Patent ID: 7735574

Claim:
A motor grader having a frame, a front axle having first and second opposed ends and first and second front wheels steerably mounted at the opposed ends of the front axle, the motor grader having an ordinary direction of travel and having a rearward end defined by the ordinary direction of travel, wherein the front axle is pivotally mounted to the frame by a distance adjustment mechanism, the distance adjustment mechanism having a first member and a second member telescopically retained within the first member, telescopic movement of the second member relative to the first member varying distance between the front axle and the frame, the second member being rotatable within the first member about a first axis and rotation of the second member about the first axis permitting pivotal movement of the front axle about the first axis that moves one of the front wheels toward the rearward end of the motor grader as measured in a direction parallel to the ordinary direction of travel and moves the other front wheel away from the rearward end of the motor grader as measured in the ordinary direction of travel, the front axle is further pivotable about a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to a transverse direction defined by the front axle and substantially perpendicular to the first axis; a pivot actuator mechanism is operably secured between the front axle and the frame for pivoting the front axle relative to the frame; and wherein each of said first and second front wheels steerably mounted at the opposed ends of the front axle is steerable relative to the front axle about a respective steering axis spaced from the first axis.