The disclosure is directed at an apparatus and method for shifting or moving trailers. In one aspect, the apparatus is a converter dolly with at least one set of powered wheels, which can be equipped with a remote control steering device. In another aspect, the apparatus is a remotely controlled terminal tractor configured to be coupled to a trailer. In some aspects, the remote control of the apparatus is directed by an autonomous algorithm resident remotely or on the apparatus itself. In another aspect, a frame of an apparatus for towing a trailer includes an articulated frame with a first frame counterpart pivotably connected to a second frame counterpart.

A method for steering correction in a mobile machine having at least one ground-engaging device including one or more tracks or one or more wheels includes detecting a steering request with an electronic control unit, the steering request being generated by an input device configured to control steering of the mobile machine. The method also includes determining that the steering request is a request to propel the mobile machine in a straight path and determining, during travel of the machine, an amount of deviation of the mobile machine from the straight path. The method further includes generating an adjusted steering command based on the amount of deviation from the straight path.

A paving machine including a modular frame, a plurality of swing legs pivotable relative to the frame, a jacking column secured to each swing leg, a crawler track, a slew gear drive, and angular position transducers for measuring an angular position between the swing leg and the modular frame, and an angular position of the crawler track relative to the jacking column. Feedback from the transducers facilitates maintaining position of the crawler track. The jacking column can include telescoping outer and inner tubes, a vertically oriented hydraulic actuator including a cylinder and a piston operable within the outer and inner tubes, and spaced apart axial bearings coupled to the outer tube and/or the inner tube. The slew gear drive can be secured between the inner tube and a yoke and capable of steering the crawler track under load without lifting the crawler track.

The invention relates to a self-propelled construction machine and to a method for controlling a self-propelled construction machine. The construction machine according to the invention has a position-determining device 13 for determining the position of a reference point R on the construction machine in a coordinate system (X, Y, Z) independent of the construction machine. The position-determining device has a navigation satellite system receiver 14 for receiving satellite signals from a global navigation satellite system 15 (GNSS) and a computing unit 16 which is configured so that the position of a reference point (R) on the construction machine and the orientation (ψ) of the construction machine can be determined based on the satellite signals in a coordinate system (X, Y, Z) that is independent of the construction machine. Moreover, the construction machine has a controller 18 which cooperates with the position-determining device 13 configured to adjust the steering angles of the steerable running gears 3, 4, 6 so that the reference point R of the construction machine moves along a set trajectory T. The computing unit 16 of the position-determining device 13 is configured so that, in a control mode in which the control of the construction machine is not based on the satellite signals of the global navigation satellite system 15, the position (x.sub.n, y.sub.n, z.sub.n) of the reference point (R) relating to the construction machine and the orientation (ψ) of the construction machine are determined in the coordinate system (X, Y, Z) that is independent of the construction machine while the construction machine is moving on the basis of a kinematic model 16A implemented in the computing unit 16 of the position-determining device 13 which describes the position (P) of the reference point (R) and the orientation (ψ) in the coordinate system (X, Y, Z) that is independent of the construction machine depending on the steering angles and the speeds of the running gears 3, 4, 6.

A steering knuckle gearbox assembly (138) comprises a body having a housing portion (140) having a cavity defined in the housing portion (140); a mating portion (142) connected to the housing portion (140) and being pivotably mountable an axle frame (106a) of a vehicle; and a mounting portion (144) for having a steering link (90) of the vehicle pivotably mounted to the mounting portion (144). An input shaft (176) is rotationally supported by the housing portion (140) and extends into the cavity at its one end and is operatively connectable to a drive axle (94) of the vehicle at its other end. An output shaft (187) is rotationally supported by the housing portion (140) and extends into the cavity at its one end and is operatively connected to the input shaft (176) at its other end. The output shaft (187) is offset in height from the input shaft (176). A steerable track system for a vehicle is also described.

A tracked vehicle for preparing ski slopes has a chassis extending along a longitudinal axis; a winch mounted on the chassis; a boom pivoting about a pivot axis to guide and orientate the cable of the winch between the chassis and the cable anchor point; an actuation system for rotating the boom about the pivot axis relative to the chassis in a first and second direction; and a user interface comprising a first and a second switch arranged in front of an operator and to the right and left of each other and configured to rotate the boom so as to steer the tracked vehicle to the right and to the left respectively when the cable is anchored to the cable anchor point.

A vehicle configured to operate in a normal steering mode and a differential steering mode is disclosed. The vehicle includes at least three wheels with the first and second wheels disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. First and second motors, independently controllable by a motor control unit, drive the corresponding wheels. A steering shaft connects a steering mechanism for changing the angle of travel of at least one wheel to a steering wheel, when the vehicle operates in the normal steering mode. When the vehicle operates in a differential steering mode, a steering lock mechanism locks the at least one wheel in a fixed angle of travel, and a sensor senses the direction the steering wheel is turned. The motor controller causes the motor to rotate the first and second wheels at different rotational speeds to turn the vehicle the direction the steering wheel is turned.

A mobile transport system includes a vehicle frame, first and second pairs of support wheels, first and second drive wheels, and a swing frame pivotable about an swing axis relative to the vehicle frame. The first support wheels are disposed on the vehicle frame, and the second support wheels are disposed on the swing frame. A drive unit including a drive frame is disposed on the swing frame. The first drive wheel is rotatably supported on a first swing arm pivotable about a first swing axis relative to the drive frame, and the second drive wheel is rotatably supported on a second swing arm pivotable about a second swing axis relative to the drive frame. The drive frame is pivotable about a steering axis relative to the swing frame.

A control assembly for use with a vehicle having a pivot arm for controlling output of the vehicle includes a bracket, a yoke attached to the pivot arm, and a shaft engaged to the yoke and extending into the bracket. The pivot arm is rotatable about a first axis of rotation between a neutral position and a plurality of forward positions and a plurality of reverse positions. When in the neutral position, the pivot arm may also rotate about a second axis of rotation between an operative position and a stopped position, and a switch may be engaged when the pivot arm is rotated to the stopped position. A return to neutral assembly may provide a return force to the pivot arm when it is rotated about the first axis of rotation away from the neutral position.

In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a frame having longitudinal axis. The vehicle may include a steering assembly having a steering input and at least one wheel. The steering assembly may be coupled to the frame and configured to steer the vehicle based on input from a steering input. The vehicle may include a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The vehicle may include a steering position sensor configured to detect steering input including a position of the steering input and at least one of i) a rate of change of position of steering input and ii) steering position time. The vehicle may include at least one controller configured to process a signal from the steering position sensor and, in response to the processed signal, drive the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel being driven independent of the second drive wheel.