I might already know the answer to this but I would like to get your take on the matter: When tracked vehicles are moving at high speed, is there tension on the upper run of tracks? Personally, I like the look of track sag but shouldn't that be reserved for vehicles at rest or travelling at very slow speeds?

—mike

No sag when moving at speed, the track run over the top of the track or track top rollers is under massive tension when the tank is moving even under slowish speed,

Regards

Dan

It's irrelevant that the vehicle is moving at speed. What matters is acceleration, not speed.
If the vehicle is accelerating forwards, or climbing a slope, or if there's a lot of friction due to the condition of the ground; there will be tension in the top track.

David

If the drive sprocket is in front and the track has natural looseness and the tank is going forward, then the top rung tension becomes very visible. Indeed, any sag will come between the sprocket and the frontmost road wheel.

If the drive sprocket is in the rear, the top rung tension is less obvious when the tank is driving forward. The greatest tension will be the section between the rear sprocket and the rearmost road wheel.

Just as I thought. Thanks guys, for keeping me on the right track!

—mike

Great answer, Roy. Most people don't take sprocket position into the equation... and it really does make a big difference.