Abstract: A vehicle comprising a frame assembly supported for movement by a centrally located driving track assembly and a pair of flanking driving and steering wheels. An engine is assembly carried by the frame assembly which is constructed and arranged to generate and supply power for the vehicle. The driving track assembly includes a track frame structure forming a part of the frame assembly, a series of rollers carried by the track frame structure including a driver roller and an endless track trained about the rollers so as to provide an operative ground engaging flight extending in a straight vehicle driving direction. A power operated track moving structure is operatively connected to the driver roller using power supplied from said engine assembly to move said track in driving relation to the ground.

Abstract: A vehicle is driven by a central track assembly and differential speed steering wheels in flanking relation thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle that has a frame, a driving track assembly, and a pair of secondary driving assemblies mounted on opposing lateral sides of the track assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle that has one or more counterbalance structures for offsetting longitudinally off-center loads carried on the frame of such a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle with a driving track assembly and a pair of secondary driving and steering assemblies disposed on opposing lateral sides of the track. Each secondary driving and steering structure includes a ground engaging driving and steering structure that is preferably a ground engaging wheel. The driving track assembly includes an endless ground engaging track that drives the vehicle. The flanking driving and steering structures also engage the ground and are rotated to impart force to the vehicle. A steering device is operatively connected to the secondary driving and steering assemblies. the steering device control operation of the secondary driving and steering assemblies so as to affect a vehicle steering operation wherein the ground engaging driving and steering structures are operated to turn said vehicle with respect to said vehicle driving and steering direction.

Abstract: A vehicle with a driving track assembly and a pair of secondary driving assemblies disposed on opposing lateral sides of the track. Each secondary driving structure includes a ground engaging driving structure that is preferably a ground engaging wheel. The driving track assembly includes an endless ground engaging track that drives the vehicle. The flanking driving structures also engage the ground and are rotated to impart force to the vehicle. A steering device is operatively connected to the secondary driving assemblies. The steering device control operation of the secondary driving assemblies so as to affect a vehicle steering operation wherein the ground engaging driving structures are operated to turn said vehicle with respect to said vehicle driving direction.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a main frame structure, a track assembly mounted to the main frame structure and having an single, endless ground-engaging track extending in a longitudinal direction. A pair of steerable ground-engaging wheels flank the track, constructed and arranged to exert a ground bearing pressure sufficient to change a direction of travel of the track in response to turning of the wheels to steer the vehicle. Steering structure is operatively associated with the wheels to turn the wheels. Power drive structure is mounted with respect to the main frame structure and is constructed and arranged to drive the wheels and the track simultaneously so as to move the vehicle along the ground. The wheels are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the main frame structure so as to change a position thereof with respect to the main frame structure, thereby permitting driving, steering and ground pressure of the vehicle to be adjusted in accordance with ground conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing a standing tree at a trunk portion thereof includes a housing constructed and arranged to be movable to a tree harvesting location. Holding structure is constructed and arranged with respect to the housing to hold a portion of the stem of the tree while the trunk portion thereof is severed. A cutting blade mounted so as to be movable between retracted and extended position with respect to the tree. Impact hammer structure is operatively coupled to the cutting blade such that successive impacts generated by the impact hammer structure on the cutting blade move the cutting blade progressively through the trunk portion of the tree.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for delimbing tree limbs of a felled tree including housing structure constructed and arranged to be movable to a tree processing location. Support and feeding structure is constructed and arranged with respect to the housing structure to support a stem portion of the tree while a limb thereof is severed and to move the stem portion progressively through the housing structure. Blade structure is mounted on the housing structure and is constructed and arranged to move into engagement with a limb. Impact hammer structure is operatively coupled to the blade structure such that successive impacts generated by the impact hammer structure on the blade structure move the blade structure progressively thorough a limb.

Abstract: A high wall mining system including a continuous mining machine, a remote control station outwardly of the high wall from which extend electric cables wound on cable reels which extend to the continuous mining machine enabling the operator to control the machine based upon television pictures transmitted to the control station from television cameras on the machine and the signals from laser and sonar guidance systems provided at the control station in cooperation with elements on the continuous mining machine and an extensible and retractable vacuum air conveyor system for the coal recovered by the mining machine.

Abstract: A method of recovering particulate material from a seam of such material within the earth bounded above and below by different material which comprises the steps of positioning in mining relation to the seam a continuous mining machine having a power driven mechanism thereon for moving the machine through successive seam material cutting cycles which include an advancing movement along a mined entry within the seam in a direction toward the working face of the seam; illuminating portions of the space surrounding the continuous mining machine including portions of the working face disposed forwardly thereof and adjacent portions of the roof, floor and side walls of the mined entry rearwardly of the working face; establishing electromagnetic signals indicative of the appearance of the illuminated portions of the working face of the seam and the adjacent portions of the roof, floor and side walls; transmitting the established electromagnetic signals to a remote control station; converting at the remote control s

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a main frame structure, a track assembly mounted to the main frame structure and having an single, endless ground-engaging track extending in a longitudinal direction. A pair of steerable ground-engaging wheels flank the track, constructed and arranged to exert a ground bearing pressure sufficient to change a direction of travel of the track in response to turning of the wheels to steer the vehicle. Steering structure is operatively associated with the wheels to turn the wheels. Power drive structure is mounted with respect to the main frame structure and is constructed and arranged to drive the wheels and the track simultaneously so as to move the vehicle along the ground. The wheels are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the main frame structure so as to change a position thereof with respect to the main frame structure, thereby permitting driving, steering and ground pressure of the vehicle to be adjusted in accordance with ground conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a main frame structure, a track assembly mounted to the main frame structure and having a single, endless ground-engaging track extending in a longitudinal direction. A pair of steerable ground-engaging wheels flank the track, constructed and arranged to exert a ground bearing pressure sufficient to change a direction of travel of the track in response to turning of the wheels to steer the vehicle. Steering structure is operatively associated with the wheels to turn the wheels. Power drive structure is mounted with respect to the main frame structure and is constructed and arranged to drive the wheels and the track simultaneously so as to move the vehicle along the ground. The wheels are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the main frame structure so as to change a position thereof with respect to the main frame structure, thereby permitting driving, steering and ground pressure of the vehicle to be adjusted in accordance with ground conditions.