GB2530820A

GB2530820A - Adjustable dozer blade stop

Info

Publication number: GB2530820A
Application number: GB1501292.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Mangnall; Joe Rostron
Original assignee: Indespension Ltd
Current assignee: Indespension Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-03
Filing date: 2015-01-27
Publication date: 2016-04-06
Also published as: GB201501292D0

Abstract

A transporter, particularly a trailer 1, for a vehicle, particularly an excavator having tracks 10, has a ramp 22 that when closed acts as a wall or tailgate of the transporter. The ramp has an adjustable stop 30 extensible inwardly to contact a part of the carried vehicle. Typically stop 30 extends from a knee 28 of ramp 22 and engages a dozer blade 12 of a carried excavator, and retracts into knee 28 when ramp 22 is opened. Stop 30 may comprise a metal sleeve (34, Figure 3) accommodating a ram (36, Figure 3) having a bolt (38, Figure 3) for abutting dozer blade 12; ram 36 may be threaded to allow manual extension and retraction. The transporter may also have a clamp 16 that automatically engages tracks 10 when a vehicle is driven onto platform 2 of trailer 1.

Description

Adjustable Dozer Blade Stop

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a transportation apparatus comprising an adjustable stop mechanism and particularly, but not exclusively a trailer comprising a ramp having an adjustable dozer blade stop, especially a dozer blade stop which is automatically retracted when the ramp is lowered.

Background to the Invention

Items carried on trailers, such as other vehicles/plant machinery, e.g. mini-excavators are typically tied to the trailer using straps and tie bars. Some trailers are available which have integral parts which interact with the parts of the items on the vehicle to hold them in place. For example, 0B248603 I discloses a trailer including a stop, in the form of a raised portion towards the rear ofthe trailer, extending up from the floor of the trailer and laterally across it. Tn use a mini-excavator, or the like, is driven onto the trailer into position, with the tracks lined up with other parts of the trailer which act thereon, including a front part which acts against the front of the tracks, Then, the scraper (dozer blade) is lowered behind the stop, thus, the vehicle is prevented from moving forward by the mount at the front of the tracks and prevented from moving backward by the stop.

However, this arrangement is inflexible, only working if the mini-excavator is exactly the right size, such that the front of the tracks abut the front mount and the dozer blade abuts the stop. Thus, the trailer must be designed to the specification of the machinery that it will carry. It also requires the excavator to be driven carefully to exactly the right point on the trailer and for the driver to remember to lower the scraper blade, Moreover, if the trailer is used to carry items other than the mini-excavator that it is designed for, the stop ca act as a barrier, obstructing their access to the trailer,

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle transportation apparatus comprising a platform for receiving the vehicle and a ramp; the ramp being movable between an open position, in which it acts as a ramp, and a closed position, in which it acts as a wall of the vehicle transportation apparatus; wherein the ramp comprises an adjustable stop mechanism; the adjustable stop mechanism being extendible inwardly to contact part of a vehicle carried by the vehicle transportation apparatus.

The provision of an adjustable stop mechanism on the ramp, rather than a fixed stop on the platform offers more flexibility in terms of the size of vehicle that can be accommodated in the vehicle transportation apparatus.

The ramp may comprise a knee and the rear stop mechanism may be located in the knee of the ramp. The provision of the stop mechanism in the knee of the ramp reduces the likelihood of it presenting a barrier to other objects placed in the transportation apparatus The adjustable stop mechanism may be retractable into the knee of the ramp. The possibility of retracting the stop mechanism into the ramp frirther reduces the chances of obstructing other objects.

The adjustable stop mechanism may be automatically retracted into the knee of the ramp when the ramp is moved from the closed position to the open position.

Automatically retraction of the knee when opening the ramp presents an advantage in terms of avoiding the need to move the stop manually to prevent obstruction, reducing the number of steps the operator must take.

The adjustable stop mechanism may automatically fold up into the knee of the ramp when the ramp is moved from the closed position to the open position. Folding up into the knee is a particularly convenient method of retraction.

