Agricultural implement

Claim 2

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-andaft extending crop-treating implement; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the forward portion of the implement and a pair of depending portions positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement forward portion, the body structure further having a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending from the transverse portion alongside and outwardly of the implement; means mounting the depending portions on the front wheels; means mounting the rearwardly projecting portions on the rear wheels; and detachable supporting couplers between the depending portions and the forward portion of the implement and between the rearwardly projecting portions and the implement.

Claim 3

The structure as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by the implement having an upper section rearwardly of the transverse portion of the implement carrier, the upper section having outwardly projecting portions overlying the rearwardly projecting portions of the carrier.

Claim 4

The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the means mounting the rearwardly projecting portions on the rear wheels are adjustable to selectively raise and lower the portions; and further characterized by the detachable couplers between the rearwardly projecting portions and the implement being in part downwardly facing coupler elements on the implement and in part upwardly facing complementary coupler elements on the respective rearwardly projecting portions, and said coupler elements are engaged and disengaged when the rearwardly projecting portions are raised and lowered respectively.

Claim 5

The structure as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by the implement having a transverse main driven shaft and the carrier having a transverse drive shaft transversely alignable with the driven shaft when the couplers are coupled, and an axially shiftable drive coupler means for coupling adjacent ends of the shafts.

Claim 6

The structure as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by supporting stands for said implement for retaining the downwardly facing coupler elements above the upwardly facing coupler elements to permit detachment of the implement from the carrier.

Claim 7

The structure as set forth in claim 1 characterized by the means mounting the rearwardly projecting portions on the rear wheels being in the form of arms mounted on the respective rearwardly extending portions to swing vertically on horizontal axes and connected at their ends to the respective wheels; and extensible and retractable motors extending between the arms and the respective portions for raising and lowering the latter on the wheels.

Claim 8

The structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the couplers between the rearwardly extending portions and implement are separated upon the rearwardly extending portions being lowered and are coupled upon their being raised.

Claim 9

The structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the wheels are connected to the respective arms by vertical trunnions that permit the wheels to swivel about a vertical axis, and further characterized by power-steering mechanism forcing selective turning of the respective wheels.

Claim 10

The structure as set forth in claim 8 in which the power-steering means includes extensible and retractable hydraulic motors connected at one of their ends to the respective arms with means at the opposite ends for connecting them to the respective wheels.

Claim 11

The structure as set forth in claim 1 characterized by the couplers between the depending portions and the implement are downwardly facing coupler elements on the sides of the implement and complementary vertically movable and upwardly facing coupler elements on the depending portions; and power means on the depending portions for coupling of the respective coupler elements by raising the coupler elements on the depending portions and uncoupling by lowering them.

Claim 12

A crop-handling implement comprising: a crop-treating implement having an elongated relatively narrow fore-and-aft extending lower section and an upper section rigid with the lower section and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the lower section, and the lower section having a forward portion extending forwardly of the upper section; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the implement forward portion and a pair of depending portions positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement forward portion, the body structure further having a pair of rearwardLy projecting portions in underlying relation to the outwardly projecting portions of the implement; means mounting the depending portions on the front wheels; means mounting the rearwardly projecting portions for vertical movement on the rear wheels; and couplers between the depending portions and the forward portion of the implement and between the rearwardly projecting portions and the implement, the latter being adapted for coupling and uncoupling upon raising the lowering respectively of the rearwardly projecting portions.

Claim 13

A crop-handling implement comprising: a crop-treating implement having an elongated relatively narrow fore-and-aft extending lower section and an upper section rigid with the lower section and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the lower section, and the lower section having a forward portion extending forwardly of the upper section; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the implement forward portion and a pair of depending portions positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement forward portion, the body structure further having a pair of rearwardLy projecting portions in underlying relation to the outwardly projecting portions of the implement; means mounting the depending portions on the front wheels; means mounting the rearwardly projecting portions for vertical movement on the rear wheels; and couplers between the depending portions and the forward portion of the implement and between the rearwardly projecting portions and the implement, the latter being adapted for coupling and uncoupling upon raising the lowering respectively of the rearwardly projecting portions.

