A center take off rack and pinion steering system is disclosed having a rack housing which houses a rack gear having first and second ends extending through the housing. A pinion gear is coupled to the rack gear to input steering power to the rack gear. A rack yoke is coupled to, and extends between, the first and second ends of the rack gear. A yoke support is coupled to the rack housing and a yoke support slider is coupled to the rack yoke and is movable with the rack yoke relative to the yoke support. Tie rod end mounts are supported by the rack yoke, the tie rod end mounts positioned laterally intermediate the first and second ends of the rack gear.

A center take off rack and pinion steering system is disclosed having a rack housing which houses a rack gear having first and second ends extending through the housing. A pinion gear is coupled to the rack gear to input steering power to the rack gear. A rack yoke is coupled to, and extends between, the first and second ends of the rack gear. A yoke support is coupled to the rack housing and a yoke support slider is coupled to the rack yoke and is movable with the rack yoke relative to the yoke support. Tie rod end mounts are supported by the rack yoke, the tie rod end mounts positioned laterally intermediate the first and second ends of the rack gear.

A novel steering tube assembly is provided having a steering tube with a first end and a second end. An upper plate assembly is coupled to the first end of the steering tube and a drive gear plate is coupled to the second end of the steering tube. A bearing steering tube plate is coupled to the steering tube at a location between the first end and the second end. The bearing steering tube plate has a first surface and a second surface. A bearing support is coupled to the first surface of the bearing steering tube plate and includes a cylindrical portion and a flange portion. A bearing block is coupled to the bearing support and the bearing block comprises a low-friction, non-metallic material.

A novel steering tube assembly is provided having a steering tube with a first end and a second end. An upper plate assembly is coupled to the first end of the steering tube and a drive gear plate is coupled to the second end of the steering tube. A bearing steering tube plate is coupled to the steering tube at a location between the first end and the second end. The bearing steering tube plate has a first surface and a second surface. A bearing support is coupled to the first surface of the bearing steering tube plate and includes a cylindrical portion and a flange portion. A bearing block is coupled to the bearing support and the bearing block comprises a low-friction, non-metallic material.

A steering gear for a vehicle includes a linear drive having at least one displacement element, which is displaceable substantially along a vehicle longitudinal axis of the vehicle and which is fastenable to a steering drag link of the vehicle, in which the linear drive is configured to convert a rotational movement of a steering column of the vehicle into a movement of the displacement element substantially along the vehicle longitudinal axis. Also described is a related vehicle having the steering gear, a method for actuating the steering gear, and a method for steering the vehicle.

A steering gear for a vehicle includes a linear drive having at least one displacement element, which is displaceable substantially along a vehicle longitudinal axis of the vehicle and which is fastenable to a steering drag link of the vehicle, in which the linear drive is configured to convert a rotational movement of a steering column of the vehicle into a movement of the displacement element substantially along the vehicle longitudinal axis. Also described is a related vehicle having the steering gear, a method for actuating the steering gear, and a method for steering the vehicle.

The disclosure relates to a steering system useful for providing stable control during rear axle steering of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering system utilizes a single steering cylinder and retracted caster cylinders to regulate rotation of the casters during rear axle road operation mode. The steering system locks the steering cylinder and uses the caster cylinders for damping during in-field operation mode.

The disclosure relates to a steering system useful for providing stable control during rear axle steering of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering system utilizes a single steering cylinder and retracted caster cylinders to regulate rotation of the casters during rear axle road operation mode. The steering system locks the steering cylinder and uses the caster cylinders for damping during in-field operation mode.

An independent steering mechanism of controllable hydraulic locking type for left and right wheels is provided. The independent steering mechanism includes a power steering mechanism, a steering drive mechanism, a hydraulic locking mechanism and an electronic control unit. Power of the left and right steering motors flows through the worm, the worm gear, the gear to drive left and right racks to translate. Outer ends of the left and right racks are connected to left and right tie rods via spherical hinges respectively. Inner ends of the left and right racks are connected to a piston rod and a cylinder barrel via spherical hinges respectively. A left chamber and a right chamber in the hydraulic cylinder are connected to an oil reservoir via an electro-hydraulic valve. The left and right steering motor controllers for the left and right steering motor and the electro-hydraulic valve controller are communicated via CAN bus.

A steer-by-wire steering system having an I-beam and a steering gear housing coupled therewith. An input shaft assembly may be at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing. A steering knuckle having a kingpin boss and an output shaft having a first end at least partially disposed within the kingpin boss. A second end of the output shaft at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing.