Boom operated fork truck

A material handling vehicle comprising a top, bottom, two sides, and two ends, the vehicle having a central axis of extension extending from end to end thereof, the vehicle having a frame disposed therewith, the frame having disposed proximate the bottom thereof at least a first and second axle upon which are disposed wheels for engaging terrain being traversed, the bottom of the axles defining a first plane, the frame being disposed above the first plane, the frame having disposed proximate one side thereof and to one side of the central axis of the vehicle a cab wherein an operator having a line of sight is located in use, the frame having disposed on the other side thereof and on the opposite side of the central axis of the vehicle whereat the cab is disposed, driving means, the driving means having a bottom, the bottom of the driving means being disposed on top of the frame and being disposed in a plane above the first plane of the vehicle, and the top of the driving means being disposed below the line of sight of the operator to allow maximum ground clearance, a clear line of sight and minimum risk of damage to the driving means, the driving means also being offset to one side of the axis of extension of the vehicle, the cab and the driving means defining there between an opening the opening being disposed above the first plane, the opening to receive an extensible boom carrying a work implement the boom being pivotally attached at a pivot to the frame proximate one end of the vehicle, the pivot of the extensible boom being disposed above the first plane and below the line of sight of the operator to allow the operator a clear line of sight while carrying a load over rough terrain without the risk of damaging the drive train of the vehicle, further comprising transmission, the driving means having engaged therewith transfer means to transfer the output thereof to the wheels of the vehicle, wherein the transfer means includes a first and second transfer case wherein each transfer case contains a drive chain and two sprockets, the first transfer case including input means and output means, the input means to accept power from the driving means, the output means to transfer the power to the second transfer case, the second transfer case including input means and output means, the input means to accept power from the first transfer case and to transfer that power to the transmission which is connected to at least one drive shaft whereby the transmission is located below the driving means.

A material handling vehicle comprising a top, bottom, two sides, and two ends, the vehicle having a central axis of extension extending from end to end thereof, the vehicle having a frame disposed therewith the frame having disposed proximate the bottom thereof at least a first and second axle upon which are disposed wheels for engaging terrain being traversed, the bottom of the axles defining a first plane, the frame being disposed above the first plane, the frame having disposed proximate one side thereof and to one side of the central axis of the vehicle a cab wherein an operator having a line of sight is located in use, the frame having disposed on the other side thereof and on the opposite side of the central axis of the vehicle whereat the cab is disposed, driving means, the driving means having a bottom, the bottom of the driving means being disposed on top of the frame and being disposed in a plane above the first plane of the vehicle, and the top of the driving means being disposed below the line of sight of the operator to allow maximum ground clearance, a clear line of sight and minimum risk of damage to the driving means, the driving means also being offset to one side of the axis of extension of the vehicle, the cab and the driving means defining there between an opening the opening being disposed above the first plane, the opening to receive an extensible boom carrying a work implement, the boom being pivotally attached at a pivot to the frame proximate one end of the vehicle, the pivot of the extensible boom being disposed above the first plane and below the line of sight of the operator to allow the operator a clear line of sight while carrying a load over rough terrain without the risk of damaging the drive train of the vehicle wherein the extensible boom includes a first fixed member and a second moveable member moveable in relation to the first member and contained therein, the second member being moveable by hydraulic means disposed with the boom, the boom having disposed therewith upon the top exterior thereof at least one pulley about which a hydraulic hose is disposed, the pulley being attached to proximate the pivoted end of the fixed boom member and being resiliently biased thereat by a spring, the hose extending to the front of the fixed member around the pulley and to the front of the moveable member, a supplementary cover portion being provided to cover the hydraulic hose and resiliently biased pulley, whereby when the second member is moved in relation to the fixed member the spring portion extends in the directing of the movement to allow the hose to move in the same direction whereby by providing the hoses and pulleys external of the boom these portions may be accessed for repair without the disassembly of the boom.