Claim 14

A crop-handling implement comprising: a crop-treating implement having an elongated relatively narrow fore-and-aft extending lower section and an upper section rigid with the lower section and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the lower section, and said lower section having a projecting forward portion extending forwardly of the upper section; implement supporting stands connected to the implement for suspending it above ground level; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced ground wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the implement forward portion and a pair of depending portions positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement forward portion, the body structure further having a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending alongside opposite sides of the lower section from the forward transverse portion and in underlying relation to the outwardly projecting portions of the upper section; means for raising and lowering the rearwardly projecting portions on the ground wheels; and couplers between the depending portions and the forward portion of the implement and between the rearwardly projecting portion of the carrier and the implement, the latter being adapted for coupling and uncoupling upon raising and lowering respectively of the rearwardly projecting portions.

Claim 15

A crop-handling implement comprising: a crop-treating implement having an elongated relatively narrow fore-and-aft extending lower section and an upper section rigid with the lower section and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the lower section, and said lower section having a projecting forward portion extending forwardly of the upper section; implement supporting stands connected to the implement for suspending it above ground level; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced ground wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the implement forward portion and a pair of depending portions positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement forward portion, the body structure further having a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending alongside opposite sides of the lower section from the forward transverse portion and in underlying relation to the outwardly projecting portions of the upper section; means for raising and lowering the rearwardly projecting portions on the ground wheels; and couplers between the depending portions and the forward portion of the implement and between the rearwardly projecting portion of the carrier and the implement, the latter being adapted for coupling and uncoupling upon raising and lowering respectively of the rearwardly projecting portions.

Claim 16

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating implement; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a transverse portion bridging over the implement and portions rigid with the transverse portion positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement; means for raising and lowering the latter portions on the ground wheels; and couplers between the portions and the implement adapted for coupling and uncoupling upon raising and lowering respectively of the portions.

Claim 17

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating implement; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a transverse portion bridging over the implement and portions rigid with the transverse portion positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement; means for raising and lowering the latter portions on the ground wheels; and couplers between the portions and the implement adapted for coupling and uncoupling upon raising and lowering respectively of the portions.

Claim 18

A traction carrier for an implement composed of a main body structure having a forward transverse portion supported over a pair of forward transversely spaced wheels, a pair of transversely spaced portions depending from the transverse portion closely adjacent and inwardly of the respective wheels and a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending from the forward portion in transversely spaced relation and terminating above a pair of rear wheels, the depending portions and the rearwardly extending portions forming with the transverse portion downwardly opening and rearwardly opening aligned spaces respectively; means mounting the forward wheels on the respective depending portions; and means supporting the rearwardly projecting portions on each of the respective rear wheels composed of an arm mounted at one of its ends of a transverse horizontal pivot carried by the respective rearwardly projecting portions and connected at its opposite end to the respective wheel, and power means between the arm and rearwardly projecting portion for raising and lowering the respective portion on its respective wheel; and coupling means on the rearwardly projecting portions for coupling and uncoupling to an implement.

Claim 19

A traction carrier for an implement composed of a main body structure having a forward transverse portion supported over a pair of forward transversely spaced wheels, a pair of transversely spaced portions depending from the transverse portion closely adjacent and inwardly of the respective wheels and a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending from the forward portion in transversely spaced relation and terminating above a pair of rear wheels, the depending portions and the rearwardly extending portions forming with the transverse portion downwardly opening and rearwardly opening aligned spaces respectively; means mounting the forward wheels on the respective depending portions; and means supporting the rearwardly projecting portions on each of the respective rear wheels composed of an arm mounted at one of its ends of a transverse horizontal pivot carried by the respective rearwardly projecting portions and connected at its opposite end to the respective wheel, and power means between the arm and rearwardly projecting portion for raising and lowering the respective portion on its respective wheel; and coupling means on the rearwardly projecting portions for coupling and uncoupling to an implement.

