Track changing apparatus and methods associated therewith

A method of installing a track on an armored vehicle, comprising:

• engaging a track changing apparatus comprising a variable length upper beam member, a variable length lower beam member, and a plurality of variable height connectors interconnecting the variable length upper beam member with the variable lower beam member with an elastomeric endless track, the engaging comprising contacting a plurality of moveable members of the track changing apparatus with the elastomeric endless track to cause the elastomeric endless track to be placed in tension;
• advancing the track changing apparatus toward the armored vehicle to place the elastomeric endless track in mounting proximity with the armored vehicle;
• adjusting tension in the elastomeric endless track by moving at least some of the plurality of powered moveable members such that the elastomeric endless track at least partially engages the armored vehicle;
• and
• disengaging the track changing apparatus from the elastomeric endless track thereby attaching the elastomer endless track to the armored vehicle.

A method of installing a track on an armored vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• (a) engaging a track changing apparatus comprising:
• (i) a hoist member;
• and
• (ii) a main frame interconnected to a lower end of the hoist member, the main frame selectively rotatable between about 0 to about 120 degrees from vertical, the main frame comprising:
• a variable length upper beam member including an upper beam frame interconnecting a first track spreader at a first longitudinal end of the variable length upper beam member and a second track spreader at a second longitudinal end of the variable length upper beam member;
• a variable length lower beam member including a lower beam frame interconnecting first and second road wheel guides situated at corresponding first and second longitudinal ends of the variable length lower beam member, and first and second rotatable standoffs interconnected to the lower beam frame, and
• a plurality of variable height connectors interconnecting the variable length upper beam member to the variable length lower beam member;
• (b) advancing the track changing apparatus toward the armored vehicle to place the elastomeric endless track in mounting proximity with the armored vehicle;
• (c) adjusting tension in the elastomeric endless track to at least partially engage the armored vehicle;
• and
• (d) disengaging the track changing apparatus from the elastomeric endless track, wherein the elastomer endless track is at least partially engaged to the armored vehicle.