Patent ID: 8768538

Claim:
A straddle carrier comprising: a frame having opposite substantially parallel sides and which is configured for straddling a container to be lifted and transported between said opposite sides, a plurality of ground wheels to enable the frame to be positioned over the container, and means for lifting the container within the frame, wherein the plurality of ground wheels consist of first, second and third ground wheel assemblies, each said ground wheel assembly being selected from a single wheel and a pair of wheels disposed coaxially side-by-side, wherein the first ground wheel assembly is disposed at a first position at least approximately centrally on one side of the frame, and the second and third ground wheel assemblies are disposed respectively at second and third positions which are at or adjacent opposite ends of the other side of the frame, the second and third wheels being steerable by rotation about respective substantially vertical axes, wherein the straddle carrier is completely supported by contact with the ground at said first, second and third positions.