Abstract: A lift truck upright having a fixed upright section, one or more telescopic upright sections supported outwardly and rearwardly of the fixed section and a load carrier mounted from the outer telescopic section. The side upright rail assemblies are mounted at predetermined forwardly diverging angles relative to the central plane of the lift truck and may be mounted from the truck either over the drive wheels, in front of and in alignment with the drive wheels, or inwardly of the drive wheels, in both two-stage and triple-stage upright constructions. Primary lift cylinders are nested behind respective upright rail sections and, in the triple-stage version, full free-lift cylinders are mounted either in front of the upright rail assemblies or behind said rail assemblies in nested relation with the rail assemblies.

Abstract: A material handling truck utilizing a battery box on which a plurality of truck components and controls are sub-assembled in a location different from a main frame assembly station or stations, which battery box is then transported to an assembly line station at which it is secured to the main frame of the truck, the sub-assembled components and controls being then suitably connected to other truck components and controls previously assembled in the main frame to form a truck chassis. The truck assembly is then completed by mounting on one end of the battery box a counterweight assembly, and the other components such as an upright assembly, overhead guard and hood and seat assembly are mounted on the truck. At final assembly the lift truck is adapted to receive a drive or traction battery in the battery box, the latter functioning as a structural subframe assembly of the truck.

Abstract: An operating control system for a lift truck controlled from a single multi-function operator hand control which is located and designed for improved operator comfort, convenience, simplicity and to reduce operator fatigue. The sole hand control for directional and speed control and the operation of all hydraulic functions of the truck related to the handling of loads is recessed in a compartment adjacent one side of the truck and supported from a control shaft which extends forwardly, leftwardly and downwardly and along which the control handle may be pushed or pulled linearly to control all such hydraulic truck functions. The grip handle is rotatable to control direction and speed of the truck. Switch controls are located conveniently adjacent the one end of the rotatable grip handle for selecting a variety of hydraulic functions by the same movements forwardly and rearwardly of the operator control handle along the control shaft.

Abstract: A material handling truck utilizing a transverse frame plate on which a plurality of operating components are sub-assembled, which sub-assembly is transported to a selected assembly station on the main assembly line at which it is secured, as by bolting, transversely of the frame of the truck and functions as a structural member thereof. In the example of a sit-down rider electric truck the sub-assembled frame plate may also be mounted for pivoting when the connections, such as bolts, are removed, thereby facilitating truck servicing, as well as functioning when in rigid connection with the frame as a battery retainer plate.

Abstract: A battery mounting device retaining a battery both longitudinally and laterally which comprises a battery tray, a battery retainer, and a member for rigidly holding the battery in place by rigidly and adjustably holding the retainer and battery in place in relationship to the battery tray.

Abstract: A pin retention mechanism for a pivot joint which connects together two structural members of a machine for pivotal movement relative to each other. The pivot pin has a dynamic connection with one of the structural members and there is an annular spacer on the pivot pin adjacent the dynamic connection. The other structural member has a tapered opening through it with the taper either on the structural member itself or on a bushing within an opening in the other structural member. A collet in the tapered opening has an external surface mating with the tapered internal surface. A cylindrical sleeve is located between the collet and the pivot pin and in contact with the spacer.

Abstract: A composite hydraulic system for a work vehicle which has two separate hydraulic circuits. Included in the composite system are three pumps, two of which supply the two circuits on the vehicle. A third pump transfers hydraulic fluid between the two hydraulic circuits. An engine operates all three pumps simultaneously and means are provided whereby the third pump under certain conditions operates as a motor to provide regeneration.

Abstract: The hydraulic system of this invention is for operating a tree processing implement on a work vehicle so that during a first part of an operating cycle the implement is supplied by two hydraulic pumps jointly, while during another part of the operating cycle the implement is supplied by only one of the pumps. The result is that during the first part of the cycle the implement moves rapidly but during the other part it moves slowly.

Abstract: A self-storing panel mechanism for a vehicle engine compartment which has a lower side frame member extending longitudinally of the vehicle adjacent one side of the compartment, and an upper structural portion extending longitudinally above the lower side frame member and forming with the lower side frame member an access opening into the engine compartment. A movable side panel is detachably secured to the upper structural portion and extends downwardly across the access opening. There is at least one vertically disposed guide cable extending from the lower side frame member to a connection with the upper structural portion frame member. The guide cable normally holds the side panel in position to close the access opening but the side panel can easily be moved to the open position by disengaging the panel from the upper structural portion and allowing it to move by gravity downwardly without disconnecting the guide cable.

