Suspension mechanism for a track-type vehicle

A suspension mechanism for a track-type vehicle having a frame, comprising:

• a front idler wheel having an axially inner side portion, an axially outer side portion, and shaft means for connecting the side portions together and defining an annular peripheral gap therebetween;
• front suspension strut means for resiliently supporting the shaft means and the front idler wheel for vertical and horizontal movement relative to the frame and including a front member extending through the gap and supporting the front idler wheel;
• and
• brake means for braking movement of the vehicle by selective engagement with the front idler wheel, the brake means being mounted on the front member and being located in a relatively protected region between the side portions of the front idler wheel.

A suspension chamber for a vehicle having a frame, and including a rear drive wheel connected to the frame elevationally above the ground on a fixed axis, a front idler wheel, and a rear idler wheel located longitudinally between the rear drive wheel and the front idler wheel comprising:

• an elastomeric drive belt entrained about the wheels and driven by friction by the rear drive wheel;
• suspension strut means for resiliently biasing the front idler wheel forwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame and including a front member supporting the front idler wheel, and a recoil mechanism having a proximal portion pivotally connected to the frame and a distal portion connected to the front member, the distal portion being reciprocably connected to the proximal portion and defining a pressurizable reaction chamber therebetween urging the front member forwardly;
• and
• brake means for braking movement of the vehicle by selective engagement with the front idler wheel, the brake means being mounted on the front member.