Lift axle systems for use with trucks and other heavy duty vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, lift axle systems configured in accordance with the present technology include upper and lower control arms on each side of the vehicle that operably couple an axle to a support system attached to the vehicle chassis. The upper control arm has a first end portion pivotally attached to a support system bracket at an upper bracket location, and a second end portion pivotally attached to the axle at an upper axle location. The lower control arm has a first end portion pivotally attached to the support system bracket at a lower bracket location, and a second end portion pivotally attached to the axle at a lower axle location. In some embodiments, the upper and lower bracket locations lie in a vertical plane that extends parallel to the vertical and longitudinal axes of the vehicle, and the upper axle location is spaced apart from the lower axle location in a lateral direction that extends parallel to the lateral axis of the vehicle.

Lift axle systems for use with trucks and other heavy duty vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, lift axle systems configured in accordance with the present technology include upper and lower control arms on each side of the vehicle that operably couple an axle to a support system attached to the vehicle chassis. The upper control arm has a first end portion pivotally attached to a support system bracket at an upper bracket location, and a second end portion pivotally attached to the axle at an upper axle location. The lower control arm has a first end portion pivotally attached to the support system bracket at a lower bracket location, and a second end portion pivotally attached to the axle at a lower axle location. In some embodiments, the upper and lower bracket locations lie in a vertical plane that extends parallel to the vertical and longitudinal axes of the vehicle, and the upper axle location is spaced apart from the lower axle location in a lateral direction that extends parallel to the lateral axis of the vehicle.

The present disclosure is directed to a braking system for a work vehicle having hydraulically-actuated brakes. The braking system includes a primary release valve, a secondary release valve, and at least one braking mechanism having one or more brake springs. The braking mechanism(s) is hydraulically coupled to the primary release valve and the secondary release valve via one or more hydraulic lines. As such, during full-power operation of the work vehicle, when the brakes are to be released, the primary release valve is energized so as to overcome a valve biasing spring, thereby shifting the primary release valve so as to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid to the braking mechanism(s). Further, when the brakes are to be applied, the primary release valve is inactive so as to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow away from the braking mechanism(s) to a primary reservoir such that the one or more brake springs compress the braking mechanism(s). Alternatively, when power is lost to the work vehicle, the secondary release valve bypasses the primary release valve and directs pressurized hydraulic fluid to the braking mechanism(s) to release the brakes.

The present disclosure is directed to a braking system for a work vehicle having hydraulically-actuated brakes. The braking system includes a primary release valve, a secondary release valve, and at least one braking mechanism having one or more brake springs. The braking mechanism(s) is hydraulically coupled to the primary release valve and the secondary release valve via one or more hydraulic lines. As such, during full-power operation of the work vehicle, when the brakes are to be released, the primary release valve is energized so as to overcome a valve biasing spring, thereby shifting the primary release valve so as to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid to the braking mechanism(s). Further, when the brakes are to be applied, the primary release valve is inactive so as to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow away from the braking mechanism(s) to a primary reservoir such that the one or more brake springs compress the braking mechanism(s). Alternatively, when power is lost to the work vehicle, the secondary release valve bypasses the primary release valve and directs pressurized hydraulic fluid to the braking mechanism(s) to release the brakes.

An exterior body panel assembly having a Class A painted surface, mold-in color or non-Class A surface, and process of infrared welding components of the assembly. Panels of the assembly are placed on a nesting structure and the inside half of the structures are brought together with the other for a fit check. Panels are separated and an infrared heating fixture then heats the various areas to be heated on the panels. The areas on the panels are heated depending on the thicknesses of the parts at each area and surface geometries to be welded. The parts are immediately clamped back together under pressure for joining and cooling of the joined surfaces in the clamped arrangement.

An exterior body panel assembly having a Class A painted surface, mold-in color or non-Class A surface, and process of infrared welding components of the assembly. Panels of the assembly are placed on a nesting structure and the inside half of the structures are brought together with the other for a fit check. Panels are separated and an infrared heating fixture then heats the various areas to be heated on the panels. The areas on the panels are heated depending on the thicknesses of the parts at each area and surface geometries to be welded. The parts are immediately clamped back together under pressure for joining and cooling of the joined surfaces in the clamped arrangement.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a base vehicle, including a base vehicle chassis, an upper mount assembly including at least one mounting rail attached to a top of a frame rail of the base vehicle chassis, and a lower mount assembly including at least one mounting bracket attached to a bottom of the base vehicle chassis. The at least one mounting bracket is moveable between a retracted position proximate to the frame rail and an extended position distal from the frame rail. The at least one mounting rail is configured to receive at least one mounting bracket of an upper vehicle to mount the upper vehicle on top of the base vehicle. The at least one mounting bracket is configured to attach to at least one mounting rail of a lower vehicle to mount the base vehicle on top of the lower vehicle.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a base vehicle, including a base vehicle chassis, an upper mount assembly including at least one mounting rail attached to a top of a frame rail of the base vehicle chassis, and a lower mount assembly including at least one mounting bracket attached to a bottom of the base vehicle chassis. The at least one mounting bracket is moveable between a retracted position proximate to the frame rail and an extended position distal from the frame rail. The at least one mounting rail is configured to receive at least one mounting bracket of an upper vehicle to mount the upper vehicle on top of the base vehicle. The at least one mounting bracket is configured to attach to at least one mounting rail of a lower vehicle to mount the base vehicle on top of the lower vehicle.

A high density horsepower (HP) mobile pump system may include an elongated unibody frame having a frame cavity, a front end, a rear end, an elongated roof panel, a front panel, a rear panel, an elongated floor assembly having an upper side and a lower side, an elongated first side panel, and an elongated second side panel. An under carriage structural lattice arrangement may be coupled to the lower side of the floor assembly from the midpoint and extending towards the front end. The under carriage structural lattice arrangement may include a first elongated lattice and a second elongated lattice. At least one wheel and tire assembly may be coupled to the elongated unibody frame. A reciprocating engine may be coupled to the upper side of the elongated floor assembly. A transmission assembly may be coupled to the reciprocating engine, and a pump may be coupled to the transmission assembly.

A high density horsepower (HP) mobile pump system may include an elongated unibody frame having a frame cavity, a front end, a rear end, an elongated roof panel, a front panel, a rear panel, an elongated floor assembly having an upper side and a lower side, an elongated first side panel, and an elongated second side panel. An under carriage structural lattice arrangement may be coupled to the lower side of the floor assembly from the midpoint and extending towards the front end. The under carriage structural lattice arrangement may include a first elongated lattice and a second elongated lattice. At least one wheel and tire assembly may be coupled to the elongated unibody frame. A reciprocating engine may be coupled to the upper side of the elongated floor assembly. A transmission assembly may be coupled to the reciprocating engine, and a pump may be coupled to the transmission assembly.