Various vehicle systems are proposed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The vehicle systems may include deployable and/or rotatable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, etc. designed for the accessing the vehicle cargo spaces. The proposed systems may include various deployment mechanisms that enable the stairgate/step systems to slide, pivot, rotate, swing, and/or otherwise adjust for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly coupled to the chassis, and a stability system. The stability system includes at least one of (i) a front downrigger coupled to the chassis, (ii) a rear downrigger coupled the chassis, or an outrigger coupled to the chassis. The stability system is controllable to facilitate leaning the fire apparatus at least two degrees relative to a ground surface while maintaining full operational capability of the ladder assembly.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an articulated turntable ladder (12) of a rescue vehicle (10) wherein the ladder (12) comprises a plurality of telescopically extendable ladder parts (14) by including a tip ladder part (18) pivotable around a horizontal first pivot axis (28) by means of a first pivoting drive. The ladder further comprises a cage (22) connected to the free end of the tip ladder part (18) to be pivoted around a second pivot axis (30) by means of a second pivoting drive. The ladder (12) is pivotably mounted to a base part (16) on top of the vehicle (10) by means of a third pivoting drive to be lifted or lowered around a third pivot axis (32). The method provides for the step of controlling the first pivoting drive such that the absolute inclination angle (α) of the tip ladder part (18) is maintained constant during a lifting or lowering movement of the ladder (12) around the third pivot axis (32).

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an articulated turntable ladder (12) of a rescue vehicle (10) wherein the ladder (12) comprises a plurality of telescopically extendable ladder parts (14) by including a tip ladder part (18) pivotable around a horizontal first pivot axis (28) by means of a first pivoting drive. The ladder further comprises a cage (22) connected to the free end of the tip ladder part (18) to be pivoted around a second pivot axis (30) by means of a second pivoting drive. The ladder (12) is pivotably mounted to a base part (16) on top of the vehicle (10) by means of a third pivoting drive to be lifted or lowered around a third pivot axis (32). The method provides for the step of controlling the first pivoting drive such that the absolute inclination angle (α) of the tip ladder part (18) is maintained constant during a lifting or lowering movement of the ladder (12) around the third pivot axis (32).

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly coupled to the chassis, and a stability system. The stability system includes at least one of (i) a front downrigger coupled to the chassis, (ii) a rear downrigger coupled the chassis, or an outrigger coupled to the chassis. The stability system is controllable to facilitate leaning the fire apparatus at least two degrees relative to a ground surface while maintaining full operational capability of the ladder assembly.

Various vehicle systems are proposed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The vehicle systems may include deployable and/or rotatable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, etc. designed for the accessing the vehicle cargo spaces. The proposed systems may include various deployment mechanisms that enable the stairgate/step systems to slide, pivot, rotate, swing, and/or otherwise adjust for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly coupled to the chassis, and a stability system. The stability system includes at least one of (i) a front downrigger coupled to the chassis or (ii) a rear downrigger coupled the chassis, and an outrigger coupled to the chassis. The at least one of (i) the front downrigger or (ii) the rear downrigger and the outrigger are extendable and retractable to facilitate leaning the fire apparatus at least two degrees relative to a ground surface while maintaining full operational capability of the ladder assembly.

A vehicle includes a chassis, an implement assembly coupled to the chassis, a stability system coupled to the chassis, and a control system. The stability system includes extendable components that selectively engage a ground surface. The control system is configured to control the stability system to level the vehicle and enable the stability system to lean the vehicle when an operational capability of the implement assembly is at a limit thereof while the vehicle is level to effectively improve the operational capability relative to when the vehicle is level.

An extendable hunting stand includes a post assembly and a platform assembly. The post assembly includes multiple posts, and includes an outer post having an upper end defining an opening, an inner post telescopically arranged within the outer post. The inner post is configured to extend through the opening at the upper end of the outer post. The platform assembly is movable between a lower end and an upper end of the inner post. A lifting assembly automatically moves the platform assembly along the inner post between the lower end and the upper end of the inner post.

An extendable hunting stand includes a post assembly and a platform assembly. The post assembly includes multiple posts, and includes an outer post having an upper end defining an opening, an inner post telescopically arranged within the outer post. The inner post is configured to extend through the opening at the upper end of the outer post. The platform assembly is movable between a lower end and an upper end of the inner post. A lifting assembly automatically moves the platform assembly along the inner post between the lower end and the upper end of the inner post.