Abstract: In an elongate truck trailer tongue assembly having hollow, inner and outer telescoping tongue members movable between shortened and extended tongue positions, a remotely controlled, pneumatically actuated friction shoe is mounted within the tongue to selectively lock the tongue members in either the shortened or extended position. The tongue members are tubular and have square-shaped cross sections, and the friction shoe is shaped and mounted so as to be supported by the inner tubular member and, when actuated, to bear against interior wall surfaces of the outer tubular member, frictionally locking the members against relative movement and rigidifying the tongue assembly so that it acts as a unitary structure between the trailer and towing tractor.

Abstract: A demountable transporter for ISO containers has attaching elements with quick attachment latches including shear blocks, for insertion into the openings of the corner fittings, and locking plates, for insertion into the interior cavity of the corner fitting where they may be turned to secure the locking plate. Wheeled jacks are mounted on the lower attaching element of the transporter for easy movement of the transporter to the container and subsequent alignment. The two transporter sections may be joined together without the container by means of the lower attaching elements fastening to a joining block having openings like an ISO corner, and joining plates on the frames of the sections to which the upper attaching elements of opposite frames may be secured.

Abstract: A device for logging trailers which have telescoping reaches providing for adjustment of the length of the trailer reach. The device is an expandable compressed air chamber positioned within the inner reach near the end contained by the outer reach. Four shoes are retained in contact with the expandable chamber. The shoes are provided with friction material adapted to contact the inner walls of the outer reach through openings in the walls of the inner reach. Compressed air is supplied to the expandable chamber through a hose from the truck cab. The truck operator is able to lock the inner reach relative to the outer reach at a desired length by control from the cab.

Abstract: A high mobility wheeled vehicle for transporting long loads, such as trimmed tree trunks or whole trees, over roadless terrain. The vehicle has front and rear quad wheel assemblies pivotally connected to a centrally disposed elongated bed frame so as to permit lateral rotation of these assemblies about a roll axis disposed below and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed frame. A linkage type roll control means interconnects the quad wheel assemblies and the bed frame to proportionately control the relative angular movement of the bed frame with respect to the quad wheel assemblies. The roll control means includes a plurality of interconnected links plus a pair of power extensible links for selectively adjusting the steady state position of the vehicle bed relative to the quad wheel assemblies in either direction.In a modification, parallel links are employed to interconnect the quad wheel assemblies with pivotally mounted load supporting cradles.

Abstract: An auxiliary trailer for towing behind a tractor and main trailer combination adapted to carry an elongated self supporting load. A forward end of the load is carried on a bunk on the tractor, and the bunk that normally supports the aft end of the load is removed and fitted on a turntable of the auxiliary trailer. A lower portion of the turntable fitted on the main trailer receives a complementary forward portion of the auxiliary trailer and the load now extends between bunks fitted on the tractor and the auxiliary trailer, the main trailer serving merely to support a forward end of the auxiliary trailer and to transmit turning forces to the auxiliary trailer. In this manner, the number of load bearing axles and spacing between the axles is increased, thus increasing capacity of the vehicle. Normal onboard load measuring gear is adaptable to indicate vehicle load. Equivalent structure for coupling the auxiliary trailer to the main trailer can be substituted for the turntables.

Abstract: A trailer assembly for carrying overwidth loads such as large rectangular concrete slabs. The trailer includes two separate units, a front unit and a rear unit. Each unit includes a frame mounted on a set of tandem wheels. The front unit has upper and lower frames rotatably connected together, allowing the wheels to turn with respect to the upper frame. A tongue is hingedly connected to the front unit. It has a hitch for connection to the towing vehicle and a compression device to apply weight to the hitch for compressive connection with the towing vehicle. Longitudinal cross members are mounted across the front and rear units to support the load. The cross members can be removed and stored parallel to the length of the units for legal width return trip towing. On return trip, the rear unit is towed reverse to the direction towed while loaded. Also disclosed is an embodiment employing two units the same or similar to the front unit to enable being moved laterally to facilitate parking in close space.

