Abstract: An axle hanger includes a web, a first flange extending in a first direction perpendicular to the web, and a second flange extending in the first direction perpendicular to the web, spaced from and parallel to the first flange. A first return extends from the first flange toward the second flange parallel to the web, and a second return extends from the second flange toward the first flange parallel to the web. The axle hanger is easier to install and access in the event a hanger spring needs replacement, and the hanger can be more stably secured to the axle.

Abstract: An off-road utility vehicle includes a frame, an engine, a continuously variable transmission, a transaxle comprising a rear differential, an intermediate drive assembly comprising an intermediate differential, and a front drive assembly comprising a front differential. The intermediate drive assembly and transaxle are coupled via an intermediate driveshaft and the front drive assembly and the intermediate drive assembly are coupled via a front drive shaft. The front drive shaft and the intermediate drive shaft are counter rotating.

Abstract: An axle hanger includes a web, a first flange extending in a first direction perpendicular to the web, and a second flange extending in the first direction perpendicular to the web, spaced from and parallel to the first flange. A first return extends from the first flange toward the second flange parallel to the web, and a second return extends from the second flange toward the first flange parallel to the web. The axle hanger is easier to install and access in the event a hanger spring needs replacement, and the hanger can be more stably secured to the axle.

Abstract: Discloses methods and apparatus for headset transmissions mounted to a steerer tube rotationally mounted relative to a head-tube and headset of a cycle frame. A first transmission member mounts about a rotational axis of the steerer tube. The first transmission member rotates with the steerer tube about the rotational axis, and can also translate relative to the steerer tube to transmit a first displacement force to or from a handle bar mounted device. The first displacement force is transmitted to the first transmission member from an interior of the steerer tube. A second transmission member mounts about the rotational axis of the steerer tube. The second transmission member is rotationally isolated to rotate relative to the first transmission member, and can translate with the first transmission member. The second transmission member allows transmission of a second displacement force, from the first displacement force, to a cycle frame mounted device.

Abstract: A miniature irrigation tow line for use in irrigating average to small sized acreages includes a modified hose defining a conventionally sized hose having water regulator valves sequentially disposed thereon, with a miniature skid attached to the hose at the location of each water regulator valve. The regulator valves are each connected to a water sprinkler nozzle and attached to the modified hose over an aperture in the hose, thereby enabling fluid passing through the length of the hose to be selectively dispersed from the sprinkler nozzle(s). The miniature skids permit the miniature irrigation tow line to be pulled along a ground surface with the regulator value and sprinkler nozzles kept in a desired orientation and without damaging the modified hose.

Abstract: A drive axle system can be converted between a single drive tandem axle arrangement including a rear drive axle a dual drive tandem axle arrangement. A forward bowl is provided for a forward axle system. One of a geared forward carrier and an ungeared forward carrier is mounted on the forward bowl, depending upon whether a dual drive or a single drive tandem axle arrangement is desired. To convert to the other type of tandem axle arrangement, the one of the geared forward carrier and the ungeared forward carrier is removed from the forward bowl and replaced, with the other one of the geared forward carrier and the ungeared forward carrier.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention teaches the use of two or more “floating pivot points” in a trailing/leading arm suspension system. A complimentary steering system is also described herein. The present invention eliminates a number of significant shortcomings of the traditional trailing/leading arm suspension type, thereby offering substantial performance improvements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine formed by a grain-holding box containing a combination of two transverse plates, namely a front vertical plate that closes the box and another plate which is solidly connected to the front plate halfway along the length thereof, inclined at 45 degrees, projected forward and integrally welded to the structure of the machine. In addition, the running gear includes a back axle provided with a single shaft connected at the ends thereof to a pair of wheels, plus at least one crown wheel, and said at least one crown wheel is in turn linked by means of a transmission chain to at least one gear mounted on the ends of a control rod of an integral clutch device linked by another transmission chain to a hydraulic motor, with the actuation and control means thereof.

