Abstract: A selectable multi-wheel drive system for a mining machine has an electrical motor directly driving a wheel and driving a hydraulic pump through a clutching mechanism. Another wheel is connected to be driven by a hydraulic motor connected through a hydraulic circuit to be driven by the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is selectively connected to the hydraulic motor so that one wheel or both wheels may be driven. The hydraulic circuit is controlled so that when in a one wheel drive condition the hydraulic motor is placed in a free-wheeling mode and no losses occur in the hydraulic circuit because of connection to the wheel.

Abstract: A steering and drive system for a four-wheeled vehicle (10) with two non-steering and non-driving wheels (16, 17) at one end of the vehicle, in which the system includes two wheel brackets (23, 32) at the other end of the vehicle, each wheel bracket having a motor-driven wheel (18, 19) mounted thereon, and each wheel bracket being mounted on the vehicle for turning about a vertical axis which passes through the angle of rotation of the wheel thereon, and a double-ended hydraulic cylinder (35) having a housing (36) fixed to the frame (15) of the vehicle and a reciprocating piston (41) whose ends are connected by links (47, 53) to the two wheel brackets to provide a tie between the wheels and Ackerman steering.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrostatic drive for vehicles, especially for the drive wheels of automotive heavy processing machines that have a drive for main drive wheels via a multispeed gear transmission and a drive for auxiliary drive wheels, wherein the drives for both the auxiliary drive wheels and the main drive wheels are hydrostatic. These hydrostatic drives each comprise an adjustable pump and an adjustable motor. A multispeed gear transmission is provided between the main drive motor and the main drive wheels and a clutch is provided between the adjustable motor and the auxiliary drive wheels. To obtain a higher travel speed, it is possible to disconnect the auxiliary drive and to switch, via a changeover valve, the delivery of the adjustable pump from the auxiliary drive to the main drive. Thereby is obtained the advantage that through the same control of both main and auxiliary drive wheels there is ensured a functional interplay of the drives.

Abstract: A tractor for agricultural purposes, particularly for seedbed preparation, which comprises an engine of thirty or more kilowatts' power, a frame having two frame parts which are movable relative to each other about the frame's longitudinal axis, an axle extending from each side of each frame part which mounts on common wheel supports two tandem wheels having pneumatic tires mounted thereon. Each wheel is driven directly by its own hydraulic motor which is energized by a common hydraulic pump which, in turn, is driven by a diesel motor. The latter also drives via a gear box PTOs extending outwardly between wheels fore and aft and is the power source for two lifting devices, also extending outwardly between wheels fore and aft. The weight of the tractor is about forty kilograms per kilowatt engine power. Each lifting device has at its coupling points, a lifting capacity of at least one thousand kilograms.

Abstract: A hydrostatic all wheel drive system for an articulated vehicle, which system due to its special arrangement is also able to steer the vehicle. The hydraulic system includes two powered hydraulic pumps variable as to their output capacity and flow directions. The hydraulic motors powering the front right-side wheel and the rear left-side wheel, respectively are connected via a closed hydraulic circuit in parallel relation to one of the hydraulic pumps, and the motors powering the front left-side wheel and the rear right-side wheel, respectively are connected via a second hydraulic circuit in parallel relation to the other of the hydraulic pumps. The vehicle can be steered by changing the flow rate and/or flow direction in one of the two hydraulic circuits in respect to the corresponding parameters of the other circuit.

Abstract: Each of the swivel-mounted wheel axles of a chassis can be manually positioned by means of an adjusting device, which includes a lever, into a first position for driving the chassis straight ahead or in reverse with respect to its longitudinal dimension, or else into a second position for turning the chassis about a fixed spot. In each position, the swivel-mounted axle is fixed in this position by means of a locking pin, which can be brought into the locked position by raising the lever or into the disengaged position by lowering the lever. A locking detector is assigned to each position. The locking detectors which have been assigned to the setting for driving straight or to that for turning on the spot are each incorporated into a separate control circuit, these control circuits permitting the starting of the wheel drives only when the swivel-mounted wheel axles have been properly set and locked for either driving straight or turning about the fixed spot.

Abstract: A steering system for a multi-mode steering vehicle wherein the front and rear wheel pairs are mechanically interconnected to one another for synchronous turning movement from 0.degree. through 90.degree., and the front and rear wheel pairs being electronically coupled together to enable a predetermined synchronous turning (tracking) of the rear wheels in relation to turning movement of the front wheels.

