Abstract: A countershaft transmission auxiliary drive mechanism is provided for a countershaft transmission having an input shaft and a first gear connected thereto, and a second shaft having a second gear connected thereto and engaged with the first gear. A pump drive shaft is laterally offset from the first and second shafts, first and second pumps are connected to the opposite ends of the pump drive shaft, and a drive train is provided for rotating the pump drive shaft as a function of input shaft rotation. A PTO shaft and associated rotating clutch can be in coaxial alignment with the input shaft.

Abstract: A compact planetary transmission includes a plurality of interconnected planetary gear sets arranged along a common axis, and a plurality of brake assemblies and a clutch assembly used therewith to provide up to five speeds. It is preferably coupled to a leading reversible countershaft transmission to provide the desired speeds for an agricultural tractor, earthmoving vehicle or the like.

Abstract: A planetary wheel drive assembly includes a hollow spindle secured to a frame which provides the support for a wheel structure, an outboard planetary gear set and an inboard disc brake mechanism. The planetary gear set has a ring gear connected to the spindle, an input sun gear shaft, and a planet carrier conjointly driving the wheel structure. An inboard end member is removable to allow independent withdrawal of the disc brake mechanism disposed radially within the spindle when the wheel structure and the spindle are removed from the frame, and an outboard end member is releasable from the wheel structure to allow access to the planetary gear set.

Abstract: A fluid intake screening device (10) is installed in a case (12) defining a sump (14), an opening (20), and an intake passage (28). A tubular baffle member (36) extends from the opening (20) into the sump (14), supports a tubular filter assembly (34) within it, and defines a chamber (52) therebetween. The baffle member (36) has a slot (54) for controllably directing fluid from the sump (14) to the chamber (52). An indexing apparatus (56) positions the slot (54) of the baffle member (36) and adjacent the bottom of the sump (14) and minimizes fluid aeration and turbulence with low fluid levels. A closure apparatus (38) can be removed from the case (12) to permit servicing of the filter assembly (34).

Abstract: A vehicle boom lock is disclosed for holding a boom assembly in a retracted transport position on an implement carrying swing frame. The boom lock includes a slotted coupling joint on the swing frame, and a deflectable cable assembly which extends cantileverably from the boom assembly for automatically interlockingly engaging the slotted coupling joint in response to pivotal movement of the boom assembly to the retracted position. A release mechanism can be manually manipulated from an operator station to conveniently disengage the cable assembly from the slotted coupling joint.

Abstract: A tapered shaft retention apparatus is used with a shaft having a shoulder, a cylindrical surface, a smooth conically tapered surface, and an annular member such as an inner race of a bearing assembly mounted on the cylindrical surface. A sleeve is mounted on the shaft with an adjustment nut screwthreadably mounted thereon, and an internally tapered hub is mounted on the tapered surface in abutment with the nut with a preselected press fit. This assures the transmission of torque through the hub and positions the bearing assembly on the shaft. During assembly the hub is initially installed at an ambient temperature and the adjustment nut set at a preselected clearance therefrom, the hub is then removed and thermally expanded and reinstalled in abutment with the nut to establish the desired press fit.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission provides two forward and two reverse speeds using an input shaft, an output shaft, an intermediate shaft, four rotating clutch assemblies, and seven gears. The directional clutch assemblies are mounted in back-to-back relation on the input shaft, the first speed clutch assembly is mounted on the output shaft, and the second speed clutch assembly is mounted on the intermediate shaft. Three of the clutch assemblies are radially aligned, and the output shaft includes a coupling substantially radially aligned with the remaining clutch assembly. A brake mechanism for stopping rotation of the output shaft is provided on the intermediate shaft in substantial radial alignment with the coupling. The transmission is relatively compact axially as well as radially, and is easy to assemble in a housing having two major portions.

Abstract: A compact transmission is provided which includes a leading two speed forward and one speed reverse countershaft transmission, and a trailing five speed planetary transmission to give ten forward and two reverse speeds particularly adaptable to an agricultural vehicle. Very desirable speed steps are achieved between gears in the greatest working range, and the transmission provides an elevated PTO function and auxiliary pump drives within the envelope.

Abstract: Vehicle steering differential have heretofore had a number of assembly, disassembly and serviceability disadvantages or have not been compact enough. The instant differential drive assembly overcomes these deficiencies by including a differential steering mechanism having first and second input gears and a plurality of cooperatively associated planetary gear elements driven thereby, and a mounting structure for rotatably supporting the input gears and the planetary gear elements along a central axis and for modularly positioning the differential steering mechanism in a protected location within the opening of a vehicle case. The mounting structure includes a one-piece carrier body defining a mounting face that is adapted to engage another mounting face of the case.

Abstract: A vehicle transfer gear and drive line brake mechanism (16) includes a depending gear transfer train (22) having a rotatable shaft (36) and an output gear (28) connected to the shaft (36). A drive line brake assembly (40) is operatively associated with the shaft (36) on a lower axis (30) and a housing (58,118,120) is provided for defining an enclosed compartment (116) for containing them and a common lubricating fluid. A baffle element (186) divides the enclosed compartment (116) into a brake chamber (126) containing the brake assembly (40) and a separate sump chamber (126) and directs fluid away from the brake chamber (126) to the sump chamber (126) in response to rotation of the shaft (36) in order to reduce fluid drag losses.

