Abstract: A snubbing arrangement functions to control the rate of deceleration of a piston and rod assembly within a fluid cylinder as the piston and rod assembly nears the bottom of the piston cavity. A flow blocking mechanism is attached to the piston and rod assembly and acts to block flow from the piston cavity through a first head end port. A pressure differential valve mechanism is disposed between a second head end port and the rod end port and operative to control the pressure in the head end cavity relative to the pressure in the rod end cavity.

Abstract: The present invention includes a resilient cab mounting apparatus for resiliently mounting a cab structure, incorporating a roll over protective structure, onto a vehicle frame. The cab mounting apparatus includes a first resilient member which is positioned between the cab structure and the frame members and held in place by use of a mounting structure having an attached upper flange.

Abstract: A material eject system includes an ejector mounted to a bed of a vehicle which is movable between a rear end and a forward end of the bed for ejecting material from the bed. The ejector is powered by a cylinder having different fluid volumes depending on the direction of motion of the cylinder. A control circuit operates with the ejector motor to automatically move the ejector through eject and return cycles. Further, the control circuit detects different positions of the cylinder and automatically operates the cylinder at different speeds to maintain a constant motor and ejector speed throughout the material eject cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injection system and method of operating the fuel injection system. The fuel injection system includes at least one hydraulically actuated fuel injector fluidly connected with a source of high pressure actuation fluid. A viscosity sensor determines the viscosity of the hydraulically actuated fuel injector. A controller in communication with the fuel injector and the viscosity sensor is configured to determine the rate of change of the viscosity of the high pressure hydraulic actuation fluid. The supply of high pressure actuated fluid to the fuel injector is based, at least in part, on the rate of change of the determined viscosity of the high pressure actuation fluid.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine comprising a center electrode having a shank portion which is fluted. The flutes have at least one edge which protrudes through an opening in a ground electrode of the spark plug. The principle use is for lean burn natural gas engines, however any air-fuel mixtures 14 will benefit from this invention. For example, propane or dual fuel engines may have spark plugs with this invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a work implement movably connected to a work machine. An implement controller automatically controls simultaneous first and second control modes of operation assigned to the work implement. A sensor applies a signal to the implement controller indicating position of the work implement. The implement controller reverses the simultaneous first and second control modes assigned to the work implement upon detecting a predetermined movement of the work movement. The simultaneous first and second control mode assignments may also be changed by actuation of a manually actuatable device.

Abstract: A variable delivery, fixed displacement pump comprises a plurality of pistons reciprocated within corresponding cylinders in a cylinder block. The pistons are reciprocated by rotation of a fixed angle swash plate connected to the pistons. The pistons and cylinders cooperate to define a plurality of fluid compression chambers each have a delivery outlet. A vent port is provided from each fluid compression chamber to vent fluid therefrom during at least a portion of the reciprocal stroke of the piston. Each piston and cylinder combination cooperates to close the associated vent port during another portion of the reciprocal stroke so that fluid is then pumped through the associated delivery outlet. The delivery rate of the pump is varied by adjusting the axial position of the swash plate relative to the cylinder block, which varies the duration of the piston stroke during which the vent port is closed.

Abstract: A quick coupler for coupling an implement to a work machine is provided with a control system that substantially prevents inadvertent and unintended release of the implement from the machine. Inadvertent and unintended release of the implement is prevented by requiring two separate switches to be actuated to release the implement. Actuation of one switch supplies pressurized fluid to a fluid circuit connected to an actuator operable to release the implement from the machine. However, the pressurized fluid supplied in response to actuation of the one switch is not sufficient to activate the actuator. Concurrent actuation of a second switch raises the pressure of the fluid supplied to the actuator fluid circuit to a level sufficient to activate the actuator, thus releasing the implement.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a work machine, such as a mining dump truck, comprises a rotatable wheel having inboard and outboard rims mounted thereto. The outboard rim is mounted to a segmented rim-mounting flange which is secured to the inboard side of a flange projecting from the wheel. A final drive adapter is secured to the outboard end of the wheel opposite the segmented rim mounted flange. The segmented mounting flange permits the use of a larger final drive ring gear than in known wheel assemblies. Moreover, because the mounting flange is segmented, it can be fastened to the wheel inboard of the gear reduction housing, which permits the final drive assembly to be serviced without removal of the outboard rim from the wheel. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liner for a high-wear portion of a work machine body, such as a dump truck body, is formed by separating a unitary plate of wear material, such as steel, into separate plate sections. The plate sections are formed such that confronting plate sections have portions that interfit with each other. Gaps or voids are left between the interfitting portions to define openings the liner from the top surface to the bottom surface thereof. The openings cause material ejected across the liner to tumble rather than slide, thereby reducing abrasive wear. By separating the plate and forming the liner in this manner, no scrap material is created, which reduces cost compared to known design. In addition, liners having a variety of different dimensions can be created from the same plate sections by varying the relative spacing between adjacent plate sections.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a work machine, such as a mining dump truck, having a rotatable wheel having inboard and outboard rims mounted thereto. The outboard rim is mounted to a segmented rim-mounting flange which is secured to the inboard side of a flange projecting from the wheel. A final drive adapter is secured to the outboard end of the wheel opposite the segmented rim mounted flange. The segmented mounting flange permits the use of a larger final drive ring gear than in known wheel assemblies. Moreover, because the mounting flange is segmented, it can be fastened to the wheel inboard of the gear reduction housing, which permits the final drive assembly to be serviced without removal of the outboard rim from the wheel.

