Abstract: A rear vehicle frame is formed by placing a plurality of sheet members in a die in a press. At least some of the sheet members partially overlap other of the members. The press is then closed, thereby interlocking the members to form a rear vehicle frame having first and second siderails and at least one crossmember extending between the siderails. The method may include other steps and/or features. After the step of forming a rear vehicle frame, the respective rear siderails may be attached to first and second front siderails. The first and second siderails may overlap a portion of the first and second front rails, at least one of the first and second front rails comprising a scallop at the overlapped portion. The front siderails may each have an upper front siderail and a lower front side rail. There may be a step in between the center siderails and the lower front siderails. At least one of the upper front siderails has a scallop at one edge.

Abstract: A method of connecting elements in a vehicle frame includes fixing the elements in a desired orientation, positioning dies to surround a portion of each element, and introducing material into the die cavity thereby casting a node around the elements.

Abstract: A method for forming a structural member, the method comprising the steps of placing a first sheet member having a length dimension greater than a width dimension in a press, placing a second sheet member having a length dimension greater than a width dimension in the press, the second member only partially overlapping the first member, the first member only partially overlapping the second member, and the direction of the length dimension of the second member being angled relative to the direction of the length dimension of the first member, and closing the press to shape the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A method for forming a structural member, the method comprising the steps of placing a first sheet member having a length dimension greater than a width dimension in a press, placing a second sheet member having a length dimension greater than a width dimension in the press, the second member only partially overlapping the first member, the first member only partially overlapping the second member, and the direction of the length dimension of the second member being angled relative to the direction of the length dimension of the first member, and closing the press to shape the first member and the second member.

Abstract: In a front wheel drive vehicle, a rear suspension system is provided for non-driven non-steered rear wheels. A twist beam axle extends along a transverse horizontal line between the rear wheels, and a pair of coil springs extend along respective spaced parallel axes intersecting the noted transverse horizontal line. A stabilizer torsion bar extends along the transverse horizontal line of the twist beam axle. Each spring seat assembly is attached between its respective wheel spindle mounting plate and the twist beam axle such that the wheel spindle mounting plate is spaced outwardly of the twist beam axle. The stabilizer torsion bar extends between the spring seat assemblies and is attached to each at a point spaced inwardly of the respective wheel spindle mounting plate and inboard of the respective coil spring. Upper and lower mating shell structure is provided for the spring seat assemblies, including an upper surface with an opening therein through which the respective coil spring extends.

Abstract: An adjustable over-the-top agitator for a liquid manure tank. To periodically break up the crust on liquid manure stored in an open top tank, the liquid manure is withdrawn from the bottom of the tank and is discharged through a nozzle on the end of an external delivery pipe into contact with the crust. The upper end of the delivery pipe is connected by a swivel coupling to a vertical end of a connecting pipe, while the opposite horizontal end of the connecting pipe is connected by a second swivel coupling to the discharge nozzle. By rotating the connecting pipe about the axis of the delivery pipe, the nozzle can be moved in a horizontal path, while swiveling the discharge nozzle about the horizontal end of the connecting pipe moves the nozzle in a vertical arc. A torsion spring is associated with the second swivel coupling to bias the discharge nozzle to a horizontal position.

Abstract: An apparatus for agitating and pumping a liquid slurry, such as liquid manure slurry. The apparatus includes a pump which is adapted to be positioned within the lower end of a pit that contains the slurry, and the pump is operably connected to a motor which is located above the pit. The motor-pump unit is mounted for sliding vertical movement on a fixed column and can also be rotated horizontally relative to the column to vary the position of the outlet of the pump during agitation of the slurry. The apparatus also includes a means for tilting the motor-pump unit with respect to the fixed column. When the pump is raised to a location adjacent the top of the pit, the motor-pump unit can be tilted in a vertical plane to move the pump out of the pit to a position where it can be repaired or maintained.

Abstract: A chopper pump for pumping and chopping a slurry which contains fibrous material. The pump includes a housing having a bottom inlet and a tangential outlet. A single vane impeller is mounted for rotation within the housing and a generally square cutter blade is mounted on the vane and rotates in proximity with fixed cutter teeth on the housing to thereby comminute solid materials. Extending downwardly from the vane of the impeller through the inlet opening is a generally curved fin or blade that is concentric with the axis of rotation of the impeller and has a sharpened leading diagonal edge adapted to cut stringy fibrous material.