초록 ▼

A track vehicle includes a cab operable to support an operator. Left and right motors each rotate an output shaft at a first speed, and a speed reduction system is operably coupled to each output shaft. Left and right drive shafts are driven by the speed reduction system at a second speed that is sl

A track vehicle includes a cab operable to support an operator. Left and right motors each rotate an output shaft at a first speed, and a speed reduction system is operably coupled to each output shaft. Left and right drive shafts are driven by the speed reduction system at a second speed that is slower than the first speed. Left and right drive sprockets are mounted for rotation with the respective first and second drive shafts. Left and right track carriages support the cab and left and right tracks are mounted for rotation about the track carriages in response to rotation of the respective left and right drive shafts, such that the left and right tracks are driven by the left and right drive sprockets to move the track vehicle along a ground surface.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A track vehicle comprising: a frame and a cab on the frame operable to support an operator; left and right motors each rotating an output shaft at a first speed; a separate speed reduction system operably coupled to each output shaft; left and right drive shafts rotatable on

What is claimed is: 1. A track vehicle comprising: a frame and a cab on the frame operable to support an operator; left and right motors each rotating an output shaft at a first speed; a separate speed reduction system operably coupled to each output shaft; left and right drive shafts rotatable on the frame being driven by the respective speed reduction system at a second speed that is slower than the first speed; left and right drive sprockets mounted for rotation with the respective left and right drive shafts; left and right track carriages pivotally mounted adjacent first ends thereof to pivot about the left and right drive shafts, respectively, and positioned at outer sides of the frame, thereby supporting the cab; and left and right tracks mounted for movement about the track carriages in response to rotation of the respective left and right drive shafts, wherein the left and right tracks are driven by the left and right drive sprockets to move the track vehicle along a ground surface; wherein the speed reduction systems include left and right relatively small diameter chain sprockets mounted to the output shafts of the respective left and right motors, left and right relatively large diameter chain sprockets mounted to the respective left and right drive shafts, and left and right chains coupling the respective left small and large chain sprockets and the right small and large chain sprockets such that the drive shafts rotate at slower speed and higher torque than the motor output shafts, all portions of the speed reduction systems being within the frame and between the left and right track carriages. 2. The track vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a suspension system between the track carriages and the cab that supports the track carriages at locations spaced from the pivotal mounting of the track carriages and permits relative pivotal motion of second ends of the left and right track carriages relative to the cab. 3. The track vehicle of claim 2, wherein the suspension system includes left and right bearings that support the respective left and right track carriages for pivotal movement about the respective left and right drive shafts, and left and right shock assemblies mounted between the respective left and right track carriages and the cab to reduce the transmission of impact forces from the left and right track carriages to the cab as the vehicle travels over rough terrain. 4. The track vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a mechanism for locking the suspension system to resist relative movement between the track carriages and cab. 5. The track vehicle of claim 1, wherein the motors are positioned between the left and right track carriages; and wherein the chains extend between the motors. 6. The track vehicle of claim 1, wherein the motors are positioned between the left and right track carriages; and wherein the motors are positioned between the chains. 7. A track vehicle comprising: a frame operable to support an operator; first and second motors rotating respective output shafts; first and second drive shafts on the frame being driven in response to rotation of the output shafts; first and second drive sprockets mounted for rotation with the drive shafts first and second track carriages pivotally mounted about the first and second drive shafts respectively and supporting the frame; speed reduction systems coupled between the output shafts and the drive shafts, such that the drive shafts are rotated at a slower speed than the output shafts speed of rotation; and first and second tracks mounted for movement about the track carriages in response to rotation of the drive sprockets, wherein the first and second tracks are moved around the respective first and second track carriages in response to the first and second motors, such that the track vehicle is moveable along a ground surface, in response to the movement of the first and second tracks; wherein the speed reduction system includes first and second relatively small diameter chain sprockets mounted to the output shaft of the respective first and second motors, first and second relatively large diameter chain sprockets mounted to the respective first and second drive shafts, and first and second chains coupling the respective first small and large chain sprockets and the second small and large chain sprockets such that the drive shafts rotate at slower speed and higher torque than the motor output shafts. 8. The track vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a suspension system operable to support the frame on the track carriages, wherein the suspension system permits relative movement between portions of the first and second track carriages and the frame as the first and second track carriages pivot on the first and second drive shafts, respectively. 9. The track vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first and second track carriages independently support the frame by the suspension system, such the first and second track carriages move independently of one another relative to the frame. 10. The track vehicle of claim 8, wherein the suspension system includes first and second bearings that support the respective first and second track carriages for pivotal movement about the respective first and second drive shafts, and first and second shock assemblies mounted to the respective first and second track carriages and relative to the cab to reduce transmission of impact forces from the first and second track carriages to the cab as the vehicle travels over rough terrain. 11. The track vehicle of claim 8, wherein the suspension system is moveable coupled to the frame and each track carriage at locations spaced from the first and second drive shafts, respectively, to permit rotation of each track carriage about the respective drive shaft. 12. The track vehicle of claim 8, wherein the suspension is selectively inhibited from allowing relative movement between the carriages and cab during a digging operation.