Tracked vehicle

A tracked vehicle, comprising:

• a frame;
• an operator cabin mounted to the frame;
• a power plant mounted to the frame;
• a plurality of track assemblies mounted to the frame;
• each of the track assemblies comprising:
• (i) a plurality of wheels including:
• a first wheel at a first end and a second wheel at a second end spaced apart from the first wheel in a longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle;
• and
• a plurality of support wheels arranged in an inline configuration between the first wheel and the second wheel, each of the support wheels comprising an inboard support wheel member and an outboard support wheel member, the inboard and outboard support wheel members defining a guiding space therebetween;
• (ii) at least one bogie with a link interconnecting a plurality of the support wheels and configured to pivot relative to the frame about a pivot, wherein the first wheel is configured to move within the guiding space of at least one of the support wheels interconnected by the link as the at least one bogie pivots;
• and
• (iii) an endless track disposed around the plurality of wheels, wherein one of the first wheel and the second wheel is in driving engagement with the endless track to impart motion to the endless track, the endless track comprising:
• a wheel guide configured to pass through the guiding space of each of the support wheels as the endless track moves around the plurality of wheels.

A method of using a track assembly for traction of a tracked vehicle having a frame, the track assembly having (i) a drive wheel at a first end and a non-drive wheel at a second end spaced apart from the drive wheel;

• (ii) a plurality of support wheels arranged in an inline configuration between the drive wheel and the idler wheel, the support wheels each defining a guiding space between an inboard member of the respective support wheel and an outboard member of the respective support wheel;
• (iii) a bogie with a link interconnecting two of the support wheels and mounted to the frame about a pivot;
• and (iv) an endless track disposed around the plurality of wheels for engaging a ground, the endless track having a wheel guide, the method comprising:
• imparting motion to the endless track to cause the wheel guide of the track to pass through the guiding space between the inboard and outboard support wheel members and to cause the wheel guide to travel downwards towards the ground between the lowermost point of the first wheel and the support wheel closest thereto;
• pivoting the bogie about the pivot to vary an amount of overlap between at least the drive wheel and the one of the support wheels, the overlap being perceived from a side of the tracked vehicle.

A method of using a track assembly for traction of a tracked vehicle having a frame, the track assembly having (i) a drive wheel at a first end and a non-drive wheel at a second end spaced apart from the drive wheel;

• (ii) a plurality of support wheels arranged in an inline configuration between the drive wheel and the idler wheel, the support wheels each defining a guiding space between an inboard member of the respective support wheel and an outboard member of the respective support wheel;
• (iii) a bogie with a link interconnecting two of the support wheels and mounted to the frame about a pivot;
• and (iv) an endless track disposed around the plurality of wheels for engaging a ground, the endless track having a wheel guide, the method comprising:
• imparting motion to the endless track to cause the wheel guide of the track to pass through the guiding space between the inboard and outboard support wheel members and to cause the wheel guide to travel downwards towards the ground between the lowermost point of the first wheel and the support wheel closest thereto;
• pivoting the bogie about the pivot to vary an extent to which the drive wheel enters into the guiding space of one of the support wheels.