A work vehicle and energy storage device include a ballast providing ballast weight to the horizontal end of the work vehicle, a stator of an electric machine having a vertically extending axis, a rotor of the electric machine fixed for rotation with the ballast and configured for rotation about the vertically extending axis, and a bearing supporting the ballast weight and the rotor for rotation of the rotor relative to the stator.

An attachment assembly for use with a work machine includes an attachment adapter coupled to the work machine and fixed relative thereto and an attachment frame including a member defining an attachment point configured to engage, into an engaged mode, with the attachment adapter when a front suspension system of the work machine is raised to a raised position, and configured to disengage, into a disengaged mode, from the attachment adapter when the front suspension system is lowered to a lowered position, the attachment adapter configured to travel with the work machine when in the engaged mode and the disengaged mode, and the attachment frame configured to travel with the work machine when in only the engaged mode.

An attachment assembly for use with a work machine includes an attachment adapter coupled to the work machine and fixed relative thereto and an attachment frame including a member defining an attachment point configured to engage, into an engaged mode, with the attachment adapter when a front suspension system of the work machine is raised to a raised position, and configured to disengage, into a disengaged mode, from the attachment adapter when the front suspension system is lowered to a lowered position, the attachment adapter configured to travel with the work machine when in the engaged mode and the disengaged mode, and the attachment frame configured to travel with the work machine when in only the engaged mode.

A work vehicle and energy storage device include a ballast providing ballast weight to the horizontal end of the work vehicle, a stator of an electric machine having a vertically extending axis, and a rotor of the electric machine fixed for rotation with the ballast.

An electric loader is provided with a plurality of independently driven wheels. For example, a four-wheeled electric loader includes four independently operated wheels, each directly coupled to a dedicated electric motor. A fifth independent electrical motor powers the lift arm and/or any attachments coupled to an auxiliary hydraulic. A central forced-air system supplies pressurized air to each independent electric motor to cool the electric motor during operation. In some embodiments, the auxiliary electric motor powers the fan and/or air conditioner of the central forced-air system. A lever and/or electric brake may be applied to an axle of the electric motors. A pivotable battery panel locks a plurality of battery cells to provide a central source of power, counter-weight the loader arm, and rotate away to provide the operator access to an internal cavity of the cab.

An electric loader is provided with a plurality of independently driven wheels. For example, a four-wheeled electric loader includes four independently operated wheels, each directly coupled to a dedicated electric motor. A fifth independent electrical motor powers the lift arm and/or any attachments coupled to an auxiliary hydraulic. A central forced-air system supplies pressurized air to each independent electric motor to cool the electric motor during operation. In some embodiments, the auxiliary electric motor powers the fan and/or air conditioner of the central forced-air system. A lever and/or electric brake may be applied to an axle of the electric motors. A pivotable battery panel locks a plurality of battery cells to provide a central source of power, counter-weight the loader arm, and rotate away to provide the operator access to an internal cavity of the cab.

Described is ballast for a rotary tower, comprising: a main body (10), equipped with coupling means designed to allow a connection to the rotary tower; a detecting device (11, 12, 13), associated with the main body (10), designed for detecting the presence of an obstacle positioned at a distance less than a predetermined safety distance from the main body (10), and for emitting a proximity signal, signifying the presence of an obstacle at a distance less than the safety distance from the main body (10).

A working machine comprising a ground engaging structure and an undercarriage connected to the ground engaging structure. A superstructure is rotatably mounted to the undercarriage so as to be rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a first generally upright axis, an operator's cab is rotatably mounted on the superstructure so as to be rotatable relative to the superstructure about a second generally upright axis, and a working arm is rotatably mounted to the superstructure so as to be moveable up and down about a generally horizontal axis. A drive arrangement is provided for driving the ground engaging structure to propel the working machine. The drive arrangement includes an engine and transmission that are housed within the undercarriage, and a majority of the engine is positioned below a level coincident with a lower extent of the superstructure.

A working machine comprising a ground engaging structure and an undercarriage connected to the ground engaging structure. A superstructure is rotatably mounted to the undercarriage so as to be rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a first generally upright axis, an operator's cab is rotatably mounted on the superstructure so as to be rotatable relative to the superstructure about a second generally upright axis, and a working arm is rotatably mounted to the superstructure so as to be moveable up and down about a generally horizontal axis. A drive arrangement is provided for driving the ground engaging structure to propel the working machine. The drive arrangement includes an engine and transmission that are housed within the undercarriage, and a majority of the engine is positioned below a level coincident with a lower extent of the superstructure.

A mobile apparatus includes a main frame, an operating arm connected to the main frame, drive means configured to drive displacing means of the mobile apparatus, such as one or more wheels or tracks, drive means configured to drive the operating arm and a control system, connected to operating instruments for a driver, for controlling the drive means. The drive means for the displacing means includes an electric motor such that the drive of the displacing means is substantially electrical.