Abstract: An axle assembly and method for assembling such axle assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The axle assembly may comprise meshed ring and pinion gears, a center housing portion, and left and right leg housing portions. The center housing portion may include a center housing defining a center cavity in which the bevel gear is disposed, and at least one channel having an entrance port into the center cavity. The axle assembly may include a first conduit configured to branch off of the first channel in a first direction and a second conduit configured to branch off of the first channel in a second direction. Such channels and conduits may be integral to the center housing or substantially external to the center housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump housing comprises passages formed in an inner wall separating the gear cavity and the pump cavity to allow for the movement of fluid into and out of the gear cavity, thereby alleviating some of the power loss caused by churning lubricating oil. The hydraulic pump may comprise spaces integrally formed in axially opposing surfaces of the gear cavity walls adjacent the area where the gears mesh to enable the churning oil to expand and flow around the gears.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump housing comprises passages formed in an inner wall separating the gear cavity and the pump cavity to allow for the movement of fluid into and out of the gear cavity, thereby alleviating some of the power loss caused by churning lubricating oil. The hydraulic pump may comprise spaces integrally formed in axially opposing surfaces of the gear cavity walls adjacent the area where the gears mesh to enable the churning oil to expand and flow around the gears.

Abstract: Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can comprise a plurality interconnected polygonal shapes defining a top standing surface. The platform can be a grating that has load bearing properties and that can be cast from a mold. The platform includes a perimeter wall, a surface portion, and one or more reinforcement walls. A height or thickness of the surface portion is less than a height or thickness of the perimeter wall and/or the reinforcement walls.

Abstract: Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can rotate from a transport configuration to an operable configuration. The platform in the operable configuration is approximately perpendicular to the support post. The platform has a tree contact point positioned above a plane of the platform when the platform is in the horizontal position. The platform can comprise a plurality of hexagons with groups of three hexagons intersecting at a point and forming a honeycomb pattern defining a top standing surface on which a hunter can stand. The contact point is configured to create an over-center locking action. The tree stand can also include a stackable ladder coupled to the platform.

Abstract: A drive axle housing system may minimize churning of splash and spray oil within a drive axle housing. The drive axle housing system includes apparatus for incorporation into the axle, the apparatus including an oil churning reduction member that may be affixed to the interior walls of the axle housing. The oil churning reduction member includes interior surfaces adapted to closely align with interior moving gear components of the axle to minimize efficiency losses due to oil movement. The system may also incorporate an annular element, affixed to the axle housing and closely aligned with the backside of a ring gear component of the differential axle. The combined use of the member and the element may substantially reduce torque losses attributable to excessive churning of oil.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a first pump, a boom cylinder, and a first closed loop fluidly connecting the first pump to the boom cylinder. The hydraulic system may also have a second pump, a swing motor, and a second closed loop fluidly connecting the second pump to the swing motor. The hydraulic system may further have a third pump, an auxiliary actuator, and a third closed loop fluidly connecting the third pump to the auxiliary actuator. The hydraulic system may additionally have a combining valve configured to selectively connect the second closed loop to the first closed loop during a boom raising operation, and a control valve configured to selectively connect the third closed loop to the first closed loop during a boom lowering operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump housing comprises passages formed in an inner wall separating the gear cavity and the pump cavity to allow for the movement of fluid into and out of the gear cavity, thereby alleviating some of the power loss caused by churning lubricating oil. The hydraulic pump may comprise spaces integrally formed in axially opposing surfaces of the gear cavity walls adjacent the area where the gears mesh to enable the churning oil to expand and flow around the gears.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for pump control is disclosed. The hydraulic actuator includes two hydraulically isolated chambers for actuation in one direction and two hydraulically isolated chambers for actuation in an opposite direction. Each of the four chambers is connected to a source of high pressure fluid by an electronically controlled pressure reducing valve.

Abstract: An axle assembly and method for assembling such axle assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The axle assembly may comprise meshed ring and pinion gears, a center housing portion, and left and right leg housing portions. The center housing portion may include a center housing defining a center cavity in which the bevel gear is disposed, and at least one channel having an entrance port into the center cavity. The axle assembly may include a first conduit configured to branch off of the first channel in a first direction and a second conduit configured to branch off of the first channel in a second direction. Such channels and conduits may be integral to the center housing or substantially external to the center housing.

Abstract: An implement control system may include an operator interface having a grip movable to a pose relative to an operator interface frame of reference. A grip position sensor may detect the grip pose and generate a grip pose signal, and a controller communicatively coupled to the grip position sensor may receive the grip pose signal and generating an implement control signal. An implement assembly may include an implement supported for movement relative to a machine frame of reference and a plurality of actuators operably coupled to the implement and communicatively coupled to the controller. The plurality of implement actuators is configured to actuate in response to the implement control signal to drive the implement toward an implement pose relative to the machine frame of reference that corresponds to the grip pose.

Abstract: A drive axle housing system may minimize churning of splash and spray oil within a drive axle housing. The drive axle housing system includes apparatus for incorporation into the axle, the apparatus including an oil churning reduction member that may be affixed to the interior walls of the axle housing. The oil churning reduction member includes interior surfaces adapted to closely align with interior moving gear components of the axle to minimize efficiency losses due to oil movement. The system may also incorporate an annular element, affixed to the axle housing and closely aligned with the backside of a ring gear component of the differential axle. The combined use of the member and the element may substantially reduce torque losses attributable to excessive churning of oil.

Abstract: An elevated hunting stand includes a ladder assembly and a platform assembly. A pair of vertical uprights is connected to the platform at a front portion of the platform. A pair of vertical uprights is connected to the platform at a rear portion of the platform. A pair of horizontal stabilizer members is attached to the vertical uprights. A pair of enclosure gates is attached to the vertical uprights. The vertical uprights, the horizontal stabilizer member, and the pair of enclosure gates form an enclosure on the platform. The enclosure gates are movable from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: A modular tree climbing ladder including a support member, at least one stabilizing bracket secured to the support member, and a pair of steps pivotally secured to the support member. The support member includes a front piece and a rear piece configured to form two channels that oppose one another and form an interior angle of less than 180 degrees. The steps are each pivotally secured to the support member within one of respective said opposing channels such that each of said steps oppose one another and form an angle equal to said interior angle. The steps are independently rotatable from a vertical (or storage) position to a horizontal (or operational) position. The steps include a stepping surface and are secured to said support member such that respective stepping surfaces are coplanar when both steps are in the horizontal position. The modular tree climbing ladder can further include a securing belt mounting bracket that is secured to the support member.

Abstract: Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can rotate from a transport configuration to an operable configuration. The platform in the operable configuration is approximately perpendicular to the support post. The platform has a tree contact point positioned above a plane of the platform when the platform is in the horizontal position. The platform can comprise a plurality of hexagons with groups of three hexagons intersecting at a point and forming a honeycomb pattern defining a top standing surface on which a hunter can stand. The contact point is configured to create an over-center locking action. The tree stand can also include a stackable ladder coupled to the platform.

Abstract: Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can comprise a plurality interconnected polygonal shapes defining a top standing surface. The platform can be a grating that has load bearing properties and that can be cast from a mold. The platform includes a perimeter wall, a surface portion, and one or more reinforcement walls. A height or thickness of the surface portion is less than a height or thickness of the perimeter wall and/or the reinforcement walls.