Claim 20

A traction carrier for an implement composed of a main body structure having a forward transverse portion supported over a pair of forward transversely spaced wheels, a pair of transversely spaced portions depending from the transverse portion closely adjacent and inwardly of the respective wheels and a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending from the forward portion in transversely spaced relation and terminating above a pair of rear wheels, the depending portions and the rearwardly extending portions forming with the transverse portion downwardly opening and rearwardly opening aligned spaces respectively; means mounting the forward wheels on the respective depending portions; and means supporting the rearwardly projecting portions on the rear wheels for vertical adjustment thereon; power means for raising and lowering the portions on their wheels; and coupling means on the portions for coupling and uncoupling to an implement.

Claim 21

A traction carrier for an implement composed of a main body structure having a forward transverse portion supported over a pair of forward transversely spaced wheels, a pair of transversely spaced portions depending from the transverse portion closely adjacent and inwardly of the respective wheels and a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending from the forward portion in transversely spaced relation and terminating above a pair of rear wheels, the depending portions and the rearwardly extending portions forming with the transverse portion downwardly opening and rearwardly opening aligned spaces respectively; means mounting the forward wheels on the respective depending portions; and means supporting the rearwardly projecting portions on the rear wheels for vertical adjustment thereon; power means for raising and lowering the portions on their wheels; and coupling means on the portions for coupling and uncoupling to an implement.

Claim 22

The structure as set forth in claim 15 in which the coupling means includes upwardly facing coupler elements that may be moved into coupling position upon raising of the portions and uncoupled upon lowering of the portions.

Claim 23

A traction carrier for an implement composed of a main body structure carried on supporting wheels and having a transverse portion and transversely spaced portions rigid with the transverse portion defining a gap for receiving an implement; means supporting the portions on the wheels for selective vertical movement including power means for raising and lowering the portions on the wheels; and coupling means on the portions for coupling and uncoupling to an implement in response to raising and lowering of the portions.

Claim 24

A traction carrier for an implement composed of a main body structure carried on supporting wheels and having a transverse portion and transversely spaced portions rigid with the transverse portion defining a gap for receiving an implement; means supporting the portions on the wheels for selective vertical movement including power means for raising and lowering the portions on the wheels; and coupling means on the portions for coupling and uncoupling to an implement in response to raising and lowering of the portions.

Claim 25

The structure as set forth in claim 17 in which the transverse portion is supported on forward transversely spaced wheels and the transversely spaced portions project rearwardly from the transverse portion to ends that are adjacent transversely spaced rear wheels; and the means for raising and lowering the portions are arms connected for vertical pivotal movement to the wheels and portions, and the power means are extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinders operatively connected to the arms and portions for angularly adjusting the arms.

Claim 26

The structure as set forth in claim 18 in which the wheels are connected to the arms to turn on vertical axes and further characterized for power means for selectively turning the wheels.

Claim 27

A traction carrier for an implement composed of a main body and having front and rear pairs of transversely spaced wheels, the body including a forward transverse portion supported over the forward wheels, and a pair of rigid sides extending from the transverse portion downwardly and rearwardly and forming with the transverse portion a downwardly and rearwardly opening implement receiving space; an operator''s station and main power source supported on the transverse portion; a drive extending from the power source to a transverse drive shaft supported in one of the sides and adapted for connection to an implement shaft inwardly of the sides; means supporting the rear portion of said sides on the respective rear wheels composed of an arm mounted at one of its ends on a transverse horizontal pivot carried by the respective side and connected at its opposite end to the respective wheel; and power means between the arm and rearwardly projecting portion for raising and lowering the respective portion on its respective wheel.

