Disclosed herein is a novel chassis design that is functionally identical to the chassis represented in the U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/059,062, 14/087,552, and 14/246,108. Based on a ladder-type structure representative of one ordinarily designed for a utility vehicle or truck, the novel chassis includes a frame that is constructed with a low slung middle section and high arched front and rear sections. This way, the powertrain is located in the middle section at the same level as are the suspension control link frame mounting points. In contrast, the powertrain in the chassis represented by the cited applications is located above the suspension control link frame mounting points. Since the powertrain directly impacts the center of gravity and since the suspension control link frame mounting points are located at the lowest level of the frame in both the present invention and cited applications, then the present invention improves upon the handling characteristics of the chassis associated with the cited applications by lowering the center of gravity while preserving ground clearance.

A utility vehicle includes a rear suspension assembly which has a trailing arm generally extending longitudinally. Also, the rear suspension assembly includes an upper radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to a centerline of the vehicle. Additionally, the rear suspension assembly includes a lower radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle. The rear suspension assembly further includes a suspension member configured to control toe of the at least one rear ground-engaging member.

A utility vehicle includes a rear suspension assembly which has a trailing arm generally extending longitudinally. Also, the rear suspension assembly includes an upper radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to a centerline of the vehicle. Additionally, the rear suspension assembly includes a lower radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle. The rear suspension assembly further includes a suspension member configured to control toe of the at least one rear ground-engaging member.

A vehicle suspension comprises an assembly of a hub carrier and a support arm, the support arm being attached to the hub carrier at two points spaced from each other in the direction of travel and extending inwardly therefrom to a support arm attachment point for fixing to a chassis, and a trailing link extending from the assembly in a direction transverse to that of the support arm, toward a trailing link attachment point for fixing to the chassis. The trailing link preferably extends from the assembly in a forward direction, and is preferably connected directly to the hub carrier. A strut can extend upwardly toward an attachment point for fixing to a chassis, to provide a spring and damper. The support arm can comprise a pair of arms extending divergently from the attachment point to each of the two points. A toe control link extends generally parallel to but spaced from the rear arm, linking the hub carrier to the chassis to provide geometry control under high load conditions. The invention further relates to a vehicle, comprising a chassis and at least two wheels, one on each side of the vehicle, each wheel being attached to the chassis via such a suspension.

A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air inlet for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension.

A wheel support for arrangement on a motor vehicle axle is disclosed on a multi-link axle having a flange for receiving a wheel hub and at least two receptacles for rotatable coupling to links, the wheel support being coupled to a trailing link by means of thermal joining, which wheel support is distinguished by the fact that the wheel support is configured as a welded component and has a main body region which has at least two sheet metal components which are coupled to one another by way of thermal joining.

A front independent suspension assembly for outdoor power equipment includes a first joint, a first wheel coupled to the joint, a first longitudinal arm pivotably coupled to the joint, a first lateral arm pivotably coupled to the joint, and a second lateral arm pivotably coupled to the joint. The second lateral suspension arranged substantially parallel to the first lateral suspension arm. The pivotal coupling between the joint and each of the first longitudinal arm, the first lateral arm, and the second lateral arm enables the first wheel to independently displace about a vertical axis.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A front independent suspension assembly for outdoor power equipment includes a first joint, a first wheel coupled to the joint, a first longitudinal arm pivotably coupled to the joint, a first lateral arm pivotably coupled to the joint, and a second lateral arm pivotably coupled to the joint. The second lateral suspension arranged substantially parallel to the first lateral suspension arm. The pivotal coupling between the joint and each of the first longitudinal arm, the first lateral arm, and the second lateral arm enables the first wheel to independently displace about a vertical axis

A suspension apparatus and a method therefor are provided. The suspension apparatus includes a body connector including a main body connector provided with a body connection hole, and a carrier including a carrier hole which extends from the body connector and into which a wheel bearing is inserted, a caliper connector connected to a caliper, and a link connector connected to a link and configured to rotate with respect to the body connection hole.