Abstract: The assembly includes frame, drum having a substantially cylindrical body with upper outlet opening covered by a grate. The drum includes a laterally disposed discharge chute and a back wall. A shaft mounted between end walls and carries a pair of arms with a center paddle and V-shaped mixing paddles are on respective arms for increasing the amount of entrained air in mixed mortar. The back wall is inclined from the vertical by no more than 15° to inhibit build up of the mortar being mixed in the drum. A three member bag splitter is affixed to the grate over the widest area of the outlet opening. A two-section cab encloses an engine and allows for access to the starter and engine controls while protecting a user. A gear drive shield medially of the cab provides user protection and protects the drive components from dust and debris.

Abstract: A mortar buggy with stake bed assembly provides a removable flat heavy duty base platform and a rear panel that can be fitted onto the chassis of an existing mortar buggy or similar conveyance in place of a hopper. The stake bed assembly provides removable front and side panels made of solid steel or similar alloy that can be configured to attach vertically in a hopper configuration or horizontally in an extended flat bed configuration, to provide additional loading surface for long or large items. The stake bed assembly also provides for a removable front tailgate with the ability to hinge at both its top and bottom so that the front tailgate can swing either up or down.

Abstract: A mortar mixer includes a substantially cylindrical drum having end plates supporting trunnion assemblies, with housings, having an interior space defined by an interior surface around the paddle shaft. A first seal is located adjacent the end plate and is positioned around the shaft and is mounted between the shaft and the interior surface. A second seal is spaced outwardly from the first seal and positioned around the shaft between the shaft and the affixed interior surface. The first and second seals partition a portion of the interior space to define a first chamber for carrying grease. The second seal is spaced away from a shaft bearing to partition a second portion of the interior space to define a second chamber for carrying grease which forms a positive seal to prevent contaminated grease from entering the bearing when the first chamber is purged of contaminated grease.

Abstract: A mortar buggy with stake bed assembly provides a removable flat heavy duty base platform and a rear panel that can be fitted onto the chassis of an existing mortar buggy or similar conveyance in place of a hopper. The stake bed assembly provides removable front and side panels made of solid steel or similar alloy that can be configured to attach vertically in a hopper configuration or horizontally in an extended flat bed configuration, to provide additional loading surface for long or large items. The stake bed assembly also provides for a removable front tailgate with the ability to hinge at both its top and bottom so that the front tailgate can swing either up or down.

Abstract: A bearing and seal assembly for supporting and sealing end portions of a rotatable paddle shaft in the end walls of a mortar mixer or the like. Each bearing and seal assembly includes a bearing and seal housing removably attached to an end wall of the mixer drum by bolts to facilitate replacement of the bearings and seals as becomes necessary during use. The outside wall of the housing includes a peripheral ring or shoulder for engagement with a conventional bearing puller to facilitate removal of the housing, bearings and seals as a single unit. Preassembled housing, bearing and seal units can then be used as replacements. The bearings and seals are also spaced longitudinally to provide a space for abrasive materials that may migrate past the seals to extend the life expectancy of the bearings by decreasing exposure to contamination.

Abstract: A quick release hub for the outer tires and wheels of dual wheel assemblies on a vehicle such as a mortar buggy to enable the vehicle to move through a narrow doorway or other passageway having a width less than the total distance between the outermost surfaces of the outer tires. The quick release hub includes a two component hub secured together by a single fastening device which enables quick and easy removal and replacement of the outer tires and wheels. A combination engine electrical control switch for the mortar buggy engine automatically controls a fuel supply valve to open and close the fuel valve in response to the engine control switch. An operator's platform and brake actuator are mounted at the rear of the mortar buggy with the brake actuator extending transversely at the forward portion of the platform to enable an operator to use either foot to operate the brake actuator.

Abstract: A rotary power trowel machine for finishing concrete surfaces and more particularly to a quick adjustment mechanism for the pitch of the blades. The quick adjustment mechanism includes a control lever mounted on the operating handle of the trowel in a position to be easily grasped and operated by a trowel operator. The control lever changes the blade pitch through a mechanical advantage linkage which reduces the force applied to the control lever to adjust the blade pitch. The control lever includes a locking mechanism to lock the control handle and linkage in selected positions to lock the blades at a desired pitch angle. The locking mechanism includes a semicircular guide mounted on the trowel operating handle and extending through openings in the control lever. A locking device on the control lever lockingly engages the guide and is selectively locked and released from an upper end of the control lever.

Abstract: A rotary power trowel machine for finishing concrete surfaces and more particularly to a quick adjustment mechanism for the pitch of the blades. The quick adjustment mechanism includes a control lever mounted on the operating handle of the trowel in a position to be easily grasped and operated by a trowel operator. The control lever changes the blade pitch through a mechanical advantage linkage which reduces the force applied to the control lever to adjust the blade pitch. The control lever includes a locking mechanism to lock the control handle and linkage in selected positions to lock the blades at a desired pitch angle. The locking mechanism includes a semicircular guide mounted on the trowel operating handle and extending through openings in the control lever. A locking device on the control lever lockingly engages the guide and is selectively locked and released from an upper end of the control lever.

Abstract: Adjustable handles for road surface cutting saws are disclosed. The handles are elongated tubular members projecting rearwardly from opposite side edge sections of a generally vertically disposed housing. The handles are independently adjustable, forwardly and rearwardly in the longitudinal direction and angularly about a transverse horizontal axis, to position hand grips on the handles in optimum position for operator control of the saw, operator access to the saw controls and storage of the handles in a forwardmost position to enable the saw to be stored in a compact condition. A pair of substantially identical clamp assemblies including inner and outer clamp elements are mounted on the inside of the side walls adjacent the rear of the housing and clampingly hold the handles in the selected longitudinal and angular positions.

