Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled device comprises a main frame including a base portion and a handle portion; a pair of wheels secured to the base portion for engaging the ground surface; an engine mounted on the base portion; a hydraulic pump carried by the base portion and operably connected to the engine; a first hydraulic motor directly coupled to the wheels and operably connected to the hydraulic pump; an attachment secured to the base portion; a second hydraulic motor directly coupled to the attachment and operably connected to the hydraulic pump; and first and second valves for controlling the first and second hydraulic motors, respectively. Each of the first and second valves has a bypass position whereby hydraulic fluid bypasses the first and second hydraulic motors. First and second handgrips are provided for operating the first and second valves, respectively.

Abstract: A mounting and stand system for a bucket brush sweeper that will allow the sweeper to be easily attached or removed from a bucket assembly. After the sweeper is detached from the bucket the brush may then stand alone on stands to allow the bucket to be used alone in a normal fashion unrestricted by the sweeper. The brush may later be easily reattached to the bucket and the stands may be stored for sweeping operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from the ground includes a frame adapted for movement along the ground, a hopper mounted at one end of the frame; and a collector assembly supported on the frame. The collector assembly includes a pair of rollers having a plurality of flexible fingers disposed radially on the periphery thereof, the rollers being substantially parallel to each other and disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to the ground. The rollers are arranged so that the fingers on one of the pair of rollers intermesh with the fingers of the other of the pair of rollers so as to be able to lift litter between them. The apparatus further includes a device for conveying litter lifted by the pair of rollers to the hopper.

Abstract: A rotary broom is mounted on the front of a vehicle, such as a tractor. The broom can be pivotally raised and lowered as well as pivoted sideways. The broom is rotatably mounted in bearing blocks which are removably supported by a generally C-shaped frame so that the broom can be removed easily for repair or replacement. A hinged hood is located above the broom and can be open for easy access to the broom. The broom is rotated by a central drive located in a middle portion of the broom so that no drive components extend beyond the sides of the frame, to eliminate interference with curbs and the like. The bearing blocks are mounted on extensions below the frame also to reduce possible interference. The broom assembly also has a hydraulic ram with a floating piston which enables the broom to contact the surface being cleaned with less pressure, causing substantially less wear on the broom bristles.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from the ground includes a frame adapted for movement along the ground, a hopper mounted at one end of the frame; and a collector assembly supported on the frame. The collector assembly includes a pair of rollers having a plurality of flexible fingers disposed radially on the periphery thereof, the rollers being substantially parallel to each other and disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to the ground. The rollers are arranged so that the fingers on one of the pair of rollers intermesh with the fingers of the other of the pair of rollers so as to be able to lift litter between them. The apparatus further includes a device for conveying litter lifted by the pair of rollers to the hopper.

Abstract: A quick coupler for mounting a variety of implements to a vehicle, such as a lawn and garden tractor, is provided. The coupler easily mounts on the vehicle and receives powered or non-powered implements. The coupler includes pivot structure and hydraulic actuators to allow it swinging movement about a horizontal axis or the implement angling movement about a vertical axis. Interference between the coupler structure and drive line of the vehicle is eliminated as the coupler or implement is swung about their respective axes by positioning the angling cylinder below the PTO drive line and locating it between two coupler frame plates.

Abstract: Apparatus reconditioning artificial turf surfaces by scarifying or brushing. Scarifying rods (13) and cleaning brushes (14) are mounted to a rotary work head (31) inside a wheeled housing which is pushed over the artificial turf surface as the work head rotates against the direction of movement to lift compacted blades above their sand bed and clean them of slime coatings.

Abstract: A self-propelled tractor is operative through a gear drive to effect rotation of a cylindrical broom member mounted forwardly of the associated tractor. The broom member is selectively rotatable through a linkage assembly mounted to the broom and to the tractor. Rotation of the broom effects sweeping of debris and leaves relative to a lawn. Cleaning rods are directed into the broom and reciprocatable relative to the broom to effect cleaning of the bristles during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soil working device, comprising a substantially cylindrical soil working member, which is mounted between two main supporting arms for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and is axially composed of a number of sections which are mutually connected and connected with two shaft end sections journalled in said main supporting arms respectively through couplings of the universal type, the coupling between each two sections being supported by an auxiliary supporting arm which extends into the travelling direction and pivotally engages a connecting bar extending between said main supporting arms parallel to and in front of said soil working member.

Abstract: A sweeping machine which includes a debris collection hopper and filter assembly which is readily attached to the lift bars of a conventional forklift so as to be manipulated both horizontally and vertically by the forklift and which is mounted thereto so as to float relative to the forklift in order to follow the contour of the surface being swept.

