Abstract: A device for compacting surfaces includes a frame and wheels rotatably mounted to the frame. At least one compacting cylinder structure is rotatably mounted to the frame and has an operative position between at least two wheels and the surface to compacted. Structure for driving at least two wheels is provided. The frame is provided in the form of a vehicle whereby the weight of the vehicle and the weight of the driver contribute to compacting the surface. The compacting cylinder comprises disk structures mounted about a central shaft. The disks are secured to an inside surface of a cylindrical sleeve of the compacting cylinder which serves to reduce the inside diameter to a size compatible with a small axle diameter and to provide a cavity to support a bearing assembly. A means for engaging and disengaging the driven wheels and the compacting cylinder is provided.

Abstract: A self-propelled roller drive unit with enclosed power source, motor(s) and transmission(s) coupled to external reaction load such as golf bag frame, wheelchair, industrial transport, personal transport or other drive unit.

Abstract: A vibratory roller having four drums that can be vibrated. The drums are driven individually, and are mounted in pairs in respective supports. One of the supports is attached to a front frame, and the other support is attached to a rear frame. The object of the invention is to improve the steering condition of vibratory rollers, and especially of trench rollers, in such a way that on the one hand changes in direction during normal travel, or small corrections in direction, can be rapidly undertaken without damaging the already compacted surface of the ground, and that on the other hand it is also possible to make sharp changes in direction practically on the spot. Previously known types of steering for vibratory rollers, namely fifth-wheel steering, transfer steering, articulated steering, and panzer steering, do not permit such a diversified steering condition. Pursuant to the invention, the desired steering condition is achieved by interconnecting the front and rear frames via a hinged or swivel coupling.

Abstract: A remote controlled multi-axis all terrain vehicle includes front and rear lugged driving wheels, with front and rear wheels steerable about a vertical axis, and pivotal about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The vcehicle is remotely controlled and includes hydrostatic drive for the wheels of the vehicle. A level control system includes level sensing instruments and controls for automatically leveling the frame of the vehicle for up to thirty-five degree slopes.

Abstract: A novel asphalt compacting machine of the type having a chassis, a drive roller, e.g. at the rear, and a steerable rolling compaction mechanism, e.g., at the front, is provided herein. The improvement resides in a novel front, preferably steerable, rolling compaction mechanism which comprise two longitudinally-spaced-apart tandem rigid drums, preferably free-wheeling, extending across the entire lateral width of the chassis, the drums entraining an elastomeric, e.g. rubber, asphalt-compaction belt therearound. A lower means, e.g. a flat plate, is operatively associated with the rolling compaction mechanism and is disposed between the rigid drums to engage substantially the entire bottom inner surface of the belt between the two rigid drums. In this way substantially the entire outer bottom surface of the belt between rigid drum is urged downwardly into pressure contact with the asphalt being compacted, thereby to provide a flat, pressure-applying surface.

Abstract: In the embodiment disclosed, the invention comprises a single, dual-piston cylinder, operable by hydraulic fluid, interpositioned between a pair of pivotably coupled, vehicular units. The cylinder is pivotably secured to pivot coupling elements which join the units, and each piston has its translating rod pivotably coupled to one of the units. Ports opening into the cylinder admit and discharge operating, pressured, hydraulic fluid (a) to displace the pistons apart, whereby a first crab steering is effected, (b) to move the pistons into mutual proximity, whereby a second, alternate crab steering is affected, (c) to displace the pistons in unison, in a first direction, whereby a left-hand or right-hand steering is effected, or (d) to displace the pistons in unison, in an opposite direction, whereby the opposite-handed steering is effected.

Abstract: An ergonomically advantageous operator's seat and controls arrangement for tandem road rollers comprises on the transverse center line of an operator's platform operator's seats arranged side by side and rotatable about vertical axes. A control stick pivotable in two mutually orthogonal directions is located on the longitudinal center line of the operator's platform in the middle between the operator's seats. Two steering devices are mounted with their steering columns rotatable about a longitudinal, central axis on two opposite transverse sides of the platform. Thus by rotation of the seats through 180.degree., four possible seat positions for the operator are achieved. By pivoting the control stick towards the respective occupied seat and by corresponding rotation of one steering device to in front of this seat, all controls are always within easy reach of the operator.

