# US 2013/0154345 A1 · Vehicle comprising a crawler track assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0154345 A1 - Document ID: US20130154345A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/626,073 - Filed: 2012-09-25 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-29 - Assignees: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH - Inventors: Waldemar Schulz; Sebastian Wagemann; Jan Philipp Behra; Robert Obermeier-Hartmann; Sascha Rackow; Philipp Muemken - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130154345A1 ## CPC - B62D 55/14: Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers - B62D 55/10: Bogies; Frames (track-tensioning means B62D55/30) - B62D 55/112: with fluid springs, e.g. hydraulic pneumatic - B62D 55/305: {acting on pivotably mounted idlers} - B60G 2206/011: Modular constructions - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract An agricultural vehicle includes comprises a crawler track assembly having a plurality of supporting rollers arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel of the vehicle and around which a belt is wrapped. The rollers are adjusted by way of an actuator between a first configuration, in which all supporting rollers are loaded, and a second configuration, in which at least one outer roller of the supporting rollers is relieved. An energy accumulator is charged by a drive energy source and connected to the actuator in order to provide the actuator with the drive energy required to adjust the configuration. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An agricultural vehicle (1) comprising: at least one crawler track assembly (2; 19) having a plurality of supporting rollers (7, 8) arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel of the vehicle and around which a belt (6) is wrapped, wherein the rollers (7, 8) are adjusted by way of at least one actuator (11) between a first configuration, in which all supporting rollers (7, 8) are loaded, and a second configuration, in which at least one outer roller (7) of the supporting rollers (7, 8) is relieved, and a drive energy source for delivering drive energy required to adjust the configuration, wherein an energy accumulator (29) is charged by the drive energy source and connected to the actuator (11) in order to provide the actuator (11) with the drive energy required to adjust the configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (11) acts on an inner roller (8) of the supporting rollers (7, 8). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the drive energy source is a source for a working fluid, which is under overpressure, and the energy accumulator (29) is a first pressure reservoir. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the actuator (11) is connected to a second pressure reservoir (24), an operating pressure of which second pressure reservoir (24), is lower than an operating pressure of the first pressure reservoir (29), in order to permit spring motion of the supporting roller (8) upon which the actuator (11) acts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein at least one directional control valve (25; 27) connects the actuator (11) either to the first or the second pressure reservoir (29; 24). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the directional control valve (25; 27) comprises a control inlet, which is connected (22) to the drive assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (32), which is set up to implement the first configuration of the crawler track assembly (2; 19) during straight-ahead travel, and to implement the second configuration thereof during travel around a curve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (32), which is set up to implement the first configuration of the crawler track assembly (2; 19) below a limit speed, and to implement the second configuration thereof above the limit speed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (32), which is set up to estimate a slip of the vehicle and, if slip is above a limit value, implement the first configuration of the crawler track assembly (2; 19) and, if slip is below the limit value, implement the second configuration thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the crawler track assembly (19) is steerable.