Self-Leveling Device for Three Bar Linkage Mechanism Used in Industrial Equipment

The purpose of this paper is to describe a hydraulic mechanism designed to automatically maintain the free end of a three bar linkage in a predetermined position.

This is achieved by using two sets of master-slave hydraulic cylinders and a cradle linkage to detect and transmit the motion between the two sets.

The mechanism is presented with its application in the design of the new 5480 Reach Truck.