Abstract: A vehicle such as a combine harvester or the like includes a main frame, a track roller frame pivotally connected to the main frame, a drive wheel including a hydraulic drive motor having a housing and a rotatable shaft assembly, and an equalizer bar connected in a first embodiment to the shaft assembly by a coupling device including an anti-friction bearing and a trunnion member having a pair of pivot pins arranged along a substantially horizontal and longitudinally extending axis. In a second embodiment the equalizer bar is connected to the housing by another coupling device including a trunnion member having a pair of similarly oriented pivot pins. In each instance the transversely oriented equalizer bar is arranged along the transversely oriented central axis of the drive wheel, which provides a very stable 3-point frame suspension that is also rugged and economical and has a minimal tendency to collect mud or debris on the upper surfaces thereof in use.

Abstract: A track roller frame assembly for a track-type vehicle includes a rugged and yet lightweight main body including a channel-shaped base, a recoil-mechanism receiving tubular casing overlyingly connected to a first end portion of the base, and a plate structure overlyingly connected to the second end portion of the base. A collar defines a bore therethrough for receiving a support member of a drive wheel preferably containing a hydraulic drive motor, and a support bracket is connected to the tubular casing for pivotally connecting the main body to the main frame of the vehicle. The weight of the superstructure and the tension forces on the drive belt that encircles the track roller frame assembly are advantageously transferred through the collar and the main body along a central vertical plane therealong and to a plurality of roller wheels centrally supported under the base.

Abstract: A track roller frame assembly is connected to the main frame of a vehicle such as a combine harvester or the like, and is adapted to drive an elastomeric drive belt. An elongate track roller frame thereof includes a main body, pivot means on the main body for pivotal connection to the main frame, a supporting collar connected to the main body, and a plurality of roller wheels underlyingly connected to the main body. A wheel includes a housing encirclingly supported by the collar away from the pivot means, a shaft assembly rotatably supported within the housing, and inner and outer wheel portions connected to the opposite ends of the shaft assembly. A hydraulic drive motor within the housing rotates the shaft assembly and the wheel portions and drives the elastomeric drive belt.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission provides at least three forward and three reverse speeds and includes a first countershaft having a second gear secured thereto, a third gear rotatable thereon, and a first clutch for connecting the third gear thereto. A second countershaft has a fourth gear secured thereto which is intermeshed with the second gear, a fifth gear rotatable thereon, a sixth gear rotatable thereon, a seventh gear secured thereto, a second clutch for connecting the fifth gear thereto, and a third clutch for connecting the sixth gear thereto. A first gear is adapted to drive one of the side-by-side third and fifth gears, and a third countershaft is disposed elevationally below them. The third countershaft has an eighth gear secured thereto which is intermeshed with the sixth gear. Ninth and tenth gears are rotatable on the third countershaft and are selectively connected thereto by a fourth clutch and a fifth clutch respectively.

Abstract: A track-type vehicle capable of high speed operation over rough terrain includes a frame supported by lefthand and righthand suspension mechanisms individually having a plurality of hydropneumatically actuated struts for supporting the frame on a plurality of wheels. An elastomeric drive belt is entrained about these wheels and is frictionally driven by an elevated drive wheel. Forces from several struts are directed into the frame in a centralized common region which minimizes rocking of the vehicle. A front idler wheel is urged forwardly and downwardly against the drive belt by a hydropneumatically actuated recoil mechanism, and a front strut also acts on the front idler wheel to resiliently urge it downwardly. A plurality of pivoting members are cooperatively connected to the struts to more evenly distribute forces against the drive belt.

Abstract: In order to more easily control movement of a vehicle such as a tractor, an operator's left hand can twist a directional actuating member or a juxtaposed speed actuating member about an outstanding axis. These actuating members are rotatably mounted on a tiller arm extending radially from a housing assembly so that the operator can simultaneously use the actuating members and steer the vehicle by pushing or pulling the tiller arm and rotating the housing assembly in the desired direction about an upstanding axis. Push-pull controls are associated with each actuating member and protected within the housing assembly. A bearing assembly guidably supports and permits relative angular movement of each of the push-pull controls to prevent twisting thereof when the housing assembly is rotated.

