Abstract: A method of steering an articulated wheel loader including a front body portion and a rear body portion, the front body portion including a bucket and a pair of front wheels. The rear body portion is pivotally coupled to the front body portion and includes a pair of rear wheels. The method includes steps of: providing a steering command to steer the wheel loader; detecting an angle that a front longitudinal axis of the front body portion forms with a rear longitudinal axis of the rear body portion; and when the detected angle is greater than a threshold automatically implementing a steering brake function to independently brake one of the pair of front wheels or rear wheels that is on a steering side to reduce a speed of the braked wheel to zero so that the braked wheel becomes a pivot point to minimize a turning radius.

Abstract: A front wheel power system which may enable independent control of power to each wheel as well as yield direct control over average and differential front wheel speeds.

Abstract: An articulated steering load-carrying vehicle (1) with a front portion (2), which by a steering joint (10) is connected to a rear portion (3), and in which the front portion (2) includes a first power engine (12) and at least one forward driven wheel pair (5, 5?), and in which, the rear portion (3) includes a load receiving device (6) and at least two driven wheel pairs (7, 7?; 8, 8?). A second wheel pair (8, 8?) of the at least two driven wheel pairs (7, 7?; 8, 8?) on the rear portion a second wheel pair (8, 8?) is steeringly connected to the rear portion. A system for driving of such a load-carrying vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A stand-up, ride-on work vehicle adapted for multiple applications. The vehicle comprises a base unit, an articulating joint, and one of a plurality of interchangeable equipment chassis. The base unit has at least one ground supporting member, and provides power and mobility to the work vehicle. The articulation joint is supported on a front end of the base unit. An operator station extends from a back end of the base unit. Each of the plurality of chassis comprises at least one ground support member and is pivotally connected to the base unit by the articulation joint. Each of the plurality of chassis may be a dedicated equipment chassis or a universal equipment chassis. Each dedicated chassis comprises a dedicated work tool. Each universal chassis comprises an attachment surface for connection to one of a plurality of work tools. The ground supporting members may be any combination of drive wheels, trail wheels, tracks, or work tools.

Abstract: A device and a method for engaging and disengaging a longitudinal differential (10) disposed between a forward wheelshaft (4) and a rear wheelshaft (5) of an articulated vehicle (1) which has a front element (2) and a rear element (3) pivotable about a steering linkage (6) disposed between them and which comprises a distribution box (9) which supplies power from an engine (7) to the forward wheelshaft (4) in the front element (2) via a first shaft (11) and to the near wheelshaft (5) in the rear element (3) via a second shaft (12), wherein the longitudinal differential (10) is disposed between the first shaft (11) and the second shaft (12), whereby a steering angle v formed between the front element (2) and the rear element (3) is detected by a detection means (25a) so arranged that the detection means (25a) causes a differential brake (20) for the longitudinal differential (10) to be kept locked, or braked, when the detection means (25a) detects a steering angle v which is smaller than a predetermined steerin

Abstract: A swather tractor has a frame defined by a main tractor frame carrying the cab, engine and drive system, rear axle with castor wheels and a transverse front frame assembly mounted at a front of the main frame. The front rigid frame assembly carries the header and comprises a cross member and a pair of upstanding legs each carrying a front ground wheel hydraulically driven so that steering is controlled by the rate of forward movement of the front wheels. In order to provide improved suspension, the main frame is connected to the front frame assembly by a coupling which allows up and down suspension movement of the main frame relative to the front frame assembly.

Abstract: A personal vehicle has a fore section and an aft section. The fore and aft sections each have a frame, a transaxle mounted to the frame, and a wheels attached to the transaxle. The wheels of the aft section are vertically articulated relative to the frame of the aft section. A seat is disposed on the frame of the fore section. A joystick and interface are mounted to the fore section. A motor is mounted to the frame of the aft section. A hydraulic system is operatively connected to the motor. A shaft is operatively connected to the motor. A fender assembly is mounted to the fore and aft sections. A rollover structure is mounted to the fore and aft sections. The hydraulic systems controls the directional movement of the personal vehicle and includes a hydraulic pump, rotovalves, a null valve, a drive cylinder, and a steering cylinder.

