Abstract: A control lever assembly mounted on a panel including a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to one side of the panel over an opening therein and a pivot pin fixed to the bracket having its axis disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the opening in the panel. A rotary bearing device surrounds the pin and is journaled thereon to rotate about the pin axis. A handle is fixed to the bearing device and extends through the opening in the panel with the distal end portion of the handle being disposed on the opposite side of the panel. A centrally-apertured, flexible seal member surrounds the handle and is disposed between the bearing device and the mounting bracket to seal the assembly to the one side of the panel.

Abstract: A master link assembly in a continuous flexible track assembly for a crawler tractor comprises two laterally spaced apart (left and right) parallel master links and each master link comprises two overlapping half-links held in alignment and mechanically secured together in fixed relationship by track shoe capscrews which extend through holes in a master link track shoe which overlies both half-links and screw into tapped capscrew holes in the half-links.

Abstract: A method of producing an animal food supplement by growing a yeast that utilizes lactose on a mixture of wheat bran or husks from different grains which are mixed with dried whey, moistened with water, cooled and inoculated with yeast, a dairy culture used in making buttermilk, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, placed on perforated trays, then incubated for 12 to 24 hours at 27.degree. to 34.degree. C. and dried at 43.degree. C. and lower.

Abstract: A unitary golf bag head for arranging a set of golf clubs in a series of downwardly and forwardly pitched tiers, and for releasably securing and/or resiliently clamping the heads of the clubs in fixed staggered positions relative to one another.

Abstract: A nut provided with a U-shaped slot laterally and threadably engagable with a rod or shaft, in combination with a C-shaped retainer member mounted on the nut and manually rotatable thereon to selectively: (a) confine the nut on the shaft in relatively rotatable lateral engagement, (b) lock the nut and shaft against relative rotation, and (c) connect the nut and shaft for yielding lateral threaded engagement and disengagement.

Abstract: A transporter for conveying articles through a testing or monitoring station. Movement of articles through the test station is controlled at predetermined spaced intervals, and the article is stabilized during monitoring to obtain accurate test data. A reject mechanism, operative in response to the monitoring of the object, is provided to eject any object which is determined to vary from predetermined test limits. The transporter is especially suitable for use in the food processing industry to monitor both positive and negative pressurized containers passing therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting relative tilting between a tractor unit and a trailer unit of an articulated vehicle comprising a horizontal hitch pivot fixed to the tractor to permit relative tilting movement between the tractor and trailer units. A pair of right and left stationary stop members are each fixed to the tractor frame and spaced from the pivot device. Two pairs of movable upper and lower stop engaging members are fixedly connected to the horizontal pivot device to contact opposite sides of each stationary stop member to limit relative tilting movement between the tractor and trailer. During the relative tilting between the units, one of the movable upper stop engaging members contacts the upper surface of one of the stationary stop members and simultaneously therewith the opposite movable lower stop engaging members contacts the lower surface of the opposite stationary stop members to evenly distribute stresses exerted on the components when limiting the tilt between the tractor and trailer units.

Abstract: A track pin and track link bushing lubrication system wherein lubricant is carried within the track pin for use in lubricating the track pin and track link bushing joint. The track pin is formed with a lubricant retaining cavity sealed such that the lubricant supply may be readily replenished in the field without requiring a replacement seal.

Abstract: A track laying tractor comprising a tractor body having a framework supported laterally by a pair of track units, a crane placed upon one of the sides of the tractor body and having a movable boom which can be tilted laterally and pivoted at the base on an appendage fixed to the outer face of the adjacent track unit. A counterweight for balancing the load is placed on the side of the tractor body opposite to the crane. An additional framework supports a mechanical linkage system for varying the lateral tilt of the crane, for adjusting the position of the counterweight and for lifting the load.

