WO2007101632A1

WO2007101632A1 - Track apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007101632A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/001849
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve Heard
Original assignee: Steve Heard
Priority date: 2006-03-06
Filing date: 2007-03-05
Publication date: 2007-09-13
Also published as: GB2435866A; GB0604446D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a track apparatus for mounting to a vehicle in place of a driven wheel. The track apparatus includes a flexible track (20) and a drive wheel (2) for engaging with the track to drive the track and connectable to a driven axle of the vehicle. At least one end idler wheel (12) of the track apparatus has a pneumatic tyre (40) that functions both as a track tensioning mechanism and a suspension.

Description

TITLE

Track apparatus

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a track apparatus, and in particular to a modular track apparatus that is fitted to a vehicle in place of a wheel.

Background Art

It is known to replace the wheels of a vehicle (and in particular an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor or combine harvester) with a modular track apparatus. All four wheels can be replaced with a modular track apparatus but it is often possible for just one pair (normally, but not exclusively, the rear pair) of wheels to be replaced. In the case where the vehicle has front and rear driven axles, the rolling circumference of each track apparatus must be exactly the same as the wheel it replaces. Otherwise, the speed of the track apparatus mounted for rotation with, for example, the rear driven axle of the vehicle will not match the speed of the wheels on the front driven axle. An example of a modular positive drive track apparatus that is suitable for use in place of just one pair of wheels is disclosed in European Patent Application 1262398 and includes a drive wheel, a flexible track and a carriage for supporting the drive wheel, a pair of front end idler wheels, a pair of rear end idler wheels and at least one pair of intermediate idler wheels. The drive wheel is supported above, rather than alongside, the idler wheels and is fastened directly to the driven axle of the vehicle by a suitable mounting arrangement. The drive wheel extends at least partially into a drive wheel receipt well that is provided between the individual axially spaced idler wheels. The drive wheel includes a number of circumferentially spaced drive bars around its outer periphery. The track is normally made of a rubber material and has a number of chevron-shaped cleats on its outer surface to improve grip. The inner surface of the track is formed with a number of spaced apart drive lugs defining a number of drive recesses for receiving the drive bars of the drive wheel. The track extends all the way around the drive wheel and the front and rear end idler wheels. The at least one pair of intermediate idler wheels and the front and rear end idler wheels support the part of the track that contacts the ground. Rotation of the drive wheel by the driven axle of the vehicle brings the drive bars into positive contact with the inwardly-extending drive lugs of the track to drive the track.

A conventional modular track apparatus normally incorporates a mechanism to maintain a minimum amount of tension in the track and to accommodate variations in the tension as the track apparatus travels over an uneven surface, for example. If the tension cannot be maintained then there is a risk that the track might disengage itself from the drive wheel. On the other hand, if there is no way to accommodate transient increases in tension then there is a risk that the track might fail. A typical track tensioning mechanism might involve mounting the front end idler wheels so that they can translate or pivot relative to the drive wheel, the rear end idler wheels and the one or more intermediate idler wheels in such a way as to alter the total length around which the track must extend. The front end idler wheels can be biased outwardly during normal operation to maintain a minimum amount of tension in the track. Unexpected and sudden increases in the track tension can be easily accommodated by allowing the front end idler wheels to translate or pivot inwardly against the bias to shorten the total length around which the track must extend.

In a friction drive track apparatus, such as a rubber track crawler, the periphery of a drive wheel is provided with a friction member. The friction member can be made of a rubber material, for example. A carriage supports the drive wheel alongside one or more pairs of idler wheels. A flexible track is tensioned around the drive wheel and the idler wheels to bring its inner surface into friction contact with the friction member on the periphery of the drive wheel. The track can be made of a rubber material and has a number of chevron-shaped cleats on its outer surface to improve grip. Rotation of the drive wheel is transmitted through the friction contact between the friction member and the inner surface of the track to drive the track. One advantage of a friction drive track apparatus is that it allows for a small amount of "slippage" between the drive wheel and the track. This can help to reduce track fatigue. Friction drive tracks have been used extensively on agricultural rubber track crawlers but the use of friction drive has never been contemplated for a modular track apparatus of the type mentioned above where the drive wheel is supported above the idler wheeis.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a track apparatus for mounting to a vehicle, the track apparatus comprising: a flexible track; a drive wheel for engaging with the track to drive the track and connectable to a driven axle of the vehicle; and at least one end idler wheel with a pneumatic tyre.

Providing one end idler wheel (most preferably the front end idler wheel) with a pneumatic tyre enables that^' end idler wheel to function as a track tensioning mechanism to accommodate variations in the track tension. The resilient and compressible nature of the pressurised pneumatic tyre means that any unexpected and sudden increase in the track tension can be easily accommodated without having to mount the end idler wheel in such a way that it can translate or pivot relative to the drive wheel. In fact, it is generally preferred that the end idler wheel and the drive wheel are mounted in a fixed relationship to each other. The use of a pneumatic tyre also acts as a suspension mechanism to help reduce the transfer of vibrations experienced by the track apparatus when running on hard surfaces such as roads and paths. Not only do such vibrations lead to a very poor ride quality for the operator or driver of the vehicle, but they can also cause damage to component parts of the vehicle.

