Bogie suspension system

Claim 2

In a tandem wheel system associated with a paving machine, said system being located at the forward portion thereof, a plurality of wheel means mounted in tandem; and a subframe assembly to which said wheel means are mounted; said subframe assembly including pivotal connecting means for mounting the subframe to a main frame of said machine; said connecting means being placed at a location rearwardly offset from the midpoint between said tandem wheel means, whereby the sum of the rolling resistant forces incurred by each wheel means is substantially at a minimum as the paving machine forwardly traverses a nonrigid surface.

Claim 3

The tandem wheel system of claim 1 further characterized: firstly, in that the plurality of wheel means comprises two wheels, secondly, in that the wheels are of such a diameter and width that each would make, when separately considered, substantially the same impression in a base of uniform density under a given weight, and thirdly, in that the subframe pivotal connecting means is located closer to the trailing wheel than to the leading wheel.

Claim 4

In combination with a paver having a main frame supported in its rear end by main frame rear wheel means, a multiwheel bogie for supporting the front end of a paver, said bogie including: a bogie frame, two pairs of tandemly disposed wheels carried by, and supporting, said bogie frame, and means for pivotally connecting said bogie frame to the main frame, the wheels in each of said pairs of tandem wheels being so placed, that the means for pivotally connecting the bogie frame to the main frame is located closer to the rear wheel than the front wheel in each set of tandem bogie wheels, thereby substantially minimizing rolling resistance to said wheels as said paver travels forwardly.

Claim 5

In combination with a paver having a main frame supported in its rear end by main frame rear wheel means, a multiwheel bogie for supporting the front end of a paver, said bogie including: a bogie frame, two pairs of tandemly disposed wheels carried by, and supporting, said bogie frame, and means for pivotally connecting said bogie frame to the main frame, the wheels in each of said pairs of tandem wheels being so placed, that the means for pivotally connecting the bogie frame to the main frame is located closer to the rear wheel than the front wheel in each set of tandem bogie wheels, thereby substantially minimizing rolling resistance to said wheels as said paver travels forwardly.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 further characterized in that: the means for pivotally connecting the bogie frame to the main frame is an axle about which limited arcuate movement of the bogie frame may take place.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 4 further characterized in thAt: the bogie wheels are rigid wheels.