Abstract: Nitrogen fruit freezing apparatus includes a conveyor on which fruit passes beneath a spray of liquid nitrogen, and the liquid nitrogen falls downwardly, gasifies, and flows to a chiller unit where the gas is used to cool water. The water cooled by the nitrogen gas is sprayed onto the fruit before the fruit is conveyed to the liquid nitrogen freezing area and is sprayed onto the fruit to glaze the fruit after the fruit is frozen. The cooled water may also be used for cooling a room or a building, etc. The nitrogen gas is exhausted to the atmosphere from the water chiller unit.

Abstract: Pneumatically actuated horizontal drilling apparatus includes a base frame with a plurality of horizontally extending drills adjustably secured thereto, and the base frame and the drills are pneumatically actuated on a selective basis. Horizontal movement of the apparatus is accomplished by a pneumatic motor, and movement of the drills, both outward from the apparatus for drilling, and inward from the work for retraction, as well as rotation of the drills themselves, is also accomplished pneumatically and selectively. The drill apparatus is maintained at a predetermined distance from the work while drilling operations are taking place and while horizontal movement of the apparatus is taking place by means of canted wheels rotating in the vertical plane and by horizontally rotating wheels disposed against the work to be drilled.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting an axle to a vehicle, and including a power output shaft drivingly coupled with a generally cylindrical coupler which is drivingly coupled with a first sleeve. A first axle is coupled for rotation with the first sleeve, and a first ground engaging wheel is coupled for rotation with the first axle and is thereby operatively driven by the output shaft. A first axle housing rotatably supporting the first axle is generally rigidly and releasably fixed to the frame of the vehicle. A first sprocket is fixed for rotation with the first sleeve, and a chain operatively extends between the first sprocket and a second sprocket which is fixed for rotation with a second sleeve. The second sleeve is operatively coupled with a second axle rotatably supported by a second axle housing, and therefore a second ground engaging wheel is driven with the first ground engaging wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle brake mechanism having a foot pedal and hand lever brake controls engagable by the operator and coupled with a generally transversely extending shaft pivotable in response to the operator engaging the brake controls, left and right linkages coupled between respective vehicle brakes and the transverse shaft, and shiftable generally with the transverse shaft for applying respective vehicle brakes. Left and right equalizer mechanisms are coupled between the transverse shaft and respective linkages for generally equalizing and balancing the forces applied to each vehicle brake. The linkages include a rod.

Abstract: Pneumatically actuated horizontal drilling apparatus includes a base frame with a plurality of horizontally extending drills adjustably secured thereto, and the base frame and the drills are pneumatically actuated on a selective basis. Horizontal movement of the apparatus is accomplished by a pneumatic motor, and movement of the drills, both outward from the apparatus for drilling, and inward from the work for retraction, as well as rotation of the drills themselves, is also accomplished pneumatically and selectively. The drill apparatus is maintained at a predetermined distance from the work while drilling operations are taking place and while horizontal movement of the apparatus is taking place by means of canted wheels rotating in the vertical plane and by horizontally rotating wheels disposed against the work to be drilled.

Abstract: Lift structure particularly useful with front mounted implements for providing both lift and weight transfer functions from a single valve. The valve acts as an adjustable bleeder for the lift cylinder and includes a control knob which is movable both axially and rotationally to respectively provide lift and adjustable flotation. The valve is normally biased to an adjustable orifice position for operating the implement in a lowered, flotation position. To momentarily lift the implement, the operator moves the control knob against the bias to direct flow to the lift cylinder thereby raising the implement off the ground. When the operator releases the valve, it automatically returns to the preset orifice position to provide the desired flotation.

Abstract: A tractor includes: (a) a one piece frame having opposite ends defined by respective members adapted for receiving ballast with the rear member including a hitch located below any mounted ballast, (b) a dual screen filtering arrangement located upstream of a radiator and an engine combustion air inlet, (c) an implement lift system including a main spring lift assist which is locked out when the implement is lowered and an auxiliary lift assist for increasing the lift assist for front-mounted implements but is mounted so as to join the main lifts assist to produce a near constant lift force during lifting the implement while producing a minimal lift force when the implement is completely lowered (d) short and long effective lengths of a steering pitman arm may be selected, for respectively minimizing steering effort or maximizing responsiveness, by respectively connecting a mounting point closest to or a mounting point farthest from a pivot axis of the arm to a drag link, (e) a steering wheel is tiltable toget

Abstract: Lift structure particularly useful with front mounted implements for providing both lift and weight transfer functions from a single valve. The valve acts as an adjustable bleeder for the lift cylinder and includes a control knob which is movable both axially and rotationally to respectively provide lift and adjustable flotation. The valve is normally biased to an adjustable orifice position for operating the implement in a lowered, flotation position. To momentarily lift the implement, the operator moves the control knob against the bias to direct flow to the lift cylinder thereby raising the implement off the ground. When the operator releases the valve, it automatically returns to the preset orifice position to provide the desired flotation.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the ground speed and enhancing the maneuverability of an off-road vehicle having systems for initially establishing and thereafter automatically returning the hydrostatic transmission to the neutral position, a pedal system interconnected with the neutral location and return system for selectively driving the vehicle in either the forward or the reverse direction, a brake system consisting of a left foot operated left and right turn brake subsystem which enhances the vehicle maneuverability, a right foot operated master brake system which is used to bring the vehicle to a complete hault and for emergencies, and a park brake system which is used to lock the brakes when the vehicle is at rest, a cruise control system which is interconnected with the pedal system and the brake system.

