Utility vehicle with adjustable wheel base and wheel stance

摘要

A utility vehicle with wheel assemblies that are adjustable to accommodate different weight attachments that are selectively engaged with the vehicle. The vehicle has a frame with a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheel assemblies spaced a first distance longitudinally from the rear wheels and a second distance laterally from each other. One or both of the front wheel assemblies are selectively adjustable so as to vary one or both of the first distance and the second distance. This adjustment is made to change the balance between the weight of an overhung load due to different weight attachments and the weight of the rest of the vehicle with the operator. The adjustment of one or both of the right and left front wheel assemblies simultaneously adjusts the first and second distances while maintaining the operational height of the vehicle's frame relative to the ground.

主权项

1. A combination of an attachment and a utility vehicle, wherein the utility vehicle comprises:
a frame having a front end and a rear end; a support member movably mounted on the frame; a locking mechanism adjacent the support member which detachably secures the attachment to the support member; a right and left rear wheel mounted proximate the rear end of the frame; and a right and left front wheel assembly mounted proximate the front end of the frame; said front wheel assemblies each including a front wheel; wherein the front wheels are spaced a first distance from each other and a second distance from the rear wheels; wherein when the attachment is secured to the support member, the support member and attachment are together movable downward relative to the frame to cause the front wheel assemblies to lift off the ground so that while the front wheel assemblies are lifted off the ground, one or both of the front wheel assemblies are selectively adjustable so as to vary one or both of the first distance and the second distance.