US 2026/0109384 A1Published application

Motorized hauling apparatus

OwnerGlen Eric Baker, III, Carolyn L. Baker +1inventors

InventorsGlen Eric Baker, III, Carolyn L. Baker, Kenneth Kober

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Abstract

A hauling machine includes a handlebar with a neutral-biased control lever that controls forward, reverse and the speed of the machine. The handlebar includes detents which may be engaged to maintain a set elevation during use. A front caster wheel traverses and articulates relative to the rear drive wheels which include a hydrostatic drive coupled to the control lever such that when the lever is pushed or pulled in a particular direction the hydrostatic drive propels the in either a forward or reverse direction. The amount of displacement of the control lever determines the speed at which the machine travels. A variety of attachments including a hydraulic grapple, wire rope or cable, are provided above the drive wheels for accepting different materials such as limbs, brush, or any other material being hauled. A kill switch is provided for shutting down the machine if the user stumbles.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A compact motorized hauling apparatus comprising:

a frame having a front end, a rear end, a top side and a bottom side ;
an engine mounted on the frame substantially near the front end;
a pair of drive wheels mechanically coupled to the engine for propelling the apparatus in a forward or rearward direction;
a hydrostatic transmission coupled to the engine and the pair of drive wheels and which receives power from the engine and delivers it to the pair of drive wheels to cause the apparatus to move in either the forward or rearward direction;
a steering handle arranged at an end of the frame and having a first end and a second end, said second end being rotatably affixed to the frame via a bearing and coupled to a steering caster such that the steering handle may be elevated to a desired height and traversed in a left and right direction with respect to the front of the frame to cause the apparatus to be steered in a desired direction, the first end having a lever which is actuated to cause the apparatus to move in either the forward or rearward direction and which is biased in a neutral position when released by a hand of a user;
a self-leveling universal mount comprising a base fastened to top side of the frame via a pair of pillow bearings arranged on opposite sides of the self-leveling universal mount which allow it to pivot in a forward and a rearward direction, a bearing arranged substantially in the center of a top of the base which allows the self-leveling universal mount to turn left and right directions with respect to the frame, at least one spring arranged between the self-leveling universal mount to cause the mount to self-level, said self-leveling universal mount further comprising a metal receptacle that receives a hitch pin which fastens a brush clamping apparatus;
and,
a grapple device arranged atop the self-leveling universal mount for receiving material to be hauled.

5 more elements

A motorized hauling apparatus comprising:

a frame having a front end, a rear end, a top side and a bottom side ;
an engine mounted on the frame substantially near the front end;
a pair of drive wheels mechanically coupled to the engine for propelling the apparatus in a forward or rearward direction;
a hydrostatic transmission coupled to the engine and the pair of drive wheels and which receives power from the engine and delivers it to the pair of drive wheels to cause the apparatus to move in either the forward or rearward direction;
a steering handle arranged at an end of the frame and having a first end and a second end, said second end being rotatably affixed to the frame via a bearing and coupled to a steering caster such that the steering handle may be elevated to a desired height and traversed in a left and right direction with respect to the front of the frame to cause the apparatus to be steered in a desired direction, the first end having a lever which is actuated to cause the apparatus to move in either the forward or rearward direction and which is biased in a neutral position when released by a hand of a user;
a self-leveling universal mount comprising a base fastened to top side of the frame via a pair of pillow bearings arranged on opposite sides of the self-leveling universal mount which allow it to pivot in a forward and a rearward direction, a bearing arranged substantially in the center of a top of the base which allows the self-leveling universal mount to turn left and right directions with respect to the frame, at least one spring arranged between the self-leveling universal mount to cause the mount to self-level, said self-leveling universal mount further comprising a metal receptacle that receives a hitch pin which fastens a brush clamping apparatus;
a hydraulic grapple having a hydraulic cylinder arranged to open and close the hydraulic grapple;
a hydraulic tank fastened to the frame and that stores hydraulic fluid for actuating the hydraulic grapple to cause it to open and close;
a hydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic tank and the hydraulic cylinder via at least one hose to pump hydraulic fluid into and out of the hydraulic cylinder causing the hydraulic cylinder to extend or retract to thereby open and close the hydraulic grapple;
and,
a valve connected between the hydraulic tank and the hydraulic cylinder via hoses which causes hydraulic fluid to be pumped into the hydraulic cylinder in a first position and which causes hydraulic fluid to be pumped out of the hydraulic cylinder in a second position.

8 more elements

A motorized hauling apparatus comprising:

a frame having a front end, a rear end, a top side and a bottom side ;
an engine mounted on the frame;
a pair of drive wheels mechanically coupled to the engine for propelling the apparatus in a forward or rearward direction;
a hydrostatic transmission coupled to the engine and the pair of drive wheels and which receives power from the engine and delivers it to the pair of drive wheels to cause the apparatus to move in either the forward or rearward direction;
a steering handle arranged at an end of the frame and being rotatably affixed to the frame via a bearing;
a steering caster affixed to the steering handle such that the steering handle may be traversed in a left and right direction to cause the apparatus to be steered in a desired direction, the first end
a lever mounted to the steering handle that is actuated to cause the apparatus to move in either the forward or rearward direction and said lever being biased towards a neutral position when released by a hand of a user such that power is not delivered from the engine to the pair of drive wheels when in the neutral position;
a self-leveling universal mount comprising a base fastened to top side of the frame via a pair of pillow bearings arranged on opposite sides of the self-leveling universal mount which allow it to pivot in a forward and a rearward direction, a bearing arranged substantially in the center of a top of the base which allows the self-leveling universal mount to turn left and right directions with respect to the frame, at least one spring arranged between the self-leveling universal mount to cause the mount to self-level, said self-leveling universal mount further comprising a metal receptacle that receives a hitch pin which fastens a brush clamping apparatus;
a hydraulic grapple having a hydraulic cylinder arranged to open and close the hydraulic grapple;
a hydraulic tank fastened to the frame and that stores hydraulic fluid for actuating the hydraulic grapple to cause it to open and close;
a hydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic tank and the hydraulic cylinder via at least one hose to pump hydraulic fluid into and out of the hydraulic cylinder causing the hydraulic cylinder to extend or retract to thereby open and close the hydraulic grapple;
and,
a valve connected between the hydraulic tank and the hydraulic cylinder via hoses which causes hydraulic fluid to be pumped into the hydraulic cylinder in a first position and which causes hydraulic fluid to be pumped out of the hydraulic cylinder in a second position.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/239,364Filed 15 Sep 2025
Priority: 17 Jun 2024
Published: 23 Apr 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B62B 5/003
Propulsion aids: combustion engines
B62B 3/04
Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor: involving means for grappling or…
B62B 2202/70
Indexing codes relating to type or characteristics of transported articles: flowers; Pots; Plants
B62B 2301/08
Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension: comprising additional wheels to increase stability