The track apparatus may further comprise a pair of end idler wheels each with a pneumatic tyre. The pressure of the fluid inside the pneumatic tyres of the end idler wheels can be altered depending on the circumstances and the minimum amount of tension that is to be maintained in the track. The pneumatic tyres of the pair of end idler wheels can have the same or different pressures. The track apparatus preferably further comprises a pair of rear end idler wheels and at least one pair of intermediate idler wheels positioned between the rear end idler wheels and the front end idler wheels. The drive wheel, the front end idler wheels, the rear end idler wheels and the intermediate idler wheels are preferably mounted in a fixed relationship to each other. Each of the intermediate idler wheels can have a pneumatic tyre or a solid rubber tyre, depending on the amount of vibration dampening that is required. Similarly, each of the rear end idler wheels can have a pneumatic tyre or a solid rubber tyre. In practice, it may be necessary to provide at least one of the pair of intermediate idler wheels and the pair of rear end idler wheels with a solid rubber tyre to avoid the situation where the weight of the vehicle is applied solely to compressible pneumatic tyres.

The rear end idler wheels preferably have a two-part construction with a first plate fixedly mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and a second plate supporting the solid rubber or pneumatic tyre and releasably secured to the first plate by a number of mechanical fixings. The mechanical fixings are preferably bolts and the first and second plates include a number of circumferentially spaced apertures for receiving the bolts. Other mechanical fixings can be used. The same construction can be employed with the front end idler wheels in the event that the rear end idler wheels are provided with pneumatic tyres to function as a track tensioning mechanism.

The track apparatus preferably further comprises a support member on one side of the drive wheel including a bearing structure for mounting the drive wheel and an axle for mounting the at least one end idler wheel. In the case where the track apparatus further includes a pair of front end idler wheels, a pair of rear end idler wheels and at least one pair of intermediate idler wheels, the track apparatus preferably comprises a first support member on one side of the drive wheel including a first bearing structure for mounting the drive wheel, an axle for mounting one of the pair of front end idler wheels, an axle for mounting one of the pair of rear end idler wheels and an axle for mounting one of the pair of intermediate idler wheels. The track apparatus preferably further comprises a second support member on the other side of the drive wheel including a second bearing structure for mounting the drive wheel, an axle for mounting the other one of the pair of front end idler wheels, an axle for mounting the other one of the pair of rear end idler wheels and an axle for mounting the other one of the pair of intermediate idler wheels. This means that, unlike in a conventional modular track apparatus where the drive wheel is only supported on one side, the drive wheel of the track apparatus of the present invention is fully supported on both sides. This improves the strength and rigidity of the track apparatus as a whole and improves the reliability of the mechanical support and connection between the driven axle of the vehicle and the drive wheel.

The axles for mounting the various idler wheels are preferably stub axles that extend axially in opposite directions from the first and second support members and which do not extend into a drive wheel receipt well between the first and second support members for receiving the drive wheel.

In the case of a positive drive track apparatus the track preferably has a plurality of drive lugs on its inner surface and the drive wheel has a plurality of drive bars for positive contact between the drive lugs of the track to drive the track. The drive bars are preferably substantially the same axial width as the drive lugs.

The drive bars of the drive wheel preferably engage in drive recesses between the drive lugs of an upper portion of the track to drive the track and are located between the drive lugs of a lower portion of the track to guide the track. The term "upper portion" is intended to refer to a part of the track that is typically in engagement with the drive wheel at any one time when the track apparatus is in use. Similarly, the term "lower portion" is intended to refer to a part of the track that is typically in contact with the ground (or adjacent an idler wheel) at any one time when the track apparatus is in use.

It will be readily appreciated that the space between the adjacent drive lugs on the inside surface of the track is greater for lugs at the upper portion of the track (where the track is fitted around the periphery of the drive wheel) than for lugs at the lower portion of the track (where the track lies substantially flat on the ground). Therefore, it is normal for the drive bars at a lower part of the drive wheel to lie within the space between adjacent drive lugs without actually touching the drive lugs. The drive bars of the lower part of the drive wheel are not intended to positively engage with the drive lugs of the lower portion of the track but are simply there to help guide the track and, in particular, to prevent the track from riding up towards the drive wheel between any idler wheels.

The drive wheel preferably further includes a pair of radially extending supports that define a circumferential drive lug receipt well between the supports for receiving the drive lugs of the track. The supports may take the form of angled annular members that are sized and shaped to correspond to a profile of the drive lugs. For example, the drive lugs can be substantially trapezoidal when viewed in the circumferential direction with a distal surface that has a narrower width than the part of each drive lug that is adjacent the inner surface of the track. In this case, the supports may extend axially as well as radially outwardly at an angle that corresponds to the angle of the side surfaces of the drive lugs.

The track can extend around the track apparatus such that the drive lugs of an upper portion of the track and the drive lugs of a lower portion of the track are simultaneously received in the drive lug receipt well between the supports. The supports therefore serve to guide both upper and lower portions of the track at the same time. In a conventional modular track apparatus the lower portion of the track is usually supported and guided by idler wheels that engage with the inner surface of the track. The track is therefore prevented from moving too far in either axial direction because a side surface of the lugs will come into contact with an oppositely facing inner side surface of one of the idler wheels. In the present invention, the drive wheel alone serves to guide the track so there is no wear to the sides of the idler wheels due to contact with the lugs. This also eliminates heat build up that can damage the lugs of the track.

