A tracked climbing vehicle containing a compliant suspension apparatus to prescribe the distribution of forces on the adhering members in the tracked climbing machine. The compliant suspension apparatus is configured to negotiate irregularities in a climbing-surface without the vehicle tracks losing full surface contact and adhesion by distributing the loads from the climbing machine chassis to the adhering traction members in a specific prescribed fashion. The apparatus thus avoids exceeding the allowable force in any adhering traction member and significantly improves the performance of the climbing machine.

A tracked climbing vehicle containing a compliant suspension apparatus to prescribe the distribution of forces on the adhering members in the tracked climbing machine. The compliant suspension apparatus is configured to negotiate irregularities in a climbing-surface without the vehicle tracks losing full surface contact and adhesion by distributing the loads from the climbing machine chassis to the adhering traction members in a specific prescribed fashion. The apparatus thus avoids exceeding the allowable force in any adhering traction member and significantly improves the performance of the climbing machine.

Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.

Track system to be mounted on a vehicle in place of a rotatable OEM tire/wheel assembly, including: A frame. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame, operatively connectable to the drive shaft of the vehicle, and has a diameter of between 65% and 100% of the OEM tire diameter. Leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies are mounted on the frame. An endless track having an inner surface is disposed around the drive wheel, the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The endless track has an unsupported portion between the drive wheel and one of the leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies. The unsupported portion has a length and a center. The unsupported portion deflects a distance of between 8% and 12% of its length on application of a 25-lb. force at its center.

A track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., a construction vehicle such as a compact track loader). The track system comprises a track comprising a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side. The track system comprises a track-engaging arrangement for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging arrangement. The track-engaging arrangement comprises a drive wheel for driving the track and a plurality of roller wheels for rolling on the inner side of the track along a bottom run of the track. The track system comprises a frame for supporting components of the track system, including the roller wheels. The frame may be configured to avoid constraining the roller wheels, which may allow the roller wheels to be wider and better distributed loading onto the track. A rolling contact interface between a roller wheel and the inner side of the track may be nonparallel to a widthwise direction of the track.

A track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., a construction vehicle such as a compact track loader). The track system comprises a track comprising a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side. The track system comprises a track-engaging arrangement for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging arrangement. The track-engaging arrangement comprises a drive wheel for driving the track and a plurality of roller wheels for rolling on the inner side of the track along a bottom run of the track. The track system comprises a frame for supporting components of the track system, including the roller wheels. The frame may be configured to avoid constraining the roller wheels, which may allow the roller wheels to be wider and better distributed loading onto the track. A rolling contact interface between a roller wheel and the inner side of the track may be nonparallel to a widthwise direction of the track.

A rear suspension assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and an endless drive track, comprising at least one suspension arm pivotally connecting to the chassis; a pair of slide rails connected to the at least one suspension arm; at least one shock absorber assembly connected to the pair of slide rails and a rail extension assembly comprising at least one extension arm having a front end pivotally connected to a rear portion of at least one of the slide rails about a pivot axis, the at least one extension arm being pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position with respect to the pair of slide rails about the pivot axis, at least one rear idler wheel rotationally connected the at least one extension arm, and at least one biasing member biasing the at least one extension arm toward the raised position.

A rear suspension assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and an endless drive track, comprising at least one suspension arm pivotally connecting to the chassis; a pair of slide rails connected to the at least one suspension arm; at least one shock absorber assembly connected to the pair of slide rails and a rail extension assembly comprising at least one extension arm having a front end pivotally connected to a rear portion of at least one of the slide rails about a pivot axis, the at least one extension arm being pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position with respect to the pair of slide rails about the pivot axis, at least one rear idler wheel rotationally connected the at least one extension arm, and at least one biasing member biasing the at least one extension arm toward the raised position.

Power machines, power sources for power machines, and methods which provide a hydraulic signal from a hydraulic system, through the swivel joint or swivel, to control a tensioning cylinder coupled to the undercarriage without requiring a modification to the swivel. In exemplary embodiments, the same hydraulic signal provided to at least one other hydraulic component on the undercarriage to control another machine function is also provided to control one or more tensioning cylinders. For example, exemplary disclosed embodiments provide the same hydraulic signal to tension a tensioning cylinder as is provided to shift one or more two-speed drive motors. This prevents or reduces the likelihood of de-tracking without requiring a change or redesign of the swivel.

Power machines, power sources for power machines, and methods which provide a hydraulic signal from a hydraulic system, through the swivel joint or swivel, to control a tensioning cylinder coupled to the undercarriage without requiring a modification to the swivel. In exemplary embodiments, the same hydraulic signal provided to at least one other hydraulic component on the undercarriage to control another machine function is also provided to control one or more tensioning cylinders. For example, exemplary disclosed embodiments provide the same hydraulic signal to tension a tensioning cylinder as is provided to shift one or more two-speed drive motors. This prevents or reduces the likelihood of de-tracking without requiring a change or redesign of the swivel.