Patent ID: 6283237
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A steering system for turning a machine comprising:a plurality of wheels including a first and second wheel sharing a first axis of rotation, said plurality of wheels including at least one tether wheel having a second axis of rotation;a turning angle defined by said first and second axes of rotation;a plurality of drive units including first and second drive units for independently rotating said first and second wheels respectively at variable speeds;a steering input device for producing a steering input signal;a controller for receiving said steering input signal and producing drive unit request signals to control said drive units by rotating said wheels at different speeds thereby altering said turning angle and turning the machine; and ""front and rear frames connected by an articulation joint, said first and second wheels being supported on said front frame and said at least one tether wheel being supported on said rear frame, wherein said turning angle is altered when said front frame pivots relative to said rear frame about said articulation joint,"".