FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE LIFT TRUCK

摘要

A lift truck comprises a frame and a prime mover mounted at the extreme rear end of the frame. The prime mover drives a hydrostatic drive assembly which in turn drives a pair of rear wheels. Drive mechanisms extend along each side of the frame to drivingly interconnect each rear wheel and a steerable front wheel situated on the same side of the frame. The front wheels are mounted on spaced apart arms of a forwardly extending U-shaped portion of the frame, and an article lifting assembly is mounted on the frame for manipulation in the open space between the arms. In one embodiment of the invention the drive mechanisms for the front wheels comprise chain and sprocket drives, and in another embodiment the drive mechanisms comprise gearsets and drive shafts. The hydrostatic drive assembly may comprise either a pump and a hydraulic motor connected to the rear wheels through a differential, or a pump and two motors each connected to one of the rear wheels.