Abstract: A mortar mixer having a generally cylindrical, horizontally disposed, pivotally supported mixer drum constructed of plastic material and more specifically to improvements in the form of metal end plates attached to and rigidifying the plastic end walls of the generally cylindrical drum. The metal end plates are associated with the end walls of the plastic drum in a unique manner to reinforce and support the end walls of the plastic drum in order to provide adequate support for maintaining the shape and configuration of the generally cylindrical plastic drum during the entire procedure of placing materials to be mixed in the drum, mixing the materials and dumping the mixed materials from the drum.

Abstract: A soil compactor having three compacting rollers supported from a frame with each of the rollers being independently powered by a hydraulic motor with the controls for the hydraulic motors being located at the rear of the compactor so that an operator walking behind the compactor will be able to control movement of the compactor. A vibration device is supported from a frame in generally a central position between the single front roller and the pair of rear rollers. The vibration device is an eccentric weight on a shaft driven at high speeds by a hydraulic motor with the central location of the vibration device producing a vibrating effect to aid in compaction and also aiding in maneuverability by providing a "floating" effect.

Abstract: A mechanism for maintaining alignment between the gear case or upper portion of a ram type compactor and the spring housing and shoe or lower portion of the compactor which includes a square guide tube and a square hole at the top of the spring housing which reciprocally accepts the guide tube and a segmental wear resistant bearing or bushing forming a lining for the square hole with the bearing being retained in position by the guide tube which extends therethrough and held stationary by the springs in the spring housing. This mechanism enables a person operating a ram type compactor to more effectively handle and maintain proper directional control of the machine.

Abstract: A mixer for mortar, plaster, fireproofing material and the like utilizing a plurality of mixing paddles supported from a horizontal shaft in a pivotal mixing drum. Six paddles are mounted on the shaft and are oriented in a unique arrangement by which they rotate in a triple eight mixing action constantly dividing and recombining the mixture again and again thereby resulting in a smooth, uniform mix. The paddles are provided with blades arranged so that material in the end of the drum is pushed half way to the middle of the drum by the first blade. The second blade pushes material from the center of the drum halfway toward the end. The next following blade then cuts the resulting pile into two approximately equal parts and pushes one part that has been cut from the pile toward the opposite end of the drum. This action occurs simultaneously at both ends of the drum every time the paddle shaft revolves 360.degree. and up to 50 cycles per minute depending, of course, upon the rotational speed of the paddle shaft.

Abstract: A rotary power trowel having a safety clutch, a gyroscopic stabilizing ring, blade pitch control, and an adjustable handle. The safety clutch employs a belt tension adjustment to act as a brake on the drive belt when activated either manually or, in an emergency, automatically by a lever on a handle near the operator. When the rotary trowel goes out of control in an emergency, centrifugal force activates the lever and disengages the driving force and acts to brake the belt in less than one turn of the handle. The gyroscopic stabilizer ring lowers the rotary trowel center of gravity and generates a stabilizing effect. Blade tilting is accomplished through a turning knob located at the end of the adjustable handle, which is adjustable to the height of the operator.

Abstract: An improved safety chain arrangement for linking a towing vehicle connected with primary towing arrangement to a towed vehicle. The invention assures control of the towed vehicle in the event of failure of the primary towing arrangement. A safety chain of adequate length and strength to meet standard safety regulations has a hook, snap, or other retention means at each end, and passes through a post in the towed vehicle, with each end of the chain connected to the towing vehicle, such as by looping the chain ends through an aperture on the towing vehicle bumper and suitably securing each chain end. The post has a storage compartment for storage of excess links of chain, and is provided with two slotted keyholes for passage and secure retention of links of the safety chain.

Abstract: A body of lubricant acting also as a coolant is confined by a housing to the base of a vibratory compactor, in direct contact with the planar bottom portion of the base. Upwardly inclined end portions of the base accommodate tilting of the machine in one direction for installation of wheel assemblies or in the other direction to drain all of the lubricant from the housing. A vibration generating, eccentric rotor within the housing mounts flow directing blades to effect misting of the lubricant during vibration and direct it toward critical lubricating points.

Abstract: A plaster or mortar mixer embodying a stub shaft mounting assembly for the mixer paddles disposed interiorly of the mixing drum and a reduction gear drive system enabling use of a standard electric motor or universal internal combustion engine with the reduction drive system employing a belt and pulleys, a sprocket chain and sprocket gears and a meshing gear assembly which eliminates the necessity of a relatively expensive reduction gear unit thereby rendering the mixer less expensive to manufacture and maintain. The stub shaft mounting of the mixer paddles enables the paddles to be permanently and rigidly secured to the paddle shaft in the form of a supporting tube such as by welding or the like with the stub shafts detachably connected to the tube in order to facilitate the removal of and replacement of the paddles and tube.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle having a deadman brake resiliently suspended from a load receiving receptacle of the vehicle. Brake shoes of the brake normally frictionally engage center wheels of the vehicle and restrain the vehicle from movement. Grasping of a handle of the brakes together with a fixed handle provided on the vehicle cause the brake shoes to disengage from the center wheels and permit free movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rotary concrete surface grinding and smoothing device having a segmental diamond chip impregnated, engine-driven, rotating grinding head; a foot-operated unit for raising and lowering the grinding head with relation to the surface to be ground; a slanted front end for better visibility; and, ballast weight and adjustable axle means to incrementally vary the downward pressure of the grinding head on the to be ground surface.