Abstract: In the combination of a power truck tractor towing serially first and second (or more) trailers, an antijackknifing hitch is disclosed for preventing jackknifing relative movement between the two towed trailers. The tractor towed first trailer is conventionally connected to the towed second trailer at a pivoting tongue. The pivoting tongue from the second trailer forms the towing point of connection to the first trailer and effects steering of the forward tandem set of wheels on the second towed trailer. Running rigging is provided with fixed ends spaced from the towing point of connection at the trailing sides of the towing trailer. The rigging runs between the fixed points by passing from one fixed point on the towing trailer to the leading edge of the towed trailer. Thereafter, the rigging runs to the towing tongue and then to the opposite leading edge of the towed trailer. Finally the rigging runs to the second fixed point on the back of the towing trailer.

Abstract: An undercarriage for pivotable supporting the front end of a trailer with the undercarriage including a set of bolsters that provide a pivoting and rockable connection between a box on the trailer and the front undercarriage to reduce stress on the box with the undercarriage including detachable lift members to permit the user to raise the rear wheels of the undercarriage to permit one to back the trailer like a conventional trailer.

Abstract: A steering system for use in a towing vehicle-steering trailer assembly, wherein all trailer axles are load-bearing and fixed. The steerable trailer includes a sectored radian steering mechanism which comprises a sectored rack-and-pinion mechanism keyed to the towing vehicle fifth wheel plate. The sectored rack-and-pinion mechanism provides a steering output signal proportional to the relative angle between the towing vehicle and the steerable trailer which approaches an asymptote and thus allows the towing vehicle to turn in relation to the steered trailer without generating the steering mechanism output signal.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer unit with a self steering semi-trailer characterized by a steerable bogie assembly includes elongated cables connected to the bogie assembly by way of a rotatable pulley, the cables being moved in response to a cam and lever arrangement, and a pair of opposed locking levers which are responsive to slack in one or the other of the cables to engage the pulley to prevent further turning movement of the bogie assembly in the direction of the slack cable. The pulley includes a set of circumferentially spaced apart pins which engage the respective locking members in an escapement action to allow the steerable bogie to be turned back toward a centered or aligned position with the trailer frame if one or both cable traces become slack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for thinning a forest by means of a wheeled harvester and a wheeled forwarder comprising a driver's cab and a load carrier located behind the cab. The harvester (3) is caused to advance in existing forest stands (1) in routes optimally selectable with regard to the characteristics of the stand, between main haul roads or strip roads close to each other, and is parked on suitable places along the routes for felling trees on each parking place. The trees are limbed and placed underneath the harvester between the wheels thereof, and the forwarder (4) is caused to follow the harvester in the same route as this and take care of the tree stems placed underneath the harvester and left behind it. This is achieved in that the felled trees lying in front of the forwarder are lifted by it and moved over and rearwards past the cab of the forwarder to the load carrier situated behind the cab.

Abstract: An automatic self-steering trailer axle wherein the wheel spindles are pivotally mounted upon the steering knuckle plate and may be pivoted in front of or behind the kingpin by means of a ratchet wheel which is engaged or disengaged by changing the direction of movement of the axle. The invention also includes a control linkage assembly which may be connected to the trailer axle and also connected to the trailer hitch or towing vehicle steering so that a change in direction of the towing vehicle while it is being operated in a rearward direction is transmitted directly to the control linkage.

Abstract: A pre-existing trailer is modified to increase its payload capacity from approximately 50 tons to approximately 60 tons. Modifications involve the addition of one new axle, and the remounting of existing wheels to make them steerable. The modified trailer has one fixed axis axle and four steerable axles (two in front of the fixed axis axle, and two behind the fixed axis axle). During turning maneuvers the ground wheels on the fixed axis axle turn freely without skidding because the other steerable wheels automatically turn into the direction of steer. The modified trailer operates with lessened skid force on the wheels, with resultant increases in tire life and axle life.

