Axle suspension

An axle suspension for supporting an axle housing on a vehicle frame, the suspension comprising:

• a left pivot rod attached to a left frame member;
• a right pivot rod attached to a right frame member;
• a suspension arm having a first end fixed to a rear end of the axle housing and having a second end pivotally coupled to the left and right pivot rods;
• a variable length left hydraulic cylinder having an upper end pivotally coupled to the left frame member and having a lower end pivotally coupled to a front end of the axle housing;
• and
• a variable length right hydraulic cylinder having an upper end pivotally coupled to the right frame member and having a lower end pivotally coupled to the front end of the axle housing.

An axle suspension for supporting an axle housing with respect to a vehicle frame having a fore-and-aft axis, the axle housing supporting left and right axle shafts which extend perpendicularly with respect to the fore-and-aft axis, the suspension comprising:

• a suspension arm having a first end fixed to a first end of the axle housing and having a second end pivotally coupled to the frame about a pivot axis which is perpendicular with respect to the fore-and-aft axis;
• a variable length left hydraulic cylinder having an upper end pivotally coupled to a left part of the frame and having a lower end pivotally coupled to the axle housing;
• and
• a variable length right hydraulic cylinder having an upper end pivotally coupled to a right part of the frame and having a lower end pivotally coupled to the axle housing;
• wherein a valve housing is mounted to the frame and hydraulic components are mounted to the valve housing between the valve housing and a front end of the axle housing.