The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 14, 2026
Filed:
Dec. 16, 2019
Combilift, County Monaghan, IE;
Martin Mcvicar, County Monaghan, IE;
Robert Moffett, Clontibret, IE;
Josh Moffett, Clontibret, IE;
Mark Whyte, County Monaghan, IE;
COMBILIFT, Gallinagh, IE;
Abstract
A tractor unit for transporting an elongated load includes a body that is supported, driven and steered by a wheel set comprising at least three ground-engaging wheels. At least two of the wheels are steerable and can transform between an aligned mode and a carousel mode. In aligned mode, the wheels are steerable and aligned with one another in a neutral steering position. In carousel mode, the wheels are oriented with their axes of rotation intersecting at a substantially common vertical axis within the the tractor unit body, so when the wheels are driven the tractor unit spins about this vertical axis. A load engagement mechanism is mounted pivotally on the tractor unit body about the vertical axis to allow counter rotation in an equal and opposite amount to the rotation of the tractor unit body in carousel mode, keeping the load fixed relative to the ground as the tractor unit spins.