Tractor and trailer for moving loads in confined spaces

A tractor for moving trailers comprising:

• a horizontal frame having edges which define its length and width;
• an arm which has two ends, a mounted end and a swinging end:
• means for mounting the arm on the frame near the arm's mounted end so the arm's swinging end can rotate horizontally, said arm having a sufficient length between said mounted end and said swinging end so that the swinging end extends out past at least one of the edges of the frame;
• a mechanically powered device for selectively rotating the arm's swinging end relative to the frame:
• a hitch connector mounted on the winging end of said arm to enable a trailer to be hitched to the tractor;
• at least three wheels;
• a wheel mounting for each wheel, mounting each such wheel to support the frame so the mounted wheels provide a stable three, or more, point support for the frame;
• a propulsion system for supplying rotational power to each wheel;
• a steering mechanism for turning each wheel;
• a speed control device for enabling the rotational power supplied to the wheels to be selectively controlled;
• and
• a steering control device for enabling the turning of the wheels by the steering mechanisms to be selectively controlled.

A tractor for moving track trailers comprising:

• a horizontal frame;
• a fifth wheel hitch connector mounted on the frame at a standard height for fifth wheel hitch connectors to enable most truck trailer which are designed to be hitched to fifth wheel connectors to be hitched to the tractor;
• four wheels;
• a wheel mounting for each of the four wheel, mounting one such wheel to support the frame at each of four locations on said frame which define the corners of a substantially rectangular shape so the mounted wheels provide stable support for the frame;
• means for supplying rotational power to each wheel;
• a steering mechanism for turning each wheel;
• a speed control device for enabling the rotational power supplied to the wheels to be selectively controlled;
• and
• a steering control device for enabling the turning of the wheels by the steering mechanisms to be selectively controlled;
• and
• wherein:
• the overall dimensions of said tractor are less than nine feet in width and less than nine feet in length;
• the wheels, the wheel mountings, the frame, and the fifth wheel hitch connector are made of such sufficiently rugged construction that at least ten thousand pounds of tongue weight can be supported by the fifth wheel hitch connector while the tractor pulls a trailer;
• the fifth wheel is connected to said frame near the middle of the substantially rectangular shape defined by the locations at which the four wheels support the frame so the tongue weight of any trailer hitched to the fifth wheel will be spread substantially equally among said four wheels.

A tractor for moving truck trailers comprising:

• a horizontal frame;
• an internal combustion engine mounted on said frame;
• a hydraulic pump mounted on said frame which is driven by said internal combustion engine;
• an arm which has two ends, a mounted end and a swinging end;
• means for mounting the arm on the frame near the arm's mounted end so the arm's swinging end can rotate horizontally, said arm having a sufficient length between said mounted end and said swinging end so that the swinging end extends out past the edge of the frame;
• a hydraulically powered device for selectively rotating the arm's swinging end relative to the frame:
• four wheels;
• a separate wheel mounting for each of said wheel, each wheel mounting containing a horizontally rotatable portion upon which one of said wheels is mounted, which rotatable portion is rotably mounted on said frame so the rotatable portion can turn over an angular range of over one-hundred and eighty degrees, said four wheel mountings being located so said wheels provide stable support for the frame;
• a separate hydraulic motor mounted on the rotatable portion of each wheel mounting for supplying rotational power to the mounting's wheel, which motor has means for receiving hydraulic power from said hydraulic pump;
• a steering mechanism for turning each wheel, said steering mechanism turning said wheels by turning said horizontally rotatably portions of said wheel mountings upon which said wheels and hydraulic motors are located;
• a speed control device for enabling the rotational power supplied to the wheels to be selectively controlled;
• and
• a steering control device for enabling the turning of the wheels by the steering mechanisms to be selectively controlled;
• wherein the overall dimensions of said tractor are less than nine feet in width and less than nine feet in length.