The adjustable stop mechanism may be mounted on a rotatable axle in the knee of the ramp and the ramp may be pivotably mounted to the platform. The transportation apparatus may be provided with one or more arms extending from the platform to the axle to cause the stop mechanism to pivot in concert with the pivoting of the ramp.

The vehicle transportation apparatus may be provided with two arms pivotally connected together, the first extending from the platform to the second arm and the second extending from the first arm to the axle on which the stop mechanism is mounted, so as to rotate the stop mechanism when the ramp is opened or closed.

The stop mechanism may extend perpendicularly (i.e. substantially perpendicularly) to the ramp when the ramp is closed and parallel (i.e. substantially parallel) with the ramp when the ramp is open.

The stop mechanism may extend inwardly parallel (i.e. substantially parallel) to the platform when the ramp is closed and extend outwardly parallel (i.e. substantially parallel) to the platform when the ramp is open.

The stop mechanism may comprise a sleeve.

The stop mechanism may comprise a ram extendible from the sleeve, to abut a dozer blade.

The stop mechanism may comprise a shoot bolt to fix the position of the ram relative to the sleeve.

The stop mechanism may comprise an adjustable threaded bolt, extendible from the sleeve to abut a dozer blade, The head of the bolt may provide an abutment member to abut the vehicle.

The stop mechanism may comprise an adjustable threaded bolt, extendible from the front of the ram. The threaded bolt may extend from the front of the sleeve.

The threaded bolt may be provided with handles to turn the bolt to adjust its extension.

The stop mechanism may comprise a locking nut to lock the threaded bolt in position.

The locking nut may be provided with handles to turn the nut.

The s'eeve may be entirely located within the knee, not extending into the body of the transportation apparatus in the closed position.

When the threaded bolt, and optionally the ram, are sheathed, the entire stop mechanism may be entirely located within the knee, not extending into the body of the transportation apparatus in the closed position.

The vehicle transportation apparatus may be a trailer and in the closed position, the ramp may constitute the rear wall of the trailer.

The vehicle transportation apparatus may comprise means for releasably securing the vehicle on the platform, wherein driving the vehicle onto the platform automatically causes the securing means to engage the vehicle and secure the vehicle in position on the platform.

The securing means may be disengaged by an operator.

The apparatus may be adapted to receive and releasably secure excavator S machines onto the vehicle transportation apparatus for transit, The apparatus may be arranged such that once the vehicle is in position the securing means locks the vehicle in position and a system of interlocks ensures that the vehicle cannot move backwards until unloading is required.

When unloading the excavator vehicle from the trailer, the action ofthe operator may automatically unlock the means for releasably securing the vehicle on the platform The vehicle transportation apparatus may further comprise features to automatically position the locking devices away from the moving vehicle during the unloading procedure.

The tracks of an excavator may be clamped by driving the machine against a clamping assembly thereby generating clamping pressure on the track.

The clamping assembly may rotate upon contact with the vehicle, Rotation of the clamping assembly as a result of driving tracks of a machine parallel (i.e. substantially parallel) to the platform against the clamping assembly may cause part of the assembly to exert pressure perpendicular (i.e. substantially perpendicular) to the platform, on the tracks ofthe machine, to clamp the tracks in place.

Driving the machine against the clamping assembly may cause catch plates to automatically position over the rear of the track, The catch plates may be connected to a con rod linking them to the rotating clamping assembly, such that the catch plates and the clamping assembly rotate into position simultaneously.

The clamping assembly may rotate about an axis parallel (i.e substantially parallel) to the platform and the catch plates may rotate about an axis perpendicular (i.e substantially perpendicular) to the platform.

The vehicle transportation apparatus may further comprise a self-centhng system to automatically centre an excavator on the apparatus.

