The present invention relates to an axle unit comprising an axle tube and an axle stub, wherein the axle stub is formed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to a stub axis in some regions and has a channel which extends substantially parallel to the stub axis, wherein the axle stub has a first connection portion which has an engagement geometry for fluid-tight connection to the channel, wherein the axle tube is formed to be substantially rotationally symmetrical about a tube axis and wherein the axle tube and the axle stub are fixed on/to one another by way of a cross-member in such a way that the tube axis and the stub axis are spaced from one another.

A dual-direction actuating axle assembly is coupled to a vehicle's pair of wheels and orbital head of a steering column. The axle assembly includes a beam, a first steering knuckle coupled to the beam's first end and a second steering knuckle coupled to the beam's second end, the first and second steering knuckles coupled to the wheels, an actuating assembly coupled to the beam and having an outer cylinder, a rod slidably mounted to the outer cylinder and a piston coupled to the rod, the rod coupled to the first and second steering knuckles. The vehicle's steering column is maneuvered to actuate the piston and rod in a first direction to pivotably adjust the pair of steering knuckles in a first direction. The vehicle's steering column is maneuvered to actuate the piston and rod in a second direction to pivotably adjust the pair of steering knuckles in a second direction.

Disclosed are modular mechanical assemblies formed from durable, corrosion resistant components with sufficient strength to maintain efficient operation. The modular mechanical assemblies include a novel torsion axle assembly having a cartridge that houses a torsion bar with a splined tip. A load bearing, relatively incompressible bushing is optionally disposed about the torsion bar. The cartridge is inserted into an axle tube, and an end cap is placed over the cartridge and torsion bar. The end cap is affixed to the axle tube such that the bushing is secured within a bore in the end cap. The torsion bar tip extends through the bushing and end cap and is secured within a torsion arm. A spindle is also secured within the torsion arm. One or more components of the torsion axle assembly are made from a low alloy, medium carbon steel material that provides corrosion resistance and advantageous yield and ultimate strength properties. One or more components of the assembly can also be coated to improve corrosion resistance. Suitable coating techniques include, but are not limited to liquid ferritic nitrocarburizing, gas nitriding, electroless nickel plating, or a diamond like carbon coating process.

Disclosed are modular mechanical assemblies formed from durable, corrosion resistant components with sufficient strength to maintain efficient operation. The modular mechanical assemblies include a novel torsion axle assembly having a cartridge that houses a torsion bar with a splined tip. A load bearing, relatively incompressible bushing is optionally disposed about the torsion bar. The cartridge is inserted into an axle tube, and an end cap is placed over the cartridge and torsion bar. The end cap is affixed to the axle tube such that the bushing is secured within a bore in the end cap. The torsion bar tip extends through the bushing and end cap and is secured within a torsion arm. A spindle is also secured within the torsion arm. One or more components of the torsion axle assembly are made from a low alloy, medium carbon steel material that provides corrosion resistance and advantageous yield and ultimate strength properties. One or more components of the assembly can also be coated to improve corrosion resistance. Suitable coating techniques include, but are not limited to liquid ferritic nitrocarburizing, gas nitriding, electroless nickel plating, or a diamond like carbon coating process.

The twist axle assembly includes a twist beam which is made of a single integral piece and extends along a length between opposite ends. The twist beam has a middle portion which extends in a first direction and a pair of end portions which extend at least partially in a second direction that is generally transverse to the first direction to reduce twisting stresses within the end portions during operation of the twist axle assembly.

Fabricated axles with a removable king pin are disclosed. The fabricated axles incorporate U-shaped channel construction. Extensions of front and rear channel walls wrap partially around and separately join axle head plates which support a removable king pin. King pin fastener bores are partially defined by the head plate and by front and rear channel walls. The bottom surface of the head plate is received within an opening of, and secured to, the bottom plate which overlays the channel.

Fabricated axles with a removable king pin are disclosed. The fabricated axles incorporate U-shaped channel construction. Extensions of front and rear channel walls wrap partially around and separately join axle head plates which support a removable king pin. King pin fastener bores are partially defined by the head plate and by front and rear channel walls. The bottom surface of the head plate is received within an opening of, and secured to, the bottom plate which overlays the channel.

An axle beam comprises a hollow middle portion and a pair of hollow end portions. The hollow middle portion has a first corner-curved tapered arch cross-sectional shape. The pair of hollow end portions each have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and each extend from an opposite end of the middle portion. The hollow middle portion has a first wall thickness. The hollow end portions each have a second wall thickness that is larger than the first wall thickness.

An axle beam comprises a hollow middle portion and a pair of hollow end portions. The hollow middle portion has a first corner-curved tapered arch cross-sectional shape. The pair of hollow end portions each have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and each extend from an opposite end of the middle portion. The hollow middle portion has a first wall thickness. The hollow end portions each have a second wall thickness that is larger than the first wall thickness.

The present invention relates to a turn system actuated by hydraulic cylinders, applied to the four wheels of sugar-cane harvesters, wherein the harvester (80) comprises a rear axle (23) and a front axle (24), with wheel assemblies (9) associated to the axles (23, 24), wherein the rear axle (23) and the front axle (24) have a turn system, the one of the rear axle (23) being actuated by means of a double-action rear hydraulic cylinder (1) and that of the front axle (24) being actuated by means of a double-action front hydraulic cylinder (11), the hydraulic cylinders (1, 11) receiving a flow of oil through at least one flow divider (61) connected to an ortibrol (65) actuated by means of a steering wheel (60) of the harvester (80), the flow of oil received by the flow divider (61) being proportional to a factor related to the turn of the steering wheel (60), the turn system enabling the turn of the wheel assemblies (9) in amplitude ranging from 0.5 to 40 degrees, to the right or to the left, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the harvester (80).