Abstract: An axle construction for the traction wheels of a vehicle, such as a tractor, includes a housing enclosing axle drive or transmission apparatus for driving the shafts to which the traction wheels are mounted and axle components including a pair of axially aligned shafts extending from and coupled to the drive apparatus and a pair of axle bed sleeves coupled to the housing accommodating respective shafts. The axle construction has a symmetrical configuration such that the axle components including the axle bed sleeves in which the shafts are accommodated are symmetrical with respect to both a central longitudinal vertical plane of the vehicle and to a transverse vertical plane passing through the axis of the shafts so that the axle components on both sides of the housing are identical and interchangeable.

Abstract: A suspension assembly couples a wheel assembly (16) and a brake assembly (60) to a frame (10). The suspension assembly includes a support (20) for receiving an axle (24). The axle carries the wheel assembly (16) at one end of the support (20) and forms a drum (46) at the other end of the support (20) for engagement with the brake assembly (60). Therefore, the support (20) separates the wheel assembly (16) from the brake assembly (60) so that the brake assembly (60) brakes the wheel assembly (16) via the axle (24).