Abstract: A vehicle chassis having substantially all of the mechanical, electrical, and structural componentry necessary for a fully functional vehicle, including at least an energy conversion system, a steering system, and a braking system. The chassis is configured for matability with a variety of different types or styles of vehicle bodies. Various prior art mechanical control linkages between a driver and controlled systems are replaced with non-mechanical control signal transmission components. Fuel cell technology is also implemented. A quick plastic formed (QPF) engineered body floorpan includes formations thereon to provide structural integrity to support body components and acts as an assembly aid. The body floorpan is formed from a single aluminum alloy sheet.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes front wheels (2), a pair of right and left rear drive wheels (3), a body frame (1), a mower unit (4) supported by the body frame (1) forwardly of the rear drive wheels (3), a grass catcher 32 attached to a rear end of the body frame (1), an engine (7) mounted on the body frame (1), a left change speed device for changing speed of drive from the engine (7), and transmitting the drive to a left axle (3a) of the left rear wheel, a right change speed device for changing speed of drive from the engine (7), and transmitting the drive to a right axle (3a) of the right rear wheel, and a grass collecting duct 31 connected at one end thereof to the mower unit and at the other end to the grass catcher 32. The left change speed device (15, 17) is disposed in a left region of the body frame to extend upward from the left axle (3a). The right change speed device (15, 17) is disposed in a right region of the body frame to extend upward from the left axle (3a).

Abstract: An inverter unit is provided with: a case for housing a circuit board on which switching elements, diodes, and a capacitor are mounted; and a heat sink constructed integrally with the case. The inverter unit is mounted to an upper portion of the rotary electric machine by fixing the case to a mounting plate mounted to a boss. In addition, the inverter unit is electrically connected to three phase output terminals projecting out of a rear bracket by means of alternating-current wiring, and is electrically connected to a battery by means of direct-current wiring.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and four wheels that support the frame. An engine powers the wheels. The engine is mounted on the frame. The frame includes multiple frame members that surround the engine. One of the frame members disposed behind the engine is detachably affixed to the rest of the frame members. The frame members are divided into first and second groups. The first and second groups are offset fore to aft relative to each other and overlap with each other in a rear section of the first group and in a front section of the second group. The rear section of the first group defines a bent portion coupled with the second group. The front section of the second group defines a bent portion coupled with the first group.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a vehicle firmly and stably supports an engine or a transmission at a lateral side of an engine room by using a chassis bracket and a mounting bracket, thereby effectively minimizing vibration transfer from the engine or the transmission to the car body.

Abstract: A utility vehicle having a front loader bucket includes shaped towers and shaped boom arms connected to the towers, and a sloped hood and a shaped fuel tank which all increase the operator's view of the bucket, wheels; axle and ground for close control of the utility vehicle bucket with respect to external structures and surfaces. The towers extend substantially vertically from the utility vehicle chassis to a mid-location wherein the towers are offset inwardly to top ends thereof. The boom arms are connected to the top ends of the towers, extend forwardly, and are offset outwardly to a mid-location of the boom arms wherein the boom arms then extend forwardly to be connected to the bucket.

Abstract: A counterweight for a hydraulic shovel, which is applicable to a compact to large-sized hydraulic shovels, and is capable of realizing favorable engine maintainability and assurance of sufficient mass, is provided. For this purpose, supporting column portions (12b, 12c) are vertically provided at left and right of a counterweight (12). The left and right supporting column portions are constituted as an increase amount of mass of the counterweight. At least one of a floor frame (30), a canopy (40), outer casings (14, 16) and engine partition walls (33a, 33b) is supported at the left and right supporting column portions. Further, an engine (13) is placed at a position fronting to between the left and right supporting column portions.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an engine includes at least one relatively large mounting wall portion potentially subject to induced vibrations that transmit undesirable noise or sound to the exterior of the engine. To reduce the vibration and resulting noise, a pair of vibration damping plates is attached to the interior of the mounting wall portion and urged against the wall portion. The damping plates may be made from untreated steel when mounted in a lubricating oil atmosphere which serves to protect the plates against oxidation. The plates have different thicknesses selected to provide differing vibration frequency responses that act to create damping between the plates and the associated cover wall portion.

Abstract: A structure for supporting, via an engine mount, a transversal engine having a crankshaft laid horizontally at a right angle to a vehicle longitudinal axis, on a vehicle body, is disclosed. The engine mount includes at least one inclined hydro mount in which a working fluid is enclosed and a maximum damping generating axis is inclined a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical line. The inclined hydro mount is disposed inwardly of a total width in a power plant which includes the transversal engine and a transmission.

