A quick-release connector includes an axle, a spring, a lever and a pin. The axle includes a slit in an end, an axial bore in communication with the slit, and a transverse channel in communication with the slit. The spring is inserted in the axial bore. The lever includes a slot with a longitudinal section and a transverse section. The pin is inserted in the transverse channel and the slot to pivotally connect the lever to the axle.

A spindle for a wheel end assembly includes a first end of the spindle receiving the wheel of a vehicle on a first side of the wheel end assembly, and a second end of the spindle defining a flange and receiving the axle of a vehicle is disclosed. The flange includes a socket joint that receives the axle on the second side of the wheel end assembly. Mounting members extend distally from the second side a first distance to secure the spindle to the wheel end assembly via the flange. The socket joint of the spindle extends from the second side of the wheel end assembly a second distance from the second side. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A third distance represents degree of overlap of the axle by a ratio with respect to the outer diameter of the axle ranging from 8% to 20%.

An axle alignment system for an axle assembly. The axle alignment system may include a bracket assembly and an alignment plate. The alignment plate may be moveably disposed on the bracket assembly with one or more fasteners that may move along one or more slots that may be provided with the bracket assembly and/or the alignment plate.

An axle suspension system and a method of manufacture. The axle suspension system may have an axle, an axle wrap, and a weld seam. The axle wrap may have first and second wrap portions that mechanically interlock with each other and that have overlapping ends that may receive a weld seam.

A removable axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes an axle mounting structure configured to be removably attached to an axle mount. The axle mounting structure includes an inner surface that is aligned with a tapered surface of the axle mount. One or more fastening devices are attached to a clamping structure. In response to securing the one or more fastening devices, the clamping structure is configured to exert a compression force that maintains contact between the tapered surface of the frame support structure and the inner surface of the axle mounting structure.

A fabricated drop axle is described. A pair of axle stub ends is oppositely retained within a saddle having a recess through which accessories can pass.

A vehicle axle body is provided for incorporation into a vehicle axle. The vehicle axle body may be comprised of first and second axle body pieces. The first axle body piece may define at least a portion of a lower surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of one of a front surface and a rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The second axle body piece is secured to the first axle body piece and may define at least a portion of an upper surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of the other one of the front surface and the rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The thickness of the first and second axle body pieces may be different. Suspension component supports may be integrally formed with the upper and/or bottom surfaces of the axle body.

An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, an axle assembly carrying the chassis, a plurality of hub assemblies including a first hub assembly and a second hub assembly, the hub assemblies coupled to a corresponding end of the axle assembly, and a plurality of ground engaging devices each being coupled to a corresponding hub assemblies. The ground engaging devices support the axle assembly and the chassis. The axle assembly includes an extendable/retractable axle for altering a distance between the ground engaging devices that are coupled to the hub assemblies, and a connecting rod extending/retracting from a central portion of the axle assembly, the connecting rod also coupled to a portion of the first hub assembly. The connecting rod is generally vertically displaced from the extendable/retractable axle.

A method of making an axle sleeve includes forming a main body comprising a cylinder and forming an expansion member whereby a diameter of the main body may be varied. The method includes cutting an inner helical cutout comprising a first slit defined through the main body and extending helically from an inner edge of the main body, cutting an outer helical cutout comprising a second slit defined through the main body and extending helically from an outer edge of the main body, forming an inner edge remaining portion comprising an annular section of the main body unbroken by the inner helical cutout, and forming an outer edge remaining portion comprising an annular section of the main body unbroken by the outer helical cutout.

A driving and steering axle of an off-highway vehicle includes an attached track rod assembly incorporating an actuator housed in spaced apart annular mountings of an axle drive head casing. One mounting includes a slot to permit through passage of one end of the assembly with a pre-attached track rod end.