Patent ID: 7954436

Claim:
A method of operating a vehicle having a suspension coupled to a powered axle of the vehicle, the suspension including a non-linear spring system, comprising: actuating a compliant linkage coupled to an un-powered axle of the vehicle to pull the un-powered axle away from a track, but not push the axle towards the track, to transfer weight from the un-powered axle to the powered axle, the un-powered axle including only a linear spring suspension system; during a first mode, operating the suspension with a first, higher effective suspension spring rate when weight is transferred to a greater extent from the un-powered axle to the powered axle; and during a second mode, operating the suspension with a second, lower, effective suspension spring rate when weight is transferred to a lower extent from the un-powered axle to the powered axle, wherein during the first and second modes, an effective spring rate of the linear spring system remains constant.