The inventive vehicle provides all the benefits discussed above with a frame defining an operator compartment, the operator compartment having a back section and having open sides and an open bottom. A first movable chair is attached to a motorized chair movement device which allows the chair to be moved vertically and horizontally on the back section of the operator compartment within the operator compartment. A pair of rear wheels is connected to the frame, each being driven by an electric motor. The frame has an upper section defining the top of the operator compartment and being constructed and arranged to support a solar panel. The solar panel is electrically connected to at least one battery which is connected to the frame and which provides power to the vehicle. A front caster wheel is rotatable connected to a caster wheel arm which is rotatably connected to the upper frame section. A control computer is connected to the rear wheel motors, motorized chair movement device, caster wheel arm and foot/leg rest. A plurality of operator controls are connected to the first movable chair and operably connected to the control computer for operating the vehicle.

A vehicle control system for reducing turn radius of a vehicle may include electric motors associated with front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The system may further include a plurality of vehicle sensors to receive information including driving surface type, vehicle speed and handwheel position. The system may also include a controller operably coupled to the electric motors and the sensors to control wheel slip during a turn based on the driving surface type, the vehicle speed and the handwheel position.

A work vehicle includes a main body frame and left and right axle drive devices that drive left and right rear wheels. The axle drive devices include left and right electric motors that are housed and fixed in a motor housing that is fixed to the main body frame and left and right gear mechanisms that are housed in gear housings that are fixed to left and right ends of the motor housing and are connected to the respective electric motors to transmit power. A motor shaft of each of the electric motors rotates the corresponding wheel via the corresponding axle-integrated rotating member including the axle. The motor shaft is also arranged to overlap, along the axial direction, with an inner portion of a circumscribing circle of a maximum outer diameter portion of the corresponding axle-integrated rotating member.

A work vehicle includes a main body frame and left and right axle drive devices that drive left and right rear wheels. The axle drive devices include left and right electric motors that are housed and fixed in a motor housing that is fixed to the main body frame and left and right gear mechanisms that are housed in gear housings that are fixed to left and right ends of the motor housing and are connected to the respective electric motors to transmit power. A motor shaft of each of the electric motors rotates the corresponding wheel via the corresponding axle-integrated rotating member including the axle. The motor shaft is also arranged to overlap, along the axial direction, with an inner portion of a circumscribing circle of a maximum outer diameter portion of the corresponding axle-integrated rotating member.

Electric, self-steer wagon-trailers may be provided. A trailer-to-tow vehicle electric, power-sharing booster system may extend the towing electric vehicle (EV) battery life/travel range. A high voltage, battery module recharge system may be provided that is compatible with standard, electric grid EV recharge connectors. A wagon style, highway speed, self-steer front axle system may eliminate trailer-to-vehicle vertical hitch load on the tow vehicle, which increases trailer and tow vehicle stability thus, increasing towing efficiencies and safety.

A vehicle having a pair of electric actuators for use with a pair of drive apparatuses is disclosed herein. For each actuator, an electric motor drives a reduction gear train to position a control shaft, the reduction gear train having a worm drive that motivates a spur gear reduction. The housing of the electric actuator features a motor chamber to accommodate the electric motor and is sealed by a cap having an electric connector.

A stand-on terrain working vehicle may include a control tower coupled to a frame, a steering lever coupled to the control tower and configured to move between a first position and a second position, a blocking bar coupled to the control tower and configured to move between a blocking position and an unblocking position, where the blocking bar in the blocking position limits movement of the steering lever to movement from the first position to an intermediate position between the first and second position, and where the blocking bar in the unblocking position does not limit movement of the steering lever between the first position and the second position. A locking bar may be coupled to the blocking bar and a locking bracket may be coupled to the control tower, where the locking bar and the locking bracket may act to hold the blocking bar in a desired position.

An electric loader is provided with a plurality of independently driven wheels. For example, a four-wheeled electric loader includes four independently operated wheels, each directly coupled to a dedicated electric motor. A fifth independent electrical motor powers the lift arm and/or any attachments coupled to an auxiliary hydraulic. A central forced-air system supplies pressurized air to each independent electric motor to cool the electric motor during operation. In some embodiments, the auxiliary electric motor powers the fan and/or air conditioner of the central forced-air system. A lever and/or electric brake may be applied to an axle of the electric motors. A pivotable battery panel locks a plurality of battery cells to provide a central source of power, counter-weight the loader arm, and rotate away to provide the operator access to an internal cavity of the cab.

An electric loader is provided with a plurality of independently driven wheels. For example, a four-wheeled electric loader includes four independently operated wheels, each directly coupled to a dedicated electric motor. A fifth independent electrical motor powers the lift arm and/or any attachments coupled to an auxiliary hydraulic. A central forced-air system supplies pressurized air to each independent electric motor to cool the electric motor during operation. In some embodiments, the auxiliary electric motor powers the fan and/or air conditioner of the central forced-air system. A lever and/or electric brake may be applied to an axle of the electric motors. A pivotable battery panel locks a plurality of battery cells to provide a central source of power, counter-weight the loader arm, and rotate away to provide the operator access to an internal cavity of the cab.

Provided is a travel operation device for a crawler aerial work vehicle equipped with an operation panel that can be operated with one hand and that provides stable operating conditions even when swayed from side to side. A travel operation device 10 comprises an operation panel 11 that is disposed on the deck 4 of a self-propelled crawler aerial work vehicle 1 and a controller 70 that controls the rotation of a left-side motor 60a, which drives a left-side endless track, and a right-side motor 60b, which drives a right-side endless track, according to the operation of an operating stick 20 that is disposed on the operation panel 11. The operating stick 20 of the operation panel 11 is composed of: an operating stick body 21 that can be tilted only in one axial direction back and forth from the neutral position; a left-swivel switch 24; a right-swivel switch 25; and an enable switch 22 that enables the operation of the switches. The switches are arranged at positions on the operating stick body 21 where the left-swivel switch 24 and/or the right-swivel switch 25 can be operated while the enable switch 22 is pressed with fingers gripping the operating stick body 21.