Abstract: A tandem axle vehicle includes a powertrain. The powertrain includes an input shaft, a forward drive axle assembly including a forward carrier assembly including a forward differential, and a rear drive axle assembly coupled to the forward drive axle assembly via a connecting driveshaft and including a rear carrier assembly including a rear differential. The forward carrier assembly includes an inter-axle differential (IAD), the IAD including an IAD housing, a differential spider including a plurality of legs attached to the IAD housing and a plurality of spider gears mounted on the legs, a first side gear engaged with the spider gears on a first side of the spider and arranged to drive a shaft for driving the driveshaft, and a second side gear engaged with the spider gears on a second side of the spider and arranged to drive the forward differential.

Abstract: A tandem power train assembly including an input member, a tandem output assembly, and an oscillation joint assembly drivingly coupled to the input member. The oscillation joint assembly is structured and arranged to drivably transmit rotation to the tandem output assembly through the oscillation joint. The oscillation joint includes an inboard bearing defining a first frustoconical ring having a first bearing surface disposed thereon and an outboard bearing defining a second frustoconical ring having a second bearing surface disposed thereon with the inboard bearing and outboard bearing structured and arranged to rotatably support the tandem output assembly.

Abstract: A tandem housing for a motor grader comprises an exterior multi-layer first wall, an exterior second wall, and an exterior rim. The first wall comprises a main plate and a reinforcement plate reinforcing the main plate. The rim is coupled to the first wall and the second wall so as to provide a periphery of the tandem housing laterally between the first wall and the second wall. The main plate, the reinforcement plate, and the rim cooperate to provide a weld groove. A weld is positioned in the weld groove.

Abstract: A trailer including a plurality of rearwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of said main frame, each of which includes a tandem with a plurality of wheels mounted thereto; a U-shaped cross member for maintaining said main frame level from side to side; at least one length-adjustable member operatively connected to said main frame and at least one of said plurality of frame arms; selective movement of said length-adjustable member causing said distal end of at least one of said plurality of frame arms to move up or down; and an automatic leveling system for moving each said length-adjustable members and each said corresponding frame arm such that said main frame is maintained in a relatively level orientation when said trailer encounters uneven terrain.

Abstract: A rough terrain vehicle including an elongated main frame for supporting a self-contained v-haul body; first and second forwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of the main frame; third and fourth rearwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of the main frame, each arm having a wheel mounted thereon. Also included are first and second cross members pivotably connected to the arms configured to enable the main frame and the frame arms to pivot about a lengthwise axis of the main frame. First and second length-adjustable member operatively connected to the first frame arm and the third frame arm and the second frame arm and the fourth frame arm, respectively; selective movement of each length-adjustable member causing the associated arm to move up or down; and a level detector for producing and applying leveling signals to each of the length-adjustable members to maintain the elongated main frame in a relatively level orientation when the vehicle encounters uneven terrain.

Abstract: A machine (100) includes a frame that is pivotally connected to a tandem drive arrangement. The tandem drive arrangement includes a beam (120) and a first motor (128) having a first stator portion (202) connected to a first end of the beam (120). The first motor (128) also includes a first rotor portion (204) connected to a first drive wheel (118). A load sharing arrangement (412) is associated with the tandem drive arrangement and includes a first collar (414) rotatably disposed around the first stator portion (202) and a second collar (426) rotatably disposed around a portion of the beam (120). A first linkage (424) is pivotally connected between the first and second collars such that the load sharing arrangement (412) balances unbalanced loading in the tandem drive arrangement by transferring the unbalanced loading to the frame.

Abstract: A machine (100) includes a frame that is pivotally connected to a tandem drive arrangement. The tandem drive arrangement includes a beam (120) and a first motor (128) having a first stator portion (202) connected to a first end of the beam (120). The first motor (128) also includes a first rotor portion (204) connected to a first drive wheel (118). A load sharing arrangement (412) is associated with the tandem drive arrangement and includes a first collar (414) rotatably disposed around the first stator portion (202) and a second collar (426) rotatably disposed around a portion of the beam (120). A first linkage (424) is pivotally connected between the first and second collars such that the load sharing arrangement (412) balances unbalanced loading in the tandem drive arrangement by transferring the unbalanced loading to the frame.

