Skid steer vehicle

• US 4,009,761 A
• Filed: 05/02/1975
• Issued: 03/01/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Irvin L. Stumpf
• Original Assignee: Irvin L. Stumpf
• Inventors: Meyer, Gustave
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schrecengost, R.
• Application Number:
  US05/573,867
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.2, 180/21, 180/22, 180/6.48
• US Class Current: 180/6.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/02 by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides

Abstract

A loader or other vehicle provided with three pairs of wheels located as closely to each other as is practical while allowing a small space between the peripheral surfaces of adjacent wheels; the axles of the three pairs of wheels extending transversely of the vehicle, with the center axle located in a horizontal plane lower than the horizontal planes of the front and rear axles, providing four wheel traction at all times automatically utilizing either the combination of two front and two center wheels or the combination of two rear and two center wheels depending on whether the vehicle load is greater forwardly or rearwardly of the center axle.

Claims

1. A skid steer loader having loader arms pivotally connected near the rear of the vehicle for operating a mechanism at the front of the vehicle, comprising

a. a vehicle body, and

b. three transversely extending axles being a front, a center, and a rear axle supporting said vehicle body and having a plurality of wheels arranged in pairs thereon, each wheel being near but not contacting an adjacent wheel, the front and rear axles being in a single horizontal plane that would levelly support the vehicle body, and the center axle being in a lower horizontal plane than the plane of the front and rear axles, variations in the vehicle load forwardly and rearwardly of the center axle automatically producing rocking movement of the vehicle and four wheel traction utilizing either the combination of wheels on the center and front axles or the combination of wheels on the center and rear axles bearing on a supporting surface.