A vehicle including a controlled vertical position chassis, in order to be able to be moved into a low position supported on the ground, and, associated with each wheel, a suspension arm, an arm actuator, and a safety device capable of limiting the accidental lowering of the chassis, the device being able to adopt an active state wherein the rotation of the suspension arm can be limited, the device including an actuator, a cylinder of which is mounted on the chassis and a piston of which is mounted on the suspension arm, or vice versa, the actuator defining a first chamber connected to a first and a second fluid passage through the cylinder, the second passage being connected to a first fluid pipe fitted with a safety valve.

A lift device includes a base, an arm, a tractive element, and a steering actuator. The arm has a base end coupled to the base and a tractive element end. The arm includes a steering actuator interface positioned along an exterior surface of the arm. The tractive element is coupled to the tractive element end. The steering actuator has a first end coupled to the steering actuator interface and an opposing second end coupled to the tractive element. The arm includes a plate extending from the exterior surface of the arm at an upward angle and past the steering actuator.

Shock absorber having a main sheath and a main piston sliding inside the main sheath in a sliding direction (X-X), the main piston including a main rod coming out of the main sheath and a main head contained inside the main sheath, the main sheath being filled with hydraulic fluid, a secondary sheath fluidically connected to the main sheath and provided with at least one damping valve, where the secondary sheath is connected to the main sheath by a first and a second passage placed at opposite ends to the main head of the main piston, along the sliding direction (X-X), the secondary sheath including a control valve movable, according to a regulation stroke, between an unlocking position, in which it does not interfere with the first and second passages, and a blocking position, where it occludes the first and second passages so as to realize a selective two-way block.

Brackets for mounting auxiliary suspension systems, such as lift axle systems, to vehicles are disclosed herein. For example, brackets are disclosed for attaching lift axle hanger brackets and lift axle load springs to corresponding frame members. In some embodiments, the frame brackets can include physical features (e.g., a series of graduated steps in an edge portion thereof) to facilitate visual alignment of the lift axle with the vehicle frame members during installation. In other embodiments, the frame brackets can be two-piece brackets that enable the load springs to be removed and replaced without having to detach the frame bracket from the frame rail.

Brackets for mounting auxiliary suspension systems, such as lift axle systems, to vehicles are disclosed herein. For example, brackets are disclosed for attaching lift axle hanger brackets and lift axle load springs to corresponding frame members. In some embodiments, the frame brackets can include physical features (e.g., a series of graduated steps in an edge portion thereof) to facilitate visual alignment of the lift axle with the vehicle frame members during installation. In other embodiments, the frame brackets can be two-piece brackets that enable the load springs to be removed and replaced without having to detach the frame bracket from the frame rail.

A lifting arrangement for lifting a wheel axle of a vehicle comprising a first elongated member extending along a first axis comprising a vehicle frame coupling portion for connecting the lifting arrangement to a vehicle frame of the vehicle during use, a second elongated member extending along a second axis comprising a wheel axle coupling portion for connecting the lifting arrangement to the wheel axle of the vehicle during use, wherein the vehicle frame coupling portion and the wheel axle coupling portion are offset from each other by a length and wherein the lifting arrangement is arranged to adjust the length between a maximum length and a minimum length by axially moving the second elongated member along the second axis relative the first elongated member, wherein the lifting arrangement further comprises an engaging device for axially moving the second elongated member along the second axis relative the first elongated member.

A vehicle including a chassis; a seat; a motor; an endless drive track; a suspension assembly supporting the endless drive track. The suspension assembly includes at least one slide rail and at least one suspension arm pivotally connected to the slide rail and the chassis, the arm including a top bar extending laterally and a shock absorber. A first support assembly connecting a first end portion to a first chassis side and a second support assembly connecting a second end portion to a second chassis side. Each support assembly includes a bracket connected to the chassis at a top portion of the bracket; and a connector disposed on an end portion of the top bar, the connector including an arm portion, the end portion extending through a connector passage, and a flange portion defining a slot therein, a bottom portion of the bracket being received in the slot.

A vehicle including a chassis; a seat; a motor; an endless drive track; a suspension assembly supporting the endless drive track. The suspension assembly includes at least one slide rail and at least one suspension arm pivotally connected to the slide rail and the chassis, the arm including a top bar extending laterally and a shock absorber. A first support assembly connecting a first end portion to a first chassis side and a second support assembly connecting a second end portion to a second chassis side. Each support assembly includes a bracket connected to the chassis at a top portion of the bracket; and a connector disposed on an end portion of the top bar, the connector including an arm portion, the end portion extending through a connector passage, and a flange portion defining a slot therein, a bottom portion of the bracket being received in the slot.

Methods and systems for hydraulic vehicle suspension are provided. A hydraulic suspension system, in one example, includes a first manifold including a piston-side interface and a rod-side interface fluidically coupled to a piston chamber and a rod chamber, respectively, for each of a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder. In the system, the first manifold includes a first electrically activated valve fluidically coupled to the piston-side interfaces, a first damping device, and a second damping device, the first electrically activated valve is configured to lock and unlock vertical motion of the first and second hydraulic cylinders and, while vertical motion of the first and second hydraulic cylinders is locked, the first electrically activated valve permits fluidic communication between the first and second hydraulic cylinders to permit free roll motion in the hydraulic suspension system.

Methods and systems for hydraulic vehicle suspension are provided. A hydraulic suspension system, in one example, includes a first manifold including a piston-side interface and a rod-side interface fluidically coupled to a piston chamber and a rod chamber, respectively, for each of a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder. In the system, the first manifold includes a first electrically activated valve fluidically coupled to the piston-side interfaces, a first damping device, and a second damping device, the first electrically activated valve is configured to lock and unlock vertical motion of the first and second hydraulic cylinders and, while vertical motion of the first and second hydraulic cylinders is locked, the first electrically activated valve permits fluidic communication between the first and second hydraulic cylinders to permit free roll motion in the hydraulic suspension system.