Abstract: A vehicle with a omni-directional cab having a circular frame revolvably coupled to a chassis having an axle, wheels and passenger seats. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the cab are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the cab. Each wheel is powered independently and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The cab is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The cab can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the combined cab/chassis assembly can rotate about the vertical midpoint of the chassis axle.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having first and second wheels is provided that includes a differential apparatus adapted to distribute torque between the first and second wheels and a traction controller for controlling operation of the differential apparatus from vehicle launch up to a predetermined vehicle speed. The traction controller is configured to engage the differential apparatus in a first operating state according to at least one vehicle operating parameter indicative of a low traction operating condition and to further control engagement of the differential apparatus in a second vehicle operating state during the low traction operating condition according to a difference between an actual vehicle yaw rate and a predetermined target vehicle yaw rate. The control system also includes a stability controller for controlling engagement of the differential apparatus at or above the predetermined vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method and system are described for calibrating speed controls for a vehicle having a pair of drive means on opposite sides of the vehicle driven by independent speed controls and where relative speed of the drive means is used to direct the vehicle. In one aspect, angular motion of the vehicle is detected using at least one of a gyroscopic angular sensor and a pair of accelerometers to determine a rate of yaw; a speed control output for controlling the relative speed is adjusted so that the rate of yaw is lower than a threshold when speed control inputs for controlling the relative speed are equal; and one or more speed control adjustment parameters are determined and stored for use during operation for controlling the relative speed of the drive means. A microcontroller may be used to receive sensor outputs (e.g. from the gyroscope and/or accelerometers) and speed control inputs and to determine the speed control adjustment.

Abstract: A vehicle with a omni-directional cab having a circular frame revolvably coupled to a chassis having an axle, wheels and passenger seats. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the cab are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the cab. Each wheel is powered independently and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The cab is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The cab can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the combined cab/chassis assembly can rotate about the vertical midpoint of the chassis axle.

Abstract: A vehicle with a omni-directional cab having a circular frame revolvably coupled to a chassis having an axle, wheels and passenger seats. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the cab are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the cab. Each wheel is powered independently and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The cab is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The cab can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the combined cab/chassis assembly can rotate about the vertical midpoint of the chassis axle.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle with a working device has a first frame having a prime mover mounted thereon and supporting a first transaxle apparatus. The first transaxle apparatus includes an input shaft receiving power from the prime mover, a pair of first axles, and a hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission comprises a variable hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump via a fluid passage, and a housing with a flexible port fluidly connected to the fluid passage. The second transaxle apparatus includes a pair of second axles having different lengths and a second hydraulic motor. The second hydraulic motor is fluidly connected via piping to a directionally adjustable connection portion of the flexible port. Proximal ends of the first and second frames with respect to the vehicle are coupled to each other so that the first and second frames are rotatable around a vertical axis relative to each other when steered.

Abstract: A driving unit for use with a rolling vehicle is provided containing a first and second motor mechanically coupled to two wheels via a transmission unit which is pivotable about the steering axis of the driving unit and adapted to establish a driving relationship between the first motor and one wheel of the unit and for establishing a driving relationship between the second motor and a second wheel of the unit. The coupling between the first motor and second motor and the transmission unit allows the transmission unit to pivot about the steering axis without causing a corresponding pivotal movement of the platform on which the first motor and the second motor are fixedly mounted, while allowing the first motor and the second motor to transmit power to their respective wheels. Various transmission units for use in these driving units are provided as well as rolling vehicles containing such units.

Abstract: The present invention is a clutch assembly for use with motor driven toys, particularly a toy vehicle configured to be maneuvered on a surface. The clutch assembly includes a clutch operably coupled with the motor and a bell housing having at least one opening in its circumferential wall with a circumferential leading edge. At least an engagement end of the clutch is rotated within the housing. The clutch engagement end has finger members that resiliently flex outwardly from a center of rotation of the clutch. Each finger member has at least one small protrusion extending outwardly from the outside circumferential surface of the finger member that engages with the leading edge when the clutch is rotated and the finger member flexes outwardly.

Abstract: A lift truck (10) including a pair of rear wheels (16) mounted on a body (12), and a pair of front wheels (36) rotatably mounted on opposing ends of an axle (40), such that the axes of rotation (42) of the front wheels are fixed relative to each other, the axle being capable of rolling relative to the body and being pivotable through substantially 90 degrees either side of a straight ahead position relative to the body to steer the truck, in which all four wheels can be driven.

Abstract: A steering system for turning a machine has a plurality of wheels that include a first and second wheel that share a first axis of rotation. The plurality of wheels also includes at least one tether wheel that has a second axis of rotation and may be pivoted relative to the first and second wheels. The first and second axes of rotation define a turning angle. A plurality of drive units include first and second drive units for independently rotating the first and second wheels respectively at variable speeds. A steering input device produces a steering input signal, and a controller receives the steering input signal and produces drive unit request signals to control the drive units. The drive unit request signals may command a turn by rotating the wheels at different speeds thereby altering the turning angle and turning the machine. In this manner, the present invention may steer the machine without articulation cylinders, a transmission, a drive shaft, or a differential.