Pivoting track tensioning system for a tracked vehicle

A system for tensioning a track, the system comprising:

• a track tensioning wheel for engaging and tensioning a track tensioning wheel being rotatable around a wheel rotation axis;
• a biasing system for providing a track tensioning force;
• a frame comprising a planar surface member that defines a pivoting plane;
• and
• a pivoting wheel plate that is coupled to the track tensioning wheel and to the biasing system, the pivoting wheel plate being tensioned against the planar surface member of the frame and being pivotable in the pivoting plane around a pivot axis that is displaced from the wheel rotation axis, wherein the pivoting wheel plate slides substantially against the planar surface member of the frame as the pivoting wheel plate pivots to tension a track.

A track tensioning system for balancing the track tension forces in left and right tracks on a tracked vehicle, the track tensioning system comprising:

• a frame;
• a left wheel plate assembly that is coupled to the frame, the left wheel plate assembly comprising a left wheel that is rotatable around a left wheel rotation axis, the left wheel plate assembly being pivotable in a left pivot plane around a left pivot axis that is displaced from the left wheel rotation axis, the left wheel plate assembly being arranged and configured to engage the left track;
• a right wheel plate assembly that is coupled to the frame, the right wheel plate assembly comprising a right wheel that is rotatable around a right wheel rotation axis, the right wheel plate assembly being pivotable in a right pivot plane around a right pivot axis that is displaced from the right wheel rotation axis, the right wheel plate assembly being arranged and configured to engage the right track;
• a rocker arm member that is coupled to the left and right wheel plate assemblies, and the rocker arm member also being pivotably coupled to the frame;
• wherein the rocker arm member transfers track tension forces between the left track and the right track and wherein the left wheel plate assembly and right wheel plate assembly pivot to balance the tension in the tracks.