Abstract: An improved suspension for heavily loaded haul trucks. A piston supported by a hollow rod is insertible within a cylinder, a check valve is provided in the lower end of the rod with the seat having damping orifices extending therethrough. An inert gas such as nitrogen is provided in the hollow rod and a silicone fluid is provided in the cylinder below the inert gas.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for large off-highway vehicles and comprising a housing adapted to be installed around the rotatable drive shaft of a wheel motor, a plurality of clutch plates disposed within the housing and engaged with the drive shaft for rotation or non-rotation simultaneously therewith, a piston assembly reciprocally disposed within the housing and having a normal position of pressure engagement with the clutch plate whereby the brake assembly is normally in a braking engagement with the drive shaft, an annular chamber is provided in the housing and in communication with the piston for receiving a pressure fluid therein and exhausting the pressure fluid therefrom, the application of a pressure fluid into the chamber causing the piston to move into a non-braking pressure position with respect to the clutch plates and the release of fluid pressure from the chamber permitting the piston to return to the braking pressure engagement with the clutch plates.

Abstract: A wheel mechanism is disclosed for a vehicle which has a wheel support, such as an axle, in which an electric motor is housed having a drive shaft within a hub. A wheel is journaled on bearings around the hub and an axially outboard wall cooperates with the hub to form a gear case. Within the gear case, first and second planetary gear sets are connected to drive the wheel from the motor drive shaft. The axially outboard wall on the gear case is nonrotating and supports brake calipers to cooperate with a disc brake secured to the wheel. A modular construction of the entire wheel mechanism is provided, with the brake being outboard for easy servicing of brake pads and the planetary gear sets being next outboard for any service or gear ratio change required. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: A self-propelled floor jack for intermittently lifting substantially great loads and comprising base element means supported by propelling wheel means, lift means selectively engagable with the load, positive-lock pawl and ratchet means cooperating with the lift means for locking thereof in preselected elevated positions, bell crank and lever means operably connected with the lift means for determining the travel path therefor, and steering and control means operable for propelling and actuating the apparatus.