Each support preferably contacts a side portion of the drive lugs of the track. More particularly, one support member can be adapted to contact one side surface of a drive lug and the other support member can be adapted to contact an opposite side surface of the same drive lug as the lugs of the upper and lower portions of the track are sequentially received in the drive lug receipt well between the two supports. This contact helps the drive wheel to support the weight of the track and reduces track fatigue.

The supports can be joined to the drive bars of the drive wheel and a space (or a series of circumferential spaces) can be provided between each support and a peripheral edge portion of the drive wheel to allow any dirt or debris to pass out of the drive lug receipt well between the supports. An axially extending plate member can be joined to a hub portion of the drive wheel to define a peripheral edge portion of the drive wheel. The plate member can come into direct contact with a distal surface of the lugs of the track as the drive lugs are sequentially received in the drive lug receipt well between the two supports. Like the contact between the supports and the opposite side portions of the drive lugs, this contact helps the drive wheel to support the weight of the track and reduces track fatigue.

In a first aspect of a friction drive track apparatus, the drive wheel preferably has at least one friction member for friction contact with an inner surface of the track to drive the track. The track apparatus can be adapted such that the at least one friction member contacts the inner surface of an upper portion of the track to drive the track and is spaced apart from the inner surface of a lower portion of the track. The space between the inner surface of the lower portion of the track and the drive wheel is not found in rubber track crawlers and can help to prevent dirt and debris on the lower portion of the track from being picked up by the least one friction member and reducing the effectiveness of the friction contact. Alternatively, the track apparatus can be adapted such that the at least one friction member contacts the inner surface of both upper and lower portions of the track to drive the track.

Each support preferably includes a friction member adapted for friction engagement with the inner surface of the track to drive the track. The track for the friction drive track apparatus can include a plurality of locating lugs on its inner surface. The drive wheel can then further include two radially extending supports to define a circumferential locating lug receipt well between the supports for receiving the locating lugs of the track, each support having a friction member adapted for friction engagement with the inner surface of the track to drive the track. Locating lugs of an upper portion of the track and locating lugs of a lower portion of the track can be simultaneously received in the locating lug receipt well between the supports.

The supports are preferably sized and shaped to correspond to a profile of the locating lugs. Each support may contact a side portion of the locating lugs of the track as the locating lugs are sequentially received in the locating lug receipt well between the supports. The supports preferably include one or more friction members at the parts that contact a side portion of the locating lugs of the track.

In a second aspect of the friction drive track apparatus, the track preferably has a plurality of locating lugs on its inner surface, and the drive wheel further comprises a number of circumferentially spaced drive members. Each drive member includes two radially extending supports that define a locating lug receipt well between the supports for receiving the locating lugs of the track. Each support preferably includes a friction member adapted for friction engagement with the inner surface of the track to drive the track.

The drive members are preferably bolted to a hub portion of the drive wheel. Providing individual drive members means that they can be easily removed when they get damaged or worn for refit or repair. The gaps between adjacent drive members in the circumferential direction also allow for the passage of dirt and debris.

A locating lug of an upper portion of the track can be at partially received in a locating lug receipt well between the supports of a first drive member and a locating lug of a lower portion of the track can be at least partially simultaneously received in a locating lug receipt well between the supports of a second drive member. The supports are preferably sized and shaped to correspond to a profile of the locating lugs of the track. Each support preferably contacts a side portion of the locating lugs of the track. The supports preferably include one or more friction members at the parts that contact a side portion of the locating lugs of the track. It will be readily appreciated that a single lug may be positioned relative to the drive wheel such it that spans the gap between adjacent drive members and is partially received in the lug receipt well of one drive member and partially received in the lug receipt well of an adjacent drive member.

The friction member or members can be an annular strip of rubber or any other material that is capable of friction contact with the inner surface of the track or a side portion of the locating lugs, respectively. The friction member can also be integrally formed as part of the support^' itself. The track is preferably made of rubber and may include a number of cleats on its outer surface.

The provision of a pneumatic tyre on the pair of end idler wheels allows the directional alignment (or "tracking") of the track to be altered to avoid premature wear. The present invention therefore further provides a method of altering the directional alignment of a track of a track apparatus having a pair of end idler wheels with pneumatic tyres, the method comprising the steps of determining a desired angle of alignment relative to an axis of the track apparatus and altering the pressure in one or both of the pneumatic tyres of the pair of end idler wheels until the desired angle of alignment is achieved.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a side view of a modular positive drive track apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross section view along line A-A of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed side view of a lower region of the track apparatus of Figure 1 showing the locating of the drive bars of the drive wheel in the space between adjacent drive lugs of the track;

Figure 4 is a side view of the track apparatus of Figure 1 without the idler wheels; Figure 5 is a cross section view of the two-part rear end idler wheels; Figures 6A to 6F are a series of side views showing how the rear end idler wheels are manipulated during the fitting of the track to the track apparatus; Figure 7 is a side view of a first embodiment of a modular friction drive track apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 8 is a cross section view along line B-B of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a detailed side view of a lower region of the track apparatus of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a side view of a second embodiment of a modular friction drive track apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 1 1 is a cross section view along line C-C of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a detailed side view of a lower region of the track apparatus of Figure 10 showing the individual drive members of the drive wheel; and Figure 13 is a detailed end view of an individual drive member.

