Drive train system for a construction-type vehicle

A power system for a vehicle having a central frame member extending along a longitudinal axis in a front-rear direction, comprising:

• an engine support frame mounted to the central frame member;
• an engine mounted to the engine support frame and including an engine output, wherein the engine is laterally offset from the central frame member;
• a transmission mounted to the central frame member, wherein the transmission includes an input and an output lying along an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the central frame member;
• a power transfer arrangement extending between and drivingly interconnected with the engine output and the transmission input for supplying power to the transmission from the engine;
• wherein the engine and the transmission are oriented in a side-by-side configuration;
• wherein the engine and the transmission each define first and second ends and wherein the power transfer arrangement includes a power transfer casing which interconnects the first end of the engine with the first end of the transmission;
• support members mounted to the central frame member and the engine support frame;
• and
• a mounting member separate from the engine support frame and from the central frame member, wherein the mounting member is interconnected with both the engine and the transmission at a location spaced from the power transfer casing, wherein the power transfer casing is engaged with the support members mounted to the central frame member and to the engine support frame, and wherein the mounting member is engaged with at least one support member mounted to one of the central frame member and the engine support frame.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a central frame member comprising a rear frame section carrying a set of rear wheels and a front frame section carrying a set of front wheels, wherein the central frame member extends along a longitudinal axis in a front-rear direction, wherein the front section and the rear section of the central frame member are spaced from each other and wherein the central frame member further includes a side wall member extending between and interconnected with the front and rear frame sections;
• a pair of side frame assemblies mounted to the central frame member and extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions;
• an operator cab mounted to a first one of the side frame assemblies;
• an engine mounted to a second one of the side frame assemblies, wherein the engine includes an output and extends along a front-rear axis laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the central frame member;
• wherein the second side frame assembly is aligned with and extends laterally outwardly from the space between the front and rear sections of the central frame member;
• a transmission mounted to the central frame member within the space between the front and rear sections of the central frame member, wherein the transmission includes an output drivingly interconnected with the set of wheels, wherein the transmission includes an input laterally offset from the engine output;
• and
• a power transfer arrangement interposed between and drivingly interconnected with the engine output and the transmission input for supplying power to the transmission from the engine.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a central frame member carrying a set of wheels, wherein the central frame member extends along a longitudinal axis in a front-rear direction;
• a pair of side frame assemblies mounted to the central frame member and extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions;
• an operator cab mounted to a first one of the side frame assemblies;
• an engine mounted to a second one of the side frame assemblies, wherein the engine includes an output and extends along a front-rear axis laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the central frame member;
• a transmission mounted to the central frame member and including an output drivingly interconnected with the set of wheels, wherein the transmission includes an input laterally offset from the engine output;
• and
• a power transfer arrangement interposed between and drivingly interconnected with the engine output and the transmission input for supplying power to the transmission from the engine;
• wherein the power transfer arrangement includes a structural power transfer casing which extends between and interconnects a first end of the engine with a first end of the transmission, wherein the structural power transfer casing defines an inner end mounting area engaged with the central frame member and an outer end mounting area engaged with the second side frame assembly, to mount the transmission and the engine to the central frame member and the second side frame assembly.