Oscillating axle for lift device

1 . A lift machine comprising:

a chassis defining a longitudinal center axis, the chassis having an axle housing with (a) a first sidewall defining a first notch and (b) a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall and defining a second notch;

a boom assembly pivotable relative to the chassis;

an axle pivotally coupled to the axle housing, the axle configured to pivot about the longitudinal center axis relative to the axle housing such that portions of the axle move up and down within the first notch and the second notch; and

an actuator positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal center axis, wherein the actuator is positioned to facilitate selective oscillation of the axle.

2 . The lift machine of claim 1 , wherein the axle is a first axle, further comprising a second axle coupled to the chassis.

3 . The lift machine of claim 2 , wherein the second axle is fixed.

4 . The lift machine of claim 2 , wherein the second axle is configured to pivot about the longitudinal center axis.

5 . The lift machine of claim 1 , wherein the lift machine is a boom lift or a telehandler.

6 . The lift machine of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a first actuator, further comprising a second actuator positioned on an opposing second lateral side of the longitudinal center axis, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are positioned to facilitate oscillating the axle.

7 . The lift machine of claim 6 , further comprising a controller configured to selectively control extension and retraction of the first actuator and the second actuator such that:

(a) the first actuator and the second actuator are fully retracted where ends thereof are disengaged from the axle to permit free oscillation of the axle through a first angle range;

(b) at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator is at least partially extended where the ends thereof do not actively engage the axle and thereby function as bump stops to permit free oscillation of the axle through a second angle range that is less than the first angle range; and

(c) the first actuator and the second actuator are extended to engage the axle to lock the axle at a selected angle.

8 . The lift machine of claim 6 , further comprising a controller configured to selectively control extension and retraction of the first actuator and the second actuator such that the first actuator and the second actuator are actively extended and retracted to adaptively adjust a current angle of the axle based on operational parameters of the lift machine.

9 . The lift machine of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to operate the actuator in a reset mode in response to a tilt angle of the chassis exceeding a first angle threshold, wherein, during the reset mode, the controller is configured to (a) prohibit drive functionality of the lift machine and (b) lock the actuator to prevent oscillation of the axle until an elevation angle of the boom assembly is less than a second angle threshold.

10 . A machine comprising:

a chassis including an axle housing positioned at an end thereof, the axle housing including:

a first sidewall defining a first notch; and

a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall defining a second notch;

an axle pivotably coupled to the axle housing;

a first actuator coupled to the first sidewall, wherein the first actuator is pinned to a first point on the axle; and

a second actuator coupled to the second sidewall, wherein the second actuator is pinned to a second point on the axle;

wherein, as the axle pivots, the axle moves relative to the axle housing and within the first notch and the second notch.

11 . The machine of claim 10 , further comprising a boom assembly pivotable relative to the chassis.

12 . The machine of claim 11 , further comprising a turntable coupled between the boom assembly and the chassis.

13 . The machine of claim 11 , further comprising a controller configured to operate the first actuator and the second actuator in a reset mode in response to a tilt angle of the chassis exceeding a first angle threshold, wherein, during the reset mode, the controller is configured to (a) prohibit drive functionality of the machine and (b) lock the first actuator and the second actuator to prevent oscillation of the axle until an elevation angle of the boom assembly is less than a second angle threshold.

14 . The machine of claim 10 , wherein the axle includes a pivot extending vertically upward from a center thereof, and wherein the pivot is pivotably coupled to the axle housing.

15 . A lift machine comprising:

a chassis defining a longitudinal center axis;

a boom assembly pivotable relative to the chassis;

an axle pivotally coupled to the chassis, the axle configured to pivot about the longitudinal center axis, the axle having a first interface and a second interface;

a first actuator positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal center axis and coupled to a first sidewall of the chassis, the first actuator including a first end pinned to the first interface;

a second actuator positioned on an opposing second lateral side of the longitudinal center axis and coupled to a second sidewall of the chassis opposite the first sidewall, the second actuator including a second end pinned to the second interface, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are configured to facilitate oscillation of the axle; and

a controller configured to lock the first actuator and the second actuator to prevent oscillation of the axle at least in response to an elevation angle of the boom assembly being greater than an angle threshold.

16 . The lift machine of claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to prohibit drive functionality of the lift machine in response to the elevation angle of the boom assembly being greater than the angle threshold.