Abstract: A powertrain configuration for a truck chassis includes a chassis having at least two frame rails and at least one intermediate cross member. A forward wheel assembly is attached to a forward region of the chassis and a rearward wheel assembly is attached to a rearward region of the chassis. An engine is positioned adjacent to the forward wheel assembly and attached to two chassis frame rails such that, at most, only ten percent of an overall engine height extends above a top of the chassis frame rails. The powertrain configuration may further include a transmission attached to the engine and a driveshaft attached to the transmission.

Abstract: A training go-cart that includes multiple safety features making the cart safe for operation by young children. Each axle of the Wee-Kart has two left tire and two right tires. This double wheel feature adds stability and traction to the cart. To keep potentially dangerous moving parts away from the driver, the engine is placed front of the vehicle and the drive system is housed underneath of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes at least one emergency shut off switch, which is capable of shutting off the motor. A pressure sensitive switch can be provided in the driver's seat so that the motor shuts off whenever the driver gets out of the seat. The emergency shut off switch can also be operated by a radio signal, such as a “kill” signal sent from a remote transmitter held by a parent of the driver.

Abstract: A step-down power transfer device for providing a dropped drive line in a front engine and rear drive vehicle. The step-down power transfer device is preferably chain or gear driven. A preferred vehicle a includes a power train having a longitudinally mounted front engine, a step-down power transfer device, a single segment drive shaft, a half-shaft differential, swing axles and geared reduction wheel end drives. The vehicle can have an exceptionally low, i.e., 16 to 18 inches, load floor that is flat at least between the step-down power transfer device and the differential. The resultant vehicle has many parts in common with popular traditional front engine/rear drive trucks. Combining the power train described above with a low profile rear suspension provides added low load floor benefits.

Abstract: An integral torque ball housing and starter mount for use with a motorized vehicle starter system.

Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle is designed for road use. The three-wheeled vehicle has an internal combustion engine that drives a single rear wheel and a pair of steerable front wheels. The vehicle is designed with optimal ranges for ergonomic comfort.

Abstract: A load handler with a modular frame and the manufacture and assembly of the frame and loader and components that may be used therein. A frame is provided that has a low pivot point for a boom that may be lowered to a position within the frame. The frame has left and right side rails, and front and rear cross rails, each having a closed cross-section construction. The side rails and cross rails are modular and the cross rails of a selected size are configured to fit a plurality of sizes of side rails, such that the same size cross rails may be used to construct a variety sizes and capabilities of load handling vehicles in a flow type manufacturing process. A structural beam is provided having plates interconnected along their lengths to form the beam having a box-shaped closed cross-section having a perimeter generally along the widths of the plates and forming a beam cavity within the perimeter.

Abstract: A V-type internal combustion engine is capable of preventing a crankcase and a transmission case from getting dirty by smoothly exhausting water, or the like, dropped between the crankcase and the transmission case and the cylinder block. The V-type internal combustion engine includes a pair of cylinder blocks provided in a V shape. The cylinder blocks are attached to a crankcase. A transmission case is provided on a rear side of the crankcase, in a connected row arrangement. The crankcase and the transmission case are formed continuously, and an upper end portion of the transmission case is positioned to be higher than an upper end portion of the crankcase. This arrangement tilts the upper front portion of the crankcase downward.

Abstract: A tractor comprising a vehicle frame, an engine including a flywheel, a first vibration isolator through which the engine is supported by the vehicle frame, and a transmission including an input shaft and a housing, wherein the input shaft is disposed at an upper portion of the housing and lower than a rotary axis of the flywheel. A pair of first and second universal joints are interposed between the flywheel and the input shaft. The first universal joint being nearer to the flywheel than the second universal joint. A second vibration is isolator interposed at least either between the flywheel and the first universal joint or between the input shaft and second universal joint.

Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle includes a frame supporting front and rear wheels, a seat supported above the frame, an engine supported by the frame below the seat to supply power to at least one of the front and rear wheels, and a coolant system having a radiator mounted to the frame and communicated with the engine to cool coolant circulating through coolant passages provided in the engine. The radiator is mounted to the frame such that the radiator is disposed at an angle with respect to a vertical axis of the frame such that an upper end of the radiator is located closer to a front portion of the vehicle than a lower end of the radiator.