The clamping apparatus may be arranged towards the front of the trailer and ensure that the excavator is positioned longitudinally along the trailer.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a trailer according to the invention with the ramp in the open position; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the trailer of figure 1 with the ramp in the closed position; Figure 3 shows a lateral cross section through the rear of the trailer of figures 1 and 2, with the ramp in the closed position; Figure 4 shows a lateral cross section through the rear of the trailer of figures Ito 3, with the ramp in the closed position and the stop mechanism engaged with a dozer blade; Figure 5 shows a lateral cross section through the rear of the trailer of figures 1 to 4, with the ramp half-way open; Figure 6 shows a lateral cross section through the rear of the trailer of figures ito 5, with the ramp open; Figure 7 shows a rear-perspective view of part of the trailer of figures 1-6 with the ramp closed; Figure 8 shows a top-perspective view of part of the trailer of figures 1-7 with the ramp open; Figure 9 shows a perspective view from the outside of the rear of a second embodiment of a trailer in accordance with the invention, with a ramp closed and a rear stop mechanism abuting a dozer blade; Figure 10 shows a perspective view from the inside of the rear of the trailer of figure 9; Figure ii shows a side-perspective view of the rear of the trailer of figures 9-10; and Figure 12 shows a side-perspective view of the rear of the trailer of figures 9-i i with the ramp in the open configuration.

Referring to figures and 2 a first embodiment of a trailer I is illustrated for transportation of an excavator machine having caterpillar tracks 10 and a dozer blade/scraper 12.

The vehicle, in this case an excavator, is driven up the ramp 12 of the trailer i onto its platfonn 2. As the excavator travels along the trailer it contacts side guides 14 located on both sides of the trailer 1. The side guides are made up of first tapering portions for centring an excavator as it drives onto the trailer and second parallel side-wall portions which face each other and prevent lateral movement of the tracks of the machine. The side guides push the machine into the approximate centre ofthe trailer 1 as these are located on either side of the trailer 1, the width of the gap being slightly wider than the total width ofthe tracks of the excavator machine. As the machine continues to be driven along, then the side guides 14 continue to hold the machine on the approximate centre line of the trailer 1.

The operator drives the machine forward and eventually contact is made with the clamp assembly 16. The clamp assembly comprises two pairs of L-shaped arms 18 arranged on a rotatably mounted axle which extends laterally across the trailer, when the front of a respective track 10 contacts one pair of limbs of one pair of arms arms 18, the axle is rotated about a generally horizontal axis parallel to the plane of the platfonn ofthe trailer, such that the other limbs of the L-shaped arms 18 come into contact with the top of the respective track 10. A low friction bush arrangement 20 is located at the sides of the trailer 1 in a clamping bracket 22 which anchors the axle to the trailer 1. As more horizontal pressure placed on the lower limb ofthe arms 18 then more vertical pressure is applied to the top of the tracks 10 due to the rotation about the pivots. This process continues until the excavator cannot be driven any further and maximum clamping pressure is applied to the tracks 10 of the excavator. In this specific embodiment, the track 10 is clamped over the front ofthe track 10 and to the rear of vertical centre-line of the front sprocket.

A connection bracket (not shown) joins con rods to the lower limbs of the arms 18. Thus as the clamp assembly 16 rotates, each con rod moves forward due to it being linked to the movement of the lower limb of the arms 18.

The con rods extend rearward within the side guides 14 and are each connected via a clevis to a lateral projection from vertically extending rotatable tubes 24, Forward movement of the con rods, causes the tubes 24 to rotate. At the top of each tube 24 a track-lock plate 26 is provided, arranged such that rotation of the tube 24 in response to forward movement of the con-rod causes the plate to rotate about a vertical axis to be positioned automatically over the tracks 10, once the excavator is in position, so as to prevent upward motion of the rear of the tracks 10 of the excavator, As best shown in figures 3-8, the ramp 22 is provided with a knee 28, comprising a pair of brackets extending from the outer surface of the ramp 22 to form laterally spaced apart right-angle triangles, the base extending perpendicularly to the plane of the ramp 22, The triangular brackets extend rearwardly from the ramp 22 in the closed position of figures 3 and 4, and downwardly from the ramp in its open position shown in figure 6, A rear stop mechanism 30 is formed in the knee 28 of the ramp 22 of the trailer 1. The rear stop mechanism 30 comprises a rotatable axle 32 extending between two sides ofthe knee 28 at its rear, A metal sleeve 34 is welded to the rotatable axle 32, so as to extend forwards towards the front of the knee 28, when the ramp 22 is in the closed position.