Abstract: A crawler tractor has an engine-driven transmission for supplying motive power to the left and right crawler tracks through spring-applied fluid-released left and right steering clutches and also has spring-applied fluid-released track brakes. A hydraulic steering clutch and brake control system is provided and includes left and right manually operable steering levers for the clutches and a single foot-operated brake pedal. The control system further includes a single pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the steering clutches and to the brake actuators for the brakes. A steering valve, having a flow divider therein, receives fluid from the pump and is responsive to actuation of the steering levers to supply fluid to release the steering clutches. The steering valve also continually directs fluid to a pilot operated shuttle valve which is responsive to operation of the steering clutches to direct operating fluid to the brake actuators to effect brake release for that track whose clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A lubrication pump and filter are mounted to an access cover for the final drive of earthmoving equipment together with necessary interconnecting lubricant lines. The pump and the filter can both be removed from the access cover without removing the other and without removing the cover. Both the pump, filter and lines affixed to the access cover can be removed or installed as a unit.

Abstract: An engine compartment enclosure for reducing sound emission from the engine while providing adequate air flow through the engine compartment for cooling and accessibility to the interior thereof for servicing. An upwardly swingable hood panel, a downwardly swingable service panel and an outwardly swingable sound barrier panel are operatively connected such that the sound barrier panel, when closed, secures both the hood and service panels in their closed position allowing a single latch to function as a security lock for controlling access to the engine compartment. Upon unlatching and swinging the sound barrier panel outwardly, the hood panel may be raised and the service panel lowered providing complete access to the interior of the engine compartment.

Abstract: A crawler tractor has an engine-driven fluid power shifted transmission for supplying motive power to left and right crawler tracks through spring-applied fluid-released left and right steering clutches and also has spring-applied fluid-released brake actuators for the track brakes. A hydraulic control system for steering and braking the tractor includes a combined steering and braking valve having a pair of lever operated valve spools, a shuttle valve, and a supplemental brake control valve operated by a single brake pedal. The combined steering and braking valve, which includes a flow divider, directs fluid from a pump to the brake actuators to maintain the brakes released when the valve spools are in neutral. When a lever operated valve spool is moved from neutral to some other position, the combined steering and braking valve directs fluid to disengage a clutch and causes the brake for the associated track to be applied.

Abstract: A roller for a continuous track on a crawler tractor or the like comprises two sections welded together to define an interior lubrication cavity which communicates by means of lubrication passages to spaces containing bearings and to an exterior lubrication port. Liquid plastic material capable of in situ foaming to form an open cell plastic mass is injected into the cavity and passages wherein it sets into an open cell plastic mass. Subsequently, lubricating oil or grease is injected under pressure through the lubrication port to fill the open cells of the plastic mass for storage and subsequent supply to the bearings through the lubrication passages. The open cell plastic mass also provides a barrier or filter for particles of contaminants disposed in the cavity as a result of welding and other manufacturing steps and prevents circulating of such particles with the lubricant and damage to the bearings and seals.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for reclaiming strip-mined land. The apparatus generally comprises a leading tractor and a trailing tractor and an elongated adjustable side casting blade angularly disposed between and connected to the tractors. Control of both tractors and blade adjustment is carried out by an operator on the leading tractor. The method generally comprises the steps of driving the apparatus along a spoil bank crest near one side thereof in one direction to make one pass to effect side casting of material down one repose slope of the spoil bank and then driving the apparatus along the spoil bank crest near the other side thereof in the opposite direction to make another pass to effect side casting of material down the other repose slope of the spoil bank. Two such passes constitute one complete cycle and blade angle; blade tilt and depth of cut are changed for each pass.

Abstract: A uni-lever system for controlling operation of multiple functions. A uni-lever is coupled to linkage for actuating the multiple functions and supported for pivotal movement through a spherical bearing permitting controlled movement in predetermined planes effecting corresponding movement of the actuating linkage. Auxiliary equipment being controlled is coupled through the linkage connected to the uni-lever to respond only to movement of the uni-lever in a particular plane. Movement in the remaining planes is restricted due to the spherical joint and stabilizing linkage.

Abstract: A traffic error correcting circuit for use with a dispatching system circuit operable to control instructing means for directing traffic to a plurality of receiving stations in response to electrical traffic request signals and request cancel signals from the stations. The error correcting circuit automatically compensates for traffic error or failure to obey the instructing means by automatically providing additional traffic request signals as required without requiring attendants at the receiving stations to constantly monitor the directed traffic.