A track assembly for providing traction to an off-road vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, a construction vehicle, or another work vehicle, in which the track assembly may comprise a suspension between a frame of the track assembly and a bogie carrying roller wheels of the track assembly.

A combine harvester comprising a pair of track units at a front of the harvester. The track units are suspended so that a frame of the units is pivotable about a centrally placed pivot axis, the axis dividing the track units between a front and rear portion. For each of the track units, the harvester comprises at least one variable length actuator mounted between the chassis of the harvester and the frame of the track unit, the actuator being mounted so that it is capable of actuating an upward or downward tilting of the front portion of the track unit. The actuator is operated to counteract an excessive downward or upward tilting of the front portion of the unit. The actuator may be operated by a control mechanism working on the basis of measurements performed by suitable sensor arrangements that monitor or predict the downward or upward tilting.

A combine harvester comprising a pair of track units at a front of the harvester. The track units are suspended so that a frame of the units is pivotable about a centrally placed pivot axis, the axis dividing the track units between a front and rear portion. For each of the track units, the harvester comprises at least one variable length actuator mounted between the chassis of the harvester and the frame of the track unit, the actuator being mounted so that it is capable of actuating an upward or downward tilting of the front portion of the track unit. The actuator is operated to counteract an excessive downward or upward tilting of the front portion of the unit. The actuator may be operated by a control mechanism working on the basis of measurements performed by suitable sensor arrangements that monitor or predict the downward or upward tilting.

A track system for steerable vehicles having at least one axle. The track system is capable of adjusting to changes in terrain by pivoting in clockwise and counterclockwise directions relative to an axle assembly as the vehicle moves across the ground. The pivotal movement of the track system relative to the axle assembly is restricted by a limiter attached to an inboard member of the track system frame. Pivotal movement is limited by the axle assembly housing engaging the limiter when the track system pivots in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to a maximum point along a pivot arc.

A supporting device for a crawler vehicle configured to groom ski slopes, is mounted between a rear wheel and a front wheel, resting along the inside of a traction portion of the track, and has a plurality of rollers much smaller in diameter than the rear wheel; a belt looped around the rollers; and a structure configured to support the rollers and to push the rollers and the belt against the inside of the traction portion of the track.

A supporting device for a crawler vehicle configured to groom ski slopes, is mounted between a rear wheel and a front wheel, resting along the inside of a traction portion of the track, and has a plurality of rollers much smaller in diameter than the rear wheel; a belt looped around the rollers; and a structure configured to support the rollers and to push the rollers and the belt against the inside of the traction portion of the track.

An agricultural vehicle has a chassis with a drivetrain and at least one rubber track assembly with a rubber track belt. The rubber track assembly has at least one idler, each of which has two idler wheels spaced apart on an axle. The idler wheels each have a tapered outer surface that together define a tapered profile that causes the rubber track belt to self-center upon the rubber track assembly. The tapered profile may define a pair of straight lines at a shallow angle, a portion of a circle, a portion of an ellipse, a parabola, or a hyperbola.

A crawler drive for an agricultural work machine is disclosed. The crawler device includes front and rear main wheels, front and rear main frames associated with the front and rear main wheels respectively, two support wheels, a running belt surrounding the main wheels and an articulation point to pivotably connect to a body of the agricultural work machine while forming a machine axis. The two main frames, coupled to one another, pivot about a common pivot axis. The support wheels are positioned on a common support frame, which is pivotably connected to the front main frame. A coupling member is coupled at a swing arm end of the coupling member to the support wheel swing arm and at a frame end of the coupling member to the rear main frame and thereby couples the support wheel swing arm and the rear main frame to one another.

A crawler drive for an agricultural work machine is disclosed. The crawler device includes front and rear main wheels, front and rear main frames associated with the front and rear main wheels respectively, two support wheels, a running belt surrounding the main wheels and an articulation point to pivotably connect to a body of the agricultural work machine while forming a machine axis. The two main frames, coupled to one another, pivot about a common pivot axis. The support wheels are positioned on a common support frame, which is pivotably connected to the front main frame. A coupling member is coupled at a swing arm end of the coupling member to the support wheel swing arm and at a frame end of the coupling member to the rear main frame and thereby couples the support wheel swing arm and the rear main frame to one another.

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.