially provide the same vehicle operating characteristic with tracks as with wheels. A track retainer guide member mounts along a peripheral edge of the track and overlies the track to resist track dislodgement. Independent and/or resiliently biased, rocker arms support track idler wheels to induce track flexion and conformance to encountered obstructions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. More particularly, the traction assembly comprises a sprocket wheel which has a different size and number of sprocket teeth depending on whether the traction kit replaces the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle. The sprocket wheel of the traction kit can also be configured such that its sprocket teeth are laterally offset. The traction kit can also comprise an anti-torque system that prevent physical contact between the traction kit and the vehicle and that can bias the position of the traction kit in order to improve the steering performance. Finally, the traction assembly can comprise a pivotable extension which lengthens the traction assembly and improves its traction capabilities.

Abstract: An endless track suspension is comprised of a suspension support beam having an idler wheel assembly connected to a respective one of opposed ends thereof. At least one of the idler wheel assemblies has an endless track binding mechanism. Support wheels are secured to the suspension support beam and project from a lower face thereof. A drive sprocket is secured elevated above the suspension support beam by a support arm. The drive sprocket is secured to a vehicle drive axle by a coupling ring. The drive sprocket, the support wheels and idler wheels constitute an endless track support assembly for supporting an endless track in drivable engagement thereabout. A flexible connection of the drive sprocket support arm and the support wheels absorbs shocks and vibrations transmitted to the vehicle drive axle by the displacement of the endless track over a rough ground surface.

Abstract: A trailer that includes a belts that each encompass a front wheel and a rear wheel and have a ground engaging surface and a wheel engaging surface, the wheel engaging surface having lugs thereon for mating with the apertures in the front wheel and the rear wheel such that when the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel rotates, the belt is positively driven and at least one belt tensioning system for maintaining tension on the plurality of belts, the at least one belt tensioning system includes a track tension cylinder operatively mounted between an axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel and the main frame, wherein the track tension cylinder maintains tension on the belt by moving the axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel in a horizontal.

Abstract: A military vehicle, e.g., tank, that includes a turret, a gun mounted on the turret, a plurality of belts, wherein each of the plurality of belts encompass a front wheel and a rear wheel to provide a positive belt drive system for rotating the belt, at least one suspension system for absorbing load stresses, each suspension system having a suspension cylinder that is operatively and pivotably mounted to a military vehicle frame pivot on a main frame of the military vehicle, at least one belt tensioning system for maintaining tension on the plurality of belts, by moving the axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel in a horizontal direction, and at least one electric drive system that includes electric drive motors for rotation of the at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel and braking.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mower and a tracked implement that convert from one to the other by coupling a mower unit or a tracked unit to a common drive unit. The drive unit is thus used in both products to provide cost savings in the purchase of the equipment. In the tracked unit, a cab for enclosing the operator's station is part of the tracked unit and gets mounted to the drive unit when the tracked unit is coupled to the drive unit. A pair of idlers rotate on pivot axes that are fixed relative to a pivotal idler support that carries the idlers. The pivot point for the idler support is chosen to prevent track elongation when the tracked unit climbs obstructions such as a curb. In the mower unit, a relatively heavy cutting deck is used and spring biased weight transfer arms transfer some of the deck weight to the mower frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. The traction assembly pivots around a pivot point located under the traction axle of the vehicle. This pivot point is preferably longitudinally displaced in relation to such axle.

Abstract: A dynamically changing track support for a tracked vehicle, includes a body with one or more track engaging wheels mounted for rotation to the body and extending above the top of the body and below the bottom of the body. At least two arms are provided. Each arm has a body engaging end and a track engaging end. The track engaging ends of the arm extends outwardly past the body. The body engaging end is pivotally secured to the body for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. One or more track engaging wheels are mounted for concentric axial rotation about an axle positioned at the track engaging end of the each arm. Dynamically adjustment of the pivotal positioning of the arms relative to the body results in changes to track geometry while maintaining consistent tension.

Abstract: A soil stabilizer treating earth includes a stabilizer frame, a rotor rotatably mounted thereon and including a cutting tool for cutting earth and being movable such that the rotor may engage various depths of earth, a rotatable axle, and a track apparatus mounted on the rotatable axle, the track apparatus supporting the stabilizer frame and providing for movement of the stabilizer frame and rotor across the ground surface. The track apparatus may include a continuous flexible track having an upper length and a ground-engaging lower length and including an inner surface, an axle wheel mountable to the rotatable axle for rotational movement therewith, the axle wheel engaging the inner surface of the flexible track along the upper length to drive the flexible track in response to rotation of the axle, and an apparatus frame for mounting the axle wheel.