Abstract: A leaf sweeper having a sweeper portion including engine driven, flexible, rotary tines mounted on an engine support frame pivotally connected about a vertical axis to a wheeled main frame. A steering linkage is connected between the engine support frame and wheeled main frame for moving the sweeper portion about the vertical axis through an arc on either side of the longitudinal axis of the wheeled main frame, and a locking control mechanism is connected between the steering linkage and the wheeled main frame for holding the sweeper portion in a selected position relative to the longitudinal axis of the wheeled main frame.

Abstract: A snowplow leveling system is described for use on a standard plow mounting structure having a reversing table mounted to a plow blade system and rotatably mounted on a support frame. The support frame is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis onto a motor vehicle which has an elevatable lifting point. The snowplow leveling device is mounted on the support bar of the reversing table. The leveling device may include two slider mechanisms mounted on support tracks located on opposite ends of the support frame of the reversing table. Positioning struts hingedly connect the slider mechanisms to the support frame. Additionally, a lifting chain connected at each end to the slidable mechanisms and in the middle to a lifting hitch attached to the support frame aids in maintaining the leveling position of the snowplow system of the present invention.

Abstract: A sweeper includes a support structure having parallel arms which may be moved apart to allow a brush held between the arms to be replaced. Each of the arms has a hub mounted thereon by a universal joint which provides automatic alignment of the two hubs to provide a single axis of rotation for the brush. One of the hubs is connected to a hydraulic drive motor and includes a plurality of slots, one of which receives a drive lug on the interior of the brush which is preferably of the type having a core of a thin metal tube. A raising and lowering mechanism comprises a parallelogram having a hydraulic cylinder in the center for controlling the configuration of the parallelogram. As the brush is raised its support mechanism remains parallel to the vehicle and moves closer to it. A unique stop element is mounted to the hydraulic cylinder to provide a minimum height for the sweeper.

Abstract: A snow sweeper roller is mountable on a streetcleaning vehicle so that it is suspended and is vertically swingable and rotatable about a horizontal longitudinal shaft capable of being set oblique to the lengthwise direction of the vehicle on its under side. To avoid damage to a curb-end bearing of the sweeper roller, the bearing is provided with a guard on the outside of which has a forward cone converging towards the axis of the bearing shaft. The guard is mounted centrically rotatable on a cover of the bearing of the sweeper roller.

Abstract: A power driven driveway scrubbing apparatus formed from the following major components: an outer base housing, an inner base housing, and a push handle assembly. A pair of laterally spaced front wheels are mounted on a front axle that passes through said inner base housing. The rear wheels are mounted on separate rear axles that merely extend laterally from the outer base housing. The inner base housing has a top wall, front wall, rear wall, and laterally space side walls. Its side walls have apertures adjacent the front end of the respective side walls through which the front axle passes thereby allowing the inner base housing to be pivoted about the front axle. A cylindrical brush member extends laterally within the inner base housing and it is mounted on a shaft having its opposite ends connected to the respective side walls of the inner base housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for working the surfaces (4) of traffic areas (5) comprises a oll (16) rotatably drivable about a substantially horizontally extending axis (17), this roll carrying along its periphery working elements acting on the surface (4) to be treated. The roll (16) is supported with respect to the frame (1) of the apparatus by adjustable servo members (21) and is additionally tiltable about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation (17) of the roll (16) and is oriented essentially horizontally. Furthermore, a rotary brush (101) is disclosed for the working of traffic areas and for removing layers from the surface, exhibiting a brush core (102) with working elements attached to the latter.

Abstract: An improved sweeping machine. The machine includes a main frame. A plurality of ground engaging wheels are mounted on the frame. A cylindrical brush is rotatably carried in a support assembly. A pair of elongate linkage members pivotally interconnect the support assembly and the main frame. One of the elongate linkage members is connected to the main frame and brush support assembly at pivot points having a greater elevation than the pivot points of the other linkage member. The sweeping machine of the invention permits the brush to initially rebound away from the ground when the brush begins to rotate.

Abstract: The sweeping roller of a sweeping machine is held on the ground in sweeping operation by two hydraulic cylinders in such a manner that the degree of wear is small. For this purpose in each cylinder a static and different holding pressure must be set. The higher pressure is set at a pressure-limiting valve and the lower pressure at the series circuit parallel thereto of a nozzle with an adjustable throttle.

Abstract: A snow-sweeping roller for replaceable attachment to a utility road vehicle (1) having brush-equipped roller (4) rotatably affixed at the underside of the vehicle. To achieve low-wear operation of the sweeper roller (4) and simultaneously low energy consumption, a control device is provided for adjusting and changing roller rpm in accordance with the following factors:(a) The circumferential speed (w) of the roller changes in proportion to vehicle speed (f);(b) The circumferential speed (w) of the roller has a ratio to the vehicle speed (f) that ranges from unity to two; and(c) A minimum value of the circumferential speed (w-min) of the roller is established for when the vehicle is moving slowly or is stationary.