The opening of the sleeve 34 faces inwardly from the ramp 22 when it is in the upright (closed) position. A screw extension 36 screws into a thread provided in the sleeve 34. The screw extension 36 comprises a bolt, with a head 38, which abuts the dozer blade 12, and a threaded region 40, which screws into the thread in the sleeve 34, The head 38 of the bolt is provided with a pair of handles 42, which may be turned to extend and retract the head 38 ofthe bolt relative to the front of the sleeve 34, A locking nut 44, also provided with handles 46, is provided on the threaded region 40 of the bolt, to maintain the desired extension of the screw extension 36. In use, as shown in figure 4, with the excavator in position on the platform 2 and the ramp 22 in its upright, closed position, the head 38 is turned (using the handles 42) to bring it into abutment with the dozer blade 12.

An annular flange 48 extends from the outer surface of the outer surface of the axle 32 to which the sleeve is welded. The flange 48 is provided with a projection 50, which extends rearwardly and downwardly from the rear of the flange 48. A first, fixed arm 52 is welded to the trailer, extending rearwardly to a pivot 54 in line with the plane of the platform. A second, movable arm 56 is attached to the pivot 54 arid extends rearwardly therefrom to pivotally connect to the projection 50 extending from the flange As shown in figure 5, which shows the ramp 22 being lowered, when lowering the ramp 22 (by pivoting it about hinges at the rear of the platform 2, in the conventional manner), the arrangement of the movable arm 56, relative to the fixed arm 52 and the IS projection 50 causes the axle 32 to rotate at the same time and in the same direction as the ramp 22 rotates downwards. Thus, as the ramp moves by about 110 degrees from its upright position to a lowered position, the stop mechanism 30 rotates by about 70 degrees, such that it folds up into the knee and moves about an angle of around 180 degrees in total, from a position parallel to the platform 2 extending forward (inwards), to a position parallel to the platform 2, extending rearward, Thus, without having to screw the bolt into the sleeve 30, the stop mechanism is brought into a position where it will not obstruct items being driven up the ramp 22.

Moreover, the position of the stop, when the ramp 22 is closed is adjustable and it does not form a barrier on the platform 2.

In use, the ramp 22 is lowered as shown in figures 1, 6 and 8, such that the stop mechanism 30 is rotated beneath the plane of the ramp 22, M excavator is then driven onto the machine with its dozer blade 12 facing backwards. The front of the tracks 10 contact the clamping assembly 16, which clamps the tracks 10 of the excavator. The ramp 22 is then raised to the closed (upright) position shown in figures 2-4 and 7, As the ramp 22 is raised, the stop mechanism 30 rotates around to face inward. The degree of extension of the screw extension 36 from the sleeve 34, can be adjusted by rotating the head 38 until it abuts the dozer blade 12. Once in position, the locking nut 44 can be tightened (using its handles 46) to hold the screw extension 36 in position.