Abstract: In a low floor type vehicle 10, a banking angle &thgr;1 of a longitudinal V-type engine 100 mounted below a low floor is set to an angle equal to or exceeding approximately 90°. The V-type engine is arranged with a bisector L1 of the banking angle directed toward a head pipe 21 of a body frame 20. The body frame is composed of a pair of right and left upper frames 22 extended backward and downward from the head pipe and a pair of right and left down frames 23 extended downward from the head pipe and coupled to the front of a crankcase 104 of the V-type engine and is a diamond type frame from which the V-type engine can be suspended.

Abstract: An RUV (Recreational Utility Vehicle), suitable for on-road and off-road multi-terrain use and having handlebar steering, a saddle seat, and at least four low pressure tires, is provided with a suitably elongated frame having front and rear suspensions spaced longitudinally therealong and respectively mounting a front pair of laterally spaced wheels and a rear pair of laterally spaced wheels. A sufficiently elongated saddle seat is provided on the frame in combination with a sufficiently elongated frame in combination with front and rear pair of wheels sufficiently longitudinally spaced apart in combination with front and rear suspensions designed to compensate for higher center of gravity and increased mass thereat all to accommodate at least two riders in tandem. A dynamic roll suppression assembly dynamically resists side roll of the vehicle.

Abstract: A modular go-kart assembly includes an acceleration assembly cooperatively working with a braking assembly for powering and stopping the go-kart assembly. The go-kart assembly further includes a central body, a front drive assembly, a rear drive assembly, and a protective cage assembly, each of which are modular for easy construction and disassembly. The go-kart assembly includes a motor having multiple power take off shafts to provide simple connections to an acceleration assembly and a braking assembly. Both the acceleration assembly and the braking assembly are controlled by one control pedal, so as to provide a safety measure for the operator, which is typically a child.

Abstract: A parallel engine and transmission drive arrangement with application to both land and marine vehicles reduces the large moment arm and moment about the rear axle in the case of land vehicles, and improves trim and stability and more compact arrangement of the drive arrangement in the case of a marine vessel. The arrangement is applicable to, for example, buses, tractor-trailer rigs, towing, dump trucks, garbage trucks, concrete trucks, fire trucks, recreational vehicles, and boats or ships. In one aspect, the engine and transmission are laterally arranged in a parallel manner. This significantly shortens the longitudinal distance necessary in rear-mounted engine designs from about 120 inches to as little as 54 inches. The large moment arm found about the rear axle in conventional rear-mounted engines is significantly reduced, and the transfer case performance requirements are relaxed, resulting in a transfer case with less bulk and weight.

Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle body and an engine disposed therein. The engine is backwardly inclined within the vehicle, such that the angle between the axes of the engine cylinders and the plane of the surface upon which the vehicle rests form an angle of less than 90 degrees in a direction away from the front end of the vehicle. The center of mass of the vehicle with the engine inclined may be lower than if the engine were not inclined. The center of mass of the vehicle with the engine inclined may be further from the front end of the vehicle than if the engine were not inclined. The center of mass of the vehicle with the engine inclined may be aligned vertically with the vehicle operator, the drive shaft of the vehicle, or the geometric center of the vehicle. The performance of the vehicle with the engine inclined may be better than if the engine were not inclined.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a saddle type vehicle are described. Configurations are shown in which the engine is located more towards the rear of the vehicle and in which the fuel tank extends generally vertically beneath the steering member. A radiator may also be located at a rear portion of the vehicle, rearwardly of the engine. A front storage compartment is also provided in the front portion of the vehicle. The resulting vehicle has improved access and storage capabilities and also has a lower center of gravity.

Abstract: A motor driven rough-road running four-wheeled vehicle is provided with a lateral pair of front and rear wheels, and the front and rear wheels are driven via a rotation of a rear wheel axle extending from a gear case connected to a driving motor. In such vehicle, a battery unit, including a plurality of batteries, for supplying power to the motor and a controller for controlling electric current passing from the battery unit to the motor are arranged, in a plan view, in a space surrounded by a line connecting inside portions of left-side front and rear wheels, a line connecting inside portions of right-side front and rear wheels, a front wheel axle and the rear wheel axle.

Abstract: A system for mounting a vehicle power train, such as a transversely mounted engine and transmission, to a motor vehicle such that vibrations from the power train are isolated from the vehicle frame. The system comprises a power train mounting cradle for mounting to the vehicle frame by a vibration-isolating mounts, and vibration-isolating mounts for connecting the power train to the cradle, at least one of the power train to cradle mounts adapted to damp torque-related vibrations, and further comprising a friction damper to attenuate low-frequency torque-related vibrations.

