On the causes of the destructive impact on the soil and measures to reduce the environmental hazard of a caterpillar mover.

The question of the causes of the destructive effect exerted by a link caterpillar mover on soils of various types is considered. Measures to reduce this impact are proposed. The proposed set of measures will increase the mobility of the chassis on soils with a weak surface layer and on snow-in conditions that are typical primarily for the regions of the Far North, the Arctic and Antarctic. The proposed design of the propulsion unit allows operational repairs in the field. The advantages of the proposed design are the reduction of the destructive effect on the soil and the increase in the passability of the machine on a weak bearing base. The relevance of the study is determined by the complex interest in the development of the territories of the northern regions of the Russian Federation, as well as the negative experience gained as a result of the operation of caterpillar conveyors with a traditional chassis design in the tundra and forest tundra regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]