Editing Continuous track (section)

=== Rubber tracks ===
Starting from late 1980s, many manufacturers provide rubber tracks instead of steel, especially for agricultural applications. Rather than a track made of linked steel plates, a reinforced rubber belt with [[wikt:chevron|chevron]] treads is used.

In comparison to steel tracks, rubber tracks are lighter, waste less power on internal friction, make less noise and do not damage paved roads. However, they impose ''more'' [[ground pressure]] below the wheels, as&nbsp;they are not able to equalize pressure as well as the stiff mechanism of track plates, especially the spring loaded ''live'' tracks. Another disadvantage is that they are not disassemblable into tracks and therefore cannot be repaired, having to be discarded as whole if once damaged.

Previous belt-like systems, such as those used for [[half-track]]s in World War II, were not as strong, and during military actions were easily damaged. The first rubber track was invented and constructed by [[Adolphe Kégresse]] and patented in 1913; in historic context rubber tracks are often called [[Kégresse track]]s. First rubber-tracked agricultural tractor was the [[Oliver Farm Equipment]] HGR from 1945-1948, which was ahead of its time and only saw small-scale production.