An electric vehicle comprising a portal axle architecture. The electric vehicle having a frame. An axle assembly including a De Dion tube. A first wheel hub and a second wheel hub rotatably coupled with the De Dion tube. A suspension system coupled with the vehicle frame, the suspension system having at least one pair of trailing arms pivotally coupled with the vehicle frame and at least one pair of air springs. A first electric drive assembly in driving engagement with the first wheel hub, and a second electric drive assembly in driving engagement with the second wheel hub.

A lift machine includes a base having a first end and a second end, a first assembly, and a second assembly. The first end has first and second pivot points defining a first lateral axis. The second end has third and fourth pivot points defining a second lateral axis. The first assembly is pivotably coupled to the first and second pivot points. The first assembly extends away from the base in a first direction such that first and second tractive elements are longitudinally offset from the first lateral axis and spaced from the first end of the base. The second assembly is pivotably coupled to the third and fourth pivot points. The second assembly extends away from the base in a second direction such that third and fourth tractive elements are longitudinally offset from the second lateral axis and spaced from the second end of the base.

A lift machine includes a base having a first end and a second end, a first assembly, and a second assembly. The first end has first and second pivot points defining a first lateral axis. The second end has third and fourth pivot points defining a second lateral axis. The first assembly is pivotably coupled to the first and second pivot points. The first assembly extends away from the base in a first direction such that first and second tractive elements are longitudinally offset from the first lateral axis and spaced from the first end of the base. The second assembly is pivotably coupled to the third and fourth pivot points. The second assembly extends away from the base in a second direction such that third and fourth tractive elements are longitudinally offset from the second lateral axis and spaced from the second end of the base.

A machine includes a chassis, a turntable coupled to the chassis, a boom coupled to the turntable, an axle, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The chassis has a first end and an opposing second end, and defines a longitudinal center axis. The turntable is selectively rotatable about a rotation axis. The axle is pivotally coupled to the first end of the chassis and configured to pivot about the longitudinal center axis. The first actuator is coupled to the first end of the chassis and positioned on a first side of the longitudinal center axis. The first actuator is extendable to selectively engage a first contact point on the axle. The second actuator is coupled to the first end of the chassis and positioned on an opposing second side of the longitudinal center axis. The second actuator is extendable to selectively engage a second contact point on the axle.

The present invention provides a wheeled conveyance (10) having a chassis (12) having a first base member (12a) and having a longitudinal axis X, a plurality of wheels (14, 16, 18, 20) and a suspension system (22) between one or more of the plurality of wheels (14, 16, 18, 20) and the chassis (12), wherein said suspension system (22) has on or more front arms (24a, 24b) extending in a generally forward (F) and outward direction (O) and being mounted to the chassis (12) for substantially vertical movement about a pivot axis A-A or B-B which extends at an acute angle of a relative to longitudinal axis X. The arrangement is more able to absorb shock and more stable than arrangements of the prior art.

A utility vehicle, in particular a firefighting vehicle, comprising an extendable aerial apparatus like a turnable ladder and/or an aerial rescue platform, a jacking system with lateral ground supports for jacking the vehicle body, and a stabilization mechanism for preventing tilting of the vehicle body in its jacked state. The stabilization mechanism includes a hydraulically operable rear axle blocking device for blocking the rear axle suspension of the vehicle. The stabilization mechanism further includes at least one hydraulically lockable shock absorber integrated into the front axle suspension of the vehicle. The rear axle blocking device and the hydraulically lockable shock absorber are controlled by a common hydraulic control to lock the hydraulically lockable shock absorber at the same time or with a delay after activating the rear axle blocking device.

A utility vehicle, in particular a firefighting vehicle, comprising an extendable aerial apparatus like a turnable ladder and/or an aerial rescue platform, a jacking system with lateral ground supports for jacking the vehicle body, and a stabilization mechanism for preventing tilting of the vehicle body in its jacked state. The stabilization mechanism includes a hydraulically operable rear axle blocking device for blocking the rear axle suspension of the vehicle. The stabilization mechanism further includes at least one hydraulically lockable shock absorber integrated into the front axle suspension of the vehicle. The rear axle blocking device and the hydraulically lockable shock absorber are controlled by a common hydraulic control to lock the hydraulically lockable shock absorber at the same time or with a delay after activating the rear axle blocking device.

An axle tie rod adapted to be secured to an axle tube of a utility vehicle includes a connecting element and at least one link element, wherein the connecting element has a first connecting section in which a welded connection with the link element can be produced, wherein the connecting element has a second connecting section in which a welded connection with an axle tube can be produced, and wherein the second connecting section is configured to engage around the axle tube.

An axle tie rod adapted to be secured to an axle tube of a utility vehicle includes a connecting element and at least one link element, wherein the connecting element has a first connecting section in which a welded connection with the link element can be produced, wherein the connecting element has a second connecting section in which a welded connection with an axle tube can be produced, and wherein the second connecting section is configured to engage around the axle tube.

A link mechanism is provided between a first member and a second member to effect a bending/stretching motion in operative association with a telescopic expanding/contracting motion of the first member and the second member. A supporting mechanism is provided to support, to the link mechanism, a wire having flexibility and connected between a first device on the side of the first member and a second device on the side of the second member. The supporting mechanism fixes the wire to each link member of the link mechanism in position so that the wire is deformed while maintaining its state following a shape of the link mechanism in operative association with the bending/stretching motion of the link mechanism.