Abstract: A control mechanism for operating a vehicle has a housing assembly mounted for swinging movement about an upstanding axis, and a brake actuating member is mounted on the housing assembly for swinging movement about a second axis. A push-pull control rod assembly is connected to the brake actuating member and depends within the housing assembly to move a brake control element between brake-off and brake-on positions. A transmission actuating member is mounted on the housing assembly and a coupling apparatus is provided for urging the transmission actuating member to a neutral position when the brake actuating member is moved to the brake-on position. This prevents inadvertent movement of the vehicle when the brake actuating member is subsequently placed in the brake-off position.

Abstract: A vehicle such as a combine harvester or the like includes a main frame and a first and second undercarriages for supporting the main frame and individually having front and rear wheel assemblies and a track encircling the wheel assemblies. A suspension structure therefore includes a laterally spaced apart pair of pivot joints adjacent the front wheel assemblies for pivotally connecting the undercarriages to the main frame, and a coupling assembly adjacent the rear wheel assemblies for centrally supporting the main frame on the undercarriages. A hydraulic motor powerably rotates each of the rear wheel assemblies and an inside support device is provided therefor that includes a stabilizing beam. The coupling assembly includes an equalizer bar having outer ends, and the stabilizing beam extends rearwardly beyond the driven rear wheel assemblies for connection to the outer ends. Also, an outside support device releasably clamps the rear wheel assemblies to the undercarriages.

Abstract: A lubricating spline joint for providing a viscous damping function includes a first member defining an internal spline, a second member defining an external spline engaged therewith, a seal ring between the members at one end of the splines, and a radially inwardly facing chamber at the other end which is exposed to lubrication fluid. The improvement features an internal barrier for assuring a fixed internal radius R and thus a preselected centrifugal pressure head of the fluid mass in the chamber and about the splines, and a plurality of venting passages located radially outwardly of the radius R for continually exhausting fluid from the splines as a result of centrifugal force so that fresh and/or less aerated fluid is circulated through the splines.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission includes first and second directional clutches and first, second and third speed clutches of the hydraulically actuated, rotating disc type to provide three forward speeds and three reverse speeds for a track-type tractor or the like. Included is an input shaft with first and second gears connected to rotate therewith that define midplanes normal to the input shaft. The directional clutches and the speed clutches are located axially between the midplanes in radially aligned relationships and a plurality of other constantly meshing gears are used including at least one pair of gears located axially exteriorly of the midplanes for compactness and to promote speed reduction ratio flexibility. A second embodiment provides six forward speeds by adding a directional clutch and another gear within the same compact dimensions.

Abstract: A final drive mechanism for an earthmoving excavator or the like includes a drive wheel assembly defining an inner side portion, and outer side portion, and a shaft assembly releasably connecting the side portions together and defining an annular gap therebetween. A hollow frame extends radially inwardly through the gap and rotatably supports the wheel assembly at a location laterally away from the central longitudinal plane of the excavator, and a gear train within the hollow frame powerably rotates the wheel assembly through a torque transmitting path directed radially inwardly through the gap. The gear train includes a planetary gear set and two interconnected cluster gears to obtain the desired speed ratio reduction. The mechanism is particularly adaptable to driving an endless drive belt entrained about the drive wheel assembly and an idler wheel assembly, and is compactly contained primarily within the space envelope of the drive belt.

Abstract: Countershaft transmissions are useful for vehicles such as lift trucks or the like. But obtaining the desired speed reduction ratios and alignment of the various axes where space is at a premium is difficult. The subject countershaft transmission provides two forward speeds and two reverse speeds using four compactly grouped rotating clutch assemblies of the interleaved multiple plate and disc type for selectively connecting a plurality of constantly meshing gears in preselected patterns. A reverse clutch assembly is mounted on a first shaft, a forward clutch assembly and a low speed clutch assembly are mounted on a second shaft, and a high speed clutch assembly is mounted on a third shaft. A fourth shaft having a bevel pinion gear thereon is located at a minimal drop height "D" from the first shaft so that the longitudinal axis of the bevel pinion gear can intersect the transverse axis of a bevel ring gear associated therewith.

Abstract: A compact and rugged belt drive mechanism includes a hydraulically controlled actuator located generally between first and second variable pulley assemblies individually having a movable pulley disc and a fixed pulley disc in order to controllably position the movable pulley discs. A drive belt is entrained between the pulley assemblies, and a force-multiplying apparatus including a competitively profiled cam with oppositely inclined ramps and a plurality of roller members engaging the cam serves to automatically adjust tension on the drive belt. The force-multiplying apparatus and an associated plurality of compression springs for applying a preload against the drive belt are operatively associated with only one of the movable pulley discs for simplicity.