Abstract: Drill steel or bit apparatus includes a primary drill bit having a base and a stem, a drill tip, and a bore extending longitudinally through the base, the stem, and the tip, and a pilot drill bit having a base and a stem, and a tip, and the stem and the tip extend through the longitudinal bore in the primary drill bit. The pilot drill bit includes a longitudinally extending bore through which compressed air flows. The base of the pilot drill bit is impacted by a drill piston and the base of the pilot drill bit in turn impacts the primary drill bit. Drilling is accomplished by the tips of both the pilot drill and the primary drill bit.

Abstract: Pulsation dampener apparatus includes a cylindrical housing having three baffles dividing the interior of the housing into four chambers. A conduit within the apparatus connects the top and bottom chambers, and a second conduit connects the second, third, and fourth chambers. Pressurized air for operating a pneumatic tool, such as a drill or the like, is connected to the top chamber from a main air line or manifold. The pressurized air flows from the bottom chamber directly to the tool. Back pressure pulsations caused by the tool, are dampened within the second and third chambers of the cylinder so that the pulsations are not fed back into the main air line or manifold, where they may cause problems with other pneumatic tools connected to the main air line or manifold.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the ground speed and enhancing the maneuverability of an off-road vehicle having systems for initially establishing and thereafter automatically returning the hydrostatic transmission to the neutral position, a pedal system interconnected with the neutral location and return system for selectively driving the vehicle in either the forward or the reverse direction, a brake system consisting of a left foot operated left and right turn brake subsystem which enhances the vehicle's maneuverability, a right foot operated master brake system which is used to bring the vehicle to a complete halt and for emergencies, and a park brake system which is used to lock the brakes when the vehicle is at rest, a cruise control system which is interconnected with the pedal system and the brake system.

Abstract: Air motivated apparatus for proving the integrity of a conduit includes a flexible cone of substantially the same diameter as the conduit which it is to prove secured to a flexible mandrel having a plurality of elements of different sizes, each element of which has a diameter at least slightly less than the diameter of the conduit, and a cap to seal the conduit and through which air is introduced to move the cone and its mandrel through the conduit. A flexible element, such as cable or rope, is secured to the mandrel and extends through the cap. The cable is used to retrieve the cone and the mandrel or to pull other objects, such as wires, etc., through the conduit.

Abstract: A control lever communicates with a plurality of additional levers and an electrical circuit. A PTO brake and electric clutch are responsive to the control lever and circuit for engagement and disengagement. The linkage system includes an electrically responsive inductor and magnetically responsive plate. When the PTO brake is disengaged and the clutch is engaged, the electrical circuit supplies current to the inductor which creates a magnetic field to capture the plate holding the brake and clutch in their respective modes. Upon actuation of the control lever or full application of an associated vehicle's wheel brakes, the circuit is disrupted to the inductor allowing a spring to act upon the linkage assembly to engage the PTO brake and causing the PTO clutch to be disengaged.

Abstract: Apparatus for drilling horizontal holes includes a frame for holding a drill, and the frame is supported by a single wheel adjacent to the drill and dual wheels at the opposite end of the frame from the drill. A cable system is utilized for moving the drill inwardly toward the work and outwardly away from the work by a single operator. A single operator can also move the frame as required at the work site. Multiple drills may also be secured to the frame, so that a plurality of holes may be drilled substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: Apparatus for squeezing off pipe and then for rerounding the squeezed off pipe includes a frame having a fixed portion and a movable portion which utilize a pair of pins for squeezing off the pipe. A pair of rerounding fixtures are placed on the pins for rerounding the squeezed-off pipe. Both plastic and metal pipe may be squeezed off and rerounded with the apparatus. Hydraulic pressure is used for both the squeezing off and the rerounding forces.

Abstract: A combined clutch and brake control is provided for a lawn and garden tractor of the type including a traction drive transmission, formed in part by an infinitely variable pulley, and including a traction drive brake. The control includes a clutch brake pedal adapted for connection to the infinitely variable pulley and to the brake and operable when depressed to act on the pulley to sequentially reduce the transmission speed to zero and then apply the brake; and includes a brake pedal coupled to the brake and operable to apply the brake to prevent rolling during hillside operation when the clutch-brake pedal is being depressed through a neutral range or zone located between clutching or speed reducing and braking ranges. An adjustable spring is connected to the brake for limiting the amount of force applied thereto via operation of the clutch-brake and brake pedals.