Abstract: A front-end structure comprising a panel body (400) to which a center member (500), being fixed to a body of a vehicle at a front end of the vehicle and supporting, at least, a driving engine (E/G), is joined, wherein the panel body (400) is molded out of aluminum by die-casting and a joining section (421) of the panel body (400) to which the center member (500) is joined has a mechanical strength higher than that of any other sections of the panel body (400) near the joining section (421) except the joining section (421).

Abstract: An engine mount system for connecting an engine to a chassis, includes a mounting plate and first, second and third engine mounts. The first engine mount secures a first engine side to a first side of the chassis. The second and third engine mounts secure the mounting plate to the chassis. The mounting plate is also secured to a second side of the engine and is configured to mount a drive shaft of the engine and a driven shaft of a vehicle transmission system.

Abstract: A system for supporting the torque of an internal-combustion engine has a support arranged transversely in the vehicle. This support has a strut as well as a support arm. These two support parts are connected with one another by way of an elastic bearing, the strut being fastened on a camshaft housing and the support arm being fastened on the side member of the vehicle. The elastic bearing is connected with the vehicle body structure, for example, on a spring strut dome, by way of a console.

Abstract: A vibration damping system for an engine mounted on a vehicle has mounting elements attached to frames of the vehicle, through which elements the engine is mounted on the frames, a damping weight provided outwardly of the engine, and a weight support unit fixed at one end thereof to the engine and having the damping weight attached at the other end thereof. The weight support unit includes a first arm extending along one lateral side of a vertical plane extending through an axis of a crankshaft and a second arm extending along the other lateral side of the vertical plane. The damping weight is attached to free ends of the arms. The damping weight is positioned above the cylinder head of the engine to extend transversely of the vertical plane.

Abstract: A lubricant tank for a lubrication system of a snowmobile engine includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is enlarged relative to the lower portion. A recess is defined on an engine side of the lubricant tank by a lower surface of the upper portion and a lateral surface of the lower portion. The recess accommodates a protruding portion or component of the engine. The tank also comprises a sloping surface that extends between the upper portion and the lower portion inside the tank. Lubricant is returned in the upper portion and transferred to the lower portion through a zigzag flow path.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has sprung suspensions, variable displacement pumps and motors connected to those pumps that drive the wheels on the vehicle as well as an electronic controller that receives signals that indicate lateral acceleration of the skid steer vehicle during turns. The controller determines whether the lateral acceleration exceeds a predetermined value, and locks up the outboard suspensions if that value is exceeded. The signals can be provided by an accelerometer, a satellite receiver, wheel/motor speed sensors, sensors in the pumps that signal the specific displacement of the pumps (such as their swash plate position, or memory locations that contain previously calculated specific displacement commands that are used to drive the pumps to a particular displacement.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes an engine located under a hingably mounted seat, the seat providing ready access to the engine for maintenance and repair. The vehicle includes an engine having a clutch housing and a clutch cover sealably connected to the clutch housing. At least one of the clutch housing and the clutch cover include a bottom wall having at least one coolant-fillable cooling channel within the thickness of the bottom wall provided to cool oil above the clutch housing and the clutch cover. The vehicle also includes a frame having a plurality of engine mounting points. The engine is supportable by the frame and includes a crankcase and a plurality of mounting points adapted to engage the plurality of engine mounting points on the frame. The plurality of mounting points include at least one uppermost mounting point, wherein the at least one uppermost mounting point is positioned on the crankcase.

Abstract: An engine positioning structure is used for a rear wheel drive automobile, with an engine mounted in an engine compartment driving the rear wheels. In the automobile having a passenger compartment and the engine compartment, where the two compartments being separated by a dash panel, the engine is positioned so that a rotation axis of the engine is at a position higher than the height of a floor panel of the passenger compartment, and a rear end part of the engine is positioned behind a general plane defined by a position corresponding to the position of a passenger relative to a dash panel. The engine positioning structure enables to obtain retreated layout of the engine. It also reduces Yaw moment of inertia, and improves the steering stability.