Abstract: A steering system for use in a towing vehicle-trailer combination, wherein all trailer axles are load bearing and fixed. The rearmost axle on the trailer has fixed wheel mountings, and serves as a pivot for turning the trailer when it moves in either a forward or reverse direction. The axle or axles located forward of the rearmost axle of the trailer and aft of the trailer king pin has or have directional wheels that automatically track and follow in concentric pattern the path of the rear wheels of the towing vehicle. The motive force for steering the directional wheels emanates from a sensor nested in the V-slot of the firth wheel of the towing vehicle. The steering system is designed to be installed as a retrofit to existing trailers, or as optional equipment for trailers not yet manufactured. Abling and disabling the system is automatic. Abling takes place when the fifth wheel is moved into position to couple the king pin under the trailer.

Abstract: A remote controlled multi-axis all terrain vehicle includes front and rear lugged driving wheels, with front and rear wheels steerable about a vertical axis, and pivotal about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The vcehicle is remotely controlled and includes hydrostatic drive for the wheels of the vehicle. A level control system includes level sensing instruments and controls for automatically leveling the frame of the vehicle for up to thirty-five degree slopes.

Abstract: For a cannon movable by means of a traction vehicle (9) and comprising an upper mount (18) and a lower mount (1) comprising the running wheels (16) and being designed as a swivelling bolster, two spars (2,3) are hingedly connected to the lower mount (1) and are interconnected at their ends remote from the lower mount (1) by a supporting rod (4) for forming a four-bar mechanism. One of said both spars (2,3) carries at its end remote from the lower mount (1) a limber rod (6) having its free end located approximately in the vertical longitudinal center plane of the four-bar mechanism and carrying the trailer coupling. For steering the lower mount (1) carrying the running wheels (16), a control mechanism capable of being put in operating connection with the traction vehicle (9) is provided.

Abstract: An articulated wheel chair includes front and rear sections which are pivotally connected together to permit pivoting therebetween about a vertical axis. The front section is provided with a pair of support wheels and the rear section is provided with a pair of propulsion wheels driven by an electric motor. A seat for the occupant is pivotally mounted on the rear section and is connected to the front section by a link to cause pivoting of the seat in response to articulated pivoting movement between the sections.

Abstract: A trailing unit is pivotally supported by a tractor or leading unit at the front and a sub-chassis at the rear. Pivoting of the sub-chassis is controlled in accordance with turning of the leading unit so that the angle between sub-chassis and trailing unit is equal and opposite to the angle between leading unit and trailing unit. Power is communicated between leading unit and sub-chassis by a front shaft on the leading unit, a rear shaft on the sub-chassis, and an intermediate shaft connected to them by universal joints at positions equidistant from the pivot axes of the leading unit and sub-chassis.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a long vehicle having a first steering device located towards the leading end, a steering member located towards the trailing end and so controlled by a second steering device located toward the trailing end that the steering member will act in a steering mode in which it positively steers the trailing end of the vehicle, or in a following mode in which it follows an existing direction which is in a straight line or follows an arc of constant radius and a linkage between the first and second steering devices.

Abstract: A material handling implement is disclosed having a multi-mode steering system embodying the principles of the present invention. The implement includes an articulable frame having front and rear frame portions which can be selectively articulated by an articulating hydraulic motor operatively connected thereto. The implement further includes steerable front wheel assemblies mounted on the front frame portion which can be selectively steered by operation of a steering hydraulic motor. An electrical control network is provided whereby the operator of the implement may selectively choose either conventional front wheel steering or articulated steering only. Additionally, this system includes first and second rotational sensors respectively associated with the articulable frame and one of the steerable front wheels. The sensors are electrically joined with the control network of the system whereby the operator may further select combined or coordinated front wheel and articulated steering.