Abstract: A joint for connecting together two frame members of a machine for relative movement wherein one of the frame members has flexible portions which during assembly of the joint are flexed to enable the joint to be assembled without shims and without exceeding predetermined maximum stresses on the parts of the joint.

Abstract: A safety seat assembly for use with industrial vehicles, such as forklift trucks, which protects operators from being ejected out of the seat or thrown excessively from side to side in the seat in the event of a lateral overturn or other accidental or unintended erratic maneuver. The safety seat assembly includes a seat member and a back support member mounted generally perpendicular to the seat member and having protective wings on opposite sides positioned in the approximate area of the upper arms of a normal size adult operator. The side portions of the wings may be of a generally rectangular or frustoconical shape and preferably have a frame near the periphery thereof and an opening near the forward end of the wing to minimize visual restriction by the wings and to provide a hand-hold for the operator as he enters and leaves the truck.

Abstract: A centering device for a floating caliper brake which has a cap screw extending through an opening in the brake mounting plate. A lock nut on the cap screw abuts the inner surface of the mounting plate. A centering spring surrounds the cap screw in abutment with the outer surface of the mounting plate. Together they maintain clearance on both sides of the brake disc when the brake is not applied.

Abstract: A lift truck upright having a fixed upright section, a telescopic upright section, and a load carrier mounted on the telescopic section. A pair of main lift cylinder assemblies are located adjacent opposite sides of the upright, and a second pair of relatively short free-lift cylinder assemblies are located inwardly adjacent the main lift cylinders, the pairs of lift cylinders are mounted from the fixed upright section and are hydraulically connected in parallel, and of such relative size that the free-lift cylinders and main cylinders always actuate in the proper sequence to first elevate the load carrier in free-lift and then the load carrier with the telescopic section.

Abstract: A stabilizer attachment for a work vehicle. The attachment is linear in operation and when it is attached adjacent one end of a vehicle and is then extended it raises the adjacent wheel off the ground. Another stabilizer attachment on the other side of the vehicle when operated raises the corresponding wheel on the other side off the ground. With the two wheels off the ground more down pressure is exerted on a ground engaging implement and the stabilizers act as a brake securing the work vehicle in position during operation of the implement.

Abstract: A supplemental parking brake for a vehicle having a power shift transmission which includes a hydraulically operated forward clutch which is selectively engaged to put the transmission in the forward operating mode and a hydraulically operated reverse clutch which is selectively engaged to put the transmission in the reverse operating mode. The supplemental parking brake is applied automatically when the regular parking brake is applied if a predetermined condition prevails. Such condition prevails if the power transmission of the vehicle has been shifted by appropriate controls to either the forward operating mode or the reverse operating mode.

Abstract: A system for controlling two wheels at one end of a skid steer vehicle. The wheels are mounted at the distal ends of a pair of downwardly extending pivot arms; the pivot arms are mounted on the vehicle body about a common transverse axis. Two hydraulic cylinders can be operated simultaneously in either direction to raise or lower the ends of both the pivot arms thereby lowering or raising one end of the vehicle. The two hydraulic cylinders under another operating condition for the vehicle are interconnected through a hydraulic loop circuit which permits the wheel on one side of the vehicle to move upwardly and the wheel on the other side move downwardly the same amount to automatically change the attitude of the vehicle to a more nearly level position.

Abstract: A control system for a drive apparatus which includes an engine and a hydrodynamic transmission with the latter including a forward hydraulic torque converter, a reverse hydraulic torque converter, and means for selectively filling either of the torque converters with hydraulic fluid to provide operation of the drive apparatus in the desired direction. A pedal or other operator control member is provided which when operated first causes the engine speed to drop to an idling speed, while further movement of the operator control member causes the engine speed to increase and the previously inactive torque converter to fill at a rate corresponding to the movement of the pedal.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism for a bulldozer blade which includes pivotally mounted trunnion members projecting outwardly on both sides of the main frame of the vehicle. A tilt beam is pivotally connected at its extremities between the two trunnion members, and a hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected between the main frame and one of the trunnion members for selectively tilting the bulldozer blade in unison with movement of the tilt beam and the trunnion members.

Abstract: A hydrostatic drive vehicle and a subassembly for such vehicle wherein the subassembly includes an engine and a pump mechanism arranged in a manner such that when the subassembly is assembled into the vehicle the axes of the engine and the pump mechanism are transverse of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Other parts such as an alternator, coolant pump, air cooling fan and fan shroud also may be included in the subassembly.