A technique for steering a tracked vehicle includes controllably deforming at least a portion of a vehicle's track into a curved shape, causing the vehicle to follow a curve-shaped path as it drives. As the vehicle naturally tends to follow a curved path defined by the track's curvature, steering is accomplished with greatly reduced skidding against the ground.

A technique for steering a tracked vehicle includes controllably deforming at least a portion of a vehicle's track into a curved shape, causing the vehicle to follow a curve-shaped path as it drives. As the vehicle naturally tends to follow a curved path defined by the track's curvature, steering is accomplished with greatly reduced skidding against the ground.

A technique for steering a tracked vehicle includes controllably deforming at least a portion of a vehicle's track into a curved shape, causing the vehicle to follow a curve-shaped path as it drives. As the vehicle naturally tends to follow a curved path defined by the track's curvature, steering is accomplished with greatly reduced skidding against the ground.

A technique for steering a tracked vehicle includes controllably deforming at least a portion of a vehicle's track into a curved shape, causing the vehicle to follow a curve-shaped path as it drives. As the vehicle naturally tends to follow a curved path defined by the track's curvature, steering is accomplished with greatly reduced skidding against the ground.

There is provided a singly steerable, serpentine steel track crawler. The single-track crawler can steer independently in a serpentine fashion. Two or more single crawler tracks side-by-side can be transformed into a multi-track crawler vehicle. The single-track crawler or multi-track crawler vehicle can be fitted with rubber tires for plying on paved roads. This makes it a versatile, multi-terrain vehicle for agriculture and earth-moving applications.

There is provided a singly steerable, serpentine steel track crawler. The single-track crawler can steer independently in a serpentine fashion. Two or more single crawler tracks side-by-side can be transformed into a multi-track crawler vehicle. The single-track crawler or multi-track crawler vehicle can be fitted with rubber tires for plying on paved roads. This makes it a versatile, multi-terrain vehicle for agriculture and earth-moving applications.

A track belt comprises a bearing element having an inner surface, an outer surface and a width. On the inner surface, a guide element extends in the longitudinal direction of the track belt, comprising a first edge protrusion and a second edge protrusion. The width of the guide element is substantially smaller than the width of the bearing element. The track belt comprises a first guide groove having a first flank surface formed by the first edge protrusion, and a second guide groove having a first flank surface formed by the second edge protrusion. The first flank surfaces of the edge protrusions are uniform and continuous substantially over the entire length of the guide element. Preferably, the guide element comprises a traction surface parallel to the inner surface of the bearing element, having engaging members for receiving the engaging parts of the drive wheel.

A track belt comprises a bearing element having an inner surface, an outer surface and a width. On the inner surface, a guide element extends in the longitudinal direction of the track belt, comprising a first edge protrusion and a second edge protrusion. The width of the guide element is substantially smaller than the width of the bearing element. The track belt comprises a first guide groove having a first flank surface formed by the first edge protrusion, and a second guide groove having a first flank surface formed by the second edge protrusion. The first flank surfaces of the edge protrusions are uniform and continuous substantially over the entire length of the guide element. Preferably, the guide element comprises a traction surface parallel to the inner surface of the bearing element, having engaging members for receiving the engaging parts of the drive wheel.

An oscillation limited driven steering track assembly includes a track mechanism coupled to and driven by a hydraulic motor. The motor is pivotally secured about a steering axis to a stub axle which partially supports a land vehicle. A longitudinally extensible and retractable apparatus extends between the track mechanism and the stub axle. One end of the apparatus is pivotally secured to a post secured to and extending from the track mechanism parallel with the motor shaft axis of rotation. A yoke is provided between the apparatus other end and pivotally secures the apparatus to the stub axle about the steering axis and, also, about a pivot axis perpendicular to the steering axis. Oscillation of the track mechanism about the motor shaft is limited by the apparatus. Simultaneously, the apparatus does not interfere with the track mechanism while the mechanism is rotated about the steering axis for steering the vehicle.

An oscillation limited driven steering track assembly includes a track mechanism coupled to and driven by a hydraulic motor. The motor is pivotally secured about a steering axis to a stub axle which partially supports a land vehicle. A longitudinally extensible and retractable apparatus extends between the track mechanism and the stub axle. One end of the apparatus is pivotally secured to a post secured to and extending from the track mechanism parallel with the motor shaft axis of rotation. A yoke is provided between the apparatus other end and pivotally secures the apparatus to the stub axle about the steering axis and, also, about a pivot axis perpendicular to the steering axis. Oscillation of the track mechanism about the motor shaft is limited by the apparatus. Simultaneously, the apparatus does not interfere with the track mechanism while the mechanism is rotated about the steering axis for steering the vehicle.