Abstract: A steering system for a construction vehicle operable to control the position of a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels relative to the frame of the vehicle includes a hydraulic fluid circuit for distributing hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic cylinder is connected to each of the wheels for turning same in a desired manner. A steering wheel is interposed in the hydraulic fluid circuit for selectively directing hydraulic fluid to the cylinders for steering said wheels in a desired direction. A mode selector valve is interposed in the fluid flow circuit between the steering wheel and the cylinders for selectively selecting either four-wheel steer, crab steer, or front-wheel steer mode of steering for said vehicle. A control momentarily overrides the mode selector valve to isolate the rear hydraulic cylinders from the front hydraulic cylinders for permitting independent movement of the rear wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-purpose lifting vehicle includes a hydraulic cylinder for controlling the elevation of a boom hoist device operably connected thereto. The device is alternately used in crane or front end loader modes of operation. The vehicle includes a hydraulic system for controlling the operation of the cylinder comprising a multi-position mode selector valve for selecting the specific mode of operation of the boom hoist device for raising, lowering and enabling the boom hoist device to float. The control system further includes a holding valve for locking the hydraulic fluid within the raising end of the cylinder for maintaining the elevation of the boom hoist device. A first bypass circuit is provided about the holding valve for enabling fluid to escape from the raising end of the cylinder while fluid is simultaneously flowing to the lowering end thereof.