A method of adjusting a steering mechanism of a front axle of a rear carriage of a multi-part wheeled articulated vehicle includes the step of adjusting the steering mechanism to a setting corresponding to a target value of the steering deflection angle of the wheels of the front axle of the at least one rear carriage and modifying the steering deflection angle such that forces and/or moments and resulting displacements and/or torsions and/or tensions acting on the front and/or rear carriages are minimized.

A method of adjusting a steering mechanism of a front axle of a rear carriage of a multi-part wheeled articulated vehicle includes the step of adjusting the steering mechanism to a setting corresponding to a target value of the steering deflection angle of the wheels of the front axle of the at least one rear carriage and modifying the steering deflection angle such that forces and/or moments and resulting displacements and/or torsions and/or tensions acting on the front and/or rear carriages are minimized.

An apparatus for transporting a load is described, including: a body including a part or portion for engaging with or connecting to a load to be transported; a ground-engaging device supporting the body, the ground-engaging device for effecting movement of the body over a surface; a transmitter module; a receiver module; and a controller for communicating with the transmitter and receiver modules and the ground engaging device and for receiving status signals from components and/or devices of the apparatus, wherein the controller is capable of conducting a check as to the status of the components and/or devices of the apparatus, and after completing said check to provide an “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to the transmitter module, wherein the transmitter module is configured to transmit the “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal, and wherein the receiver module is configured to receive from a first predetermined, or designated, other such apparatus its respective “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signals.

An apparatus for transporting a load is described, including: a body including a part or portion for engaging with or connecting to a load to be transported; a ground-engaging device supporting the body, the ground-engaging device for effecting movement of the body over a surface; a transmitter module; a receiver module; and a controller for communicating with the transmitter and receiver modules and the ground engaging device and for receiving status signals from components and/or devices of the apparatus, wherein the controller is capable of conducting a check as to the status of the components and/or devices of the apparatus, and after completing said check to provide an “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to the transmitter module, wherein the transmitter module is configured to transmit the “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal, and wherein the receiver module is configured to receive from a first predetermined, or designated, other such apparatus its respective “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signals.

A trailer including a hydraulic steering system includes: a trailer body; a plurality of axles connected to the trailer body; a steering cylinder connected to at least one axle of the plurality of axles and configured to turn the at least one axle; a sensing cylinder; a controller; and a hydraulic steering system. The hydraulic steering system includes a hydraulic circuit including a plurality of hoses and valves, and the steering cylinder is in fluid communication with at least one of the sensing cylinder and the controller. The hydraulic steering system is configured to transition between: (1) an automatic steering mode and (2) a manual steering mode. A towing system and a method of steering a trailer are also disclosed.

A trailer including a hydraulic steering system includes: a trailer body; a plurality of axles connected to the trailer body; a steering cylinder connected to at least one axle of the plurality of axles and configured to turn the at least one axle; a sensing cylinder; a controller; and a hydraulic steering system. The hydraulic steering system includes a hydraulic circuit including a plurality of hoses and valves, and the steering cylinder is in fluid communication with at least one of the sensing cylinder and the controller. The hydraulic steering system is configured to transition between: (1) an automatic steering mode and (2) a manual steering mode. A towing system and a method of steering a trailer are also disclosed.

A method of steering an articulated wheel loader including a front body portion and a rear body portion, the front body portion including a bucket and a pair of front wheels. The rear body portion is pivotally coupled to the front body portion and includes a pair of rear wheels. The method includes steps of: providing a steering command to steer the wheel loader; detecting an angle that a front longitudinal axis of the front body portion forms with a rear longitudinal axis of the rear body portion; and when the detected angle is greater than a threshold automatically implementing a steering brake function to independently brake one of the pair of front wheels or rear wheels that is on a steering side to reduce a speed of the braked wheel to zero so that the braked wheel becomes a pivot point to minimize a turning radius.

A method of steering an articulated wheel loader including a front body portion and a rear body portion, the front body portion including a bucket and a pair of front wheels. The rear body portion is pivotally coupled to the front body portion and includes a pair of rear wheels. The method includes steps of: providing a steering command to steer the wheel loader; detecting an angle that a front longitudinal axis of the front body portion forms with a rear longitudinal axis of the rear body portion; and when the detected angle is greater than a threshold automatically implementing a steering brake function to independently brake one of the pair of front wheels or rear wheels that is on a steering side to reduce a speed of the braked wheel to zero so that the braked wheel becomes a pivot point to minimize a turning radius.

An auxiliary hydraulic system including an accumulator, a control valve, and a hydraulic connector. The accumulator connects to a primary hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump, a brake circuit, and a steering circuit. The control valve selectively allows or prevents flow from an accumulator to at least one of the brake circuit and the steering circuit. The hydraulic connector selectively connects an external source to the accumulator and the control valve.

A flat towed vehicle includes a battery and wheels and a supplemental fuse. A transfer case generates a transfer case status signal an electric power steering system coupled to the wheels and the battery through the supplemental fuse. The electrical power steering system has a tow mode and a driven mode. The electric power steering system enters the tow mode when the supplement fuse communicates battery power to the electrical power steering system and the transfer case status signal corresponding to a neutral position.