Continuous track is a vehicle drive system used in tracked vehicles, operating on a continuous tread band or track plate driven by two or more wheels. The large surface area of the tracks distributes the weight of the vehicle better than steel or rubber tires on an equivalent vehicle and allows continuous tracked vehicles to cross soft ground with less likelihood of jamming due to sinking.
Modern continuous parts can be made of soft synthetic rubber in the case of lightweight machines, reinforced with steel wires. The more common classic type are robust chain tracks made of steel plates (with or without rubber shoes), also called tread or tank tread [1], preferred for robust and heavy construction vehicles and military vehicles.
The prominent teeth of the metal plates are resistant to both wear and damage, especially compared to rubber tires. The aggressive tread of the tracks provides good traction on soft surfaces, but can damage asphalt surfaces, so some metal tracks may have rubber pads fitted for use on asphalt surfaces. Apart from soft rubber belts, most chain tracks implement a rigid mechanism to evenly distribute the load over the entire space between the wheels for minimal deformation, so even the heaviest vehicles can easily move like a train on straight rails.
The rigid mechanism was first given a physical form of Hornsby & Sons in 1904 and later became popular by the Caterpillar Tractor Company, with tanks emerging during World War I. Today it is widely used in various vehicles such as snowmobiles, tractors, bulldozers, excavators and tanks. However, the idea of continuous tracks can be traced back to the 1830s.