With reference to Figure 1, a modular positive drive track apparatus includes a drive wheel 2 mounted between a pair of support members 4 or carriages (only one of which is shown in Figure 1). The track apparatus is for use with an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor or combine harvester, for example. Two identical track apparatus are secured to opposites sides of a vehicle in place of the rear wheels, which are temporarily removed to expose the driven rear axle of the vehicle. The drive wheel 2 of each track apparatus is attached to opposite ends of the driven rear axle of the vehicle using an appropriate fixing so that they are rotated by the driven rear axle.

Each support member 4 includes a radial bearing structure 6 for supporting the drive wheel 2 so that it can rotate relative to the rest of the track apparatus. The bearing structure 6 includes radially inner bearing races 8a mounted to the each side surface of the drive wheel 2 and radially outer bearing races 8b mounted to the respective support members 4. Each support member 4 also includes three stub axles 10a, 10b and 10c arranged below the bearing structure 6. A front end idler wheel 12 is rotatably mounted on a front stub axle 10a, an intermediate idler wheel 14 is rotatably mounted on a middle stub axle 10b and a rear end idler wheel 16 is rotatably mounted on a rear stub axle 10c. The space 18 between the axially separated support members 4 defines a drive wheel receipt well for receiving the drive wheel 2. The positions of the bearing sti ucture ό and the front, middle and rear stub axles 1 Oa, 1 Ob and 1 Oc are fixed such that the drive wheel 2 and the various idler wheels 12, 14 and 16 on both sides of the drive wheel receipt well 18 are mounted in a fixed relationship with each other.

A flexible rubber track 20 is arranged around the outside of the drive wheel 2 and the idler wheels 12, 14 and 16 of each support member 4. A series of spaced drive lugs 22 are provided on an inner surface 24 of the track. A series of cleats 26 or tread patterns are provided on an outer surface of the track 20 for providing grip as the track apparatus travels along the ground. The idler wheels 12, 14 and 16 of each support member 4 run along the inner surface 24 of the flexible track 20 and support the track in the region where it contacts the ground. Unlike in a conventional modular track apparatus, there is no contact between the drive lugs 22 and the idler wheels 12, 14 and 16. Instead, as described in more detail below, the track 20 is guided solely by the drive wheel 2.

Figure 2 is a cross section view along line A-A of Figure 1. A rear side part of the vehicle V is shown. The driven rear axle RA of the vehicle V extends through the bearing structure 6 of the first support member 4 that is located adjacent the vehicle and is attached to a central region of the drive wheel 2 by a series of circumferentially spaced bolts 28. The driven rear axle RA extends a small way into the bearing structure 6 on the second support member 4' but it will be readily appreciated that it may extend further into the bearing structure, and even all of the way through it, depending on the construction of the driven rear axle itself. The drive wheel receipt well 18 between the first and second support members 4 and 4' is clearly shown.

An identical track apparatus is mounted to the opposite end of the driven rear axle in exactly the same manner. Until now, it has always been necessary for a left-handed modular track apparatus to be constructed for attachment in place of the left-hand wheel and for a right-handed modular track apparatus to be constructed for attachment in place of the right-hand wheel. The present invention avoids the need for different constructions because the same track apparatus can be used in place of either a left- hand or right-hand wheei. This results in ease of construction and manufacture. It also means that a supplier only needs to stock a single type of track apparatus because it can be fitted in place of a left-hand or right-hand wheel depending on the circumstances.

The drive wheel 2 includes a radially extending part or hub 30 that terminates in a circumferential rolled plate 32. A series of circumferentially spaced drive bars 34 (Figure 3) extend radially outwardly from the rolled plate 32. Two annular supports 36 are connected to the drive bars 34 and extend completely around the periphery of the drive wheel 2 and define a circumferential drive lug receipt well for receiving the drive lugs 22 of the track 20. At an upper region of the track apparatus, the drive bars 34 of the drive wheel 2 engage betwe^'en adjacent drive lugs 22 of the flexible track 20 to drive the track around the track apparatus. However, at a lower region of the track apparatus (i.e. adjacent the idler wheels) the drive bars 34 are still located in the space between adjacent drive lugs 22. This is shown more clearly in Figure 3 where the nearest annular support 36 is partially cut away to show the location of the drive bars 34. It will be readily appreciated that the space between adjacent drive lugs 22 is greater at a lower region of the track apparatus where the track 20 is running substantially flat against the ground than at an upper region where the track is bent around the circumference of the drive wheel 2. The location of the drive bars 34 in the space between the adjacent drive lugs 22 at a lower region of the track apparatus is not to positively engage with the drive lugs to drive the track but simply to help to guide the track 20 as it contacts the ground.