Claim 28

A traction carrier for an implement composed of a main body and having front and rear pairs of transversely spaced wheels, the body including a forward transverse portion supported over the forward wheels, and a pair of rigid sides extending from the transverse portion downwardly and rearwardly and forming with the transverse portion a downwardly and rearwardly opening implement receiving space; an operator''s station and main power source supported on the transverse portion; a drive extending from the power source to a transverse drive shaft supported in one of the sides and adapted for connection to an implement shaft inwardly of the sides; means supporting the rear portion of said sides on the respective rear wheels composed of an arm mounted at one of its ends on a transverse horizontal pivot carried by the respective side and connected at its opposite end to the respective wheel; and power means between the arm and rearwardly projecting portion for raising and lowering the respective portion on its respective wheel.

Claim 29

A crop-handling implement comprising: a crop-treating implement having an elongated relatively narrow fore-and-aft extending lower section and an upper section rigid with the lower section and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the lower section, and said lower section having a projecting forward portion extending forwardly of the rear section; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the implement forward portion and opposite transversely spaced sides extending downwardly and rearwardly closely adjacent opposite sides of the implement and in underlying relation to the outwardly projecting portions of the implement; means mounting the sides on the front wheels and the rEar wheels for vertical movement relative thereto; and supporting couplers between the sides and the implement adapted for coupling and uncoupling upon vertical adjustment of the sides on the wheels.

Claim 30

A crop-handling implement comprising: a crop-treating implement having an elongated relatively narrow fore-and-aft extending lower section and an upper section rigid with the lower section and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the lower section, and said lower section having a projecting forward portion extending forwardly of the rear section; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the implement forward portion and opposite transversely spaced sides extending downwardly and rearwardly closely adjacent opposite sides of the implement and in underlying relation to the outwardly projecting portions of the implement; means mounting the sides on the front wheels and the rEar wheels for vertical movement relative thereto; and supporting couplers between the sides and the implement adapted for coupling and uncoupling upon vertical adjustment of the sides on the wheels.

Claim 31

A crop-handling implement comprising: a crop-treating implement having an elongated relatively narrow fore-and-aft extending lower section and an upper section rigid with the lower section and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the lower section, and said lower section having a projecting forward portion extending forwardly of the upper section; an implement carrier having a wheel-supported body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the implement forward portion and opposite transversely spaced sides extending downwardly and rearwardly of the transverse portion and defining therewith a downwardly and rearwardly opening space through which the lower section of the implement may extend with the outwardly projecting portions being in overlying relation to the sides; and detachable couplers between the sides and the implement.

Claim 32

A crop-handling implement comprising: a crop-treating implement having an elongated relatively narrow fore-and-aft extending lower section and an upper section rigid with the lower section and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the lower section, and said lower section having a projecting forward portion extending forwardly of the upper section; an implement carrier having a wheel-supported body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the implement forward portion and opposite transversely spaced sides extending downwardly and rearwardly of the transverse portion and defining therewith a downwardly and rearwardly opening space through which the lower section of the implement may extend with the outwardly projecting portions being in overlying relation to the sides; and detachable couplers between the sides and the implement.

Claim 33

The structure as set forth in claim 22 characterized by the sides being adjustably carried on the wheels of the carrier for vertical movement and power means for vertically adjusting the sides; and in which the couplers include coupler elements facing downwardly on the implement and complementary coupler elements facing upwardly on the sides in vertical alignment with implement coupler elements so that coupling and uncoupling may occur by raising and lowering the sides.

Claim 34

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating implement having opposite sides; a pair of downwardly facing coupler elements on the sides; an implement carrier composed of a main body having front and rear pairs of support wheels and a forward transverse portion extending over the implement at its forward end, the body further having a pair of transversely spaced sides extending downwardly and rearwardly and forming with the transverse portion a downwardly and rearwardly opening space upwardly facing; coupler elements vertically aligned with the aforesaid coupler elements supported on the carrier sides; means mounting the forward wheels on the respective carrier sides; and means supporting the implement sides on each of the respective rear wheels composed of an arm mounted at one of its ends on a horizontal pivot carried by the respective rearwardly projecting portion and connected at its opposite end to the respective wheel, and power means between the arms and respective implement sides for raising and lowering the sides for coupling and uncoupling the vertically aligned coupler elements.

