Abstract: A protection system for a work vehicle includes a rear portion configured to couple to a chassis of the work vehicle and a top portion configured to couple to a cab of the work vehicle. The top portion is also configured so that at least part of the top portion is positioned above the cab of the work vehicle relative to a ground surface. In addition, a first height of a maximum vertical extent of the top portion relative to the ground surface is substantially equal to a second height of a maximum vertical extent of the rear portion relative to the ground surface. Further, the rear portion and the top portion are separated from one another while the rear portion is coupled to the chassis and the top portion is coupled to the cab.

Abstract: A track system for a work vehicle includes a first sprocket having a first diameter. The first sprocket is configured to be coupled to a drive system of the work vehicle, and the first sprocket is configured to engage a metal track and to drive the metal track in rotation. The track system also includes a second sprocket having a second diameter. The second sprocket is configured to be coupled to the drive system of the work vehicle, and the second sprocket is configured to engage a rubber track and to drive the rubber track in rotation. In addition, the first and second sprockets are configured to engage a mounting system, the mounting system is configured to interchangeably couple the first and second sprockets to the drive system, and the second diameter of the second sprocket is greater than the first diameter of the first sprocket.

Abstract: A track system for a work vehicle includes a first sprocket having a first diameter. The first sprocket is configured to be coupled to a drive system of the work vehicle, and the first sprocket is configured to engage a metal track and to drive the metal track in rotation. The track system also includes a second sprocket having a second diameter. The second sprocket is configured to be coupled to the drive system of the work vehicle, and the second sprocket is configured to engage a rubber track and to drive the rubber track in rotation. In addition, the first and second sprockets are configured to engage a mounting system, the mounting system is configured to interchangeably couple the first and second sprockets to the drive system, and the second diameter of the second sprocket is greater than the first diameter of the first sprocket.

Abstract: A protection system for a work vehicle includes a rear portion configured to couple to a chassis of the work vehicle and a top portion configured to couple to a cab of the work vehicle. The top portion is also configured so that at least part of the top portion is positioned above the cab of the work vehicle relative to a ground surface. In addition, a first height of a maximum vertical extent of the top portion relative to the ground surface is substantially equal to a second height of a maximum vertical extent of the rear portion relative to the ground surface. Further, the rear portion and the top portion are separated from one another while the rear portion is coupled to the chassis and the top portion is coupled to the cab.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame including generally upwardly extending laterally spaced side members. A boom structure includes a pair of arms pivotably connecting the boom structure to the frame. A pressurized fluid system is operably associated with the boom structure for raising and lowering jointly each of the arms along a path of travel adjacent a corresponding side member. A stop member selectably extends outwardly from at least one of the side members between a locking position and a retracted position, the locking position extending at least a portion of the stop member into the path of travel of a corresponding arm of the boom structure to prevent a lowering movement of the boom structure beyond a predetermined height. A boom lock system prevents the fluid system from applying a fluid force to lower the boom structure when the stop member is in the locking position.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame including generally upwardly extending laterally spaced side members. A boom structure includes a pair of arms pivotably connecting the boom structure to the frame. A pressurized fluid system is operably associated with the boom structure for raising and lowering jointly each of the arms along a path of travel adjacent a corresponding side member. A stop member selectably extends outwardly from at least one of the side members between a locking position and a retracted position, the locking position extending at least a portion of the stop member into the path of travel of a corresponding arm of the boom structure to prevent a lowering movement of the boom structure beyond a predetermined height. A boom lock system prevents the fluid system from applying a fluid force to lower the boom structure when the stop member is in the locking position.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus, useful with a vibrated plow, cable layer or the like, includes a housing and a shaft mounted to the housing for rotation about a shaft axis. Counterrevolving first and second eccentric weights are supported by the shaft for rotation about such axis. A drive gear is fixed with respect to the shaft and another drive gear is fixed with respect to the second weight. A transition gear engages both drive gears for counter-rotation of the weights about the same axis of rotation. Most preferably, the weights are configured to “interdigitate” as the shaft and weights rotate. That is, as the weights rotate in opposite directions, the first weight passes through a cavity in the second weight. The drive gears and the transition gear are preferably bevel gears and form what might be termed a differential gear set.

