Abstract: A material handling apparatus is described including a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, a chassis, and a ground engagement device attached to the chassis for providing movement of the vehicle across ground; an engine constructed for propelling the vehicle; a loader assembly; a hydraulic system constructed for driving the loader assembly; and operator area including a cage for protecting an operator located within the operator area, and controls for controlling movement of the vehicle and for controlling operation of the loader assembly; and a forward tools area extending from the operator seating area to the front end of the vehicle. The material handling apparatus can include an entrance to the operator area through the rear end of the vehicle, a loader assembly that includes a tower that rotates relative to the chassis, and a dump box or work platform provided in the forward tools area. A method for operating a material handling apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus is described including a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, a chassis, and a ground engagement device attached to the chassis for providing movement of the vehicle across ground; an engine constructed for propelling the vehicle; a loader assembly; a hydraulic system constructed for driving the loader assembly; and operator area including a cage for protecting an operator located within the operator area, and controls for controlling movement of the vehicle and for controlling operation of the loader assembly; and a forward tools area extending from the operator seating area to the front end of the vehicle. The material handling apparatus can include an entrance to the operator area through the rear end of the vehicle, a loader assembly that includes a tower that rotates relative to the chassis, and a dump box or work platform provided in the forward tools area. A method for operating a material handling apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus is described including a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, a chassis, and a ground engagement device attached to the chassis for providing movement of the vehicle across ground; an engine constructed for propelling the vehicle; a loader assembly; a hydraulic system constructed for driving the loader assembly; and operator area including a cage for protecting an operator located within the operator area, and controls for controlling movement of the vehicle and for controlling operation of the loader assembly; and a forward tools area extending from the operator seating area to the front end of the vehicle. The material handling apparatus can include an entrance to the operator area through the rear end of the vehicle, a loader assembly that includes a tower that rotates relative to the chassis, and a dump box or work platform provided in the forward tools area. A method for operating a material handling apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus is described including a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, a chassis, and a ground engagement device attached to the chassis for providing movement of the vehicle across ground; an engine constructed for propelling the vehicle; a loader assembly; a hydraulic system constructed for driving the loader assembly; and operator area including a cage for protecting an operator located within the operator area, and controls for controlling movement of the vehicle and for controlling operation of the loader assembly; and a forward tools area extending from the operator seating area to the front end of the vehicle. The material handling apparatus can include an entrance to the operator area through the rear end of the vehicle, a loader assembly that includes a tower that rotates relative to the chassis, and a dump box or work platform provided in the forward tools area. A method for operating a material handling apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber unit provides automatic maintenance of a predetermined spacing between a sprung load and an unsprung portion where the mass of the sprung load is subject to change. The shock absorber unit includes a liquid filled cylinder in a cylinder body with a piston disposed in the cylinder for dividing the cylinder into a variable volume compression chamber and a variable volume rebound chamber. The piston is axially reciprocable within the cylinder and operates as a pump for a self-leveling fluid circuit. The shock absorber is connected between the sprung load and the unsprung load such that piston has a fixed spacing relative to a point on one of the loads, typically the sprung load. The cylinder has a fixed spacing relative to a point on the unsprung load. A lift chamber is axially disposed between the cylinder body and the sprung load for returning the shock absorber to a predetermined extension during transient loading conditions.