A track system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a drive axle, the track system comprising a drive sprocket including a hub structured to be connected to the drive axle, a plurality of teeth radially outward of the hub, a rim at least indirectly attached to the hub, the rim including: a body, a body outer surface, a recess in the rim body inward of the body outer surface, a resiliently deformable ring disposed in the recess, the ring structured and arranged with respect to the body so as to be less rigid than the body, a resiliently deformable tread extending outwardly of the rim-outer surface, the tread connected to the ring, a resiliently deformable track disposed around the drive sprocket, the track having a track-inner surface in contact with the tread.

A track system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a drive axle, the track system comprising a drive sprocket including a hub structured to be connected to the drive axle, a plurality of teeth radially outward of the hub, a rim at least indirectly attached to the hub, the rim including: a body, a body outer surface, a recess in the rim body inward of the body outer surface, a resiliently deformable ring disposed in the recess, the ring structured and arranged with respect to the body so as to be less rigid than the body, a resiliently deformable tread extending outwardly of the rim-outer surface, the tread connected to the ring, a resiliently deformable track disposed around the drive sprocket, the track having a track-inner surface in contact with the tread.

A track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., a compact track loader or other construction vehicle) which may be designed to improve ride quality (e.g., reduce vibrations) for an operator and/or enhance other aspects of its performance or that of the vehicle. For example, a track of the track system may be frictionally driven and without transversal rigid parts (e.g., metallic cores). Also, power generation and transmission functions may be implemented by the track system. For instance, a motor and a transmission may be at least mostly contained within the track system.

A track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., a compact track loader or other construction vehicle) which may be designed to improve ride quality (e.g., reduce vibrations) for an operator and/or enhance other aspects of its performance or that of the vehicle. For example, a track of the track system may be frictionally driven and without transversal rigid parts (e.g., metallic cores). Also, power generation and transmission functions may be implemented by the track system. For instance, a motor and a transmission may be at least mostly contained within the track system.

A vehicle drive system can include wheels that have flat portions corresponding to the areas of relative flexibility of stiffness of a track. When the discontinuous, angular profile of the track of the vehicle can deform about a matching angularly-profiled wheel, a smoother ride with less power loss can be produced, and ratcheting (caused by loosened or mismatched engagement between the track and a driving structure) can be reduced.

A vehicle drive system can include wheels that have flat portions corresponding to the areas of relative flexibility of stiffness of a track. When the discontinuous, angular profile of the track of the vehicle can deform about a matching angularly-profiled wheel, a smoother ride with less power loss can be produced, and ratcheting (caused by loosened or mismatched engagement between the track and a driving structure) can be reduced.

An active track-chain sag management system for usage in conjunction with crawler vehicles having tracked undercarriages includes a movable track-engaging member positioned for physical engagement into a track-chain of the tracked undercarriage, an electric drive assembly controllable to adjust a track-tensioning position of the movable track-engaging member relative to the track-chain, and a controller operatively coupled to the electric drive assembly. The controller is configured to command the electric drive assembly to repeatedly adjust the track-chain sag of the track-chain by varying the track-tensioning position of the movable track-engaging member during operation of the tracked undercarriage.

An active track-chain sag management system for usage in conjunction with crawler vehicles having tracked undercarriages includes a movable track-engaging member positioned for physical engagement into a track-chain of the tracked undercarriage, an electric drive assembly controllable to adjust a track-tensioning position of the movable track-engaging member relative to the track-chain, and a controller operatively coupled to the electric drive assembly. The controller is configured to command the electric drive assembly to repeatedly adjust the track-chain sag of the track-chain by varying the track-tensioning position of the movable track-engaging member during operation of the tracked undercarriage.

A track work vehicle includes an axle input shaft defining a first axis of rotation, and a differential gear case having at least one planetary gear set. The track work vehicle includes a track drive system contained, at least in part, in the differential gear case. The track drive system includes a first gear coupled to the axle input shaft and a second gear coupled to the first gear. The track drive system includes a bevel gear assembly coupled to the second gear and a bevel gear set coupled to the planetary gear set. The track work vehicle includes at least one drive axle coupled to the planetary gear set and a drive wheel for driving a continuous ground-engaging track. The drive axle has a second axis of rotation that is vertically offset from the first axis of rotation and substantially coaxial with a centerline of the drive wheel.

A track work vehicle includes an axle input shaft defining a first axis of rotation, and a differential gear case having at least one planetary gear set. The track work vehicle includes a track drive system contained, at least in part, in the differential gear case. The track drive system includes a first gear coupled to the axle input shaft and a second gear coupled to the first gear. The track drive system includes a bevel gear assembly coupled to the second gear and a bevel gear set coupled to the planetary gear set. The track work vehicle includes at least one drive axle coupled to the planetary gear set and a drive wheel for driving a continuous ground-engaging track. The drive axle has a second axis of rotation that is vertically offset from the first axis of rotation and substantially coaxial with a centerline of the drive wheel.