Abstract: An excavator drive system wherein one of a pair of propulsion motors shares one of a pair of inverter power sources with another of a pair of motors dedicated to crowd and hoist motions. A pair of non-volatile bi-state switches, triggered under control of a controller, allow sharing of inverters between hoist and propel 1 motors. Another pair of switches allows inverter sharing between propel 2 and crowd motors. Each pair of switches enables change over and power transfer from one of the paired motors to the other motor. The bi-state switches enable quicker transfer of power between motors than transfer switches employing external motor-powered mechanical transfer linkages. Bi-state transfer switches also maintain transfer coupling status in the event of power failure to the switch actuators, allowing an excavator operator to continue the drive function in operation prior to the switch power failure.

Abstract: A box scraper attachment is provided for mounting on the boom arms of a skid-steer vehicle or the like. The box scraper attachment includes a main frame having castor wheel assemblies mounted at the forward end thereof. A box scraper is selectively vertically movably secured to the main frame and is selectively pivotally movably secured to the main frame.

Abstract: A circle drawbar assembly uses a series of hydraulic cylinders disposed within the circle member and attached to the drawbar frame to rotate the circle member. These cylinders can also be used to lock the circle member in a desired position. The cylinders preferably are secured to the drawbar frame at a position close to but offset from the axis of rotation of the circle member. The cylinders rotate with rotation of the circle member.

Abstract: A grader vehicle has a vehicle body mounted on two drive tracks. A boom is mounted on the front of the vehicle and extends to the front of the body. A third drive track is mounted on the leading end of the boom by a steering mechanism for rotation about an upright steering axis. The three tracks are driven by separate hydraulic motors. The use of a steering, driven track on the boom provides a tractive force pulling the vehicle forwards in the desired direction of travel and positively driving the leading end of the boom in the direction of a turn. The track also provides a degree of packing at the center of the vehicle's path that can not be achieved with a ski gliding on the surface. This is of particular importance when packing ski trails with the vehicle. For grading purposes, the vehicle has a grader blade across the front of the vehicle and a second blade leading the front track.

Abstract: A side wing plow assembly is provided for use on a vehicle, e.g. a grader. It includes an elongated blade, an articulated forward connector assembly for connecting the inner end of the blade to the vehicle and a rear connector assembly for connecting the outer end of the blade to the vehicle rearwardly of the vehicle cab. Hydraulic cylinders tilt the blade and raise and lower the blade and a telescopic arm adjusts the angle of the blade. A shock absorbing linkage also permits the blade to bounce over an obstruction to avoid damage.

Abstract: A scraper apparatus is disposed beneath a truck for moving and scraping materials such as snow and ice. The scraper apparatus includes a moldboard scraper which is disposed beneath the truck for moving and scraping materials. A supporting table is disposed between the scraper and the truck for rotatably supporting the scraper. Also, slidable members extend from the table to the truck for permitting tilting of the table and the scraper secured thereto relative to the truck such that the moving and scraping of the materials is permitted regardless of an angle of the truck relative to a level and disposition of the materials.

Abstract: A grading attachment for loader type utility vehicles is provided. The attachment secures to the front of the loader and has an overarching beam which ends in a set of ground engaging wheels. A drawbar is secured to the front of the beam at a ball and socket joint and movably retained at the back of the beam by a vertical channel so that the drawbar can be readily exchanged for another similar drawbar. The drawbar has a sleeve into which a mounting pin may be secured so as to permit the attaching and detaching of a grading implement.

Abstract: A scraper blade attachment including a blade assembly located between the front and rear wheels of the tractor and supported by forwardly extending rail members swingably coupled to the forward end of a tractor frame. The rail members and the blade assembly are vertically positioned as well as transversely inclined by hydraulic cylinders supported by the tractor frame. Box beam sections of the scraper blade assembly adjustably receive the rail members. Similarly, an anti-sway assembly is also adjustably mounted on the scraper blade assembly and extends rearwardly for pivotal coupling to the tractor frame. A blade swing cylinder is also supported by the anti-sway assembly.

Abstract: An articulating grader comprises a rear driver section which has an engine and hydraulic pump arrangement for driving a pair of wheels on each side. A chassis frame includes lower frame members for supporting a mold board assembly which is controlled and set in angularity and vertical movement but supported from a frame support member on the top by a hydraulic piston and cylinder and guide member arrangement, whereby after adjustment the mold board may be moved upwardly vertically and again moved back down to original position without disturbing the setting. A front articulating frame supports steerable wheels controlled by hydraulic power steering.

Abstract: A tractor grader in which the tractor is lengthened by forwardly spacing the front wheels and having a grader blade mounted between the front and rear wheels. The blade is mounted on a lower turntable and supported adjacent an upper turntable plate by rollers engaging the lower turntable and supported by the upper plate of the turntable. The turntable plate is mounted on a frame universally pivoted at its forward end to the elongated chassis and at its rear by a pair of spaced lift rams.

Abstract: An implement mounting arrangement is disclosed which is operatively associated with a longitudinally oriented main frame of a vehicle such as a motor grader. The implement mounting arrangement includes a base frame assembly having an inner end and an outer end and universally secured at its inner end to the main frame, a pair of actuators interconnected between the main frame and the outer end of the base frame assembly for suspended raising, lowering and tilting thereof, an implement support assembly hingedly mounted on the outer end of the base frame assembly, and a pair of actuators interconnected between the base frame assembly and the implement support assembly for angling it relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor grader comprises a frame having a circle drawbar mounted thereunder. A normally horizontally disposed mold board or blade is attached to the circle drawbar for multi-directional movements relative thereto and relative to the frame of the motor grader. A pair of generally vertically disposed hydraulic cylinders have their rod ends pivotally connected to the circle drawbar and their housings universally connected to a pair of indexing discs rotatably mounted on either side of the frame. A detent is reciprocally mounted on the frame to engage one of a plurality of circularly disposed recesses formed in each indexing disc. A first link is pivotally interconnected between the frame and a second link which is further pivotally connected to the circle drawbar. A cylinder is pivotally interconnected between the circle drawbar and the first link whereby the blade may be side shifted and disposed substantially vertically on either side of the frame.

Abstract: A bracket is carried by the motor grader and has upper and lower slots formed therein to slidably receive an upper and a lower slide surface respectively of a slide rail arrangement which is secured to the back of the moldboard. A hydraulic jack is attached to the bracket and has an extendable and retractable rod which is operatively associated with a clamp device positioned for direct engagement with the upper slide surface for forcing the lower slide surface into rigid clamping engagement with the lower slot in the bracket upon extension of the rod.

Abstract: A grader of the type including a longitudinal overlying boom connecting a front wheel assembly to a rear tractor unit with a blade carrier frame assembly positioned intermediate the front wheels assembly and the tractor unit. This grader is characterized by a boom which is longitudinally adjustable, laterally swingable and mounted over the cab to allow selective adjustment between a maximum effective wheelbase and a minimum turning radius to allow a lower cab and overall profile of the grader, and to provide an increased effective field of vision to the operator and to provide roll-over protection for the operator. This grader also distinctively includes a blade, the carrier frame of which is rearwardly connected to the tractor unit rather than forwardly to the boom, such as to be pushed by the tractor unit instead of being drawn by the boom, to thus allow a boom of lighter construction.