Abstract: A miniaturized motor vehicle includes a frame, a rear axle supporting a pair of rear wheels including a drive wheel, a motor mounted to the frame and coupled to the rear axle, and a front axle supporting a pair of front wheels. A steering assembly is rotatably mounted to the frame for steering the front wheels. The steering column assembly is readily removable. A seat is mounted to the frame and is adjustable in height to accommodate drivers of various sizes. The seat assembly is readily removable. A pair of footrests is mounted to the frame to provide a platform on which the driver can rest his feet and to more easily shift his weight. The motor is coupled to the rear axle, the rear axle is a live axle, and the rear axle is rigidly fixed to one of the rear wheels and is rotatably mounted to the other of the rear wheels. The steering assembly includes a steering bar and a steering column that is rotatably coupled to the frame at a point between the steering bar and the seat.

Abstract: A system for supporting the torque of an internal-combustion engine has a support arranged transversely in the vehicle. This support has a strut as well as a support arm. These two support parts are connected with one another by way of an elastic bearing, the strut being fastened on a camshaft housing and the support arm being fastened on the side member of the vehicle. The elastic bearing is connected with the vehicle body structure, for example, on a spring strut dome, by way of a console.

Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle has configurations in which the engine is located more towards the rear of the vehicle and the fuel tank extends generally vertically beneath the steering member. A radiator may also be located at a rear portion of the vehicle, rearwardly of the engine. A front storage compartment s also provided in the front portion of the vehicle. The resulting vehicle has improved access and storage capabilities and also has a lower center of gravity. The engine may be a four stroke engine, which is more environmentally friendly than a two stroke engine. Because of the increased space requirements of a four stroke engine, a secondary portion of the engine is provided forward of the seat to define an uppermost portion that defines a bottom portion of an access area that the user uses to mount and dismount the vehicle.

Abstract: A tractor having right and left traveling crawlers (9) installed thereon, comprising a hydraulic transmission swing mechanism (45), a forced-diff (41) for driving a crawler driving sprocket (4), and an engine (10), a hydraulic transmission straight-ahead driving mechanism (25), and a transmission case (12) disposed from the front side to the rear side of a machine body in that order, wherein an allowance for heat radiation is provided to a space under a machine floor for storing the hydraulic transmission straight-ahead driving mechanism (25) to eliminate the problem of the machine floor becoming too high, and the forced-diff (41) is driven by the hydraulic transmission swing mechanism (45) with a simple structure.

Abstract: An impact absorbing structure for a vehicle body is provided with a pair of front side members extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, at vicinities of both ends of the vehicle body in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body, an engine room defined between the pair of front side members to allow an engine unit to be located therein, and a pair of engine attaching portions each of which is disposed on corresponding one of the pair of front side members, at an area facing the engine room. Each of the pair of engine attaching portions includes an engine mount to which the engine unit is connected, an engine mount bracket connected to the engine mount, and an engine mount bracket support intervened between the engine mount bracket and corresponding one of the pair of front side members to support the engine mount bracket.

Abstract: A structure for mounting an engine on a front side member of a vehicle is disclosed. First and second reinforcing brackets are first welded to an upper surface of the side member with a predetermined spacing therebetween, a mounting bracket is disposed between the first and second reinforcing brackets and then welded to them and the side member, the mounting bracket is welded at its rear portion to an apron side panel, and a support panel is welded between the first reinforcing bracket and the apron side panel. The structure enables an engine to be normally mounted even when a mounting point is raised from the side member due to variation of body configuration inside an engine room and specification of an engine, and enables load of an engine to be transmitted to the apron panel as well as the side member, thereby achieving stable support for an engine.

Abstract: Several embodiments are disclosed for incorporating suspension components into vehicle frame structures. Most preferably, the resulting structure is a modular combination of a frame and a suspension. Most preferably, the frame component extends along the lateral width of the vehicle and between the two wheels for the vehicle. The suspension components mounted within the frame may be mechanical springs or fluid springs. Moreover, various types of controls can be incorporated into this structure.

Abstract: In a motorcycle, a crankshaft and a balancer shaft are supported on a matching surface between a cylinder block and a crankcase, the balancer shaft is arranged above a crankshaft, auxiliary devices of a engine unit are placed in front of and behind the balancer shaft, the auxiliary devices with smaller outer diameters among the auxiliary devices are arranged in front of the balancer shaft, the auxiliary devices with larger outer diameters are arranged behind the balancer shaft, and an oil filter is provided in a lower portion of the cylinder block.

Abstract: An antivibration support has a first strength member which includes a limit finger and two parallel support fingers, a second strength member which includes a cage surrounding the limit finger in part, and an elastomer link device interposed between the outside of the cage and the support fingers.