Abstract: A rugged and yet simple transmission gear selector apparatus includes a gear shift lever assembly having a lower lever portion mounted on a frame for pivotal movement about a first axis, an upper lever portion mounted on the lower lever portion for pivotal movement about a second axis normal the first axis, and with the upper level portion extending upwardly through a guide slot having a forward position and a reverse operating position therealong at the opposite sides of a longitudinal plane. An inhibitor mechanism is provided for blocking direct movement of the lever assembly between the positions and requiring a circuitous movement of the upper lever portion under an increased resistance in order to prevent the inadvertent selection of reverse speed by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: An endless elastomeric or rubber drive belt includes a body having a mid-circumferential plane and first, second and third ply portions of reinforcement therein. The first ply portion has first cable means oriented substantially parallel to the mid-circumferential plane for carrying tensile loads and defining a second plane contiguous therewith. The second ply portion has second cable means arranged on a positive bias angle and the third ply portion has third cable means arranged on a negative bias angle to the mid-circumferential plane. The second and third ply portions are juxtaposed and constructed differently so as to substantially neutralize the shear stresses in each generated from tensile loading while bending by apportioning their strain levels in approximate proportion to their distances from the second plane.

Abstract: An improved mechanical-over-hydraulic steering apparatus capable of providing automotive-type steering includes a steering wheel driven input control member, right and left turn control valves, and first and second actuators mounted for rotation along an axis common with the input control member. Each of the actuators has a cam operatively associated with a cam-following roller assembly that operates the respective control valve. The vehicle has a cross drive mechanism, and the steering apparatus includes an over-center variable displacement steering pump and associated displacement control controllably operated by first and second pilot lines connected to the right and left turn control valves. The steering pump controllably and bidirectionally communicates fluid to a steering motor for the steering input to the cross drive mechanism.

Abstract: A contamination monitor for sensing particle contamination in a liquid system having a filter includes a sensor for measuring the pressure differential across the filter, a reference apparatus for providing information relative to at least one of the viscosity changes and the flow changes of the liquid passing through the filter by providing one or more reference signals relating thereto, and a programmable data processing and interface unit for receiving data from the sensor and the reference apparatus and providing a recognizable compensated output corresponding to the contamination level of the liquid system. The data processing and interface unit can provide a plurality of command signals for lighting a plurality of lights that can be individually used for diagnostic purposes and can provide information on the rate of plugging of the filter.

Abstract: A compact countershaft transmission includes three shafts, a plurality of gears, and low, high and reverse clutch assemblies to provide either one or two forward speeds and one reverse speed. The low and high clutch assemblies are arranged along the second shaft and the reverse clutch assembly is located along the third shaft. The countershaft transmission provides a moderate drop height between the first and third shafts, and is coupled to a trailing planetary transmission that provides a plurality of speeds for each range of the countershaft transmission. The countershaft transmission is compatible with a PTO section and provides positive drive to a plurality of pumps.

Abstract: A dual brake mechanism for a vehicle having a first disc brake assembly associated with a first output drive member and a second disc brake assembly associated with an opposite second output drive member includes a primary brake actuator for generating a force engaging the first disc brake assembly and a plurality of push elements for mechanically transmitting that force as a reaction laterally to the second disc brake assembly and simultaneously engaging both. The primary brake actuator features a single actuation chamber for providing the engagement force when pressurized. This avoids the full duplication of componentry at the opposite sides of the vehicle. The dual brake mechanism can be compactly integrated with a steering differential and a secondary parking brake actuator.

Abstract: A compact multistage planetary final drive mechanism includes a housing structure and associated wheel rotatably mounted on a hollow spindle, and a planetary gear apparatus for driving the housing structure at a relatively high speed reduction ratio in response to rotation of an input shaft. The planetary gear apparatus includes a first stage cluster gear set operatively connected to a second stage planetary gear set. A plurality of planet gears of the planetary gear set are rotatably mounted on the spindle, a parking brake mechanism is mounted within the spindle, and a first trough is defined annularly about the spindle. A second trough is defined within the housing structure, first and second pairs of wire raceways are seated within the respective troughs, and a plurality of roller bearing elements are cross connected within the wire raceways to transmit thrust and radial loads from the wheel to the spindle.