Abstract: A small roller attached to a conventional power-driven paving roller or the like is hydraulically positionable to roll a surface outside of the normal rolling track of the power roller, such as against a building, high curbing, or the like.

Abstract: An off-the-road vehicle has wheel sets of the same or different forms such as rolls or differentially driven wheels with a hydraulic motor and gear reduction drive for each wheel set. An engine driven variable displacement fluid pump is fed by return lines from the motors, and a fluid control system is provided including a valve associated with each motor and a restricted delivery line from each valve to its associated motor, an unrestricted delivery line from each valve to the other motor, and a restricted line connecting the two motors. Each valve is biased toward a first position by a spring and fluid pressure at the associated motor and has ports connecting the pump and restricted line to the associated motor in a first position, each valve being movable toward a second position by pump output pressure and having parts connecting the pump and the other motor through the unrestricted lines in the second position.

Abstract: A vibrator roller frame for supporting a vibrator roller on a horizontal axis of rotation and for transferring static and dynamic forces, comprises, a closed annular one-piece frame member, preferably made of cast steel, having side, end and corner parts, connected to the vibrator roller and annularly surrounding it. The side, end and corner parts are shaped in accordance with the static or dynamic forces they will receive. The corner parts have inside and outside relatively large radii of curvature and connect the side and end parts. The side and end parts have increasing width from a median axis toward the corner portions.

Abstract: A drive mechanism (10) has a frame (16), a driven member (14) and a first element (20) rotatable relative to the frame (18). A driving element (24) is mounted on and rotatable with the first element (20). Apparatus (34), such as a hydraulic motor (40) and pinion gear (38), engages and rotates the driving element (24). Apparatus (36), such as a brake (42) and pinion gear (44) engages and controllably blocks the driving element (24) from rotation. Final drive apparatus (66) transfers rotational motion from the first element (20) to the driven member (14), which can be, for example, a drum (14) of a compactor inside of which the drive mechanism (10) is located. The orientation of the elements of the drive mechanism (10) reduces its width which frees more area inside the space limited drum (14) and eliminates the need to mount components exteriorly to the drum (14) where they can be damaged.

Abstract: A vibratory road roller has a drum adapted to be vibrated as it rolls along the ground, to this end the drum containing a vibrator device of the type which produces a vibratory effect as a result of rotation of an out-of-balance mass. The vibrator device comprises a casing, fixed to an end plate of the drum, and a rotor which has a fluid-containing cavity with the contained body of fluid contacting a swept internal annular surface of the casing. A piston movable radially in the rotor and/or the body of fluid provides the out-of-balance mass, and the vibratory force is transmitted to the casing and hence to the drum by the fluid pressure acting on the swept annular surface of the casing. The rotor structure itself is mechanically balanced so that substantially no vibratory force is transmitted through the rotor shaft and bearings.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for mounting adjacent the front pressure roller of a vehicle which applys plastic tape to pavement particularly to form highway marking patterns, with a horizontal plate having a slot through which plastic tape is advanced, a plurality of rollers driven by the pressure roller and engaging end advancing tape through the slot when a piston is actuated to move idler rollers to cause engagement of tape and rollers, a piston operated cutter beneath the plate and adjacent the slot and a guide chute for guiding the tape beneath the front roller.

Abstract: Speed and direction of movement of a vibratory roller are controlled by a member which is manually shiftable to a neutral position at which the roller is stopped, through a range of forward positions at one side of neutral, and through a range of rearward positions at the opposite side of neutral. The member actuates a cutout switch that is open only when said member is in neutral, a forward switch that is closed only in the range of forward positions, and a reverse switch that is closed only in the rearward range. A vibratory exciter for the roller operates forwardly when a forward solenoid is energized and reversely when a reverse solenoid is energized. Each solenoid is energized through the contacts of an associated relay, which are closed when the coil of the relay is energized through a circuit comprising, in series, a current source, the cutout switch, and the respective forward or reverse switch for the solenoid.

