The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mounting a front differential to the frame of a vehicle that has been equipped with off road components to achieve proper alignment without decreasing ground clearance. The apparatus may include first and second support brackets having bushings that directly engage the differential thereby eliminating bulky spacers that otherwise decrease ground clearance.

An axle assembly for a vehicle. A movable housing is movably positioned within a closed channel defined by a central housing. The movable housing moves the axle assembly between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A mounting assembly may be coupled to and spaced from the movable housing and slidably positioned adjacent the central housing. A steering actuator is coupled to a steering arm and the mounting assembly such that the steering actuator moves as a unit. A track assist bracket may be fixedly coupled to the central housing and define a gap sized to slidably receive a mounting plate of the mounting assembly. A bushing may be disposed on each wall of a telescoping portion of the movable housing. A bellows may be provided to enclose exposed portions of the bushings in the extended configuration. Methods of adjusting the track of the axle assembly are also disclosed.

A steering axle for steering the wheels on the axle of a four-wheel forklift truck by a hydraulic or electric steering device. The steering axle has an axle beam with first and second wheel carriers. The wheel carriers are arranged pivotably on the axle beam. A steering rod is connected, in articulated fashion, to the two wheel carriers in order to transmit steering movements. A steering actuator produces the steering movement and has an actuator housing. The actuator housing has at least one guide section for the passage of the steering rod through the actuator housing. The steering actuator has at least one sliding bearing device for the radial support of the steering rod on the at least one guide section.

A work vehicle includes an axle frame extending in a left-right direction, a cylinder coupled to the axle frame, and a first supply conduit connected to the cylinder and configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder. The first supply conduit is fixed to the axle frame.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.

An axle tube assembly includes an axle tube, a first tube reinforcement apparatus disposed in the axle tube at one end and a second identical tube reinforcement apparatus disposed into the axle tube at the second end the reinforcement apparatuses welded in place to the axle tube, a first spindle assembly coupled to the first tube reinforcement apparatus, a second spindle assembly coupled to the second tube reinforcement apparatus, and an elongated connector rod or tube connected to the first and second reinforcement apparatuses inside the axle tube and disposed between the reinforcement apparatuses the first and second spindle assemblies having spindle bodies welded to the cylindrical ends of the axle tube.

Systems are provided for an axle arm including a lubricant reservoir and a driveshaft. In one example, system may include a lubricant reservoir of an axle arm comprising a fill line at an edge of a driveshaft, wherein a central axis of the lubricant reservoir is misaligned with a central axis of the driveshaft.

An apex axle truss system includes a first apex axle truss including a sheet of metal that has been bent to form a first substantially vertical wall, second substantially vertical wall, first angled wall, and second angled wall. The first substantially vertical wall is configured to be secured to a first lateral side of an axle housing. The second substantially vertical wall is configured to be secured to a second lateral side of the axle housing. The first angled wall is disposed between the first substantially vertical wall and the second substantially vertical wall. The second angled wall is disposed between the first angled wall and the second substantially vertical wall. The first angled wall and the second angled wall form an apex that is configured to be disposed over an upper surface of the axle housing.

An extendable axle with wheels on a common centerline preferably includes a base housing, a left axle device, a right axle device, a left extension cylinder and a right extension cylinder. The left axle device slides into a left side of the base housing and the right axle device slides into a right side of the base housing. The left axle device preferably includes a base tube, a steering knuckle, a drive motor and a steering cylinder. The steering knuckle is pivotally engaged with an end of the base tube. The drive motor is retained on the steering knuckle. The steering cylinder pivots the steering knuckle. The right axle device is the left axle device rotated 180 degrees. The left extension cylinder extends the left axle device. The right extension cylinder extends the right axle device. The left drive motor and the right drive motor are on the same centerline.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.