Abstract: Auxiliary trailer axle apparatus including a frame portion, a carriage portion, a hitch portion, a bearing portion, a support portion and a lifting portion; the frame portion including a substantially horizontal section, supporting members extending downwardly from the horizontal section adjacent the ends thereof, the supporting members being pivotally connected to the horizontal section; the carriage portion including an axle housing section secured between the supporting members adjacent the lower ends thereof, an axle member carried by the axle housing section, wheels disposed on the ends of the axle member, expandable members disposed between the horizontal section and the axle housing section; the hitch portion including a tongue section extending from the frame portion substantially perpendicular to the axle section, connecting mechanism disposed on a free end of the tongue section; the bearing portion including at least one pair of low friction pad members, one of the pad members being disposed adjacen

Abstract: Self-steering trailer having an elongated main frame, the rear end of which is supported by a sub-frame and steering dolly. The dolly is connected to the main frame in such manner that the dolly is automatically turned relative to the main frame in response to lateral movement of the rear end of the main frame to steer the rear of the trailer in accordance with the lateral movement. The steering means comprises an A-frame connected to the dolly, and a steering arm which interconnects the rear of the main frame and the dolly. In some embodiments, a manually controlled actuator is connected between the main frame and the dolly to permit the rear of the trailer to be steered manually.

Abstract: A towable wheeled undercarriage for carrying and supporting heavy loads and more particularly a carriage for supporting a crane of heavy duty or high capacity type. The carriage or carrier has a plurality of front and rear wheeled units independently mounted on a structural frame extending longitudinally of the vehicle and with at least the front wheels thereof being steerable. A gooseneck extends forwardly from the carrier and a coupling means on the forward end thereof connects to the fifth wheel of a tractor or towing vehicle. The coupling includes cushion means to support variable loads imposed by the fifth wheel on the gooseneck during towing and a linkage assembly is provided which is controlled by the fifth wheel to steer the front steerable wheels.

Abstract: A trailer steering hitch system for towing and trailer vehicles in which a tongue extends between the vehicles and in which a cable system extends along the tongue from a stationary elliptical pulley disposed beneath the towing vehicle to a rotating elliptical pulley beneath the trailer, the trailer having the wheels of its forward wheel system mounted for turning in accordance with the rotational position of the trailer elliptical pulley, the tongue being attached to the trailer in a manner for extending straight-forwardly therefrom at all times, inclination of the truck with respect to the tongue as the truck turns causing a cable movement bringing corresponding rotation of the trailer elliptical pulley for turning the wheels of the forward trailer wheel system toward that side of the trailer in which the towing vehicle is turning.

Abstract: Steering device for a multi-axled goose-neck trailer which is coupled with a vehicle in front of the trailer, the steering device comprising wheels pivotable about a main axle and connected to stay rods for forcibly steering the wheels. These stay rods are each connected to an intermediate member which is also connected to a double piston rod, the ends of which are adapted for receiving a hydraulic signal from the vehicle, thereby steering the wheels.

Abstract: A steering device for steering a spaced axle trailer includes a pair of pivots connecting a tongue to a frame of the trailer. The steering device includes a primary arm pivotally connected to the trailer frame. The primary arm is coupled to pivotal spindle mechanisms on which the front trailer wheels are mounted to translate pivotal movement of the primary arm to the spindles, causing steering of the trailer. A mechanical surge brake device is connected to the tongue. A laterally movable element of the surge brake mechanism is attached to a hitch socket that fits over a hitch ball attached to a tow vehicle, so that the distance between the tow vehicle and the trailer is decreased slightly when the brakes of the tow vehicle are applied.

Abstract: This invention relates to bottom opening utility wagons in general and more specifically to a gravity dump wagon having a unique hydraulically actuated bottom opening arrangement wherein the closure members translate away from the hopper body in the horizontal plane to reduce the vertical clearance required between the bottom of the hopper and the ground, to effect unobstructed dumping of the wagon contents, the wagon further having a forward axle pivotal in two perpendicular planes.

