A vehicle assembly, includes, among other things, an accessory usable as a climbing ladder to access an area of a vehicle. The accessory is also configured to be used as a recovery board. A method of using a vehicle accessory includes, among other things, accessing a vertically upper area of a vehicle using an accessory as a climbing ladder, the accessory also usable as a recovery board.

A traction sleeve roller featuring an inner roller and a secured outer traction sleeve that may be rotatably powered when operable to a motor. The outer traction sleeve may be radially offset from the inner roller by a plurality of supporting members positioned between the outer traction sleeve and the inner roller. The plurality of supporting members may secure a plurality of traction members about the inner roller. The plurality of traction members may have a plurality of traction points. A plurality of outer passages pass between the plurality of traction members. A plurality of inner passages pass between an interior surface of the outer traction sleeve and a surface of the inner roller. A foulant may be directed through the plurality of outer passages into the plurality of inner passages when the traction sleeve roller is engaged with a surface having fouling conditions.

A system is provided for retractably deploying traction of a wheel. The system includes a set of grippers, each gripper having a cleat and a radially disposed strut. The system further includes a set of first poles, each first pole coupled to one of the struts, the first pole configured to support motion of its corresponding strut between a parked position and an engaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the corresponding cleat is axially disposed and engaged against the tread of the wheel and, in the parked position, the corresponding cleat is disengaged from the tread of the wheel. The system includes a first faceplate configured to rotate with the wheel. The system further includes a cleat deployment mechanism having a second faceplate rotatably coupled to the first faceplate, and a set of second poles, each second pole coupled to one of the struts and to the second faceplate.

A system is provided for retractably deploying enhanced traction of a wheel having a tread and an axis of rotation. The system includes a set of grippers, each gripper having a cleat and a radially disposed strut. The system further includes a set of strut mounts, each strut mount coupled to one of the struts, the strut mount configured to support motion of its corresponding strut between a parked position and an engaged position, wherein, in the engaged position of such strut, the corresponding cleat is axially disposed and engaged against the tread of the wheel and, in the parked position of such strut, the corresponding cleat is disengaged from the tread of the wheel. The system further includes a cleat deployment mechanism, coupled to the struts, configured on actuation to cause automatic deployment of the struts into the engaged position.

A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between said inner rim and said outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include hydraulic dampers operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim.

A front tire heating and cleaning system for a vehicle includes a brake system configured to selectively apply hydraulic braking pressure against front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle, and a controller in signal communication with the brake system. The controller is configured to, upon receipt of a request, initiate a controlled front tire heating mode where the brake system is controlled to selectively apply hydraulic braking pressure against the rear wheels and not the front wheels, and rotate the front wheels to increase tire temperature for improved front wheel traction during off-road maneuvers.

Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles vet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.

Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.

The present disclosure is an axle assembly for a landfill compactor. The axle assembly may comprise an axle housing, a carrier housing located proximate the center of the axle housing, a drain plug located on an underside of the carrier housing, and a guard attached to the underside of the carrier housing with adhesive such that the guard covers the drain plug, the guard being configured to protect and give access to the drain.