Abstract: A multiple rear drive axle system for a vehicle includes a first axle coupled with a drive shaft from a transmission of the vehicle. The first axle includes a first cantilevered input pinion mechanically coupled with the drive shaft and with a first driven gear. The system also includes an output shaft mechanically coupled with the drive shaft. A second axle has a second cantilevered input pinion mechanically coupled with the output shaft of the first axle system and with a second driven gear. The first and second input pinions are common, that is, are substantially identical pinions. The first and second driven gears are also common, that is, are substantially identical gears.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for continuously regulating the erection of a tandem axle of a vehicle or a self-moving working machine having a vehicle frame and at least one drive axle, wherein a tandem drive axle with a movable tandem axle housing is respectively disposed at the ends of the drive axle, and the torque introduced by the drive axle is mechanically distributed to the wheels disposed in the tandem axle housing through the drive tandem axle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle that has a bogey beam suspension for the front steered wheels is also provided with all wheel drive by mounting a drive shaft within the bogey beam so that power can be furnished to the front axle. For a six wheel vehicle the middle axle is mounted on the rear of the bogey beam and driven from the rear drive axle by a universal drive assembly. In the four wheel version in which a resilient member is attached between the vehicle and the rear of the bogey beam, the rear drive axle is interconnected with the rear of the front wheel drive shaft by a universal drive assembly.

Abstract: A method of assembling a drive axle assembly of a tandem axle assembly is provided. The method includes the step of providing a differential carrier housing having a forward opening and a rear opening. The method further includes inserting several internal components of the drive axle assembly through the rear opening of the carrier housing including input and output gears, a driven gear, a pinion shaft which is rotatably coupled to the driven gear, and a power divider subassembly having a plurality of differential gears. Insertion of these components through the rear opening facilitates the use of a one-piece differential carrier housing with small front openings and maximum structural integrity.

Abstract: A tandem drive axle set includes a forward drive axle and a rear drive axle coupled to the forward drive axle with a connecting driveshaft where input torque is distributed to both the forward and rear drive axles without differential action. The forward drive axle includes a pinion gear that is directly coupled to a forward driveline connector at an outboard end and directly coupled to or integrally formed with through shaft at an inboard end. The through shaft is coupled to the connecting driveshaft at a forward drive axle output. The through shaft and pinion gear are coaxial. The pinion gear includes a head portion and a shaft portion. A bearing set rotatably supports the pinion gear and includes a first bearing located outboard of the head portion and a second bearing located inboard of the head portion.

Abstract: An engine half-trolley (10) of simplified structure for industrial vehicles set at the side of a vehicle chassis and comprising a casing (12) from which there comes out at least one wheel hub (13) for a respective wheel (14), an input shaft (17) to said half-trolley (10) being connected to a differential (16) of the vehicle, in the said half-trolley, between the input shaft (17) and the wheel hub (13), there being provided, in succession, two bevel-gear pairs (18, 19; 21, 23) housed in an arm (15, 115) forming part of the casing (12), in which at least one bottom area of the arm (15, 115), for attachment to the wheel hub (13), has ample bevels (26).

Abstract: A driveline assembly module includes a drivetrain assembly that is a rigid, substantially box-like member, that is the main support structure for all the driveline components. An independent suspension system having an associated wheel hub is also attached to the drivetrain assembly. By mounting the driveline components and independent suspension as an integral module, the components are replaced or serviced by replacement of the entire module. Thus, the individual mounting, replacement and servicing of the individual components, each having multiple independent attachment points, is avoided.

Abstract: A tandem drive axle set includes a forward drive axle and a rear drive axle coupled to the forward drive axle with a connecting driveshaft where input torque is distributed to both the forward and rear drive axles without differential action. The forward drive axle includes a pinion gear that is directly coupled to a forward driveline connector at an outboard end and directly coupled to or integrally formed with through shaft at an inboard end. The through shaft is coupled to the connecting driveshaft at a forward drive axle output. The through shaft and pinion gear are coaxial. The pinion gear includes a head portion and a shaft portion. A bearing set rotatably supports the pinion gear and includes a first bearing located outboard of the head portion and a second bearing located inboard of the head portion.

