A method for sideways movement of an earth working machine (10), the earth working machine (10) comprising a machine frame (12) that stands via at least one front drive unit (18) and at least one rear drive unit (20) on a standing surface (A) of a substrate (U), which drive units (18, 20) are configured to roll on the substrate (U) in a running direction (D), the drive units (18, 20) being rotatable relative to the machine frame (12) around a steering axis (S) associated with the respective drive unit (18, 20), wherein the method-related sideways movement occurs in a sideways direction (V) that deviates from the travel direction of the earth working machine (10) determined by the respective steering angle, the method encompassing the following steps: tilting the drive units (18, 20) relative to the standing surface (A) around a tilt axis (N) enclosing an angle, preferably a right angle, both with the associated steering axis (S) and with the running direction (D) of the drive unit (18, 20), in such a way that a pivot point (C) around which the drive units (18, 20) pivot relative to the substrate (U) is shifted away from a virtual intersection point (P) at which the steering axis (S), notionally prolonged toward the substrate (U), intersects the standing surface (A); rotating the tilted drive units (18, 20) relative to the machine frame (12) around the steering axis (S) and thereby pivoting the drive units (18, 20) relative to the substrate (U) around the pivot point (C) shifted away from the intersection point (P).

In one embodiment, a steering system for an agricultural implement system includes a first actuating cylinder configured to rotate a first track relative to an implement frame where the first actuating cylinder is connected to a first frame of the first track, and a second actuating cylinder configured to rotate a second track relative to the implement frame where the second actuating cylinder is connected to a second frame of the second track. The steering system also includes a first fluid control conduit extending to a cap end of the first actuating cylinder, a second fluid control conduit extending between a rod end of the first actuating cylinder and a rod end of the second actuating cylinder, a third fluid control conduit extending to a cap end of the second actuating cylinder, and a steering control valve in fluid communication with the first and third fluid control conduits.

A leg assembly includes a guide tube, a power drive coupled to a flange of the guide tube, a steering ring coupled to the power drive, a tube weldment coupled to the steering ring, and a hydraulic actuator coupled within the guide tube and within the tube weldment. The power drive includes a slew drive or a hydraulic cylinder steering assembly. The tube weldment is translated through the power drive by the actuator. To achieve a minimal width, the tube weldment includes a keyway. The steering ring includes a key by which relative rotational movements may be imparted to the keyway. The steering ring is rotated by the power drive. Thus, the guide tube may be rotated relative to the tube weldment.

A leg assembly includes a guide tube, a power drive coupled to a flange of the guide tube, a steering ring coupled to the power drive, a tube weldment coupled to the steering ring, and a hydraulic actuator coupled within the guide tube and within the tube weldment. The power drive includes a slew drive or a hydraulic cylinder steering assembly. The tube weldment is translated through the power drive by the actuator. To achieve a minimal width, the tube weldment includes a keyway. The steering ring includes a key by which relative rotational movements may be imparted to the keyway. The steering ring is rotated by the power drive. Thus, the guide tube may be rotated relative to the tube weldment.

A paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete having a main frame, center module, bolsters laterally movably, and a crawler track associated with respective aft and forward ends of the bolsters. A bolster swing leg for each crawler track supports an upright jacking column. A worm gear drive permits rotational movements of the crawler track and the jacking column. A hinge bracket is interposed between each swing leg and a surface of the bolsters to enable pivotal movements of the swing leg. A length-adjustable holder engages the pivot pin on the hinge bracket and pivotally engages the swing leg. The holder permits pivotal motions of the swing leg in its length-adjustable configuration and prevents substantially any motion of the swing leg in its fixed-length configuration. A feedback loop cooperates with transducers keeping the crawler tracks position. The paving machine can be reconfigured into a narrowed transport configuration.

A rotary pivot arm positioning assembly for a paving, texturing, or curing machine allows the machine to automatically transition from an operational orientation to a transport orientation without manual repositioning or disconnection of its components. The assembly includes a pivot arm coupled to both the front and aft ends of an end frame by a helical actuator, slew gear drive or other rotary actuator. The rotary actuator articulates each pivot arm, as well as the adjustable leg and steerable crawler connected to the pivot arm, through at least a 90-degree range. The end frame may be fixed to the left or right end of the machine. The assembly may additionally include a second helical actuator, slew gear drive or rotary actuator connecting each steerable crawler to the adjustable leg and configured to rotate the steerable crawler through a full 360 degrees.

A rotary pivot arm positioning assembly for a paving, texturing, or curing machine allows the machine to automatically transition from an operational orientation to a transport orientation without manual repositioning or disconnection of its components. The assembly includes a pivot arm coupled to both the front and aft ends of an end frame by a helical actuator, slew gear drive or other rotary actuator. The rotary actuator articulates each pivot arm, as well as the adjustable leg and steerable crawler connected to the pivot arm, through at least a 90-degree range. The end frame may be fixed to the left or right end of the machine. The assembly may additionally include a second helical actuator, slew gear drive or rotary actuator connecting each steerable crawler to the adjustable leg and configured to rotate the steerable crawler through a full 360 degrees.

Vehicles, systems and methods for providing articulating two section vehicles with tracks, and a front body attached superstructure with telescopic forklift, for use on all terrain condition applications. The vehicle can include front and rear track assemblies that can tilt up and down while traveling over different ground surfaces. Each of the track assemblies can have rotatable articulating/oscillating track wheels which can traverse different contoured surfaces. The right and left tracks on both the front and rear track assemblies can separately extend outward and inward from underneath the vehicles to add stability to the vehicles. The cab can be raised and lowered to add greater visibility for the operator. Hydraulics can be used for raising and lowering the extendable boom and operator cab, as well as controlling the body articulating hinge, the articulating tracks and the tilting controls for the front track assembly.

Vehicles, systems and methods for providing articulating two section vehicles with tracks, and a front body attached superstructure with telescopic forklift, for use on all terrain condition applications. The vehicle can include front and rear track assemblies that can tilt up and down while traveling over different ground surfaces. Each of the track assemblies can have rotatable articulating/oscillating track wheels which can traverse different contoured surfaces. The right and left tracks on both the front and rear track assemblies can separately extend outward and inward from underneath the vehicles to add stability to the vehicles. The cab can be raised and lowered to add greater visibility for the operator. Hydraulics can be used for raising and lowering the extendable boom and operator cab, as well as controlling the body articulating hinge, the articulating tracks and the tilting controls for the front track assembly.

Disclosed are various embodiments, aspects and features an oscillating track system that includes an oscillating track lock subsystem. The oscillating track system may include a track operable to rotate around a housing structure that is configured to receive an axle. While in operation, i.e. while the track is being rotated around the housing, the oscillating track system may be able to oscillate about the axle and, in doing so, incline or decline to accommodate undulating terrain. Advantageously, when stopped, the degree to which the oscillating track system has oscillated around the axle may be locked in place via an oscillating track lock subsystem comprised within the oscillating track system, thereby providing stability to the heavy equipment that includes the oscillating track system.