Abstract: Plumbing assembly to route plumbing between two chambers such as between two compartments of a piece of machinery or equipment. The plumbing assembly comprises a plumbing component, a plate member through which the plumbing component is routed, and a fastener for securing the plumbing component. The plumbing component has an outer cross-sectional shape, and the plumbing component can have two portions, one portion being angled or curved from the other. Examples of plumbing components that can be used with the plumbing assembly of the invention are pipes, hoses, and tubes for conveying fluids, either liquid or gas. The plate member has a hole defined therethrough to receive the plumbing component. The hole is shaped to engage the outer cross-section of the plumbing component to prevent rotation of the plumbing component within the hole. The fastener prevents axial movement of the plumbing component within the hole.

Abstract: An off-highway loading vehicle having a frame, a cab, and a linkage arrangement for operably attaching a work implement to the frame is disclosed. The loading vehicle includes a pair of spaced apart lift arms having a rear end portion pivotally connected to the frame and a forward end portion pivotally connected to the work implement. A lowermost edge of a forward section of the lift arms angles downwardly from a lowermost edge of a rearward section thereof. Thus, the lift arms avoid contact with the frame when in a lowered position to place the work implement adjacent a front end of the frame. In addition, a lifting device acts between the frame and the lift arms to move the lift arms between the lowered position and a raised position.

Abstract: A lift boom assembly including a pair of laterally spaced interconnected lift arms having a tool mounted between forward ends thereof. Each lift arm includes a main lift link having upper and lower connecting portions at a rear end thereof. A second lift link is pivotally connected to the upper connecting portion of the main lift link and partially controls movements of the respective lift arm. The opposite end of each second lift link is pivotally connected to a frame of a machine on which the lift assembly is mounted. Movement of the lift arms is further controlled by a pair of control arms. A lower end of each control arm is pivotally connected to the frame. When the boom assembly is in a lowered position relative to the frame, a second or upper end of each control arm extends upwardly and rearwardly from the lower end and is pivotally connected to the lower connecting portion of the respective main lift link.

Abstract: A control system including interfaced hand and foot control assemblies for independently conditioning an off-highway implement by selectively positioning a regulator thereof relative a neutral position. The hand and foot control assemblies utilize a common force transfer mechanism in the form of a push/pull cable for moving and positioning the regulator. The foot control assembly includes a self-centered foot pedal and linkages for arranging the push/pull cable relative to the regulator in a manner inhibiting binding forces from being imparted to the cable. The hand control assembly requires independent movement of a control lever in two different planes to shift the hand control assembly from a neutral condition. Moreover, the hand control assembly is isolated from spring forces acting to self center the foot pedal and thus requires low operator efforts to adjust the position of the regulator. The control system of the present invention further includes a mechanism for governing operation of the regulator.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a dozer blade for vertical and angular movement relative to a frame of a wheeled implement. The mounting apparatus a mounting mechanism which allows the dozer blade to be mounted close to the wheels to either end of the implement and which permits angular movement of the blade about a generally vertical axis and vertical movement of the dozer blade about a generally horizontal axis. The mounting apparatus further includes a linearly distendable driver which extends laterally across the frame of the implement and a linkage mechanism which improves angling moments and maximizes the driving force imparted to the blade upon extension of the driver. The linearly distendable driver and linkage mechanism operate in combination and in a closely confined area adjacent to the implement frame for effecting extended angular movement of the dozer blade.

Abstract: A device for closing an ignition-enablement switch only if a drive control is in neutral position includes a stop member, a switch mount and a closing member each biased toward its position of engagement with the stop member and movable to positions displaced therefrom, the switch mount having the switch on it such that it is closed by the closing member only when the closing member and switch mount are both in their stop-engaging positions, and an actuator mechanism movable with the drive control between positions displacing the closing member and positions displacing the switch mount, through a position displacing neither. The device may be integrated with the drive control, with major parts pivotable about the control axis. Or the device may be attached to the drive control by a link arm, with major parts pivotable about a separate axis.