Lift steering systems and methods

A steering system for a lift device, the steering system comprising:

• a base having a first front rotatable wheel, a second front rotatable wheel, and two or more rear wheels;
• a linkage bar extending laterally between the first front rotatable wheel and the second front rotatable wheel along a linkage axis;
• a first tie rod including a first end pivotably coupled to the linkage bar and a second end pivotably coupled to the first front rotatable wheel;
• a second tie rod including a second end pivotably coupled to the linkage bar and a second end pivotably coupled to the second front rotatable wheel;
• and
• an electric steering actuator including an electric motor, a housing, and a piston slidably received within the housing, wherein the piston is coupled to the linkage bar so that movement of the piston results in movement of the linkage bar, and thereby rotation of the first front rotatable wheel and the second front rotatable wheel, wherein the housing and the electric motor are arranged behind the linkage bar relative to a longitudinal direction extending perpendicular to the linkage axis and toward the two or more rear wheels.

A lift device, comprising:

• a base having a first rotatable wheel and a second rotatable wheel;
• a retractable lift mechanism having a first end coupled to the base;
• a platform coupled to and supported by a second end of the retractable lift mechanism;
• and
• a steering system including:
• a linkage bar extending laterally between the first rotatable wheel and the second rotatable wheel along a linkage axis;
• a first tie rod including a first end pivotably coupled to the linkage bar and a second end pivotably coupled to the first rotatable wheel;
• a second tie rod including a second end pivotably coupled to the linkage bar and a second end pivotably coupled to the second rotatable wheel;
• and
• an electric steering actuator including an electric motor, a housing, and a piston slidably received within the housing, wherein the piston extends along a piston axis and is coupled to the linkage bar so that movement of the piston results in movement of the linkage bar, and thereby rotation of the first rotatable wheel and the second rotatable wheel, wherein the housing is arranged between the electric motor and the linkage bar relative to a direction perpendicular to the piston axis.