A transportation vehicle including a plurality of battery packs, a plurality of power equipment, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify at least one of the plurality of power equipment or at least one of the plurality of battery packs that requires charging and direct power through a bus to distribute power to at least one of the plurality of power equipment or at least one of the plurality of battery packs. The plurality of battery packs are configured to recharge the plurality of power equipment.

Embodiments of the invention related generally to ladders and ramps and, more particularly, to collapsible ladders and ramps for a vehicle tailgate and related systems. In one embodiment, the invention provides a system comprising: a tailgate member for a vehicle, the tailgate member having: an interior wall; an exterior wall; and a cavity between the interior and exterior walls; at least one collapsible ladder device comprising: a pair of substantially parallel elongate members; a plurality of cross members, each of the plurality extending between and lying substantially perpendicular to the pair of substantially elongate members; and an attachment device for non-fixedly securing the at least one collapsible ladder device within the cavity of the tailgate member.

Brackets for mounting a loading ramp to a utility van without drilling the van’s structure can include a horizontal plate portion and a vertical portion. The vertical portion is joined to a perimeter edge of the horizontal portion. The vertical portion includes a main portion and a flange extending from a vertical side of the main portion. Apertures can be provided in the vertical portion and horizontal portions so that the brackets can be secured to the interior of the van without drilling new holes in the van. The brackets are shaped so that the rear doors of the van can close without interference in the normal manner.

A liftgate load system for use with a vehicle, which includes deck sections that are movable between an in use position where the deck sections form a horizontal platform to a stowed position where the deck sections are folded a vertical arrangement. The liftgate load system also includes an adapter on the platform that is provided with a door that is movable between a closed position and an open position and backing plate that is configured to be engaged by a dock lock hook of a loading dock to limit movement of the lift system away from the loading dock. The door is configured to move from the cover position to the open position as the load platform moves from the use position to the stowed position.

A trailer system for a vehicle includes a trailer having a trailer body, wheels, and a trailer tongue for hitching the trailer to a towing vehicle. A rear end of the trailer body is pivotally and detachably attachable at a rear of the vehicle. When attached at the rear of the vehicle, the trailer is pivotable between a stowed position, where the trailer is vertically oriented along the rear of the vehicle, and a lowered position, where the trailer is lowered such that the wheels are at the ground. When attached at the rear of the vehicle and in the stowed position, the front end of the trailer body is at or near an upper region of the vehicle. When attached and in the lowered position, the trailer functions to allow items to be unloaded from the vehicle and onto the trailer body.

An interlocking tailgate utility bar for a vehicle having a tailgate at least partially defining a cargo area includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface and configured to be disposed against an inner wall of the tailgate when the tailgate is in an open position, opposed front and rear side surfaces, and opposed ends. A striker assembly is disposed at each end of the opposed ends and includes a striker configured to be releasably coupled to tailgate latches located on opposed sides of the tailgate to thereby selectively releasably secure the interlocking tailgate utility bar to the tailgate. A rail channel is configured to receive an attachment device of a vehicle accessory to thereby removably couple the vehicle accessory to the interlocking tailgate utility bar and thus the vehicle.

An excavation system may include a base unit, a boom mounted on the base unit, a pair of drag ropes coupled with the boom, and a robotic bucket mechanism attached to the pair of drag ropes. The robotic bucket mechanism may include an undercarriage drive, a chassis mounted on the undercarriage drive, an excavating bucket mounted on the chassis, a pair of hydraulic lift actuators coupled between the chassis and the excavating bucket at pivot points on both sides of the excavating bucket, and a hydraulic tilt actuator mounted between the chassis and a rear side of the excavating bucket.

A towable trailer vehicle is provided having a pass-through cart treatment chamber formed from lateral side to side between two ramp doors. The chamber forms a spray tunnel in which carts are moved by a conveyor from various treatment stations to the next, and which can include cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting, rinsing, drying, and applying protective coatings to each cart. The various fluids used in the spray treatment are stored, prepared, controlled, and collected for reuse and/or disposal within the trailer. The trailer is dimensioned to allow sufficient advertising, information, and/or aesthetic decor thereon to facilitate its use and desirability. The trailer structure provides apparatus security during periods of non-use.

Improved passenger access and suspension systems for passenger buses, and controllers configured for use therewith; and passenger buses incorporating such systems and controllers. Integration of access ramp, door, suspension, charge interface, and other systems provides improvements in fully- or semi-automatic deployment of features such as passenger doors and ramps, and charge interface components, as well as navigation to passenger access points.

A folding trailer ramp suitable for heavy machinery has powered full extension and soft ground contact. A prime mover such as an air bag and actuator assembly rotates one link of a quadrilateral linkage. When deploying the folding ramp, the quadrilateral linkage fully extends a ramp tip from a main ramp segment before the ramp tip touches down onto the ground. The ramp tip locks into a stable position when fully extended. A push rod that forms a second link of the quadrilateral linkage is in some embodiments adjustable in length, and in further embodiments includes a spring pack that only changes length after the ramp tip is fully extended and locked into a stable position. A pivot arm that forms another link may terminate at an anti-friction roller that presses against and thereby locks the ramp tip. A roller channel may also partially encompass and protect the anti-friction roller.