Claim 35

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating implement having opposite sides; a pair of downwardly facing coupler elements on the sides; an implement carrier composed of a main body having front and rear pairs of support wheels and a forward transverse portion extending over the implement at its forward end, the body further having a pair of transversely spaced sides extending downwardly and rearwardly and forming with the transverse portion a downwardly and rearwardly opening space upwardly facing; coupler elements vertically aligned with the aforesaid coupler elements supported on the carrier sides; means mounting the forward wheels on the respective carrier sides; and means supporting the implement sides on each of the respective rear wheels composed of an arm mounted at one of its ends on a horizontal pivot carried by the respective rearwardly projecting portion and connected at its opposite end to the respective wheel, and power means between the arms and respective implement sides for raising and lowering the sides for coupling and uncoupling the vertically aligned coupler elements.

Claim 36

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating implement having a relatively narrow elongated portion extending between front and rear ends and a wide upper portion projecting to opposite sides of the elongated portion adjacent its rear end; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the forward portion of the implement and a pair of depending portions positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement forward portion, the body structure further having a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending from the transverse portion alongside and outwardly of the implement and beneath the upper portion of the implement; means mounting the depending portions on the front wheels; means mounting the rearwardly projecting portions on the rear wheels; detachable supporting couplers between the depending portions and the forward portion of the implement and between the rearwardly projecting portions and the implement; and a harvester detachably supported on the front end of the implement and projecting forwardly of the front wheels.

Claim 37

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating implement having a relatively narrow elongated portion extending between front and rear ends and a wide upper portion projecting to opposite sides of the elongated portion adjacent its rear end; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the forward portion of the implement and a pair of depending portions positioned on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the implement forward portion, the body structure further having a pair of rearwardly projecting portions extending from the transverse portion alongside and outwardly of the implement and beneath the upper portion of the implement; means mounting the depending portions on the front wheels; means mounting the rearwardly projecting portions on the rear wheels; detachable supporting couplers between the depending portions and the forward portion of the implement and between the rearwardly projecting portions and the implement; and a harvester detachably supported on the front end of the implement and projecting forwardly of the front wheels.

Claim 38

A crop-handling machine comprising: a main frame having an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating device supported thereon; a pair of support wheels supporting the forward end of the frame; a relatively long and heavy crop-harvesting mechanism cantilevered forwardly of the frame and the front wheels and feeding into the crop-treating device; a rear pair of support wheels; and means supporting a rear portion of the frame on the respective rear wheels, said latter means comprising an arm mounted at one of its ends on a horizontal pivot carried by the frame; and vertical pivot means connecting the respective arm to a respective rear wheel; first adjustable power means between the arms and frame for raising and lowering the frame; and second adjustable power means between the arms and wheels for steering the latter on the vertical pivot means.

Claim 39

A crop-handling machine comprising: a main frame having an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating device supported thereon; a pair of support wheels supporting the forward end of the frame; a relatively long and heavy crop-harvesting mechanism cantilevered forwardly of the frame and the front wheels and feeding into the crop-treating device; a rear pair of support wheels; and means supporting a rear portion of the frame on the respective rear wheels, said latter means comprising an arm mounted at one of its ends on a horizontal pivot carried by the frame; and vertical pivot means connecting the respective arm to a respective rear wheel; first adjustable power means between the arms and frame for raising and lowering the frame; and second adjustable power means between the arms and wheels for steering the latter on the vertical pivot means.

Claim 40

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating implemeNt having front and rear ends; a crop receptacle above, rigid with, and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the implement and rearwardly of the forward end of the implement; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the portion of the implement forwardly of the receptacle and depending and rearwardly projecting portions positioned on opposite sides of the implement and extending from the transverse portion alongside and outwardly of the implement in underlying relation to the outwardly projecting portions of the receptacle; means mounting the depending and rearwardly projecting portions on the front and rear wheels; detachable supporting couplers between the implement and the depending and rearwardly projecting portions; and a harvester detachably supported on the forward end of the implement and projecting outwardly of and forwardly of the front wheels.

