Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a drive system that includes hydraulic motor coupled to a speed-reduction gearbox. One or more drive shafts extend fore-and-aft from the gearbox and are coupled at each end to two axle housings. Each axle housing includes two reduction gear sets and an axle. Each of the axles extends outward from the vehicle and a wheel is fixed to its outer end. A spur gear on a parallel shaft inside the axle housing engages a spur gear on the axle and drives it to provide one gear reduction. A bevel gear in the axle housing engages a bevel gear on the parallel shaft to provide another gear reduction. The vehicle has a drive system located on each side of the vehicle to collectively drive four wheels.

Abstract: A skid steer loader has a chassis having front and rear ends, and an engine mounted to the rear end of the chassis. There are four suspensions pivotally coupled to the chassis to pivot with respect to the chassis. Two of the suspensions are extended laterally outward from the left side of the chassis and the other two suspensions are extended laterally outward from the right side of the chassis. Wheels on the suspensions are driven by drive shafts extending from a longitudinal splitter box that, in turn, are coupled to two hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle includes a chassis mounted on four sprung suspensions that are controlled by an electronic controller. The controller monitors the speed of the vehicle and locks the suspensions when the vehicle falls below a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a sprung suspension system including four wheels mounted on four swing arms that are pivotally coupled to the chassis of the vehicle. An electronic controller is connected both to position sensors coupled to the swing arms to sense the position of the swing arms and wheels with respect to the chassis and also to hydraulic cylinders that control the position of the swing arms and wheels. The electronic controller determines the average position of each suspension and controls the flow of fluid to the cylinders to keep the swing arms and wheels at their proper target height when vehicle load changes.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a drive system that includes hydraulic motor coupled to a speed-reduction gearbox. One or more drive shafts extend fore-and-aft from the gearbox and are coupled at each end to two axle housings. Each axle housing includes two reduction gear sets and an axle. Each of the axles extends outward from the vehicle and a wheel is fixed to its outer end. A spur gear on a parallel shaft inside the axle housing engages a spur gear on the axle and drives it to provide one gear reduction. A bevel gear in the axle housing engages a bevel gear on the parallel shaft to provide another gear reduction. The vehicle has a drive system located on each side of the vehicle to collectively drive four wheels.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle with sprung suspensions is configured to lock the suspensions whenever the operator manipulates a manual control that generates a signal to move the loader arms or the bucket of the vehicle. The operator control, such as a joystick, sends a signal to an electronic controller indicating that the operator has moved the control and is thereby requesting the loader arms or bucket to move. The electronic controller responds to this signal by moving the loader arms or bucket and simultaneously locking the suspensions.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has sprung suspensions, variable displacement pumps and motors connected to those pumps that drive the wheels on the vehicle as well as an electronic controller that receives signals that indicate lateral acceleration of the skid steer vehicle during turns. The controller determines whether the lateral acceleration exceeds a predetermined value, and locks up the outboard suspensions if that value is exceeded. The signals can be provided by an accelerometer, a satellite receiver, wheel/motor speed sensors, sensors in the pumps that signal the specific displacement of the pumps (such as their swash plate position, or memory locations that contain previously calculated specific displacement commands that are used to drive the pumps to a particular displacement.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle includes a chassis mounted on four sprung suspensions that are controlled by an electronic controller. The controller monitors the speed of the vehicle and locks the suspensions when the vehicle falls below a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a sprung suspension system including four wheels mounted on four swing arms that are pivotally coupled to the chassis of the vehicle. An electronic controller is connected both to position sensors coupled to the swing arms to sense the position of the swing arms and wheels with respect to the chassis and also to hydraulic cylinders that control the position of the swing arms and wheels. The electronic controller determines the average position of each suspension and controls the flow of fluid to the cylinders to keep the swing arms and wheels at their proper target height when vehicle load changes.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has sprung suspensions, variable displacement pumps and motors connected to those pumps that drive the wheels on the vehicle as well as an electronic controller that receives signals that indicate fore-and-aft acceleration of the skid steer vehicle. Based on these signals, the controller determines whether the forward acceleration exceeds a predetermined value and locks up the rear suspensions if that value is exceeded. It also determines whether the forward deceleration exceeds a predetermined value and locks up the front suspensions if that value is exceeded. The signals can be provided by an accelerometer, a satellite receiver, wheel/motor speed sensors, sensors in the pumps that signal the specific displacement of the pumps such as their swash plate positions, or memory locations that contain previously calculated specific displacement commands that are used to drive the pumps to a particular specific displacement.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle with sprung suspensions is configured to lock the suspensions whenever the operator manipulates a manual control that generates a signal to move the loader arms or the bucket of the vehicle. The operator control, such as a joystick, sends a signal to an electronic controller indicating that the operator has moved the control and is thereby requesting the loader arms or bucket to move. The electronic controller responds to this signal by moving the loader arms or bucket and simultaneously locking the suspensions.

