Multi-purpose construction vehicle with at least two subframes and a self-aligning bearing between the subframes

A multi-purpose construction vehicle having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

• a) a chassis including a front subframe and a rear subframe, said chassis having first and second sides;
• b) a rear axle being connected to said rear subframe;
• c) a front axle being connected to said front subframe;
• d) a front loading device being connected to said front subframe, said front loading device being rotatable about a perpendicular axis toward either of said first and second sides through approximately 90 degrees;
• e) a rear-mounted excavating unit being connected to said rear subframe;
• f) a self-aligning bearing connecting said front and rear subframes and permitting a swivel motion of said front and rear subframes relative to each other about said longitudinal axis;
• g) first and second cylinders connecting said front and rear subframes and being disposed outwardly adjacent said self-aligning bearing on both sides thereof, said first and second cylinders being adapted to be locked while said vehicle is stationary and being adapted to provide dampening of said swivel motion between said front and rear subframes while said vehicle is traveling;
• h) at least two wheel load sensors disposed on one of said front and rear axles;
• and,
• i) at least one control device being electrically connected to said sensors, said at least one control device being adapted to supply said cylinders with a pressure on either said side of said chassis having a greater wheel load detected by said wheel load sensors.

A multi-purpose construction vehicle having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

• a) a chassis including a front subframe and a rear subframe, said chassis having first and second sides;
• b) a rear axle being connected to said rear subframe;
• c) a front axle being connected to said front subframe;
• d) a front loading device being connected to said front subframe, said front loading device being rotatable about a perpendicular axis toward either of said first and second sides through approximately 90 degrees;
• e) a rear-mounted excavating unit being connected to said rear subframe;
• f) a self-aligning bearing connecting said front and rear subframes and permitting a swivel motion of said front and rear subframes relative to each other about said longitudinal axis;
• g) a cylinder connecting said front and rear subframes and being disposed outwardly adjacent said self-aligning bearing on both sides thereof, said cylinder being adapted to be locked while said vehicle is stationary and being adapted to provide dampening of said swivel motion between said front and rear subframes while said vehicle is traveling;
• and,
• h) a rotary bearing having a vertical axis of rotation located centrally along said front axle, said rotary bearing connecting said front loading device to said front subframe.