Claim 41

A crop-handling implement comprising: an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating implemeNt having front and rear ends; a crop receptacle above, rigid with, and having outwardly projecting portions extending to opposite sides of the implement and rearwardly of the forward end of the implement; an implement carrier having front and rear transversely spaced wheels and a body structure composed of a forward transverse portion bridging over the portion of the implement forwardly of the receptacle and depending and rearwardly projecting portions positioned on opposite sides of the implement and extending from the transverse portion alongside and outwardly of the implement in underlying relation to the outwardly projecting portions of the receptacle; means mounting the depending and rearwardly projecting portions on the front and rear wheels; detachable supporting couplers between the implement and the depending and rearwardly projecting portions; and a harvester detachably supported on the forward end of the implement and projecting outwardly of and forwardly of the front wheels.

Claim 42

The structure as set forth in claim 26 characterized by the carrier having a main power source and a transverse horizontal drive shaft means in one of its depending and rearwardly projecting portions; and the implement has a transverse horizontal main drive shaft means axially alignable with the drive shaft means of the carrier when the detachable supporting couplers are coupled; and a drive coupling between the respective drive shaft means.

Claim 43

The structure as set forth in claim 26 characterized by each of the rearwardly projecting portions being supported on the respective rear wheels by an arm horizontally pivotally mounted at one end thereon and connected at the opposite end to the wheel, and an extensible and retractable link extending between the rearwardly projecting portion and arm for raising and lowering the portion on the respective wheel.

Claim 44

The structure as set forth in claim 28 further characterized by each of said rear wheels being swiveled about an upright axis on the arm and further characterized by a hydraulic cylinder having means at one end for anchoring it to rearwardly projecting portions and means at the opposite end for anchoring it to the wheel whereby extension and retraction of the cylinders will steer the wheel.

Claim 45

The structure as set forth in claim 29 characterized by the respective rear wheels having individual hydrostatic drives and having fluid-transferring joints at the respective vertical swivels for transferring fluid to the respective drives at said joints.

Claim 46

A crop-handling machine comprising: a main frame having an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating device supported thereon; a pair of support wheels supporting the forward end of the frame; a rear pair of support wheels; and means supporting a rear portion of the frame on the respective rear wheels, said latter means comprising an arm mounted at one of its ends on a horizontal pivot carried by the frame; and vertical pivot means connecting the respective arm to a respective rear wheel; first adjustable power means between the arms and frame for raising and lowering the frame; and second adjustable power means between the arms and wheels for steering the latter on the vertical pivot means.

Claim 47

A crop-handling machine comprising: a main frame having an elongated fore-and-aft extending crop-treating device supported thereon; a pair of support wheels supporting the forward end of the frame; a rear pair of support wheels; and means supporting a rear portion of the frame on the respective rear wheels, said latter means comprising an arm mounted at one of its ends on a horizontal pivot carried by the frame; and vertical pivot means connecting the respective arm to a respective rear wheel; first adjustable power means between the arms and frame for raising and lowering the frame; and second adjustable power means between the arms and wheels for steering the latter on the vertical pivot means.

Claim 48

The structure as set forth in claim 31 in which the first adjustable power means is an extensible and retractable hydraulic motor connected to the respective arms and frame.

Claim 49

The structure as set forth in claim 31 in which the second adjustable power means is a hydraulic motor for each of said rear wheels with a part thereof connected to the respective arm and a part thereof operatively connected to the wheel for turning the latter.

Claim 50

The structure as set forth in claim 31 further characterized by each of said rear wheels having its own hydraulically operated individual motor for driving the wheel inwardly of and alongside the respective wheel, said vertical pivot means includes a vertical trunnion having a slip-type fluid manifold permitting transfer of hydraulic fluid to And from the respective motor at said trunnion.