Abstract: A combination railcar moving vehicle utilizing the weight transfer principle and trailer spotter which has a plurality of steel rail wheels for moving a railcar along rail, and has a plurality of road wheels for spotting a highway trailer in a switching yard, the combination vehicle including four rail wheels, two of which are driven, and four road wheels, two of which are driven, so as to provide 2-wheel rail drive and 2-wheel road drive, and further having oscillating means for permitting the remaining free-wheeling road and rail wheels to oscillate up and down to accommodate uneven rail or ground conditions. When the machine is operating on rail it is working inside the AAR clearance patterns stipulated by the American Association of Railroads.

Abstract: A multiple wheeled vehicle in which at least some of the wheels are upwardly retractable by rotation of arms carrying the wheels. Hydraulic cylinders control the rotational position of the arms, and movable rods are connected to the hydraulic cylinder means. Coil springs urge the rods toward a position where the hydraulic cylinders and arm means position the wheel in a relatively downward rotational position, so that the retractable wheels may be alternatingly retracted upwardly and lowered downwardly by the hydraulic cylinder means, while also possessing a spring suspension system. Additionally or alternatively, non-retractable rail wheels may be present, being driven by internal, planetary-type, differential axle means defining internal brake means spaced centrally inwardly from the rail wheels by a distance sufficient to avoid damage to the brakes upon derailment.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle for moving railroad cars and the like. The vehicle may have weight transfer means for increasing its traction by taking weight from a railroad car to one that is coupled. The vehicle defines a first chassis having wheels carried thereby. In accordance with this invention, a second chassis is carried by the first chassis, with the second chassis carrying means for coupling the vehicle to a railroad car or the like, the second chassis being vertically movable relative to the first chassis. Lift cylinders may be positioned between the first and second chassis to control the vertical position of the second chassis for improved coupling characteristics. Also, the second chassis may be horizontally movable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with resilient stop means being present for limiting the horizontal motion of the second chassis in a shock-reducing manner.

Abstract: A multiple wheeled vehicle in which at least some of the wheels are upwardly retractable by rotation of arms carrying the wheels. Hydraulic cylinders control the rotational position of the arms, and movable rods are connected to the hydraulic cylinder means. Coil springs urge the rods toward a position where the hydraulic cylinders and arm means position the wheel in a relatively downward rotational position, so that the retractable wheels may be alternatingly retracted upwardly and lowered downwardly by the hydraulic cylinder means, while also possessing a spring suspension system. Additionally or alternatively, non-retractable rail wheels may be present, being driven by internal, planetary-type, differential axle means defining internal brake means spaced centrally inwardly from the rail wheels by a distance sufficient to avoid damage to the brakes upon derailment.