Patent ID: 7226064

Claim:
A method for controlling a suspension of a skid steer vehicle, the suspension including at least one control arm pivotally attached to a chassis of the vehicle, a ground engaging wheel coupled to the control arm, a hydraulic cylinder coupled to and between the control arm and the chassis, and a gas-charged accumulator in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder to provide springing for the control arm, the method comprising the steps of: connecting the cylinder to the accumulator to suspend the control arm; traveling to a loading location; disconnecting the cylinder from the accumulator to lock the control arm in a fixed pivotal position with respect to the chassis: changing the load on the vehicle such that the hydraulic fluid pressure changes in the cylinder; and automatically and continuously adjusting the accumulator pressure to match the cylinder pressure as the load on the vehicle changes to maintain the vehicle chassis at the same height with respect to the ground engaging wheel after loading.