# US 2025/0083754 A1 · Common Chassis for Ground Support Tractors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0083754 A1 - Document ID: US20250083754A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/802,315 - Filed: 2024-08-13 - Published: 2025-03-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-11 - Assignees: Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc. - Applicants: Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc. - Inventors: Kevin Michael Ayotte; Micael David Ekstrom; Evan Luke Kellams; Soulaxay NMN Phommavongsa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250083754A1 ## CPC - B62D 33/06: Drivers' cabs {(overhead guards, e.g. against loads falling down B60R21/11; roll-over protection B60R21/13)} - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - B60K 17/00: Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles - B60N 2/005: Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles {, e.g. dismountable auxiliary seats}(B60N2/02 takes precedence {; for railway vehicles B61D1/04}) - B62D 25/14: Dashboards as superstructure sub-units (other dashboard aspects B60K) - B62D 25/16: Mud-guards or wings; Wheel cover panels (equipped with means for freeing wheels or tyres from foreign matter B60S) - B64F 1/225: Vehicles specially adapted therefor, e.g. aircraft tow tractors - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A ground support tractor for providing ground support services at an airport. The ground support tractor has a cab forward configuration and a cab aft configuration. The ground support tractor includes a common chassis having a forward mounting location and an aft mounting location. A drivetrain and a battery system are coupled to the common chassis. In the cab forward configuration of the ground support tractor, the battery system is coupled to the aft mounting location and positioned above the drivetrain. In the cab aft configuration of the ground support tractor, the battery system is coupled to the forward mounting location and positioned forward of the drivetrain. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ground support tractor having cab forward and cab aft configurations, the ground support tractor comprising: a common chassis having a forward mounting location and an aft mounting location; a drivetrain coupled to the common chassis; and a battery system coupled to the common chassis; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the battery system is coupled to the aft mounting location and positioned above the drivetrain; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the battery system is coupled to the forward mounting location and positioned forward of the drivetrain. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 wherein, the drivetrain further comprises an electric motor and a transaxle coupled to the electric motor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 2 further comprises first and second drive wheels operably coupled to the transaxle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 3 wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the battery system is positioned above the first and second drive wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the battery system is positioned forward of the first and second drive wheels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 3 wherein, the common chassis further comprises a frame with first and second forward wheel wells coupled thereto and with first and second aft wheel wells coupled thereto; and wherein, the first and second drive wheels are respectively positioned within the first and second aft wheel wells. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 5 wherein, the forward mounting location is positioned above the first and second forward wheel wells; and wherein, the aft mounting location is positioned above the first and second aft wheel wells. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 5 wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the battery system is positioned above the first and second aft wheel wells; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the battery system is positioned above the first and second forward wheel wells. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 5 further comprises first and second steering control wheels respectively positioned within the first and second forward wheel wells. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 8 wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the battery system is positioned aft of the first and second steering control wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the battery system is positioned above the first and second steering control wheels. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 8 wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the battery system is positioned above the first and second drive wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the battery system is positioned above the first and second steering control wheels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 5 further comprising a motor mount coupled to the frame between the forward wheel wells and the aft wheel wells; wherein, the electric motor is coupled to the motor mount. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 5 further comprising a rear suspension coupled to the frame; wherein, the transaxle is coupled to the rear suspension. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 5 wherein, the transaxle is positioned between the first and second aft wheel wells. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 wherein, the drivetrain is a common drivetrain. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 wherein, the battery system is a common battery system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 wherein, the battery system includes at least first and second battery packs. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 further comprising a battery rack coupled to the common chassis; wherein, the battery system is coupled to the battery rack. ### Claim 18 A ground support tractor having cab forward and cab aft configurations, the ground support tractor comprising: a common chassis including a frame with first and second forward wheel wells coupled thereto and with first and second aft wheel wells coupled thereto, the common chassis having a forward mounting location positioned above the first and second forward wheel wells and an aft mounting location positioned above the first and second aft wheel wells; a drivetrain coupled to the common chassis; and a battery system coupled to the common chassis; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the battery system is coupled to the aft mounting location and positioned above the drivetrain; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the battery system is coupled to the forward mounting location and positioned forward of the drivetrain. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 18 further comprising: first and second steering control wheels respectively positioned within the first and second forward wheel wells; and first and second drive wheels respectively positioned within the first and second aft wheel wells. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 19 wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the battery system is positioned above the first and second drive wheels and aft of the first and second steering control wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the battery system is positioned forward of the first and second drive wheels and above the first and second steering control wheels.