Abstract: Embodiments of amphibious vehicles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the amphibious vehicle includes a body that defines a buoyant hull. The buoyant hull includes a bottom, and a pair of lateral sides. The bottom extends downward at the lateral sides to form a pair of pockets, and each pocket is open to atmosphere through an upper side of the hull and is closed at a lower end by the bottom of the hull. In addition, the amphibious vehicle includes a plurality of wheels mounted to the lateral sides of the body, and a pair of tracks disposed about the wheels.

Abstract: Embodiments of amphibious vehicles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the amphibious vehicle includes a body that defines a buoyant hull. The buoyant hull includes a bottom, and a pair of lateral sides. The bottom extends downward at the lateral sides to form a pair of pockets, and each pocket is open to atmosphere through an upper side of the hull and is closed at a lower end by the bottom of the hull. In addition, the amphibious vehicle includes a plurality of wheels mounted to the lateral sides of the body, and a pair of tracks disposed about the wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle is adapted to operate on land and in water having a depth of over four feet. The vehicle includes a chassis, one or more pontoons supported by the chassis, and a track system disposed on each of the one or more pontoons and adapted to provide propulsion to the vehicle. Each pontoon has a height of at least four feet, a width and a length adjacent to the land, wherein a ratio of the height to the width exceeds 1.4, and a volume configured to provide buoyancy and support the chassis weight.

Abstract: A vehicle is adapted to operate on land and in water having a depth of over four feet. The vehicle includes a chassis, one or more pontoons supported by the chassis, and a track system disposed on each of the one or more pontoons and adapted to provide propulsion to the vehicle. Each pontoon has a height of at least four feet, a width and a length adjacent to the land, wherein a ratio of the height to the width exceeds 1.4, and a volume configured to provide buoyancy and support the chassis weight.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted to operate on dry land, in soft terrain, and while floating. The vehicle includes a chassis formed by two interconnected pontoon sections sized such that the chassis and equipment will float. The pontoons are fitted with a track system providing propulsion to the vehicle. The chassis a plurality of spuds that are deployed to a position extending below the bottom of the pontoons so as to stabilize the vehicle for operations while floating.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle with submersible capacity includes a first portion and a second portion, coupled by an extension, and a valve assembly. The first portion is capable of floating on water while the second portion is contemporaneously submerged beneath the surface and performing a variety of operations on the water's bottom. The valve assembly allows the vehicle to move between an amphibious mode and a submerged mode.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle with submersible capacity includes a first portion and a second portion, coupled by an extension, and a valve assembly. The first portion is capable of floating on water while the second portion is contemporaneously submerged beneath the surface and performing a variety of operations on the water's bottom. The valve assembly allows the vehicle to move between an amphibious mode and a submerged mode.

Abstract: The chassis connects adjacent flotation members each having supports projecting therefrom for attaching to the chassis. The chassis includes a pair of beams having opposite ends and sides with an end flange affixed to the ends of the beams. A plate is affixed to one of the opposite sides of the beams and has a length greater than the beams to form extension surfaces at each end. The extension surfaces are connected to the supports on a first plane and the end flanges are connected to the supports on another plane, preferably perpendicular to the first plane and vertical to the ground. The beams are preferably I-beams having a web and opposing extending sides perpendicular to the web. The top side is longer than the web and other side so as to form a tine which is received in a recess in the end flanges.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for modification of a scraper, or similar heavy equipment, for operation in wet or swampy areas including dredge disposal areas. A floatation tire assembly is described which is removably affixable to the scraper to give the scraper the amphibious capability to operate in the wet, swampy environment.

Abstract: A hydraulic winch which is capable of generating significant amounts of torque and providing very high line pull even after a significant amount of cable is wrapped onto its spool. The winch spool is also capable of carrying a large amount of thick cable. It is useful in applications such as assisting maintenance of dredge disposal areas in which a ditching machine must be assisted by a tether across the pit of the disposal area. In the described embodiment, the novel winch includes a transportable base or skid which is affixable to a prime mover vehicle, a heavy duty spool, a chain drive and a power train. The power train for the winch is powered by a hydraulic motor. Through significant gear reduction via the chain drive and a hydraulic gear box, the winch is capable of generating sustained significant torque regardless of the amount of cable on the spool.

Abstract: Effective techniques and equipment are described for maintaining and improving dredge disposal sites. In one aspect, the use of winching equipment is described to move a digging vehicle within a containment area for effective creation of ditching to permit substantial dewatering and drainage of the dredge spoil to dry it. Substantially dried spoil is removed from the containment area pit using amphibious scraper equipment. The substantially dried spoil may then be used to build up the berm surrounding the dredge pit.

Abstract: An efficient direct drive system is featured which is easier to maintain than conventional systems. The system includes a drive assembly which employs a hydraulic motor to rotate a shaft assembly and power most or all of the drive chains of the vehicle's endless track assembly at once. A laterally located motor directly rotates the shaft assembly. A gear assembly is included in the drive system. A brake assembly may be included in the system. The shaft assembly is made up of an inner shaft and an outer shaft sleeve which are disposed over portions of the inner shaft. Laterally outer drive sprockets are bolted or otherwise affixed to the outer shaft sleeve. The inner shaft and outer shaft sleeve are further keyed together so that the shaft assembly is rotatable as a unitary piece. The shaft assembly may be easily dismantled to change the laterally outer sprockets when necessary.

Abstract: An arrangement and methods are described for creating a pontoon of the type used with amphibious vehicles such as marsh buggies. A pontoon is described which features an outer shell comprised of an aluminum or aluminum alloy shell enclosing one or more water-tight chambers. The shell has an exterior surface, and one or more runners are provided upon the exterior surface which serve to both reinforce the pontoon and guide the endless chain system which drives the cleated tracks which surround the pontoon and serve to propel the vehicle. The runners are comprised of at least one longitudinal strip. The strip is disposed along and fixedly attached to the lower surface of the pontoon shell. Preferably, the strip is comprised of an aluminum or aluminum alloy-type material and is fixedly attached by means of welding to the shell. A longitudinal channel member, preferably made of steel or a steel-type alloy is disposed proximate the strip.