Patent ID: 7600599
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: B60K,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A motor vehicle having a multimode traction system and particularly adapted for use both off-road and on delicate terrain, the vehicle comprising: a pair of rear wheels a pair of steerable front wheels, an engine for generating torque to drive the wheels, a rear differential operatively connected within a rear drive train and supplying engine torque to the rear wheels, a front differential operatively connected within a front drive train and supplying engine torque to the front wheels, a manually operable mode switch settable in first and second positions and located for operation by an operator of the vehicle while positioned on the vehicle, the rear differential including a lock for locking the rear differential in response to setting the mode switch into at least one of the first and second of the mode switch positions, the front differential including a lock for locking the front differential in response to setting the mode switch into the first of the mode switch positions and unlocking the front differential in response to setting the mode switch into the second of the mode switch positions, a second switch and a coupler, the coupler located in the front drive train between the engine and at least one of the front wheels, the coupler enabling torque received from the engine to be supplied to the at least one front wheel in response to setting the second switch in a first position, and the coupler disenabling engine torque from being supplied to the at least one front wheel in response to setting the second switch in a second position.