Abstract: A mobile chassis for vehicle body interchangeability has a waste heat rejection system packaged in a rolling platform. The system is connected to a powertrain cooling loop for waste heat circulation. The cooling loop includes cooling fin heat exchangers on the sides of the rolling platform and another heat exchanger in the HVAC system for utilizing otherwise waste heat in the air conditioning of each vehicle body being interchanged.

Abstract: An engine suspension device of a beach buggy includes a car frame composed of metal rods welded together, an engine hanger, an engine supporter and an auxiliary hanger. The car frame is formed with an interior space. The engine hanger has its upper portion pivotally fitted with the support lugs of the car frame, while the auxiliary hanger has its top ends pivotally combined with the pivotal bases of the car frame and its bottom end pivotally connected with the support frame of the engine supporter, letting the engine supporter and the engine hanger respectively extending into the interior space of the car frame. Then an engine is placed inside the car frame, and the engine hanger together with the engine supporter is pivotally combined with the casing of the engine, lessening vibration of a beach buggy, and preventing the transmission chain from becoming loosened and worn out and the car frame from twisting sideward.

Abstract: A riding mower includes a pair of right and left propelling wheels, an engine disposed rearwardly of axles of the propelling wheels, a pair of right and left transmission cases corresponding to the propelling wheels and supporting the propelling wheels, respectively, a pair of right and left HSTs coupled to the transmission cases for outputting power thereto, respectively, a center case housing a power distributor for transmitting power from the engine to the pair of right and left HSTs, and a mower unit disposed forwardly of the propelling wheels. The center case is disposed forwardly of the axles of the propelling wheels.

Abstract: An engine suspension device of a beach buggy includes a car frame composed of metal rods welded together, an engine hanger, an engine supporter and an auxiliary hanger. The car frame is formed with an interior space. The engine hanger has its upper portion pivotally fitted with the support lugs of the car frame, while the auxiliary hanger has its top ends pivotally combined with the pivotal bases of the car frame and its bottom end pivotally connected with the support frame of the engine supporter, letting the engine supporter and the engine hanger respectively extending into the interior space of the car frame. Then an engine is placed inside the car frame, and the engine hanger together with the engine supporter is pivotally combined with the casing of the engine, lessening vibration of a beach buggy, and preventing the transmission chain from loosened and worn out and the car frame from twisting sideward.

Abstract: A snowmobile four-cycle engine arrangement, includes: a four-cycle engine arranged in an engine compartment formed in the front body of a snowmobile with its crankshaft laid substantially parallel to the body width and having a cylinder case inclined forwards with respect to the vehicle's direction of travel. The engine employs a dry sump oil supplying system and an oil tank separate from the engine is provided. Another snowmobile four-cycle engine arrangement includes: a four-cycle engine having a cylinder head at its top, arranged in the engine compartment and inclined forwards with respect to the vehicle's direction of travel with an intake path provided on the upper portion of the engine body. An intercooler for cooling the intake air is arranged in a tunnel created inside the body frame for accommodating a track belt.

Abstract: A snowmobile design, including a modular front suspension system and a stabilizer assembly, a lightweight frame structure and a drive train that reduces the center of gravity of the snowmobile. The modular front suspension system for a snowmobile that is substantially self-contained and self-supporting. The present modular front suspension system is assembled around a primary support structure, such as an extrusion or other structural member. The primary support structure can be easily attached to or detached from, the snowmobile frame. The modularity of the present suspension system decreases assembly costs. A stabilizer assembly extends through the center opening and is mechanically coupled to the ski spindle housings. The chassis for a snowmobile includes a plurality of front structural members defining a motor compartment.

Abstract: A utility vehicle having a front loader bucket includes shaped towers and shaped boom arms connected to the towers, and a sloped hood and a shaped fuel tank which all increase the operator's view of the bucket, wheels, axle and ground for close control of the utility vehicle bucket with respect to external structures and surfaces. The towers extend substantially vertically from the utility vehicle chassis to a mid-location wherein the towers are offset inwardly to top ends thereof. The boom arms are connected to the top ends of the towers, extend forwardly, and are offset outwardly to a mid-location of the boom arms wherein the boom arms then extend forwardly to be connected to the bucket. Hydraulic cylinders connect the boom arms to the towers between mid-locations of the towers and mid-locations of the boom arms. A fuel tank overlies a driver-facing surface of the engine compartment and towers and includes gaps in the fuel tank to allow visibility of the front axle and ground beneath the utility vehicle.