초록 ▼

A vehicle such as a front engine tractor is adapted to utilize conventional steering and propel controls with a drive and steer type transmission. The transmission permits the vehicle to be driven and steered through its rear wheels, thereby permitting it to turn about one wheel and/or about an axis

A vehicle such as a front engine tractor is adapted to utilize conventional steering and propel controls with a drive and steer type transmission. The transmission permits the vehicle to be driven and steered through its rear wheels, thereby permitting it to turn about one wheel and/or about an axis between its wheels. A substantial portion of the engine weight is carried on the vehicle frame forwardly of the transmission. Front castered wheels enable the vehicle to be easily steered by the drive wheels. A conventional type steering wheel is provided with a mechanical linkage extending between it and the transmission. Conventional type controls are also provided to propel or power the vehicle in a forward or rearward direction and within a range of speeds. With conventional type steering and propel controls adapted to be utilized with the drive and steer type transmission, operation of spin-turn vehicles is made simple and more efficient as well as reducing the time required to learn to operate and maneuver the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vehicle including:a frame; an operator station carried by the frame; left and right drive wheels; left and right axles operatively connected with the respective left and right wheels; a transmission carried by the frame and operatively driven by the power source, said transmission including a w

1. A vehicle including:a frame; an operator station carried by the frame; left and right drive wheels; left and right axles operatively connected with the respective left and right wheels; a transmission carried by the frame and operatively driven by the power source, said transmission including a wheel driving portion and a wheel steering portion, the wheel driving portion being operatively connected with the left and right wheels and having a first control device shiftable between forward, neutral and reverse positions to drive said wheels at a plurality of speeds in forward and reverse directions, said steering portion being operatively connected with the left and right wheels and having a second control device shiftable between forward, neutral and reverse positions to power one of said wheels in a first direction and the other wheel in an opposite direction so as to change their relative speeds and execute vehicle turns; a power source carried by the frame with a substantial portion thereof being carried forwardly of the transmission; a first foot control mechanism operatively connected with the first control device for shifting it between its forward, neutral and reverse positions and drive said wheels; and a steering wheel carried by the frame and operatively connected with the second control device for enabling the operator to shift it between its forward, neutral and reverse positions and change the relative speeds of the left and right wheels to execute vehicle turns.