Abstract: A drawbar construction for a semitrailer is provided, by means of which the pulling device, such as a tractor, and the trailer form a rigid vehicle combination. This rigid vehicle combination is applicable especially in loading timber, whereby an effective lifting crane can be mounted on the trailer without the risk of insufficient stability exerted by the laterally extending crane. The drawbar construction comprises a rigid drawbar part extending from the trailer and a connection shaft which connects the rigid drawbar part to the pulling vehicle. The rigid drawbar part and the connecting shaft are interconnected by means of a first joint which is turnable only in the horizontal plane. The second joint connecting the connecting shaft to the pulling device is essentially of the same construction as the first joint but turnable only in the vertical plane. The drawbar construction includes preferably also a rotation joint.

Abstract: A trailer for skid mounted tanks having a pair of sections, connectors on each section for connection on to the respective ends of the skids of a skid mounted tank, each section having cables and hydraulic cylinders for raising said skids into connection position with the respective sections, and adjustable stabilizing supports for securing the tank during transportation, the forward section having a gooseneck structure and a king pin for connection to the fifth wheel of a tractor.

Abstract: A log carrying trailer chassis especially constructed to withstand the compressive and shear loads exerted on a trailer chassis while also being lighter in weight, thereby increasing the payload to be carried. The chassis assembly comprises a chassis frame having a central body portion, two laterally spaced-apart legs depending from the central body portion, and two shoulder portions located at the top of the body portion directly above the leg portion. The chassis is constructed without the use of a bridge beam common to the prior art chassis, and the reach tube is contructed with opposing sides offset 45.degree. from the horizontal and vertical axes. The primary load bearing member is a rotary thrust bearing centrally mounted on top of the central body portion, so that the weight of the log load is transmitted downwardly through the center of the chassis through plate support means mounted in the central body portion beneath the rotary thrust bearing, and then to the wheels.

Abstract: Freight container transport mechanism comprising a pair of jaw-like platfs movable toward one another by a winch-cable means to abut opposite ends of a freight container. As the platforms move toward one another certain upstanding struts on the platforms swing upwardly to raise the freight container from ground level to a transport position supported between the platforms.

Abstract: A trailer attachment for a tree harvester is disclosed herein. The trailer attachment consists of a main frame having a grapple frame supported thereon through a support frame and the support frame is rotated about a vertical axis on the main frame while the grapple frame is supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis on the support frame. First and second biasing means are interposed respectively between the main frame and support frame and the support frame and grapple frame so that the grapple frame is returned to a predetermined position wherein an upper support surface extends generally horizontally and the horizontal pivot axis extends generally parallel to the main axle for the trailer.

Abstract: A self-propelled articulated vehicle having two vehicle modules pivotally attached at their ends. Steering of the vehicle is obtained through hydraulic steering components attached between the first and second vehicle modules and pivotally attached at a common end. A single load container is carried across the two vehicle modules at pivotal support mountings, with one of the support mountings cooperating with a linear track device to displace the load container a desired direction and distance when the articulated vehicle is steered. Utilization of independent power drive for each of the two vehicle modules increases the maneuverability of the overall articulated vehicle and minimizes the miring down of the vehicle in slick, muddy, or staggered terrain. Through elimination of conventional steering techniques, increased power and lower fuel consumption is obtained through such an articulated steering technique.

Abstract: A self-propelled articulated vehicle having two vehicle modules pivotally attached at their ends. Steering of the vehicle is obtained through hydraulic steering components attached between the first and second vehicle modules and pivotally attached at a common end. A single load container is carried across the two vehicle modules at pivotal support mountings, with one of the support mountings cooperating with a linear track device to displace the load container a desired direction and distance when the articulated vehicle is steered. Utilization of independent power drive for each of the two vehicle modules increases the maneuverability of the overall articulated vehicle and minimizes the miring down of the vehicle in slick, muddy, or staggered terrain. Through elimination of conventional steering techniques, increased power and lower fuel consumption is obtained through such an articulated steering technique.

Abstract: A portable prover barrel apparatus having a lower section with left and right tubes arranged horizontal and parallel to each other and terminating in vertical upstanding tubular rear ends and in vertical upstanding tubular connectors at the front ends, a wheel assembly connected to the lower section, an upper section with left and right tubes arranged horizontal and parallel to each other and terminating at the rearward ends in downwardly extending vertical tubular connectors, a U-shaped tubular portion operatively interconnected with the forward ends of the upper section's left and right tubes, a fifth wheel female assembly mounted to the upper section left and right tubes near the U-shaped portion, leveling jacks connected at the juncture between the upper and lower sections, and a housing compartment mounted on the lower section above the tubes and oriented behind the upper section.