The drive lugs 22 of the track 20 are profiled in the axial direction to be substantially trapezoidal. The rolled plate 32 and the annular supports 36 are sized and shaped to correspond to the same profile such that the rolled plate 32 comes into direct contact with a distal surface 22a of the drive lugs 22 and the supports 36 come into direct contact with side surfaces 22b of the drive lugs at an upper region of the track apparatus. The rolled plate 32 and annular supports 36 therefore help to support the flexible track 20 and prevent all of the tension in the track from acting solely on the drive bars 34. As shown clearly in Figure 2, the drive lugs 22 of the track 20 are also received in the drive lug receipt well between the annular supports 36 at a lower region of the track apparatus. Thus, the drive wheel 2 guides the track 20 both at upper and lower regions of the track apparatus and prevents the track from moving in the axial direction. Although in Figure 2 the rolled plate 32 and the drive bars 34 are spaced apart from the distal surface 22a of the drive lugs 22 and the inner surface 24 of the track 20, respectively, at the lower region of the track apparatus, it will be readily appreciated that they do help to prevent the track from rising upwardly between the idler wheels in situations where the track apparatus encounters uneven ground or an obstruction, for example. In these situations, the distal surface 22a of the drive lugs 22 and/or the inner surface 24 of the track 20 will come into contact with the rolled plate 32 and/or the drive bars 34 of the drive wheel 2, respectively, and further movement in the upward direction will be prevented. Such contact between the distal surface 22a of one of the drive lugs 22 and the rolled plate 32 is shown in Figure 3.

In certain circumstances, the contact between the annular supports 36 and the side surfaces of the drive lugs 22 can be such that there is no need for the rolled plate 32 to come into contact with the distal surface 22a of the drive lugs in the upper region of the track apparatus.

Because the annular supports 36 are only joined to the drive wheel 2 by the circumferentially spaced drive bars 34, a series of circumferential spaces 38 are provided on both sides of the periphery of the drive wheel between the supports and the rolled plate 32. Any dirt or debris such as soil, mud, snow, plant material etc. is therefore able to pass out of the drive lug receipt well between the annular supports 36 through these spaces 38.

Both the front and intermediate idler wheels 12 and 14 have pneumatic tyres 40. Because the pneumatic tyre 40 on each front end idler wheel 12 is compressible, it effectively acts as a track tensioning mechanism for the flexible track 20. It will be readily appreciated that the tension in the track 20 is related to the total length around which the track has to extend. This total length can be altered by putting more or less air in the pneumatic tyres 40 of the two front end idler wheels 12. The pneumatic tyres 40 of the front end idler wheels 12 can therefore be pressurised to the correct level to maintain a minimum amount of tension in the track 20. Unexpected and sudden increases in the track tension can be easily accommodated because the pneumatic tyres 40 of the front end idler wheels 12 will be compressed to shorten the total length around which the track 20 must extend. The use of pneumatic tyres 40 with the front end and intermediate idler wheels 12 and 14 also provide suspension for the track apparatus and improves the ride characteristic of the vehicle.

It is not generally possible for all of the idler wheels to have pneumatic tyres because of the fact that they will be compressed by the weight of the vehicle to which the track apparatus is attached. In the case of the track apparatus of Figure 1, the rear end idler wheel 16 therefore has a solid rubber tyre 42 to provide the necessary degree of support. Other non-compressible materials could also be used. For example, the rear end idler wheels 16 could be constructed entirely of metal. Although it is generally preferred that the front end idler wheels 12 act as the track tensioning mechanism, there is no reason why the front end idler wheels cannot be made of solid rubber and the rear end idler wheels have pneumatic tyres.

The alignment (or "tracking") of the track can be controlled by altering the pressure in the pneumatic tyre 40 of each front end idler wheel 12. Just considering one track apparatus, the alignment can be corrected or adjusted by setting the pressure of the pneumatic tyre of say the outermost front end idler wheel (i.e. the one mounted on the second support member 4' that is furthest away from the vehicle) to be greater than the pressure in the pneumatic tyre of the innermost front end idler wheel (i.e. the one mounted on the first support member that is closest to the vehicle. This would have the effect of moving the angular alignment of the track to be closer to vehicle. The opposite effect could be achieved by setting the pressure of the pneumatic tyre of the outeπnost front end idler wheel to be less than the pressure of the pneumatic tyre of the innermost front end idler wheel. Such alignment can be easily carried out by the owner of the track apparatus to get best performance and to avoid any damage being caused to the track if it does not run properly around the drive wheel and the idler wheels.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, each support member 4 is formed in two parts with an upper part 4a that includes the bearing structure 6 for supporting the drive wheel 2 and a lower part (or carriage part) 4b that includes the front, middle and rear stub axles 10a, 10b and 10c for mounting the idler wheels. The upper parts 4a are located axially closer to the drive wheel 2 and the lower parts 4b overlap with the upper parts such that the track apparatus has a stepped construction when viewed in the cross section of Figure 2. The maximum distance D between outer facing surfaces of the lower parts 4b is less than the overall width of the peripheral part the drive wheel 2 (i.e. the rolled plate 32 the supports 36) such that the entire support or chassis can sit comfortably in the space vacated by^' the wheel of the vehicle. The upper and lower parts 4a and 4b are welded together but other forms of mechanical fixing can be used.