Abstract: An earth compacting machine includes a hollow drum rotatably mounted at each end to the machine frame to rotate on a horizontal axis, and a concentric vibratory shaft rotatably mounted at each end in a bearing which is mounted in a bearing housing fixedly mounted to the drum. A cylindrical oil sump mounted to rotate with the drum, surrounds the vibratory shaft and shaft bearings and encompasses the bearing housings. Lubrication oil in the sump covers a lower portion of the bearing housings but is below the lowest level reached by the vibratory shaft and its offset weight. Each bearing housing has a plurality of pockets provided therein open through oil access ports to the oil sump and through oil delivery ports to its associated bearing. Oil flows into a pocket when its oil access port is below the level of oil in the sump; and flows out of the pocket as the oil delivery port approaches and pass over the axis of horizontal rotation.

Abstract: A very maneuverable soil compacting roller for use in a confined area comprises a frame, a compacting drum freely rotatable about a horizontal axis near one end of the frame, and a pair of coaxial wheels near the other end of the frame, for propulsion and steering. The wheels are maintained in coaxial spaced apart relation by axle means with which they are drivingly connected, and the axle means is confined to rotation relative to an axle housing between the wheels. A drive motor is secured to the axle housing. The unit comprising axle housing and drive motor has a connection with a steering bracket which rotates relative to the frame about a vertical steering axis, and said connection provides for swinging of said unit about an axis which is mutually perpendicular to the wheel axis and the steering axis so that the wheels can move up and down to accommodate terrain irregularities.

Abstract: A vibratory compacting roller adapted to be coupled to a prime mover and equipped with hydrostatic drive and vibrator, both drivingly connected to a hydraulic power generator located on said prime mover, is provided with recessed tamping elements distributed in parallel adjacent rows around the periphery of the roller cylinder face with a peripheral offset between adjacent rows. The tamping elements are of trapezoidal design with a semi-circular recess extending centrally from the base to the short side, said recess rendering a vibrational compacting roller with tamping elements equal in weight to a plain vibratory compacting roller of the same over-all diameter.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention a pair of shock plates are disposed in parallel, and substantially bi-planar, coupled together by elastomeric elements. One of the shock plates has a cut-out therein and the other has a limb extending into the cut-out and spaced apart from the sides thereof. The one shock plate is mounted to the drum bearing housing of the earth compactor, and the other shock plate is mounted to the frame. Accordingly, upon the drum being vibrated, or shocked, or otherwise displaced, the limb engages one or more sides of the cut-out, and the movement between the plates is thereby limited to a given distance, in order that the elastomeric coupling will not be unduly stretched, destroyed, or fatigued too early.

Abstract: A road roller comprises a frame and a pair of drums, at least one of which is a guide drum, on which the frame is pivotally supported. A steering mechanism is attached to the guide drum for steering the road roller. The supporting mechanism for the guide drum includes a vertical pivot shaft coupled to the guide drum, a vertical anti-friction bearing on the pivot shaft for permitting the guide drum to pivot horizontally relative to the frame, and a flexible support coupled between the bearing and the frame for permitting limited lateral twisting of the guide drum relative to the frame. The flexible support comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced rubber mounts for absorbing longitudinal shocks but for inhibiting longitudinal twisting of the drum relative to the frame.

Abstract: A road roller comprises a central frame part, a main drive including a hydraulic pump and a steering control carried by the main frame part. Replaceable roller units each including a frame part detachably mounted on the central frame part at a front and rear end, respectively, of the central frame part comprise front and rear rollers. A hydraulic motor and a hydraulic steering mechanism are incorporated in at least one of the roller units, the hydraulic motor being connected to the hydraulic pump to be powered thereby for driving the roller and the steering mechanism being connected to the steering control for steering the roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a roller comprising a first frame, generally parallel first and second roll means mounted to the first frame for rotation about axes which, in one position of the first frame, lie in a generally horizontal plane, a second frame, a third roll means mounted to the second frame for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, and means mounting the first and second frames together for rotation relative to one another about a generally vertical axis whereby steering of the roller may be effected.

