A Low Cost Tracked Vehicle Steering System Design Providing Pivot Turning and Infinitely Variable Turning Radius

Tracked vehicles offer many advantages off road in difficult terrain. A primary factor limiting their application, however, has been providing a capable steering system at reasonable cost. This problem has been solved in high speed military tracked vehicles where cost is not the dominant factor. Now a new tracked vehicle steering unit has been developed which provides the same performance as the most advanced military systems, but which is manufactured economically from standard automotive components. This can be matched with standard engines and transmissions to give vehicle performance which formerly could not be obtained at a commercially acceptable price.