Abstract: An inter-axle differential assembly for a tandem drive axle set is disclosed that significantly reduces the vertical distance between input axes for a rear drive assembly and a forward drive assembly. The forward drive assembly includes a hollow pinion gear that is supported by a pair of tapered roller bearings. An inter-axle differential assembly is supported by a single tapered roller bearing and receives input from a driveline connection and transfers this input to the hollow pinion gear and to a through shaft that extends through the hollow pinion gear. The hollow pinion gear drives a main differential assembly that in turn drives a forward axle. The through shaft extends toward a rear drive assembly and provides input to the rear drive assembly. The rear drive assembly utilizes a rear pinion gear to drive a rear differential. The rear differential in turn drives a rear axle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a bogey beam on which are mounted the steering axle at the forward end of the bogey beam and the middle axle on the rearward end of the bogey beam. A rear drive axle is supported by the frame of the utility vehicle. The bogey beam is connected to the frame by a pivot assembly defining a transverse pivot axis about which the bogey beam can oscillate. The weight transferred to the bogey beam is proportionately distributed between the front steering axle and middle axle. As a result, the steering characteristics of the steering axle are not impaired by the imposition of a load in the load bed of the utility vehicle, as the middle axle cannot be loaded sufficiently to overpower the front steering axle. The middle axle is rotatably driven by the rear drive axle.

Abstract: Tandem drive axles include a pair of drive axles interconnected by a thru-shaft. An inter-axle differential allows speed differentiation between the pair of axles. Differences in tire rolling radii and variations in axle load distribution between the pair of drive axles are examples of why axle differentiation is needed. By measuring and monitoring wheel speed and/or tire pressure, tire rolling radii differences can be determined and appropriate adjustments can be made to tire pressures to provide a common tire rolling radii range for all tires. In addition to tire pressure adjustment, by adjusting other axle parameters that affect axle performance, such as suspension height and weight distribution, the need for axle differentiation is eliminated.

Abstract: Tandem drive axles include a pair of drive axles interconnected by a thru-shaft. An inter-axle differential allows speed differentiation between the pair of axles. Differences in tire rolling radii and variations in axle load distribution between the pair of drive axles are examples of why axle differentiation is needed. By measuring and monitoring wheel speed and/or tire pressure, tire rolling radii differences can be determined and appropriate adjustments can be made to tire pressures to provide a common tire rolling radii range for all tires. In addition to tire pressure adjustment, by adjusting other axle parameters that affect axle performance, such as suspension height and weight distribution, the need for axle differentiation is eliminated.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a vehicle drive/suspension system including a chassis having a front portion, a rear portion and a pair of sides; a drive axle having opposed end portions extending between said sides; an elongated rocker arm, having opposed end portions, connected to each of said opposed end portions of said drive axle and pivotally mounted to each of said sides substantially at said opposed end portions of said drive axle; a sprocket rotatably fixed to each of said opposed end portions of said rocker arms; a rotatable drive sprocket connected to each of said opposed end portions of said drive axle; and a drive link for each rocker arm connected to rotate said sprockets in conjunction with said drive sprockets.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a vehicle drive/suspension system that has a chassis having a front and rear portion and a pair of sides. A drive axle has opposed end portions and extends between the sides. Each side has a pivotally mounted elongated rocker arm that is connected to the corresponding end portion of the drive axle. Pivot mounts and pivot plates are used for this attachment. The rocker arms have sprockets mounted to each end. These sprockets are chain driven by drive sprockets located at each end of the drive axle. Tension sprockets are slidably mounted onto each rocker arm. Also associated with each rocker arm is a damper, and a rubber stop member. It is preferred that the pivot location of each pivot mount is away from the center point of the rocker arm.