Abstract: A yard roller having a frame traversable over ground to be rolled by a drum rotatably mounted on the frame and arranged engaging ground over which the frame traverses. A power unit is mounted on the frame and connected to the drum for rotating the drum and moving the frame together with the drum.

Abstract: A vibrating roller is provided comprising a frame with a roller barrel mounted in the frame. The roller barrel includes first and second partial roller barrels, said first partial roller barrel including a central hollow shaft fixed thereto and extending axially therefrom. The second partial roller barrel is rotatingly mounted on said hollow shaft. A rotating unbalanced body is disposed in said hollow shaft for imparting vibratory motion to the first and second partial roller barrels. A prime mover is mounted on the frame, and drives the first and second partial roller barrels through a differential gear assembly. The differential gear assembly includes an externally toothed ring gear which is driven by a driving pinion which itself is drivingly connected to the prime mover. Connected to the externally toothed ring gear are a plurality of beveled pinion gears arranged to rotate about radial axes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self propelled drum wheel tractor for use in puddling rice paddies. A pair of drums having a plurality of knife elements disposed thereon serve to bury or puddle the rice stalk, while the field is still flooded.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting subgrade and pavement materials during a road building operation, and which is characterized by the ability to selectively perform a plurality of distinct road rolling functions to thereby facilitate a road building operation. The apparatus is self-propelled and includes compacting means which comprises a pair of steel cylindrical rollers and two sets of rubber wheels having overlapping tracks. Provision is made for selectively moving the sets of rubber wheels into and out of operative engagement with the ground, whereby selective compaction by the independent operation of either the steel cylindrical rollers or the rubber wheels may be effected, and without simultaneous operation by the non-operating compacting means. A unitary steering system is also provided whereby the direction of the apparatus may be controlled when either compacting means is in operation.

Abstract: An hydraulic system controlling the steering and width of an articulated expandable tandem roller turns both rolls at the same time in opposite directions when the machine is being steered or in the same direction when being expanded or contracted. An operator controlled electrical system, also governing travel of the machine in either opposite direction, controls steering and width adjustment and automatically reverses the "hand" of the steering when the direction of travel of the machine is reversed.

Abstract: A roller for treating earth and pavement surfaces includes two steering and surface treating drums arranged one after the other and skewed in opposite directions relative to the line of roller travel.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic steering system for vehicles such as roller type surface compacting machines which have a steerable ground-engaging unit at each end of the chassis. The system combines a conventional orbital type steering valve, two conventional solenoid actuated hydraulic valves and two conventional lock valves with an electric control circuit that includes simple console-mounted selector switches, a foot pedal-controlled switch and a simple cam-actuated switch that is automatically actuated in consequence of shifting the control lever of the vehicle's transmission from "forward" to "reverse" and vice versa, in a manner which gives the operator unprecedented flexibility in his choice of steering mode.

Abstract: A powered pipeline crawler comprising a personnel carrier having an outer configuration complementary to the inner cross-sectional configuration of a pipeline and provided with suitable wheels for longitudinal movement through a pipeline. In addition, power means is provided for the carrier for propelling the device through the pipeline upon the control of the personnel being carried thereby.

Abstract: Steering apparatus for road rollers of the self-propelled type having two drums each of which is journalled to rotate in a frame pivotally mounted on a common chassis. A piston rod, pivotally connected at its ends to the drum frames, is slidably mounted in a steering cylinder pivotally mounted on the chassis. A control system for transmitting and receiving a pressure medium through a pair of lines connected to the steering cylinder responds to a steering device to cause movement of the piston in the cylinder, so that the piston rod causes simultaneous rotation of the drum frames and proper tracking of the road roller drums.

Abstract: A roller attachment for dump trucks has one or more road rollers mounted on a shaft which in turn is carried on the end of a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies mounted on a beam positioned transversely of the truck and detachably secured to the frame thereof. Actuation of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies from the hydraulic system of the dump truck moves the roller toward and away from a road surface so that when the roller is engaged on the road surface and the truck is moved forwardly and backwardly the roller will compact materials therebeneath.