Abstract: A wheeled vehicle structure including a frame having laterally spaced rail portions, a working component such as a loader, and arm and control cylinder structure attached to the working component for selective positioning thereof. A prefabricated tower assembly is mounted to the frame in straddling relationship to the spaced rails, with a top portion of the tower assembly resting on a top surface of the rails and a lower side portion of the tower assembly welded to the outer side surfaces of the rails. Shims are provided for accurately locating the tower assembly transversely of the frame and to accommodate for manufacturing tolerances. The tower assembly includes pivot structure for pivotally connecting the arm and control cylinder structure thereto so as to permit ready conversion of the wheeled vehicle to a loader or the like.

Abstract: A low-profile front end loader vehicle has the bucket located as close to the front wheels as is possible without sacrificing strength and maneuverability. The lift arms are shortened and reshaped in the midportion to lower the low position of the lift arms. An irregularly shaped reinforced tubular crossbrace is provided and has end plates which coact not only with external plates on each arm for attachment of the lift cylinders to said arms, but also coact with brackets carried by said crossbrace to support the tilt arms thereon. The respective plates strengthen the lift arms and the reinforced crossbrace has internal stiffness that resists torsion and bending to provide an improved compact lift structure.

Abstract: A low-profile vehicle, such as a loader for use in a mine or the like, has fuel tanks secured to the rear of the main frame to form the rear bumpers and counterweights for the vehicle. A center bumper is attached to the tanks and extends therebetween. The center bumper has a cutout intersected by a draw pin. The tanks are interconnected by a common drawtube from which fuel is picked up for and returned from the engine. Apertured stiffening plates are mounted in the tanks to reinforce the walls of the tank and to form baffles for the fuel in the tanks. Vents, guards, quick fill and conventional fuel inlets are provided on the tank.