A method of fabricating a track link comprises creating a rail portion of a track link from a high alloy steel, creating a main body portion of a track link from a low alloy steel, and friction adhering the rail portion onto the main body portion.

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.

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.

A track chain member comprising a shoe member defining a track chain traveling direction and a lateral direction, the shoe member further defining a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a ground engaging surface spanning from the one end to the other end; wherein the shoe member further defines a first side void proximate the first lateral end, a second side void proximate the second lateral end, and the first side void terminates a first predetermined distance from the first lateral end and the second side void terminates a second predetermined distance from the second lateral end.

A track chain member comprising a shoe member defining a track chain traveling direction and a lateral direction, the shoe member further defining a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a ground engaging surface spanning from the one end to the other end; wherein the shoe member further defines a first side void proximate the first lateral end, a second side void proximate the second lateral end, and the first side void terminates a first predetermined distance from the first lateral end and the second side void terminates a second predetermined distance from the second lateral end.

An endless track for a tracked vehicle includes a track body and a plurality of cores at least partially embedded the track body, each core having at least one roller surface configured to contact an outer flange of a track roller when the track roller is engaged with an inner surface of the track body, and at least one protrusion configured to contact an inner flange of the track roller when the track roller is engaged with the inner surface of the track body. The track roller is configured to simultaneously contact a first core and an adjacent second core. A distance between the first core and the second core is selected such that about 0.2% of a flange diameter of the track roller extends perpendicular to an axis between a first contact point on the first core and a second contact point on the second core.

A track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), an agricultural vehicle, etc.) may be designed (e.g., may comprise non-pneumatic tires) to enhance its use or performance and/or that of the vehicle such as, for example, by being lightweight and/or by better handling loads, including, for instance, those resulting from track tension within the track system and/or from unevenness or other aspects of the ground, including encounters (e.g., impacts) with obstacles on the ground (e.g., rocks, portions of trees, debris, bumps, abrupt changes in ground level, etc.). The track system may comprise tension-based non-pneumatic tires.

A track chain member comprises a shoe member defining a track chain traveling direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to the track chain traveling direction, the shoe member further defining a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a ground engaging surface spanning from the first lateral end to the second lateral end; wherein the shoe member further defines a main central void disposed on the ground engaging surface that is centered along the lateral direction of the shoe member with respect to the first and the second lateral ends.

A track link for a machine track includes an elongate link body having an upper rail surface with an inboard peripheral edge and an outboard peripheral edge each formed upon a first link strap, a second link strap, and a middle section. The upper rail surface defines a longitudinal midline and at least one of the inboard peripheral edge or the outboard peripheral edge upon the first link strap and the second link strap is canted, in an inboard-outboard direction, to a longitudinal midline of the upper rail surface.