Abstract: A guidable bogie truck for a mobile crane, such as a mobile gantry crane, includes a frame having longitudinal supports; a pair of wheel mechanisms connected to one end of the frame and a pair of wheel mechanisms connected to the opposite end of the frame, one of the pairs of wheel mechanisms being connected to pivotable axles which allows the associated pair of wheel mechanisms to constitute guide wheel mechanisms; four support legs movably connected to the frame; lifting devices connected to each of the four support legs to extend them downwardly to contact the ground and support the frame or to retract them upwardly towards the frame; wheel drive motors for turning the wheel mechanisms; adjustment motors for pivoting the pivotable wheel axles; and a common control device for controlling the operation of the bogie truck parts.

Abstract: An off-the-road vehicle has wheel sets of the same or different forms such as rolls or differentially driven wheels with a hydraulic motor and gear reduction drive for each wheel set. An engine driven variable displacement fluid pump is fed by return lines from the motors, and a fluid control system is provided including a valve associated with each motor and a restricted delivery line from each valve to its associated motor, an unrestricted delivery line from each valve to the other motor, and a restricted line connecting the two motors. Each valve is biased toward a first position by a spring and fluid pressure at the associated motor and has ports connecting the pump and restricted line to the associated motor in a first position, each valve being movable toward a second position by pump output pressure and having parts connecting the pump and the other motor through the unrestricted lines in the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system is provided with an auxiliary hydraulic drive having a variable displacement motor connected to ground engaging wheels by a clutch. A multiple position control has a first position which causes clutch engagement and positions a motor displacement member in a position which permits fluid drive of the motor. The control has a second position which causes clutch disengagement and positions the motor displacement member in a zero displacement condition which prevents fluid drive of the motor. Preferably the control is responsive to motor output speed and reduces motor displacement as speed increases.

Abstract: A control for a variable displacement motor which utilizes a motor speed sensitive signal for moving the displacement of the motor toward a zero displacement setting position including a device for generating a conditioned variable signal representative of motor speed, circuitry for receiving said signal and upon the signal reaching a predetermined intermediate value applying the signal to the control device for motor displacement for causing reduction in motor displacement and with various devices in the circuit for modifying the variable signal to provide a desired relation between motor speed and motor displacement. Utilization of such controls individually associated with plural variable displacement motors driving vehicle wheels and driven by one pump protects against spin-out of one of the wheels.

Abstract: A multi-wheel transporter vehicle of the straddle-type comprising first, second, third and fourth vertically extending corner upright members, each corner upright further comprising a wheel assembly at the lower end thereof and first drive means operable to control one or more of said wheel assemblies in either a normal or lateral direction, with a longitudinally extending endless conveyor platform assembly including second drive means for selectively defining a linear motion in the longitudinal direction for said conveyor, between said uprights.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid drive for a land motor vehicle having front and rear drive wheels. An internal combustion engine drives a pair of positive displacement pumps. A first pump is connected to hydraulic motors that drive the front wheels of the vehicle. A second pump is connected to a hydraulic motor that drives a rear steerable wheel of the vehicle. A manually operated control is used to adjust the speed and torque of the motors for the front wheels. A front and rear wheel drive equalizing control operates in response to differences in hydraulic fluid pressure supplied to the front and rear hydraulic motors to equalize the fluid pressure pumped to the front and rear hydraulic motors so as to maintain the torque and speed of the front and rear wheels substantially constant. A foot operated lever is used to operate the control for the first pump for changing the supply of fluid pressure to the front wheel motors.

Abstract: Power drive apparatus is adapted for mounting beneath the forward or lower row of a telescopic seating system. The drive apparatus includes a frame which is adapted to be connected to the forward row of the seating system and extend beneath it. A reversible electric motor is mounted centrally of the frame with its axis transverse of the direction of travel of the unit. First and second rollers (as distinguished from wheels or endless track) are mounted to the frame for rotation about respective horizontal forward and rear axes extending transverse of the direction of movement of the rows between the use and storage positions. Each roller has an exterior covering of compressible, resilient material, preferably synthetic rubber. The rollers are preferably located in front of and behind the motor respectively to provide a four-wheel-drive effect. The apparatus fits beneath the deck of the lowest row in the seating system and can easily be retrofitted to an existing system.

Abstract: A power transmission system for a tractor comprising a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor to be driven by the oil forced out from the pump, a PTO transmission mechanism coupled to the shaft of the hydraulic pump and a wheel transmission mechanism coupled to the output shaft of the hydraulic motor. The power from an engine is transmitted to the PTO transmission mechanism by way of the pump shaft before being delivered to the wheel transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided particularly suitable for use in ambulators ving a mobile platform that transports a paraplegic in a standing position, the unique drive mechanism enabling the platform to be of a minimum size with a very low center of gravity, and being movable about three axes to provide maximum maneuverability and access to confined spaces.