Abstract: A compact nutating traction drive transmission is disclosed having particular utility in a vehicle as a steering differential. The transmission includes an input body rotatable about a central axis, first and second cone-like members rotatably mounted on the body on an inclined axis, and a pair of traction rings reacting against the respective cone-like members. A first embodiment includes a tubular shaft and a solid main shaft which are rotatably mounted and pilotably interconnected along the inclined axis, and a coupling apparatus is utilized for transmitting torque independently from the cone-like members to their respective shafts. Similar axially compact gear trains are driven by the respective shafts which have a construction and gear train ratio sufficient for maximizing the effectiveness of the transmission.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission provides three forward speeds and three reverse speeds using an input shaft, an output shaft, an intermediate shaft, five rotating clutch assemblies of the interleaved multiple plate and disc type, and eight gears. The first speed clutch assembly is mounted on the intermediate shaft, the second and third speed clutch assemblies are mounted on the output shaft, the remaining directional clutch assemblies are mounted on the input shaft, and the clutch assemblies are generally compactly grouped. Advantageously, no separate idler gear and associated shaft are required.

Abstract: An annular multi-piston brake apparatus (8) for selective holding engagement against a rotatable element (34). The annular multi-piston brake apparatus (8) advantageously includes first and second brake pistons (40,46) radially overlapping to allow the pistons to individually contact the rotatable element and stop rotation. Compact packaging of the brake apparatus is featured.

Abstract: A gear train having an internal gear mechanism is disclosed for use with a continuously variable transmission unit of the nutating traction drive type. The gear train includes a body rotatable about a central axis, a first pinion gear rotatably mounted on the body on an inclined axis, a second pinion gear rotatably mounted on the central axis, and either one or two tapered internal gears rotatably mounted on the body on a nutating axis for transferring torque between the pinion gears. The gear train is simple, compact, and relatively efficient.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is disclosed for rotating a pair of tandem wheel assemblies journalled on a centrally pivoted tandem drive housing. A jointless elastomeric belt extends about the wheel assemblies which are driven by two chains entrained over respective sprockets contained within the tandem drive housing. A planetary gear set is effective to powerably drive both chains with a differential action to minimize the influence of the belt loading upon the chains. The planetary gear set and the sprockets are constructed to deliver a greater torque to the rear wheel assembly than the front wheel assembly through the chains.

Abstract: A vehicle steering differential (10) includes a case (12) defining a chamber (76), an opening (78) on a transverse axis (36) communicating therewith, and a mounting surface (80) about the opening (78). An input pinion gear (14) and a bevel gear (18) driven by the pinion gear (14) are rotatably connected within case (12) in right angle intermeshing relationship by a body (20) releasably secured to the mounting surface (80). A radial opening (82) is defined in the case (12), and a steering motor (16) has a shaft (88) that extends through the radial opening (82) into driving engagement with the pinion gear (14), with the body (20) supporting the steering motor (16). The body (20) includes an arm (110) and a collar (122) releasably secured to the arm (110) for supporting the steering motor (16).

Abstract: A bearing race retention device for a ball or roller bearing assembly mounted between a pair of relatively rotatable members is disclosed. An annular race defines a smooth notchless cylindrical surface and a preselected diametral slip fit clearance with the first member for ease of assembly, and an annular groove of uniform and generally rectangular cross section is formed in the first member and is defined generally by a cylindrical seat and first and second side walls.

Abstract: A self-locking cushion assembly (14) is connectable to and releasable from a seat shell (12) having a plurality of fingers (52,54) and a plurality of openings (56) without the use of tools or loose parts. The cushion assembly (14) includes a cushion (60) defining a plurality of recesses (62) and a peripheral frame (64) connected to the cushion (60) and having a plurality of projections (68), so that in use the fingers (52,54) extend upwardly within the recesses (62) and overlap the frame (64) and the projections (68) depend within the openings (56) in order to lockingly secure the cushion assembly (14) to the seat shell (12).

Abstract: A deflectable unitary latch (10) of plastic material is disclosed for securing a pivoting window (12) or the like to a frame (14) having a striker member (28) thereon. The latch (10) has a base (30), a handle (32) and a spring-like arm (34) extending from the base (30), with the arm (34) having a proximal hinge portion (36), a support strut (38), a latch portion (40) and a press bar (42). The hinge portion (36) and the support strut (38) are constructed to allow the arm (34) to be deflected primarily about the hinge portion (36) as the press bar (42) is urged toward the handle (32) for release of the latch.

Abstract: A transfer gear mechanism (24) for a four-wheel drive tractor (10) or the like includes a depending gear transfer train (28) that has an input gear (34) on an upper axis (36) and an output gear (38) on a lower axis (40). Housing means (26) are provided for supporting the gear transfer train (28), a pump (196) along the upper axis (36), and a PTO clutch assembly (52) along a third axis (54) between the upper and lower axes (b 36,40) such that the PTO clutch assembly (52) is disposed underneath the pump (196) at an effective location. A service brake assembly (44) is also disposed on the lower axis (40) and it, the pump (196), and the PTO clutch assembly (52) can be individually serviced.