Abstract: Provided is a suspension device including a drive wheel, a first driven wheel that is disposed on one side in a front-rear direction with respect to the drive wheel, a second driven wheel that is disposed on the other side in the front-rear direction with respect to the drive wheel, a bogie link member that supports the drive wheel and the first driven wheel and is oscillatable around a first oscillation axis, and a rocker link member that supports the second driven wheel and the bogie link member and is oscillatable around a second oscillation axis. When viewed from a left-right direction, the first oscillation axis is not on the same vertical line as a rotation axis of the drive wheel and is located above the rotation axis in a vertical direction and located inside a contour of the drive wheel.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a skidloader including multiple clutch packs, where each clutch pack selectively connects a drive motor to a corresponding wheel assembly via a unique drive path. More specifically, each drive path produces a unique drive ratio between the drive motor and the corresponding wheel assembly such that the drive mechanism is adjustable between a first drive configuration, in which the motor and wheel assembly are in operable communication via first drive path, a second drive configuration, in which the motor and wheel assembly are in operable communication via a second drive path, and a park configuration, in which the motor and the wheel assembly are in operable communication via both the first drive path and the second drive path.

Abstract: To provide a vehicle body structure for an autonomous traveling vehicle equipped with wheels arranged to a chassis thereof, including; side frames arranged on both sides in a width direction of the chassis and each extended in a longitudinal direction of the chassis; a first drive unit having a drive motor, a drive shaft, a first pulley and a first pulley box; a second drive unit having an axle for supporting the wheel and a second pulley and a second pulley box; and an endless belt. The first pulley box has a first opening formed on a side surface, with respect to an axial direction of the drive shaft while the second pulley box has a second opening formed on a side surface with respect to an axial direction of the axle. The vehicle body structure includes bearing covers for covering the first and second openings.

Abstract: A drive device for all-wheel-drive motor vehicles, includes a primary axle driven by a drive unit via an axle differential and a secondary axle driven via the left and right output elements of the axle differential and via transmitting means. The transmitting means are formed by at least two switching elements, which are arranged coaxial to the axle differential of the primary axle and which act on the left and right drive shaft of the secondary axle via belt or chain transmissions.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to limiting the use of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle by particular occupants based on permission data. More specifically, permission data may include destinations, routes, and/or other information that is predefined or set by a third party. The vehicle may then access the permission data in order to transport the particular occupant to the predefined destination, for example, without deviation from the predefined route. The vehicle may drop the particular occupant off at the destination and may wait until the passenger is ready to move to another predefined destination. The permission data may be used to limit the ability of the particular occupant to change the route of the vehicle completely or by some maximum deviation value. For example, the vehicle may be able to deviate from the route up to a particular distance from or along the route.

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 device for stabilizing traction in a zero turn mower having a riding frame, a pair of front caster-type wheels, a primary right-side rear wheel and a primary left-side rear wheel, and an asymmetric drive system to said rear wheels for driving and steering, comprising: a) auxiliary right-side and left-side rear wheels rotatably mounted on stub axles positioned rearwardly of said primary rear wheels; b) a first rigid member extending between and pivotally coupled to said auxiliary right-side rear wheel and said primary right-side rear wheel; c) a second rigid member extending between and pivotally coupled to said auxiliary left-side rear wheel and said primary left-side rear wheel; d) a first drive coupling member for driving said auxiliary right-side rear wheel in tandem with said primary right-side rear wheel; and e) a second drive coupling member for driving said auxiliary left-side rear wheel in tandem with said primary left-side rear wheel.

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 tandem axle assembly capable of accommodating variations in driveline length is provided. The tandem axle assembly includes forward and rear axle assemblies each having a wheel differential with the forward axle assembly further including an inter-axle differential for dividing power between the two wheel differentials. A male-female slip connection is formed between two members at one or more of the following intersections: the connection between a power input shaft driving the inter-axle differential and a power transmission shaft for transferring power from a vehicle driveshaft to the power input shaft; the connection between an output shaft driven by the inter-axle differential and an output yoke of an intermediate drive shaft assembly extending between the forward and rear axle assemblies; and the connection between an input yoke of the intermediate drive shaft assembly and a pinion shaft in the rear axle assembly drivingly coupled to the rear wheel differential.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for both flotational and oscillatory movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is restrained longitudinally by support links that are pivotally connected to the frame at a location that is forward of the rear drive axle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. Vertical movement of the middle axle support wheels results in a corresponding vertical movement of the rearward end of the bogey beam and a rotation of the support beam about its pivotal connection on the bogey beam. The oscillatory movement is accomplished by a pivotal connection via a ball joint between a central support bracket mounting the transverse support beam to the longitudinally extending bogey beam.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for flotational movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The rear axle is carried by a suspension mechanism supported from the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. The rear suspension mechanism includes a pair of transversely spaced suspension struts interconnecting the frame and a rear axle member having the rear drive wheels mounted thereon. Connecting support links interconnecting the middle and rear axles maintain proper positional spacing between the middle and rear axles.

Abstract: A driveline assembly includes a shaft that is rotatably supported on a bearing assembly within a drive axle. The shaft has a first mount portion with a threaded exterior surface and a second mount portion with a splined exterior surface. A retaining ring is threaded onto the first mount portion to engage and retain the bearing assembly at a proper location. A yoke member with a splined inner bored is mounted on the shaft in engagement with the splined exterior surface. The yoke member can easily be connected and disconnected from the shaft without having to remove the retaining ring. The yoke member also includes a quick disconnect device that simplifies removal and re-assembly of the yoke member from the shaft.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for both flotational and oscillatory movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is restrained longitudinally by support links that are pivotally connected to the frame at a location that is forward of the rear drive axle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. Vertical movement of the middle axle support wheels results in a corresponding vertical movement of the rearward end of the bogey beam and a rotation of the support beam about its pivotal connection on the bogey beam. The oscillatory movement is accomplished by a pivotal connection via a ball joint between a central support bracket mounting the transverse support beam to the longitudinally extending bogey beam.

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 a chain drive transferring rotational power from the rear drive axle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for both flotational and oscillatory movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is restrained longitudinally by support links that are pivotally connected to the frame at a location that is forward of the rear drive axle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. Vertical movement of the middle axle support wheels results in a corresponding vertical movement of the rearward end of the bogey beam and a rotation of the support beam about its pivotal connection on the bogey beam. The oscillatory movement is accomplished by a pivotal connection via a ball joint between a central support bracket mounting the transverse support beam to the longitudinally extending bogey beam.

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: A utility vehicle is provided with a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for flotational movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is restrained longitudinally by support links that are pivotally connected at a location forward of the rear drive axle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. Vertical movement of the middle axle support wheels results in a corresponding vertical movement of the rearward end of the bogey beam and a rotation of the support beam about its pivotal connection on the bogey beam. The configuration of the support links provides sufficient slack in the drive mechanism to the middle axle during flotational movement thereof so as to allow a slight twisting of the drive mechanism during oscillation of the middle axle.

Abstract: A 6×4 utility vehicle utilizes a middle axle (21) which is suspended to the frame of the vehicle by means of a suspension assembly (22). The suspension assembly (22) allows the vehicle (10) to have a better ride quality, ride predictability, increased traction and better maneuverability.