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 track-module apparatus comprising: (a) idler-arm axle structure for a vehicle and having leading and trailing idler-arm axles; (b) a leading idler arm rotatably attached to the leading idler-arm axle and extending forwardly to a leading-arm distal end at which a leading ground-engaging idler wheel is rotatably attached and rearwardly to a rearward suspension end; (c) a trailing idler arm rotatably attached to the trailing idler-arm axle and extending rearwardly to a trailing-arm distal end at which a trailing ground-engaging idler wheel is rotatably attached and forwardly to a forward suspension end; (d) bogie-axle structure (i) affixed to one of the idler arms, (ii) having at least one bogie-arm axle, and (iii) positioning the at least one bogie-arm axle adjacent to and below the idler-arm axle of the idler arm to which it is affixed; (e) leading-arm and trailing-arm suspension elements rotatably attached to and extending downwardly from the rearward and forward suspension ends, respectively, and each having a lower end; (f) front and rear bogie connecting arms rotatably attached to the front and rear axles, respectively, and extending forwardly and rearwardly to rotatable attachments at the leading-arm and trailing-arm suspension-element lower ends, respectively; (g) front and rear ground-engaging bogie-wheel sets rotatably attached to distal ends of the front and rear bogie connecting arms, respectively; and (h) an endless track extending around the wheels.

A track system for a vehicle on a ground, wherein the track system comprises a track and is designed to enhance how its track is tensioned, such as by including a plurality of tensioners that exert opposite forces on the track at its front and rear regions and/or lack hydraulic or pneumatic elements, allowing to reduce its dimensions (e.g., sizes of its components, packaging or envelope) and its weight, while protecting against ratcheting of the track, reducing its energy consumption, costs and/or maintenance requirements, increasing durability of the track, and/or improving other aspects of the track system and/or the vehicle.

A track system for traction of an off-road vehicle such as a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The track system comprises a track-engaging assembly and a track disposed around the track-engaging assembly. The track system may be configured to have a reduced noise profile so as to generate less noise, enhanced track rigidity characteristics to improve its traction and floatation, and/or other features improving use and performance of the off-road vehicle.

A track assembly is to be mounted on a drive axle of a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, at least one leading idler wheel mounted to the front of the frame for rotation about a transverse leading idler wheel axis, at least one trailing idler wheel mounted to the rear of the frame for rotation about a traverse trailing idler wheel axis parallel to the leading idler wheel axis, a single drive wheel assembly, and at least two slide rails. The slide rails have corresponding forward-facing portions, central portions, and rearward-facing portions. The forward-facing portions project from the front ends of the central portions by a projection that is greater than a length of the central portions. A vehicle having the track assembly is also described.

An undercarriage system for a track-type machine includes an idler height adjustment system having piston assemblies supported in a frame, in opposition to one another, to contact upper and lower sides of an idler support element or block. A conduit connects the piston assemblies and has therein a fluid exchange valve adjustable to an open position where a flowable material such as grease is exchanged through the conduit between the piston assemblies, and a closed position where fluid connection between the piston assemblies is blocked and idler height is fixed.

A track system includes an attachment assembly including at least one of a first pivot defining a roll pivot axis, a second pivot defining a pitch pivot axis, and a third pivot defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system. A frame assembly is disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected to the attachment assembly. The track system further includes at least one actuator for pivoting the frame assembly about at least one of the roll and yaw pivot axes, and at least one monitoring for determining, at least indirectly, at least one of a state of the track system and a ground surface condition. The at least one monitoring sensor is communicating with a track system controller to control the operation of the at least one actuator based on the at least one of the state of the track system and the ground surface condition.

A track tension system including a hydraulic cylinder coupled between a drive frame and idler of a track system, an accumulator and a hydraulic valve that controls flow between the cylinder and accumulator. The cylinder extends and retracts to change the distance between the drive frame and idler which increases and decreases, respectively, tension on the track system. The hydraulic valve can be opened to allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator, and closed to block flow between the cylinder and accumulator. Control factors can be monitored to control valve position. An overload pressure relief can allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed and pressure in the cylinder reaches overload pressure. An orifice can allow constricted flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed. A check valve can connect the track tension system to a vehicle hydraulic system.

Track assemblies (242; 300) for power machines (100; 200) include a track frame (243; 302), including a primary portion (304) and a second portion (306) moveable with respect to the primary portion. A plurality of rollers (248; 316) are positioned along the primary portion of the track frame relative to each other and the center of gravity of the power machine to provide an improved capability to compensate for vibration generated as the power machine moves over a support surface. In some aspects, a portion of a tensioning idler (e.g., 310) is positioned within a cylinder defined by one of the plurality of rollers.