Self-adjusting sliding carriage for mobile work machines

A carriage 168 for mounting a steering input device 160 on a rail 164 includes a bracket (180 fig 2), at least one first roller (308, 312 fig 3) and at least one second roller (316,320 fig 3; 352 fig 9). The bracket (180) defines first and second channels (232` 232`` fig 6). The first roller (308, 312) moves along the first channel (232`) and rolls along a first edge (172 fig 2) of the rail 164. The second roller (316, 320, 352) moves along the second channel (232``) and rolls along a second edge (176 fig 2) of the rail 164. A rigid connecting member (192 fig 2) is pivotably coupled to the first roller (308, 312) and second roller (316, 320, 352) and facilitates a synchronous movement of the rollers along their respective channels (232) to enable and retain the rollable engagement of the rollers (308, 312, 316, 320, 352) with the respective edges (172, 176). The invention allows unimpeded movement along the rail and is suitable for example with a steering wheel for a paving machine or other work machine.