As shown in Figure 4, the first and second support members 4 are joined together by axially extending cross members 44 and 46 at front and rear locations radially outside of the extent of the drive wheel 2. It is sometimes necessary to have direct access to the drive wheel 2 and so the cross members 44 and 46 are bolted together so that the first and second support members 4 can be split apart for maintenance and repair. Figure 4 also shows flanges 48a, 48b and 48c rotatably mounted to the stub axles 10a, 10b and 10c for the mounting of the front end, intermediate and rear end idler wheels 12, 14 and 16, respectively. In Figure 4, the nearest support 36 has been omitted so that the drive bars 34 can be seen.

The construction of the track apparatus necessitates a new and different method for fitting the track 20 around the outside of the drive wheel 2 and the idler wheels. To this end, and with reference to Figure 5, each of the rear end idler wheels 16 is formed with a two-part construction with a first plate 16a that is mounted on the rear stub axle 10c of the associated support member 4. A second plate 16b, having a larger outer radius than the first plate 16a, carries the solid rubber tyre 42 and is releasably secured to the first plate by a series of circumferentially spaced bolts 50 that are received through aligned apertures in the first and second plates. The method of track fitting will be described with reference iυ Figures όA to 6F. The first step is to remove all of the bolts 50 except the bolt that is furthest away from the centre of the drive wheel 2 (or more particularly, the bolt that is closest to the centre of the arc of the periphery of the rear end idler 16 about which the track 20 will extend once it has been fitted). This bolt is represented in all of Figures 6A to 6F by the small cross. Once the bolts have been removed, the second plate 16b is free to pivot about this bolt relative to the first plate 16a. The rear end idler wheel 16 can then be moved upwards (a pivoting movement of the second plate 16b about the remaining bolt) and to the left (an anticlockwise rotational movement of the first plate 16a about the stub axle 10c). This movement is shown by the transition from the starting position in Figure 6A, through an intermediate position shown in Figure 6B to a final position shown in Figure 6C. This movement^' creates space for the track 20 to be fitted because it reduced the total length around the drive wheel and the idler wheels over which the track has to extend. During assembly of the track apparatus, it might be the case that the second plate 16b is to be secured to the first plate 16a for the first time, hi this case, the second plate 16b can be secured to the first plate 16a using a single bolt at the position shown in Figure 6C with their respective axes not coincident. As shown in Figure 6D, the track 20 is then fitted around the drive wheel 2 and the front end, intermediate and rear end idler wheels 12, 14 and 16 in the usual way with the drive bars 34 of the drive wheel being received in the space between adjacent drive lugs 22 of the track. Once the track is in position, the movement of the rear end idler wheels 16 is repeated in the opposite direction with the first plate 16a being rotated in the clockwise direction about the stub axle 10c and the second plate 16b being pivoted relative to the first plate about the remaining bolt 50. This movement is shown by the transition from the starting position in Figure 6D, through an intermediate position shown in Figure 6E to a final position shown in Figure 6F when the apertures in the first and second plates 16a and 16b come back into register. The rotation movement provides a cam action such that the total length around which the track must extend is gradually increased against the tension in the track 20. Bolts can then be passed through the open apertures and tightened to secure the first and second plates 16a and 16b together. In the case where the rear end idler wheels act as the track tensioning mechanism then the front end idler wheels can have the above-mentioned two-part construction.

A first embodiment of a modular friction drive track apparatus is shown in Figure 7. The friction drive track apparatus is very similar to the modular positive drive track apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 and equivalent parts have been given the same reference numerals. The only technical difference is the use of friction engagement between the drive wheel 2 and the track 20 to drive the track. The features of the modular positive drive track apparatus relating to the construction of the support members 4 (including the bearing structure 6, upper and lower parts 4a and 4b), the attachment of the drive wheel 2 to the driven rear axle of the vehicle, the mounting of the front, intermediate and rear idler wheels 12, 14 and 16, the use of pneumatic tyres 40 on the front (or rear) end idler wheels to act as a track tensioning mechanism, and the two-part construction of the rear (or front) end idler wheels 16 for the purposes of track fitting are equally applicable to the modular friction drive track apparatus and will not be described again here.

The modular friction drive track apparatus includes a drive wheel 2 mounted between a pair of support members 4 or carriages (only one of which is shown). The track apparatus is for use with an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor or combine harvester, for example. Two identical track apparatus are secured to opposite sides of the vehicle in place of the rear wheels, which are temporarily removed to expose the driven rear axle of the vehicle. The drive wheel of each track apparatus is attached to opposite ends of the driven rear axle of the vehicle using an appropriate fixing so that they are rotated by the driven rear axle.

A flexible rubber track 20 is arranged around the outside of the drive wheel 2 and the idler wheels 12, 14 and 16 of each support member 4. A series of spaced locating lugs 22 are provided on an inner surface 24 of the track 20. As described in more detail below, the locating lugs 22 enable the drive wheel 2 to guide the track 20 but they are not essential to the operation of the track apparatus. A series of cleats 26 or tread patterns are provided on an outer surface of the track 20 for providing grip. The idler wheels 12, 14 and 16 of each support member 4 run along the inner surface 24 of the flexible track 20 and support the track in the region where it contacts the ground.