Abstract: The steerable wheels of a hydraulically driven vehicle are provided with fixed displacement type auxiliary motors which are connected in parallel both with each other and with the motor which powers the main drive wheels. A selector valve permits the motors for the steerable wheels to be optionally connected and disconnected from the reversible, variable displacement main pump. Flow dividers in the hydraulic lines limit the maximum flow of fluid to any one auxiliary drive motor. To prevent large power losses when the steerable wheel assist mode is not being utilized, the selector valves are placed in close proximity to each fixed displacement motor. This allows the motors to circulate large quantities of fluid around a closed loop at minimum pressure drop.

Abstract: The steerable wheels of a hydraulically driven vehicle are provided with auxiliary motors which are connected in parallel both with each other and with the motor which powers the main drive wheels. A selector valve permits the motors for the steerable wheels to be optionally connected and disconnected from the reversible, variable displacement main pump. Flow dividers in the hydraulic lines limit the maximum flow of fluid to any one hydraulic motor. The auxiliary motors are of the variable displacement type, enabling them to be destroked to neutral when disconnected from the main pump. Destroking to neutral eliminates energy loss due to the pumping of large quantities of hydraulic fluid through a closed loop when the motors are driven by the wheels.

Abstract: In a self-propelled, hydraulic four wheel drivetwo row cane harvester having a four-row piler with a main power source driving variable volume pumps for propulsion and operation; structural and operational improvements of a shortened wheel base, outward extension of right rear center carrier, individual suspension of rear wheels for stability on uneven ground, steerable rear wheels differentially linked by means of bell crank linkages, single articulation pilers having multiple row piling capacity, adjustable cane butt deflectors, and a combination range and speed controls with independent adjustments of ranges ground chain speeds and unit control of the cut cane carrier chains of all speeds within the set range.

Abstract: A straddle crane including four vertical column members, two side beam or torsion members, and at least one header beam member, and having wheel or caster assemblies supporting each vertical column member. The straddle crane is implemented for two-wheel or four-wheel steering and for two-wheel or four-wheel driving with open or closed ends. The structures of the header beam and the side beam members are appropriately selected, and the attachment means therefor to the vertical column members are chosen to accommodate the various forces and stresses occurring on the structure during normal operation over uneven terrain or surfaces. The header beam member is sufficiently flexible to permit movement of the casters over and in contact with uneven terrain without producing unacceptable shear stresses in the header beam member. The torsion beam member defines a closed geometric figure in cross section to provide torsional and bending resistance to the loads applied to the vertical columns.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for mounting, driving and steering the wheels of a high mobility wheeled vehicle, such as those used over roadless terrain in tree harvesting operations. Each vehicle wheel is mounted on a rotatable hub which is in turn journaled on the end of a wheel drive housing. The housing is medially pivoted to the wheel suspension structure of the vehicle for steering movements and has a driving motor mounted on the inner end of the housing and connected to the wheel hub through an appropriate gearing system. The pivotal mounting of the drive housing is preferably located at the end of a walking beam arm which is disposed at a substantial horizontal angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to provide clearance for steering movements of the vehicle wheel. The steering motion is imparted to the drive housing by an actuator which is connected between the inner end of the drive housing and the inner end of the walking beam arm.

Abstract: A hydrostatic drive system for a four wheel drive vehicle such as a field harvesting machine which must accurately track the planting rows, includes an engine, a pump and individual hydraulic wheel motors connected to the pump and coupled to the wheels through a manually set free wheeling clutch. The motors are in series connection at each side of the vehicle, with the pairs of series connected motors on opposite sides of the vehicle in parallel connection with the pump. When the traction of a wheel on one side is reduced or lost, both wheels on that side continue to rotate at the same speed. Under these conditions, the driving wheel motor on the aforesaid side of the vehicle will provide increased torque output to compensate for the reduced driving power of the slipping wheel.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated planetary transmission and motor assembly mounted on the hub of two or more wheels of a four wheeled vehicle for providing wheel driving torque with the transmission set in drive. In an alternate form, the transmission and motor assembly is mounted on the hub of a winch to provide the power drive. The transmission is hydraulically engageable and disengageable and includes a lock whereby the transmission can be locked in either the engaged or disengaged position. The arrangement of components provides easy access for maintenance and for change out of gears to gear sets having different gear ratios all within the same transmission housing.