Tractor chassis and cab suspension system

Claim 2

A tractor vehicle comprising: a subframe having a forward portion and a rear portion and having a plurality of wheels; a superstructure including a frame, an operator's work station and an engine hood integrally carried on said superstructure frame which is pivotally mounted to the forward portion of said subframe; a U-shaped member affixed to said subframe under the operator's work station; a plurality of rollers supported on the upwardly extending legs on the interior of said U-shaped member; a pair of spaced apart vertical surfaces projecting downwardly from the operator's work station into said U-shaped member where said plurality of rollers contact said vertical surfaces; a suspension means mounted between the bottom of said operator's work station and the rear portion of said subframe.

Claim 3

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said U-shaped member is a substantial metallic structure where the base of the "U" is longer than the height of the legs of the "U" and the base is further provided with a plurality of apertures.

Claim 4

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said suspension means comprises: a coil spring positioned between the tractor subframe and the suspended superstructure at the rear portion of the vehicle; and a shock absorber positioned between the tractor subframe and the suspended superstructure at the rear portion of the vehicle.

Claim 5

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said suspension means comprises: a coil spring positioned between the tractor subframe and the suspended superstructure at the rear portion of the vehicle; and a shock absorber carried in the central vertical void of the coil spring and positioned between the tractor subframe and the suspended superstructure.

Claim 6

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the operator's work station comprises: a floor; an operator accommodating seat supported on said floor; a rollover protective structure supported on said floor including a roof portion; and vehicle control apparatus including a steering wheel, an instrument panel, and throttle controls integral with said superstructure arranged to be within the operator's normal reach.

Claim 7

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said superstructure further includes a grille shell and a grille at the forward portion of the superstructure.

Claim 8

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the superstructure further incorporates a superstructure lifting handle located towards the rear of the superstructure.

Claim 9

A tractor vehicle comprising: a subframe supported on a plurality of wheels including a pair of drive wheels at the rear of the subframe and a pair of steerable wheels at the front portion of the subframe; a superstructure including an operator's work station including a floor, a rollover protective structure supported on said floor and vehicle control apparatus, said superstructure also including an engine covering hood and a grille; a U-shaped member affixed to the subframe under the operator's work station, said U-shaped member having a wide base and a pair of upwardly extending legs which carry a plurality of rollers on the inside surfaces of each of the upwardly extending legs; a substantially boxlike structure extending downwardly from the operator's work station into the open area between the upwardly extending legs of the U-shaped member, the boxlike structure having a pair of spaced apart vertical surfaces which are contacted by said rollers on the inside of said legs; a suspension means mounted between the bottom of said operator's work station and the rear portion of said subframe.

Claim 10

A tractor vehicle comprising: a subframe supported on a plurality of wheels including a pair of drive wheels at the rear of the subframe and a pair of steerable wheels at the front portion of the subframe; a superstructure including an operator's work station including a floor, a rollover protective structure supported on said floor and vehicle control apparatus, said superstructure also including an engine covering hood and a grille; a U-shaped member affixed to the subframe under the operator's work station, said U-shaped member having a wide base and a pair of upwardly extending legs which carry a plurality of rollers on the inside surfaces of each of the upwardly extending legs; a substantially boxlike structure extending downwardly from the operator's work station into the open area between the upwardly extending legs of the U-shaped member, the boxlike structure having a pair of spaced apart vertical surfaces which are contacted by said rollers on the inside of said legs; a suspension means mounted between the bottom of said operator's work station and the rear portion of said subframe.

Claim 11

The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said suspension means comprises: a coil spring positioned between the tractor subframe and the suspended superstructure at the rear portion of the vehicle; and a shock absorber positioned between the tractor subframe and the suspended superstructure at the rear portion of the vehicle.

Claim 12

The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said suspension means comprises: a coil spring positioned between the tractor subframe and the suspended superstructure at the rear portion of the vehicle; and a shock absorber carried in the central vertical void of coil spring and positioned between the tractor subframe and the suspended superstructure.

Claim 13

The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein the superstructure further incorporates a superstructure lifting handle located towards the rear of the superstructure.