Abstract: Several holding members (1) are arranged over the outer surface of the br core in radial and axial distribution for working elements (2) of roller brushes to treat traffic areas, especially in order to remove, for the surface of the latter, coatings such as dirt, snow, ice, paint, abraded rubber, or the like, and the working elements (2) are retained so that they are pivotably movable with respect to the brush core about axes in parallel to the axis of rotation of the brush, the working elements (2) being attached to the holding members (1) in the zone of a radially outwardly located head (3) of the holding member (1).

Abstract: The sweeping brush of the machine is composed of two or more parts in order to maintain a constant pressure of the sweeping brush against the ground, to achieve faster clearance of the snow, and to avoid downtime for adjustments. These brush parts are swivellable relative to one another in a vertical plane. The common raising and lowering movement of the individual parts is controlled by a cylinder-piston unit, and the piston acting upon the brush parts is always impinged upon by a pressure opposite to the direction of movement. The individual brush parts may be connected to one another by torsion bars.

Abstract: A rotary broom attachment for a motor grader, which has a mold board and structure to adjust the mold board for vertical elevation, side shift and rotary position about vertical and horizontal axes, is mounted behind and parallel to the mold board and has independent adjustment and control structure for positioning, and side shifting, if desired, of the broom relative to the mold board. Sensors are used to signal automatic shifting of the broom vertically or in side shift to avoid interference with the motor grader structure as well as obstacles in the path of the broom. The downward pressure of the broom is controlled by the proportional lift applied thereto by a hydraulic lift mechanism.

Abstract: This invention is an adjustable height hitching device adapted to connect a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. The invention consists of a tow bar pivoted upon an attaching element which is coupled to the towed vehicle. The end height of the tow bar can be varied by a turnbuckle movably coupled between the tow bar and the attaching element. The height of the coupling portion of the tow bar can be adjusted to the height of the coupling on the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A street sweeping vehicle has a motor and drive system for propelling it forward. It also has several auxiliary devices including a main broom, a gutter broom, and a debris elevating system, each of which is powered by a separate hydraulic motor. Each hydraulic motor receives its energy from a pump that is in turn driven by a main motor of the vehicle. In each auxiliary device, the separate hydraulic motor which powers that device is so positioned as to operate effectively while permitting necessary position adjustments of the driven mechanism to take place and also minimizing wear and tear on the mechanism.

Abstract: A rotary broom for street sweepers and the like includes a central core. A coiled sweeping brush means has one end affixed to the core and is helically wound around the core. The turns of the brush means are free to move on the core and the winding direction of the brush means is coordinated with the direction of rotation of the broom so that rotation of the broom on the street produces a circumferential movement of the brush means about the core which tightens the brush means on the core. The brush means may comprise a first coiled sweeping brush with one end affixed to the core and helically wound around the core in a first winding direction, typically toward the center of the core. A second coiled sweeping brush has one end affixed to the core and is wound in the opposite direction of winding toward the center of the core. The inner ends of the brushes may be coupled to a clip which permits the slack removing, circumferential movement about the core while restraining the ends for other movements together.

Abstract: A board brush apparatus for use on a self-propelled ice-resurfacing machine of the type having a frame supporting apparatus for shaving the surface of the ice and removing the shavings, and including a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The apparatus includes a mounting bracket that is adapted to be attached to the frame on one side of the machine, and swingably connected to this frame is an arm having a motor-driven rotary brush at the outer end thereof. The arm is swingable between a laterally extending operational position and a retracted position, and is moved from one position to the other by a hydraulic cylinder which is attached at one end to the bracket. The piston rod projecting from the other end of the cylinder is connected to the arm through an intermediate shock absorber.

Abstract: A windrowing machine for moving rollable articles such as citrus fruit transversely into a windrow. The machine includes a mobile chassis that is moved parallel to rows of trees and includes a pair of generally horizontal wings movable between a stowed position parallel to the path of movement of the vehicle and a plurality of windrowing positions projecting transversely outward of the chassis to accommodate different tree row spacings. A plurality of full floating, generally horizontal windrowing wheel and tire assemblies are pivotally supported by the wings and are driven through universal joint connections to follow the contour of the ground while moving the articles progressively inward from the outermost wheel to the innermost wheel to form the articles into a windrow. At least one driven windrowing brush is pivotally mounted on the outer end of each wing in position to remove the articles from the tree row centerline and direct them inwardly for acceptance by the wheel and tire assemblies.

Abstract: an improved belt loader of the type used to remove debris from a roadway includes an angled sweeping assembly comprising a pair of overlapping power driven rotary brushes with the downstream end of the lead brush overlapping the upstream end of the trailing brush so that the debris swept by both brushes is moved across the assembly and deposited by the side of the roadway.