Abstract: In a first embodiment, stabilizing jacks (60) are pivotally mounted on the frame assembly (14) of a skid steered vehicle (10) to stabilize the vehicle. A jack (60) is pivotally mounted at a first end of each of the elongate load bearing frames (18) of the frame assembly (14). The jacks (60) may be released from a storage position so that a first edge (65) of the jack engages the surface. Propelling the vehicle (10) forward pivots the jacks (60) onto a support surface (68). In this position, the vehicle (10) is supported on the jacks (60), middle wheel members (44) and the rear wheel members (46). The vehicle (10) may be propelled rearward to pivot the jacks (60) out of the support position. A cylinder (30) having a piston connected to a cable (70) maintains the jacks (60) in a storage position after use. In a second embodiment, jacks (92) are mounted on a cross tube (88) extending between the load-bearing frames (18).

Abstract: A wheeled undercarriage unit (10) for supporting and propelling a mechanism without causing excessive ground pressure comprises elongate hollow side frames (12, 14) rigidly interconnected by cross frames (16, 18). Ten wheels (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are rotatably supported on the side frames (12, 14) with four wheels being disposed inboard at the ends of the side frames. The wheels on each side of the unit (10) are drivingly interconnected by transmissions located within the side frames (12, 14). A second embodiment (110) includes twelve wheels with six wheels being mounted inboard of the side frames (12', 14'). A third embodiment (120) includes twelve wheels with eight wheels outboard and four wheels inboard. The middle wheels in each embodiment extend below a plane lying tangent to the endmost wheels to facilitate skid steering.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprising an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprising an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.