Abstract: In its simplest form, a single unit implement such as a swather or the like, can be moved from field position to transport position by moving the rear offside wheels to the desired angle and fixing them in this position and allowing the near side rear wheel to castor freely. When used with multiple units, a tandem hitch is secured to the existing hitch of the front implement and extends to the next following implement with the rear wheel being positioned as heretofore. Adjustment may be provided between the adjacent units to set the relationship of the trailing unit relative to the leading unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-supporting trailer having at least a pair of rear wheels and a steerable and casterable front wheel with the weight of the trailer being substantially equally divided among the wheels. The front wheel is carried for turning movement by a yoke which is secured to the trailer frame by leaf springs. The leaf springs provide rigid and lateral stability between the yoke and frame and enable vertical movement of the frame relative to the yoke. The steerable wheel is carried by a fork pivotally coupled to the yoke. A drawbar is bifurcated at its rearward end for connection to the yoke arms and pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The opposite end of the drawbar carries a tongue mounting a hitch for connection to the towing vehicle and a steering arm carried by the fork whereby the steering wheel tracks the turning movement of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: An articulated tractor that has its front and rear sections pivotally connected along the tractor's axis of articulation. The lead surface of the rear section and the trailing surface of the front section form an articulation space which is in close proximity to the articulation axis. To improve this arrangement, a cover is provided which substantially encompasses the articulation space with an enclosure. The enclosure incorporates at least two flexible bellows, which are opaque between their forward, rearward, top and bottom edges. The enclosure also includes four bands, a plurality of elements rigidly securing one of the bands to each of the forward and rearward edges of the bellows, and a plurality of members rigidly secured to the bands. The cover also utilizes a support to pivotally support the enclosure. This support is rigidly secured to either the front or the rear section of the tractor.

Abstract: A steering controlling apparatus for an articulated truck-trailer combination, wherein the front and rear ends of the trailer have front and rear rotatable steering transmitting plates thereon which are joined together by a crossed cable arrangement so that rotation of the front plate causes a corresponding rotation of the rear plate in the opposite direction. The rear plate is coupled to the rear axle assembly to cause corresponding horizontal angular displacement thereof. The front steering transmitting plate is coupled to the rear coupling plate of the truck such that the front steering transmitting plate is rotated relative to the trailer whenever the truck is turned, at least up to a maximum angular extent, to cause corrective steering of the rear axle unit so that it will approximately trace and follow the same path as the truck when turning.

Abstract: A hitch for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle. The hitch has a beam attached to the tow vehicle for transmitting a load having vertical and horizontal components between the trailer and the tow vehicle. A bearing retained in a guide is connected to the beam by a rack and pinion connection. A shaft retained by the bearing has a yoke pivotally attached to the end thereof for connecting a ground wheel to the beam. By changing the position of the rack with respect to the pinion, the distance between the beam and wheel can be adjusted to distribute a selected portion of the vertical component of the load into the wheel. A linkage connects the tow vehicle to the shaft for maintaining the wheel in alignment with the tow vehicle to allow the wheel to resist the development of lateral forces between the tow vehicle and the trailer as a function of the vertical component of the load carried by the ground wheel.

Abstract: A self-steering tandem bogie for the rear of an articulated vehicle. The bogie comprises a front and a rear axle which are universally attached to a pair of longitudinally extending walking beams for sliding motion thereon, affording angular variation of the axles during vehicle turning. The load of the vehicle is transferred to the bogie by a steering unit which is universally attached to the walking beams between the two axles. As the vehicle executes a turn, the steering unit rotates in the direction of vehicle turn, while the walking beams tend to maintain the straight-drive orientation. This relative movement between the steering unit and the walking beams is transmitted to the front axle by a pair of steering arms, causing the front axle to rotate in the direction of turn, and thereby facilitating vehicle turning.

Abstract: An aircraft towing vehicle employing steering geometry which provides a common turning center. Laterally rigid hitch arms are attached to the vehicle for grasping the aircraft nose or tail wheel. Coordinated all-wheel vehicle steering causes the center of turn always to fall somewhere on the nose or tail wheel axis to avoid sideslip during turns.

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.