Vehicle having a laterally adjustable chassis and methods of operating such a vehicle

1 . A method of operating a vehicle comprising a chassis, a plurality of ground-engaging elements configured to support the chassis above a ground surface, and a plurality of support assemblies supporting the chassis on the ground-engaging elements, the method comprising:

detecting an orientation of the chassis relative to gravity; and

laterally translating the chassis relative to the support assemblies by extending axles on a first side of the chassis while retracting axles on a second, opposite side of the chassis based on the detected orientation of the chassis without changing a track width of the ground-engaging elements.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting an orientation of the chassis relative to gravity comprises detecting the orientation with a level sensor.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting an orientation of the chassis relative to gravity comprises detecting the orientation with an inertial sensor.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting an orientation of the chassis relative to gravity comprises detecting the orientation based on GPS signals.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein laterally translating the chassis relative to the support assemblies comprises transmitting a command from a control panel to a controller.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the control panel is located at location selected from the group consisting of inside an operator cab, on an exterior of the chassis, and in a mobile device.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein laterally translating the chassis relative to the support assemblies comprises moving a center of gravity of the vehicle toward a midpoint between ground-engaging elements.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting height-adjustment actuators associated with the support assemblies to raise or lower the chassis.

9 . A vehicle comprising:

a chassis;

a plurality of ground-engaging elements configured to support the chassis above a ground surface;

a plurality of support assemblies supporting the chassis on the ground-engaging elements;

a plurality of adjustable axles configured to change a lateral distance from the chassis to each of the support assemblies;

at least one sensor configured to detect an orientation of the chassis relative to gravity; and

a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor correlated to the orientation and to move the chassis laterally along the axles by extending the axles on a first side of the chassis while retracting the axles on a second, opposite side of the chassis responsive to the signal without changing a track width between ground-engaging elements on opposing sides of the chassis.

10 . The vehicle of claim 9 , further comprising:

an application system carried by the chassis, the application system comprising:

a liquid holding tank; and

a plurality of nozzles spaced along a boom, wherein the nozzles are configured to deliver liquid from the liquid holding tank to the ground surface.

11 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically move the chassis laterally along the axles after receiving the signal from the at least one sensor.

12 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to move the chassis laterally while the support assemblies remain stationary.

13 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein each support assembly comprises a height-adjustment actuator.

14 . The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the height-adjustment actuators each comprise hydraulic cylinders connected to a common fluid source via a respective control valve.

15 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by a computer associated with a vehicle comprising a chassis, a plurality of ground-engaging elements supporting the chassis above a ground surface, and a plurality of adjustable axles supporting the chassis on the ground-engaging elements, cause the vehicle to:

detect an orientation of the chassis relative to gravity; and

laterally translate the chassis relative to the ground-engaging elements by extending the axles on a first side of the chassis while retracting the axles on a second, opposite side of the chassis based on the detected orientation of the chassis without changing a track width of the ground-engaging elements.