Abstract: A track drive device for all terrain vehicle comprises a frame (14) able to be mounted on the side of a chassis (C) of a vehicle and carrying two main wheels (38, 42) and support wheels (40A, B, 40E) around which is wound a track (12). The frame (14) comprises a rear part (16) able to be fixed to the chassis (C) of the vehicle and carrying one (38) of the main wheels, and a front part in the form of an approximately horizontal oscillating beam (18) carrying the other main wheel (42) and at least one (40D, 40E) of the support wheels and mounted pivoting about a first transverse pivot (20) located at a lower level. The device also comprises an approximately horizontal suspension arm (52) arranged above the oscillating beam (18), linked to the latter by a connecting rod (64) and mounted pivoting around a second transverse pivot (24) arranged at an upper level approximately at the height of the chassis.

Abstract: A tracked suspension for a tractor or other work vehicle is disclosed having an endless belt, a belt tensioner, a drive wheel, and a plurality of idler wheels mounted to a suspension frame or idler carriage, the assembly being arranged such that the belt tension provided by the tensioner is absorbed within the frame and is not transmitted to the axle extending from the tractor that drives the tracked suspension. The tracked suspension can be adjusted by loosening or removing mounting bolts that fix the suspension to beams extending from the vehicle, sliding the suspension toward or away from the vehicle, and tightening the bolts. By absorbing the belt tensioning forces within the tracked suspension itself, rather than transmitting the belt tensioning forces to the axle, the suspension can be more easily adjusted without requiring the removal and replacement of the drive axle.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of snowmobile suspensions for the drive belt of the snowmobile. The suspension includes a single cushioning unit that has its opposite ends loaded by a linkage system that is interposed between a guide rail and a frame of the snowmobile. At least one of these pivotal connections is adjustable, and the adjustment is provided in a manner so that it can be made without changing the effective length of the cushioning unit during adjustment. In addition, a number of the embodiments permit the adjustment to be made at one side of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A resilient track-tensioning device for tracked automotive vehicles has a track tensioning wheel arrangement (26) which includes a generally elongated pendular arm (38) which rotatably supports a track-tensioning wheel unit (62), a pretensioning or biassing arm (72) which is much shorter than the pendular arm and which has a first end-part for force transmission engagement with the pendular arm (38) at its end-part (74) that carries the track-tensioning wheel unit (62), and a second end-part for pivotal attachment to a carrier (20) through the medium of a pretensioning or biassing means (76). The device further includes an element (66) for adjustably fixing the distance between the rotational center of the track-tensioning wheel unit (62) and the attachment point (46) of the pendular arm (38). The invention also relates to a track support assembly which includes an inventive track-tensioning device.

Abstract: A crawler apparatus, or crawler unit, which replaces a vehicle's wheel is disclosed. The crawler includes a drive wheel, a pair of front driven wheels, a pair of rear driven wheels, pairs of intermediate driven wheels, and an endless belt. The belt is wound about the wheels and defines a triangular shape. The drive wheel rotates the belt to move the vehicle. Stopper units are provided at the front and rear sides of the crawler to restrict the forward and rearward pivoting of the crawler about its drive wheel. The drive wheel is supported by a main frame. A sub frame is pivotally supported by the main frame by way of rubber bushings. This structure enables the sub frame to be inclined in the lateral direction of the belt with respect to the main frame. A space is defined between the two wheels of each set of intermediate driven wheels, which are supported by the sub frame.

Abstract: A resilient suspension element for use in a resilient system for supporting roller wheels from the undercarriage of a tracked vehicle having a rubber track. The resilient suspension element includes a T-shaped and a U-shaped rigid mounting component, with the inside surface of a U-shaped resilient component secured to the leg of the T-shaped component and the outside surface secure to the inside surface of the U-shaped rigid mounting component. A resilient suspension element is secured to each end of a beam, extending transverse to the axles of the roller wheels mounted thereon, to provide resilient support in the vertical direction and limited resilience to "fore" and "aft" and rolling motion of the beam, and the roller wheels mounted thereon, with respect to the undercarriage.

Abstract: A system for supporting roller wheels from the undercarriage of a tracked vehicle having a rubber track.

Abstract: A modular endless track assembly which bolts to the wheel of a wheeled vehicle (e.g. pickup truck or ATV). The assembly includes a wheel retainer plate, drive drum, track frame and plurality of idler wheels, track tension adjuster, and vehicle support bracket. The drive drum and idler wheels cooperate with lugs and channels at the track. The support bracket includes an anti-torque coupler mounted between the vehicle and track frame. The coupler centers the track to an equilibrium position and prevents over rotation. The mounting position of the coupler and mounting brackets is varied at the track frame to accommodate front and rear wheel track assemblies. A recurring, W-shaped groove pattern at the track cooperates with the idler wheels to self-clean the track and maintain controlled vehicle steering.