Abstract: A metal "A" frame structure capable, upon attachment, of towing a prefabricated building of, primarily, conventional frame construction. Metal "A" frame utilizes two identical leg members which attach to load distributing members that transmit the relatively heavy concentrated loads into the sides and front of the prefabricated building without introducing over stress. Interconnection of the various metal parts of the "A" frame is selectively accomplished by welding and bolting so that the "A" frame may be easily installed, removed and stored when not in use. The load distributing members which deliver the concentrated loads into the prefabricated building "box" may be adjusted in height, in the case of the front wall of the side walls in order to apply the loads at at the most structurally advantageous locations on the "box".

Abstract: An articulated self-propelled drilling and workover rig capable of using and racking three-joint sections of drillpipe and featuring high mobility and ease of setup utilizes an hydraulically actuated telescoping mast mounted on a tandem rig with the power supply mounted on a tractor and arranged to alternately propel the rig on the highway and power the drawworks at the drilling site.

Abstract: The total apparatus for transporting long loads includes a tractor, a first steering converter trailer truck, and a second load-bearing trailer truck. Forward and aft bolsters are mounted on the tractor and the second truck for rotation about vertical axes to support the load and be tied to it. The first truck has a steering converter coupler with a terminal at its forward end engaged with a pivotal connector on the tractor located well aft of the bolster pivot. The second truck has a follower coupler with its forward end pivotally connected to the first truck, which does not contact the load and is free to move to either side. Lateral movement of the pivotal connector when the tractor turns directs the first truck to the outside of the curve away from the centerline of the load and the second truck follows it. The outboard position of the first truck counteracts any tipping tendency on a fast turn.

Abstract: A pair of fluid operated cylinder assemblies are secured between the bunk of the trailer and a rear frame portion. An auxiliary motor, a pump driven by the motor, a reservoir, and a valve operated by solenoids to control driving functions for the pair of fluid operated cylinder assemblies is supported on the trailer. Control of the electric motor and the solenoids is accomplished by a switch located in the tractor and connected to the motor and solenoids by electric wires extending between the trailer and the tractor. The solenoids may be operated by radio receivers and remote transmitters rather than by a switch in the tractor.

Abstract: An extendable and flexible trailer mechanism according to the present invention is adapted to be towed by a tractor on a roadway and the length of the trailer mechanism is adjustable between minimum and maximum lengths in order to accommodate loads of varying length. The trailer mechanism may include front and rear chassis means, the spacing of which may be varied by varying the position of a telescoping flexible connector element that has telescoping relationship with at least one of the chassis means. Each of the chassis means may be supported by separate wheel and axle assemblies that may be disposed in justaposed relation in the contracted condition of the trailer mechanism and may be disposed in spaced relation in the extended condition thereof.

Abstract: An attachment for logging truck-trailer combinations which have a trailer reach and sliding compensation means allowing the trailer to move freely longitudinally in relation to the truck, acts to prevent separation of the truck and trailer, and hence stripping of the load therefrom, under highway upgrade or mire conditions. The attachment comprises expanding friction brake means configured to fit within the trailer reach and connecting means to join the expanding friction brake means to the sliding compensation means. Positioning means positions the expanding friction brake means for releasable, frictional, braking contact with the inner walls of the trailer reach and brake operating means allow the operator remotely to activate the attachment to prevent separation of the truck and trailer when conditions tending to cause such separation are encountered.

Abstract: A compensator mechanism for coupling a logging truck and trailer together to allow for relative longitudinal movement between them during turning. A compensator tube is extensibly mounted within a sleeve affixed to the leading end of the trailer reach pole. The forward end of the tube is adapted to be coupled to the truck hitch. A spool shaped roller having a surface which conforms to the compensator tube is mounted on the reach pole in sliding contact with the upper portion of the tube. In operation, as the truck moves along a curved path the roller absorbs lateral thrust loads exerted on the compensator tube and reduces wear between the tube and sleeve.