Apparatus for transporting a payload

Abstract

Mobile platform/vehicle 10 to transport explosives/stemming in a hopper 14 over uneven terrain, steep gradients and cross-slopes 11, particularly mining areas. Instrumentation, such as for measuring downhole characteristics of a borehole/drilled hole for receiving explosive/stemming for a blasting operation. The platform/vehicle can be fully autonomous, semi-autonomous or tele-remote operated, and can have independent suspension and/or independent steering for each ground engaging means 16. Leading and trailing ground engaging means can turn/steer together in a similar direction for lateral movement or crabbing. Steering and direction control can be provided by hydraulic or electric drive powering rotation of the ground engaging means about respective upright axes. Height adjustable independent suspension 18 enables respective ground engaging means to follow rising or falling ground level contours and adjust payload support structure 12 height for load levelling during transport over gradients and/or uneven ground. Load cell(s) 38 detect change in payload or payload distribution.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.