A guard assembly is provided for use with a track assembly for a vehicle. The guard assembly includes a guard body having a rigid portion made of a first polymeric material and a flexible portion made of a second polymeric material different from the first polymeric material. The first polymeric material has a greater modulus of elasticity than the second polymeric material. A vehicle including a guard assembly, namely including a guard body is also contemplated.

A track system comprising a dynamic tensioning device located between an idler wheel and the support frame as to apply proper tension in the track. The dynamic tensioning device is adapted to block at its current length upon the occurrence of a determined condition. The dynamic tensioner is adapted to substantially maintain its length when an acceleration and or deceleration of the track system reaches a predetermined value. For instance, such characteristic is relevant in an event of emergency braking. A dynamic tensioner would become contracted and the tension in the endless track would become too low. A low tension could cause the endless track to ratchet.

A harvester and a method for harvesting a crop is disclosed. The harvester includes two track drives positioned on opposite ends of a front axle of the harvester, each of the track drives including two main wheels that are arranged successively in the driving direction of the harvester, at least one auxiliary wheel positioned between the main wheels, and at least one track that surrounds the main wheels. The auxiliary wheel can interact with a bottom section of the track so that the forces to be deflected via the particular track drive into ground can be deflected at least proportionately using the auxiliary wheel. To reduce the shearing forces into the ground when the harvester turns, a control unit, depending on the steering angle of the harvester, controls a lifting unit to lift a front main wheel of a particular track drive from its home position to a lifted position.

A harvester and a method for harvesting a crop is disclosed. The harvester includes two track drives positioned on opposite ends of a front axle of the harvester, each of the track drives including two main wheels that are arranged successively in the driving direction of the harvester, at least one auxiliary wheel positioned between the main wheels, and at least one track that surrounds the main wheels. The auxiliary wheel can interact with a bottom section of the track so that the forces to be deflected via the particular track drive into ground can be deflected at least proportionately using the auxiliary wheel. To reduce the shearing forces into the ground when the harvester turns, a control unit, depending on the steering angle of the harvester, controls a lifting unit to lift a front main wheel of a particular track drive from its home position to a lifted position.

An undercarriage assembly of a work machine includes a drive wheel, front and rear idler wheels and a plurality of supporting mid-rollers. A belt disposed about the drive and idler wheels. A roller frame defines a main pivot axis located between front and rear ends. The front idler wheel is connected to the front end of the track roller frame. A major bogie having a forward bogie arm and a trailing bogie arm pivotably connects to the roller frame. The rear idler wheel connects to the trailing bogie arm. The major bogie pivot is offset from the main pivot along the roller frame such that the major bogie pivot is between the main pivot and the rear end of the roller frame. A minor bogie is connected to the major bogie at a minor bogie pivot defining a minor bogie pivot axis with the mid-rollers mounted on the minor bogie.

An undercarriage assembly of a work machine includes a drive wheel, front and rear idler wheels and a plurality of supporting mid-rollers. A belt disposed about the drive and idler wheels. A roller frame defines a main pivot axis located between front and rear ends. The front idler wheel is connected to the front end of the track roller frame. A major bogie having a forward bogie arm and a trailing bogie arm pivotably connects to the roller frame. The rear idler wheel connects to the trailing bogie arm. The major bogie pivot is offset from the main pivot along the roller frame such that the major bogie pivot is between the main pivot and the rear end of the roller frame. A minor bogie is connected to the major bogie at a minor bogie pivot defining a minor bogie pivot axis with the mid-rollers mounted on the minor bogie.

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.

Track system for a vehicle having a chassis and a drive shaft extending laterally outwardly from the chassis includes: An attachment assembly having a pivot. A multi-member frame assembly including: a leading frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the pivot for pivoting about a pivot axis; a trailing frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the pivot for pivoting about the pivot axis; a leading wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the leading frame member; a trailing wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the trailing frame member. A damper interconnecting the leading frame member and the trailing frame member. A leading idler wheel assembly; a trailing idler wheel assembly; support wheel assemblies; a gearbox; a sprocket wheel; and an endless track.

Track system for a vehicle having a chassis and a drive shaft extending laterally outwardly from the chassis includes: An attachment assembly having a pivot. A multi-member frame assembly including: a leading frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the pivot for pivoting about a pivot axis; a trailing frame member pivotably connected to the attachment assembly via the pivot for pivoting about the pivot axis; a leading wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the leading frame member; a trailing wheel-bearing frame member at least indirectly pivotably connected to the trailing frame member. A damper interconnecting the leading frame member and the trailing frame member. A leading idler wheel assembly; a trailing idler wheel assembly; support wheel assemblies; a gearbox; a sprocket wheel; and an endless track.

An undercarriage assembly for a work machine including a drive wheel; a front idler wheel rotatable on a front axle; a rear idler wheel rotatable on a rear axle; an endless track belt about the drive and idler wheels; a number of mid-rollers located between the front and rear idler wheels to engage the endless track belt on a lower run; a track roller frame pivotably mounted on the work machine at a main pivot, including an elongate member with a front end and a rear end with the main pivot located between the front end and the rear end and the front idler wheel connected near the front end of the track roller frame; a major bogie including forward and trailing bogie arms, the major bogie pivotably connected to the track roller frame at a major bogie pivot, and the rear idler wheel connected to the trailing bogie arm; a minor bogie, mounted on the forward bogie arm, the minor bogie pivotably connected to the major bogie at a minor bogie pivot, and including a minor bogie suspension, a minor bogie front axle, a minor bogie rear axle, the minor bogie front and rear axles supported by the minor bogie suspension, and the minor bogie suspension providing damping between the minor bogie front and rear axles and the minor bogie pivot.