Abstract: A skid steer loader has a chassis with spring-loaded suspensions that are pivotally coupled to the chassis closer to the center of gravity than the wheels. The suspensions include fore-and-aft extending swing arms that pivot about a lateral axis with respect to the chassis. A torsion spring such as a torsion bar is coupled to the control arm to provide torsional support for the suspension. The torsion spring is anchored to the chassis nearer the center of gravity than the point where the swing arm is coupled to the chassis.

Abstract: A powershift transmission for a work vehicle is disclosed having two modes of applying power: a direct connection through a series of gears, and a connection through a torque converter integral with the transmission. The two paths branch at the input shaft, on which is mounted and which drives a torque converter that has a gear coupled to its output. Another gear on the input shaft is connected to that shaft by a hydraulic clutch. When the clutch is engaged, the transmission provides several high-range forward gear ratios through a direct gear drive. When that clutch is disconnected, the torque converter supplies power to the transmission to low forward and low reverse ranges of gear ratios. The transmission includes a first countershaft, on which are mounted a reverse master clutch engaged in all reverse gear ratios) and a forward low range clutch, which is engaged in the low range of forward gear ratios. The reverse master clutch couples the countershaft directly to the output shaft.

Abstract: A powershift transmission for a work vehicle is disclosed having two modes of applying power: a direct connection through a series of gears, and a connection through a torque converter integral with the transmission. The two paths branch at the input shaft, on which is mounted and which drives a torque converter that has a gear coupled to its output. Another gear on the input shaft is connected to that shaft by a hydraulic clutch. When the clutch is engaged, the transmission provides several high-range forward gear ratios through a direct gear drive. When that clutch is disconnected, the torque converter supplies power to the transmission to low forward and low reverse ranges of gear ratios. The transmission includes a first countershaft, on which are mounted a reverse master clutch engaged in all reverse gear ratios) and a forward low range clutch, which is engaged in the low range of forward gear ratios. The reverse master clutch couples the countershaft directly to the output shaft.

Abstract: A clutch structure is provided that automatically compensates for manufacturing or part-to-part tolerance variations in new clutches and that continuously compensates for wear of interleaved clutch plates throughout the life of the clutch. The clutch includes an actuator, preferably a fluid piston, that compresses the clutch plates to engage the clutch and transmit power between two rotating elements. An adjustment ring, fitted to an actuating ring, is contacted by a portion of the piston and is displaced against the force of a biasing spring during engagement of the clutch. Abutment members limit movement of the actuating ring, permitting the piston to displace the adjustment ring unidirectionally on the actuating ring during full engagement of the clutch. Upon disengagement of the clutch, the biasing spring urges the actuating ring, and with it the adjustment ring, back to its disengaged position. The adjustment ring thereby urges the piston to a reference disengaged position.

Abstract: A synchronizer shimming kit adapted for assembly and mounting about a transmission shaft having a synchronizer assembly mounted thereon in operable combination with a gear mesh. The shimming kit of the present invention includes an annular member and a shim package including a plurality of individual shims adapted to be positioned about the transmission shaft between the annular member and a gear of the gear mesh having the synchronizer assembly arranged in combination therewith. The annular member is releasably fixed to the shaft a measurable distance from the gear of the gear mesh. The shim package and annular member combine to define a cumulative distance between opposite sides thereof. The cumulative distance of the shimming kit is initially greater than the measurable distance the annular member is spaced from a side surface of the gear.

Abstract: A fail safe self-adjusting brake is disclosed in which a service piston selectively actuates brake discs to contact shaft discs and apply braking to the shaft. The service piston is hydraulically actuated. Should there be a system failure an emergency piston forces the service piston to brake shaft rotation. The service and emergency pistons are uniquely mounted such that they are properly guided within the brake housing. In a further feature of the present invention, the location of the brake discs relative to the shaft discs is adjustable to vary the amount of movement necessary to cause braking. This adjustment allows the brake discs to move relative to the housing to accommodate wear on the brake or shaft discs. A gage is mounted within the housing to monitor the amount of adjustment of the brake discs, and thus to give an indication of the wear on those discs.