Abstract: A door latch for a cab whereby a door is held in the open position by the latch which is operative by a handle passing through the cab having linear motion to operate a pawl having pivotal motion for engaging a detent on the door. Further, the handle mounting is a compact one with biasing means and a seal thereon all enclosed within a segment of the cab wall.

Abstract: A control module for tractors in which the various controls for operating the tractor are supported in a group for convenient operation by the operator of the tractor and may be installed as a unit in the tractor relative to an operator station that is flexibly supported relative to the main body of the tractor. The various controls are resiliently and flexibly connected to control various devices making up the unsuspended main body of the tractor. The tractor may have either an enclosed cab or an open platform forming an operator station resiliently mounted to the unsuspended main body of the tractor to inhibit the transmission of vibration, shock loads and noise, and the module is supported from the station to minimize relative movement between the operator and the controls. The controls are connected by flexible means serving to dampen the transmission of vibrations and the like from the unsuspended main body of the tractor.

Abstract: Linkage for supporting a mower beneath a tractor, having first and second pairs of interconnected links and with the first pair pivotally mounted at their forward ends to the front axle of tractor and rockable about a fore and aft horizontally disposed axis. The second pair of links is connected to the frame of the tractor. Foot pedal means connected to the linkage adjusts height of mower in opposition to force of spring means attached to linkage and frame which tends to urge linkage into folded condition beneath tractor frame. Rocking action of front axle through linkage causes mower to follow ground contour to provide an even cut.

Abstract: A flexible coupling which permits both rotational and axial movement. An elastomeric member is sandwiched between two coupling members and is held in place in such a manner that the coupling members do not contact each other. Thus, each of the coupling members includes an elongated portion provided with projections which are received within cavities defined by radially extending fingers formed on the elastomeric member. The couplings are angularly offset 90.degree. with respect to each other. Portions of the elastomeric member are held in compression between ends of the elongated portion and retainers by screw fasteners. The retainers and the screw fasteners associated with one coupling member do not contact the other coupling member.

Abstract: An improved draft and position control system for a tractor. Independent manually operable draft and position controls are provided for establishing a desired draft and/or position of an implement drawn by a tractor. The position control establishes the maximum lowered position to which the implement may descend and will override any draft signals which would tend to lower the implement beyond this point. The draft control includes the draft responsive member interconnected with a feedback mechanism which will tend to maintain the desired draft on the implement. An additional position feedback is provided which can moderate the draft feedback to prevent undue response of the implement during changes of the draft load. In accordance with the principles of this invention the position feedback which moderates the draft feedback can be infinitely varied between a first setting wherein it fails to moderate to a second setting where it substantially moderates.

Abstract: A latching arrangement for complemental top and bottom door panels on a cab of a tractor includes a handle which is pivotally mounted to the top door panel between operative and inoperative positions. Biasing means in the form of a coil spring mounted between the handle member and the door normally urges the member to its inoperative position. An element connected to the lower door panel and defining a recess to receive the handle member operates to position the upper door in angular relationship to the complemental lower door member to ventilate the cab. A peripheral portion of the handle which is received in the connecting element is disposed at an angle relative to the axis about which the handle pivots to thereby define the angle at which the complemental door panels are held apart.

Abstract: A roof construction for a tractor cab or the like wherein the roof of the cab is provided with an opening normally closed by a removable panel which is secured in place by opposed retaining means in such a manner that the peripheral portion of the removable panel overlies the border about the opening in the roof. The retaining means are of a generally simplified construction and are so designed that when they are in their normal operating position the peripheral portion of the removable panel is held in secure sealing engagement with the border about the opening, the retaining means also being easily moved towards each other to a release position wherein the panel can be readily removed from the opening.

Abstract: A mounting structure for detachably connecting a backhoe to the rear of a tractor comprising a unitary frame forming a vertical pivot for the backhoe and having attaching members located at the underside of the tractor to receive connecting elements all of which are disposed in a common horizontal plane and form the sole connection between the vehicle and backhoe.

