Design Concepts for a Heavy Load Transporter Utilizing a Hydrostatic Transmission Propel System

When designing a heavy load transporter, the design engineer is confronted by many problems that seemingly impose conflicting requirements on the design. The vehicle suspension system must distribute the load equally over a large number of wheels while allowing the wheels to conform to the longitudinal and transverse profiles of the road. The propulsion system selected must allow for suspension and steering systems flexibility, good all wheel tractive effort, low vehicle profile height, dynamic braking of the vehicle on inclines, etc. This paper outlines the approach taken by one company, Trabosa Inc. of Barcelona, Spain, to the design of a heavy load transporter utilizing a hydrostatic transmission for the propel system.