The dozer plate 12 (and hence the whole excavator) is then held against rearward motion. Undoing the rear stop mechanism 20 is a simple matter ofturning the handles 46 of the locking nut 44 to loosen it, then screwing the screw extension 36 into the sleeve IS 34. Alternatively, simply lowering the ramp 22 will bring the stop mechanism out of engagement with the dozer blade 12.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 9 to 14, The second embodiment has many of the same features as the first embodiment, including the side guides, made up of first tapering portions for centering an excavator as it drives onto the trailer and second parallel side-wall portions which face each other and prevent lateral movement of the tracks of the excavator. The second embodiment also includes the same clamping assembly made up of two clamps, one for each track, and each clamp having a pair of L-shaped plates and being rotatable, such that when one part ofthe clamp, a tube held between one end of the L-shaped plates, is driven into by the tracks of an excavator, the clamp rotates about a generally horizontal axis, parallel to the plane of the platform of the trailer, such that a tube held between the other end ofthe L-shaped plate, clamps onto the top of the track. Moreover, the second embodiment also includes the same catch plates, located on the side walls of the trailer, which rotate about a generally vertical axis, perpendicular to the plane of the platform of the trailer, in response to the rotation of the front clamp assembly, so as to prevent upward motion of the rear of the tracks of the excavator.

The remainder of this description of the second embodiment focusses on the differences which occur in the a rear stop mechanism 120 formed in the knee 121 of the ramp 22 of the trailer. As shown in figure 9, the rear stop mechanism 120 comprises a metal sleeve 123 bolted to the knee 121 of the trailer such that the opening of the sleeve 23 faces inwardly from the ramp 122 when it is in the upright (closed) position. A ram 124 is slidably engaged in the sleeve 123 and provided with a series of locating holes 125 in its upper surface, best seen in figure 10, A very heavy shoot bolt 126 extends through the upper surface of the sleeve 123 to engage with the holes 125 in the ram 24 to hold it in position relative to the sleeve 123. This provides crude adjustment to engage the front of the ram 124 with a dozer blade 127; fine adjustment of the location of the front of the ram 123 is achieved by a screw extension 128 shown in figure 11. The screw extension comprises a bolt, with a head 128, which abuts the dozer blade 127, and a threaded region 129, screwed into threads (not shown) in the front of the ram 23. The bolt is provided with a pair of handles 130, which may be turned to extend and retract the head 128 of the bolt relative to the front of the ram 123.

In use, the ramp 122 ofthe second embodiment is lowered as shown in figure 12, the ram 124 is located as far back as possible in the sleeve 123 and the bolt is screwed into the ram 124 as far as possible. An excavator is then driven onto the machine with its dozer blade 127 facing backwards. The front of the tracks contact the stop and the clamping assembly discussed in relation to the first embodiment clamps the tracks ofthe excavator. The ramp is then raised to the closed (upright) position shown in figures 9-11.

The shoot bolt 126 is then lifted and ram 124 is then extended from the sleeve 123 until the head 128 ofthe bolt abuts the dozer blade 127. The shoot bolt 126 is then allowed to relax and the ram 124 is retracted into the sleeve 123 until the shoot bolt 26 lines up with a hole 125, at which point it will engage with the hole 125, fixing the position ofthe ram 124 relative to the sleeve 123. The handles 130 of the bolt are then turned to extend the head 128 of the bolt towards the dozer plate 127 and into engagement with it. The dozer plate 127 (and hence the whole excavator) is then held against rearward motion.

Undoing the rear stop mechanism 120 is a simple matter of turning the handles 310 to retract the bolt at the front of the ram 124, lifting the shoot bolt 216 and sliding the ram 124 back into the sleeve 123.

This rear stop mechanism 120 is very simple and quick to operate and will cater for a wide variety of dozer blade positions. It is stored neatly in the existing knee of the ramp.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only, Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSL A vehicle transportation apparatus comprising a platform for receiving the vehide and a ramp; the ramp being movable between an open position, in which it acts as a ramp, aiid a closed position, in which it acts as a wall of the vehicle transportation apparatus; wherein the ramp comprises an adjustable stop mechanism; the adjustable stop mechanism being extendible inwardly to contact part of a vehicle carried by the vehicle transportation apparatus.
2. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim t wherein the ramp comprises a knee and the rear stop mechanism is located in the knee ofthe ramp.
3, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the adjustable stop mechanism is retractable into the knee of the ramp.
4. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the adjustable stop mechanism is automatically retracted into the knee of the ramp when the ramp is moved from the closed position to the open position.
IS 5, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the adjustable stop mechanism automatically folds up into the knee of the ramp when the ramp is moved from the closed position to the open position.
6. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 2-5 wherein the adjustable stop mechanism is mounted on a rotatable axle in the knee of the ramp and the ramp is pivotably mounted to the platform; wherein the transportation apparatus is provided with one or more arms extending from the platform to the axle to cause the stop mechanism to pivot in concert with the pivoting of the ramp.
7. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 6 having two arms pivotally connected together, the first extending from the platform to the second arm and the second extending from the first arm to the axle on which the stop mechanism is mounted, so as to rotate the stop mechanism when the ramp is opened or closed.

8, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the stop mechanism extends perpendicularly to the ramp when the ramp is closed and parallel with the ramp when the ramp is open.

9, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the stop mechanism extends inwardly parallel to the platform when the ramp is closed and extends outwardly parallel to the platform when the ramp is open.

10, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the stop mechanism comprises a sleeve, 11. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the stop mechanism comprises a ram extendible from the sleeve, to abut a dozer blade.12, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the stop mechanism comprises a shoot bolt to fix the position of the ram relative to the sleeve, 13. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the stop mechanism comprises an adjustable threaded bolt, extendible from the sleeve to abut a dozer blade, 14. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the head of the bolt provides an abutment member to abut the vehicle.15. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the stop mechanism comprises an adjustable threaded bolt, extendible from the front of the ram.16. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 15 wherein the threaded bolt is provided with handles to turn the bolt to adjust its extension.17. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 15 wherein the stop mechanism comprises a locking nut to lock the threaded bolt in position.18. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the locking nut is provided with handles to turn the nut, 19. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 18 wherein the sleeve is entirely located within the knee, not extending into the body of the transportation apparatus in the closed position.20. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 19 wherein when the threaded bolt, and optionally the ram, are sheathed, the entire stop mechanism is entirely located within the knee, not extending into the body ofthe transportation apparatus in the closed position.21. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any preceding claim which is a trailer, wherein in the closed position, the ramp constitutes the rear wall of the trailer, 22. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising means for releasably securing the vehicle on the platform, wherein driving the vehicle onto the platform automatically causes the securing means to engage the vehicle and secure the vehicle in position on the platform.23. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the securing means may be disengaged by an operator.24. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims which is adapted to receive and releasably secure excavator machines onto the vehicle transportation apparatus for transit.25, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the precding claims which is arranged such that once the vehicle is in position, the vehicle is locked in position and a system of interlocks ensures that the vehicle cannot move backwards until unloading is required.26. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 24 or 25 wherein when unloading the excavator vehicle from the trailer, the action of the operator may automatically unlock the means for releasably securing the vehicle on the platform 27. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims further comprising features to automatically position the locking devices away from the moving vehicle during the unloading procedure.28. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 27 wherein the tracks of an excavator are clamped by driving the machine against a clamping assembly thereby generating clamping pressure on the track.29. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the clamping assembly rotates upon contact with the vehicle, 30. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 29 wherein rotation ofthe clamping assembly as a result of driving tracks of a machine parallel to the platform against the damping assembly causes part of the assembly to exert pressure perpendicular to the platform, on the tracks of the machine, to clamp the tracks in place.3 1. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 30 whreein driving the machine against the clamping assembly causes catch plates to automatically position over the rear of the track.32. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 3 1 wherein the catch plates are connected to a con rod linking them to the rotating clamping assembly, such that the catch plates and the clamping assembly rotate into position simultaneously.33, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 31 or 32 wherein the clamping assembly rotates about an axis parallel to the platform and the catch plates may rotate about an axis perpendicular to the platform.34. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 33 wherein the clamping apparatus is arranged towards the front of the trailer and ensures that the excavator is positioned longitudinally along the trailer.35. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a self-centring system to automatically centre an excavator on the apparatus.36. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable stop mechanism is a dozer blade stop.37. A vehicle transportation apparatus as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.