Continuous track
part · 1904 · Electric age
A closed loop of track links driven by a sprocket; spreads the vehicle’s weight.
What it is made of
- Track link — has part. A track is made up of track links.
- Sprocket — has part. The drive sprocket engages the track and pulls it round — just as a bicycle sprocket pulls the chain.
- Road wheel — has part. Road wheels roll along the track and carry the vehicle’s weight.
Principles and materials it uses
- Steel — is made of. The track links are steel.
Where it is used
- Holt tracked tractor — is part of. Holt’s tractor ran on tracks, which let it work on soft ground.
- Tank — is part of. Tracks let a tank cross trenches and rough ground.
- Excavator — is part of. Most excavators run on tracks.
- Bulldozer — is part of. Tracks give traction on the ground.
- Infantry fighting vehicle — is part of. Tracks.
Things built in a similar way
- Roller chain — works like. A track is a closed chain of hinged links driven by a sprocket; the principle is that of a roller chain, on a different scale.