Figure 8 is a cross section view along line B-B of Figure 7. The drive wheel 2 includes a radially extending part 30 or hub that terminates in a circumferential edge part 100. The edge part 100 includes an axially extending plate member 102 that is integrally formed with two annular supports 104. The annular supports 104 can also be separately formed and welded or secured to the plate member 102 using a suitable mechanical fixing. The annular supports 104 extend completely around the periphery of the drive wheel 2 and define a circumferential locating lug receipt well for receiving the locating lugs 22 of the track 20. The radially outer face of each support 104 includes a rubber friction member 106 (either continuous or segmented) that engages with the inner surface 24 of the track 20 to drive the track. A series of circumferentially spaced friction members (not shown) can also be formed on the face of each support in place of the continuous or segmented friction member. Because the drive wheel 2 relies on a good friction contact between the friction members 106 and the inner surface 24 of the track 20, the tension in the track is usually greater than it would be for the modular positive drive track apparatus. One advantage of relying on friction contact instead of the positive contact between drive bars and drive lugs is that the track can "slip" relative to the drive wheel. This has the effect of reducing track fatigue. For low torque applications the amount of friction contact can be less than for high torque applications. Similarly, the amount of slippage that can be tolerated between the friction members 106 of the drive wheel 2 and the track 20 is greater for low torque applications than for high torque applications.

At an upper region of the track apparatus, the friction member 106 provided on the radially outer surface of each support 104 is in friction contact with the inner surface 24 of the track 20. However, at a lower region of the track apparatus (i.e. adjacent the idler wheels) the friction members 106 are spaced apart from the inner surface 24 of the track 20. This is shown more clearly in Figure 9 where the nearest annular support 104 is partially cut away to show the location of the locating lugs 22. Spacing the friction members 106 from the inner surface 24 of the track 20 prevents any dirt or debris that might find its way on to the lower run of the track from being picked up by the drive wheel 2 and disrupting the friction contact. In a different embodiment, the track apparatus can be arranged so that the friction members of the drive wheel are in friction contact with the inner surface of the track at both upper and lower regions of the track apparatus.

The locating lugs 22 of the track 20 are profiled in the axial direction to be substantially trapezoidal. The plate member 102 and the annular supports 104 are sized and shaped to correspond to the same profile such that the plate member 102 comes into direct contact with a distal surface 22a of the locating lugs 22 and the supports 104 come into direct contact with side surfaces of the locating lugs 22 at an upper region of the track apparatus. The plate member 102 and annular supports 104 therefore help to support the flexible track 20. Additional friction members (not shown) can be formed on the inner surface of each support to provide further friction contact between the supports and the locating lugs of the track. As shown clearly in Figure 8, the locating lugs 22 of the track 20 are received in the locating lug receipt well between the annular supports 104 at both upper and lower regions of the track apparatus. Thus, the drive wheel 2 guides the track 20 both at upper and lower regions of the track apparatus and prevents the track from moving in the axial direction. Although the plate member 102 is spaced apart from the distal surface 22a of the locating lugs 22 at the lower region of the track apparatus, it will be readily appreciated that it does help to prevent the track from rising upwardly between the idler wheels in situations where the track apparatus encounters uneven ground or an obstruction, for example. In these situations, the distal surface 22a of the locating lugs 22 will come into contact with the plate member 102 and further movement in the upward direction will be prevented. Such contact is shown in Figure 9.

A second embodiment of a modular friction drive track apparatus is shown in Figures 10 to 13. The friction drive track apparatus is very similar to the modular positive drive track apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 and to the first embodiment of the modular friction drive track apparatus described with reference to Figure 7 to 9 and equivalent parts have been given the same reference numerals. The only technical difference is the construction of the radially outer part of the drive wheel 2. More particularly, the drive wheel 2 includes a series of circumferentially spaced drive members 200 that are bolted to a peripheral region of the radially extending part or hub 30. Each drive member 200 (one of which is shown end on in Figure 13) includes a first support 202 and a second support 204 that are secured on opposite sides of the hub 30 by a pair of bolts 206. The first and second supports 202 and 204 include an angled part 208 and an axially extending part 210 that are sized and shaped to correspond to the profile of the locating lugs 22 of the track 20 such that the axially extending part 210 of each support 202 and 204 comes into direct contact with part of a distal surface 22a of the locating lugs 22 and the angled part 208 of each support comes into direct contact with side surfaces of the locating lugs at an upper region of the track apparatus:^' Each drive member 200 therefore defines a locating lug receipt well W for receiving the locating lugs 22 of the track 20.

The radially outer face of the first and second supports 202 and 204 of each drive member 200 includes a rubber friction member 212 that engages with the inner surface 24 of the track 20 to drive the track. Additional friction members (not shown) can be formed on the inner surface of the angled part of each support to provide further friction contact between the supports and the locating lugs of the track.

The use of drive members 200 is advantageous because they can be replaced individually and the space between 214 adjacent drive members allows for the passage of dirt and debris.

Claims

1. A track apparatus for mounting to a vehicle, the track apparatus comprising: a flexible track; a drive wheel for engaging with the track to drive the track and connectable to a driven axle of the vehicle; a pair of front end idler wheels each having a pneumatic tyre; and a pair of rear end idler wheels each having a solid rubber tyre or being made of a non-compressible material.

