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 chain assembly comprises a plurality of interlocking track chain members wherein each track chain member defines a track chain traveling direction, a lateral direction perpendicular to the track chain traveling direction, and includes a shoe member defining a shoe width along the lateral direction; and a first track pad member defining a first track pad maximum width along the lateral direction, and a second track pad member defining a second maximum track pad width along the lateral direction, wherein a ratio of either track pad maximum widths to the shoe member width ranges from 1:4 to 3:4.

A track chain assembly comprises a plurality of interlocking track chain members wherein each track chain member defines a track chain traveling direction, a lateral direction perpendicular to the track chain traveling direction, and includes a shoe member defining a shoe width along the lateral direction; and a first track pad member defining a first track pad maximum width along the lateral direction, and a second track pad member defining a second maximum track pad width along the lateral direction, wherein a ratio of either track pad maximum widths to the shoe member width ranges from 1:4 to 3:4.

A monitoring system is disclosed for automatically estimating and monitoring the alignment of tracks of a track-type vehicle. The track-type vehicle includes an undercarriage and two tracks. Each track includes a chain with a plurality of chain links and articulated joints. The monitoring system includes at least one undercarriage sensor fixable on the undercarriage, at least one chain sensor fixable on the chain of each of the two tracks, and a processor configured to combine the detections of the sensors to determine the alignment direction of the tracks and to compare the determined direction with a reference alignment direction.

A track chain member includes a first rib coupling the shoe member to the first lug; and a second rib coupling the shoe member to the second lug, defining a first side recess between the first rib and the second rib. The first side recess also extends from the exterior of the shoe member and underneath the first top surface, the first lateral end defines a first lateral end width along the track chain traveling direction, and the first side recess also spans the majority of the first lateral end width along the track chain traveling direction.

A multi-material track pad for a continuous track assembly is disclosed. The track pad may include a body with a ground-engaging surface, wherein the body is formed of a metal material with a first hardness; a roller-engaging surface, wherein the roller-engaging surface is formed of a ceramic material with a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness; and a sprocket-engaging surface formed of the ceramic material.

A work machine includes an undercarriage assembly. The undercarriage assembly includes a chassis and a ground-engaging mechanism for rotating around the chassis to move the work machine. A pair of rails is coupled to the chassis. A pair of sliders is coupled to a front-assembly. The sliders are aligned with the rails and movable relative to the rails to facilitate movement of the front-end assembly relative to the chassis.

A track joint assembly includes a first track chain and a second track chain, and a track pin including a first pin end, a second pin end, and a center section. A track guiding space extends between the first track chain and the second track chain. The center section of the track pin has an enlarged diameter, relative to first and second pin ends, and an outer wear surface exposed to the track guiding space. The outer wear surface may directly contact a rotatable track-engaging element in a ground-engaging track system, such as a sprocket.

A track link for a ground-engaging track system includes an elongate link body having an upper rail surface located in part upon each of a first link strap, a second link strap, and a middle section of the track link. The upper rail surface is formed by a wear band of sacrificial wear material having a hardness that is varied lengthwise along the upper rail surface to retard scalloping of the track link during service and forming relatively softer zones in the first and second link straps and a relatively harder zone within the middle section. Methodology for making such a track link is also disclosed.