Abstract: A skid steer loader has at least one or a pair of implement lift arm assemblies pivotally connected with a body of the loader. The lift arms, their associated lift actuators, and the connections between the various components of the lift arm assemblies and the machine implement are configured to provide increased dump reach without negatively impacting structural life, to increase machine productivity by reduced cycle times, and to improve visibility of the implement from the operator's station.

Abstract: An engine enclosure for a work machine comprises a firewall, left and right-hand side panel structures, and a pivotal hood. Each set of side panel structures is supported by a support tower connected between the frame of the machine and a side margin of the firewall. The support towers are specially shaped to generally conform to the general shape of the panel structures they support. The hood is provided with a hold-open support which maintains the hood in an open position if so desired.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal face seal assembly comprises a static seal ring secured to a rotating element, such as a track roller of a tracked machine. The static seal ring has a seal face, and a dynamic seal ring has a seal face in sealing engagement with the seal face of the static ring. The dynamic seal ring has a ramp thereon extending at 8 degrees relative to horizontal in a direction away from the seal face thereof. The seal assembly further includes a seal housing, which may be the end collar of the track roller, having an annular ramp formed thereon confronting the ramp of the dynamic seal ring, which seal housing ramp extends at 10 degrees relative to horizontal. The ramps converge in a direction away from a seal plane defined by the mutually-engaging faces of the seal rings. A load ring disposed between the ramps is pre-compressed to its maximum strain level to provide the desired face loads on the seal faces.

Abstract: A dozing machine comprises a tractor having a transverse dozing blade mounted at the forward end thereof. Steering changes can made by shifting the lateral centerline of the blade laterally relative to the longitudinal centerline of the tractor. To this end, a linear actuator is connected between the blade or a blade push arm and the tractor. The actuator is extended or retracted to shift the centerline of the blade. The centerline may also be shifted by extending the length of the blade to one side of the tractor centerline. Automated methods and apparatus are disclosed which utilize blade centerline shifting to maintain a desired direction of travel or to automatically achieve any desired path. Also, sideshifting of the blade may be useful for purposes other than steering the tractor.

Abstract: An impact reducing idler wheel comprises a retaining ring and a tread ring having a pair of mutually-spaced tread surfaces separated by a radially outwardly open annular groove. The retaining ring is positioned within the radially outwardly open annular groove. A first resilient member is disposed between the retaining ring and the tread ring. A central hub is concentric with the tread ring, and a second resilient member is disposed between the hub and the tread ring. The tread ring may comprises a plurality of arcuate segments which are independently movable relative to the hub and the retaining ring.

Abstract: A liner for a work machine body, such as the body of an off-highway truck, protects the body from wear. The liner has a plate with openings through the plate arranged in a preselected pattern. The plate is of a size to fit a particular portion of the body and is typically removably fastened to the body. The plate has raised strips of abrasion-resistant cladding, such as chromium carbide, bonded to the top surface thereof. The raised strips cause material to tumble, instead of to slide, when being removed from the truck. The tumbling action reduces wear on the liner.

Abstract: A liner for a body such as of an off-highway truck protects the body from wear. The liner has a plate with openings through the plate arranged in a preselected pattern. The plate is of a size to fit a particular portion of the body and is typically removably fastened to the body. The openings in the plate cause material to tumble, instead of to slide, when being removed from the truck. The tumbling action, and the thickness of the plate, reduces wear on the body during material dumping.

Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a welding torch and a workpiece support. The welding apparatus also includes a circuit for creating a first voltage drop between the welding torch and the workpiece support so as to generate heat which melts a quantity of weld wire, the creating circuit having a power supply. The apparatus system further includes a power cable which is electrically interposed between the power supply and the welding torch. Additionally, the welding apparatus includes a circuit for measuring a second voltage drop across the power cable at the same time the first voltage drop is being created by the creating circuit. A method of operating a welding system is also disclosed.