2. A track apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic tyre of one of the pair of front end idler wheels and the pneumatic tyre of the other one of the pair of front end idler wheels have different pressures.

3. A track apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a pair of intermediate idler wheels positioned between the front end idler wheels and the rear end idler wheels.

4. A track apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the pair of intermediate idler wheels has a pneumatic tyre.

5. A track apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the pair of intermediate idler wheels has a solid rubber tyre or is made of a non-compressible material.

6. A track apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the rear end idler wheels has a two-part construction with a first plate fixedly mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and a second plate supporting the solid rubber or pneumatic tyre and releasably secured to the first plate by a plurality of mechanical fixings.

7. A track apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical fixings are bolts and the first and second plates include a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures for receiving the bolts.

8. A track apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the pair of end idler wheels and the drive wheel are mounted in a fixed relationship to each other.

9. A track apparatus according to any of claim 3, wherein the drive wheel, the front end idler wheels, the rear end idler wheels and the intermediate idler wheels are mounted in a fixed relationship to each other.

10. A track apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a first support member on one side of the drive wheel including a first bearing structure for mounting the drive wheel, an axle for mounting one of the pair of front end idler wheels and an axle for mounting one of the pair of rear end idler wheels.

11. A track apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a second support member on the other side of the drive wheel including a second bearing structure for mounting the drive wheel, an axle for mounting the other one of the pair of front end idler wheels, and an axle for mounting the other one of the pair of rear end idler wheels.

12. A track apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the track has a plurality of drive lugs on its inner surface and the drive wheel has a plurality of drive bars for positive engagement between the drive lugs of the track to drive the track.

13. A track apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the drive bars have substantially the same axial width as the drive lugs.

14. A track apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the drive bars of the drive wheel engage between the drive lugs of an upper portion of the track to drive the track and are located between the drive lugs of a lower portion of the track to guide the track.

15. A track apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the drive wheel further includes a pair of radially extending supports that define a circumferential drive lug receipt well between the supports for receiving the drive lugs of the track.

16. A track apparatus according to claim 15, wherein drive lugs of an upper portion of the track and drive lugs of a lower portion of the track are simultaneously received in the drive lug receipt well between the supports.

17. A track apparatus according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the supports are sized and shaped to correspond to a profile of the drive lugs of the track.

18. A track apparatus according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein each support contacts a side portion of the drive lugs of the track.

19. A track apparatus according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the supports are joined to the drive bars of the drive wheel and a space is provided between each support and a peripheral edge portion of the drive wheel.

20. A track apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 19, further comprising an axially extending plate member joined to a hub portion of the drive wheel to define a peripheral edge portion of the drive wheel.

21. A track apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the plate member comes into direct contact with a distal surface of the drive lugs of the track.

22. A track apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the drive wheel has at least one friction member for friction engagement with an inner surface of the track to drive the track.

23. A track apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the at least one friction member engager with the inner surface of an upper portion of the track to drive the track and is spaced apart from the inner surface of a lower portion of the track.

24. A track apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the at least one friction member engages with the inner surface of both upper and lower portions of the track to drive the track.

25. A track apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the track has a plurality of locating lugs on its inner surface, and the drive wheel further includes two radially extending supports to define a circumferential locating lug receipt well between the supports for receiving the locating lugs of the track, each support having a friction member adapted for friction engagement with the inner surface of the track to drive the track.

26. A track apparatus according to claim 25, wherein locating lugs of an upper portion of the track and locating lugs of a lower portion of the track are simultaneously received in the locating lug receipt well between the supports.

27. A track apparatus according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the supports are sized and shaped to correspond to a profile of the locating lugs of the track.

28. A track apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 27, wherein each support contacts a side portion of the locating lugs of the track.

29. A track apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the supports include one or more friction members at the parts that contact a side portion of the locating lugs of the track.

30. A track apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the track has a plurality of locating lugs on its inner surface, and the drive wheel further comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive members, each drive member including two radially extending supports that define a locating lug receipt well between the supports for receiving the locating lugs of the track, each support including a friction member adapted for friction engagement with the inner surface of the track to drive the track.

31. A track apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the drive members are bolted to a hub portion of the drive wheel.

32. A track apparatus according to claim 30 or claim 31, wherein a locating lug of an upper portion of the track is received in a locating lug receipt well between the supports of a first drive member and a locating lug of a lower portion of the track is simultaneously received in- a locating lug receipt well between the supports of a second drive member.

33. A track apparatus according to any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the supports are sized and shaped to correspond to a profile of the locating lugs of the track.

34. A track apparatus according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein each support contacts a side portion of the locating lugs of the track.

35. A track apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the supports include one or more friction members at the parts that contact a side portion of the locating lugs of the track.

36. A track apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 35, wherein the at least one friction member is made of rubber.

37. A method of altering the directional alignment of a track of a track apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising the steps of determining a desired angle of alignment relative to an axis of the track apparatus and altering the pressure in one or both of the pneumatic tyres of the pair of end idler wheels until the desired angle of alignment is achieved.

38. A track apparatus substantially as herein described and with reference to the drawings.