Abstract: Control for a swing mechanism having linear actuators such as hydraulic cylinders connected to the swing mechanism in a manner whereby the actuators work in unison with each other over a portion of the swing of the swing mechanism and in opposition to each other over another portion of the swing when imparting arcuate motion to the swing mechanism with the linear motion of the actuators. The control includes a pressure reducing-metering valve and a metering valve in each of two sets of lines which supply and return pressurized fluid to the actuators. The improvement comprises location of check valves and pilot lines to enhance anti-cavitation conditions by reducing the number of flow paths.

Abstract: A steering system for an articulated vehicle having a pair of double acting steering cylinders and power steering means consisting of a pump and a hydrostatic steering unit to which the steering wheel of the vehicle is interconnected. Control means are disposed between the power steering means and the double acting cylinders for causing fluid to be directed from the power steering means to both of the first and second cylinders during rotation of the steering wheel at a first steering ratio when the pump is in operation, and at a second higher steering ratio when the pump is not in operation to permit manual steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic connection for establishing a fluid connection between a hydraulic unit mounted within a housing and a fluid line which terminates outside of the housing. The housing is provided with a threaded aperture in line with a cylindrical recess on the hydraulic unit which is in communication with a port. One end of a standpipe, having O-rings at either end, is inserted in the cylindrical recess of the hydraulic unit. A counterbored threaded fitting is screwed into the aperture, the counterbore receiving the other end of the standpipe. A fluid line is connected to the fitting.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle having forward and rearward frame sections connected together for relative movement about a vertical axis during steering and for oscillation or twisting about a horizontal axis during movement on uneven terrain in which the drive train is supported in such a manner that the angles of displacement of universal connections between drive shafts are maintained at equal angles for all angles of articulation and oscillation.

Abstract: A grille mounting apparatus operable to support a grille on a tractor grille frame assembly for swinging movement between a service position wherein the grille is disposed to one side of the tractor grille frame assembly and a normal operating position wherein the grille is disposed in juxtapositioned relationship with respect to an inwardly extending flange of the tractor grille frame assembly. Improved fastening means are utilized to maintain the grille in its normal operating position, which fastening means may be released without the use of tools to permit the grille to be moved to its service position.

Abstract: A transmission control useable with a transmission of the type having a first change gear mechanism for establishing a plurality of drive speeds and a second change gear mechanism for establishing either a forward or reverse drive for each of said plurality of drive gears, the transmission control including stop means capable of preventing the transmission from operating in one or more selected reverse speeds to prevent high speed reverse operation of a vehicle employing the transmission.

Abstract: Control for a swing mechanism having linear actuators such as hydraulic cylinders connected to the swing mechanism in a manner whereby the actuators work in unison with each other over a portion of the swing of the swing mechanism and in opposition to each other over another portion of the swing when imparting arcuate motion to the swing mechanism with the linear motion of the actuators. The control includes a pressure reducing-metering valve and a metering valve in each of two sets of lines which supply and return pressurized fluid to the actuators. The respective valves limit the pressure of fluid to one actuator while requiring a predetermined minimum actuation pressure to provide a more constant speed and torque characteristic for the swing mechanism.

Abstract: Two blades of the cutter blade assembly are pivotally mounted separately by means of a coupler on opposite sides of a drive shaft and move to an extended position by centrifugal force. Upon one blade striking an inseverable object both blades are caused to move to a retracted position. In moving from the extended position to the retracted position the impacted blade coacts with the opposite blade to move the latter to a retracted position.

Abstract: An improved hitch link assembly for connecting an implement to a tractor. Each of the draft links of a tractor having a three point hitch includes forward and rear link constructions which are interconnected together in such a manner that the rear link construction can reciprocate with respect to the forward link construction between a rearward position and a forward position and can also swing from a generally horizontal position to an angled position with respect to the forward link construction. The rear link construction is in its normal working position when it is in its rearward position and in its generally horizontal position. In addition, novel engaging means are provided to firmly hold the rear link construction in its normal working position.