Abstract: A shackle system for connection of control lines such as high-pressure hydraulic hoses, electrical cables or conduits, and air hoses having a flexible wire rope passing therethrough to which the control lines are attached.

Abstract: Hydraulic fluid conduits are disposed in a counterweight which is adapted to be secured between a tractor and an earth-working implement such as a backhoe. The counterweight has a tractor-engaging side and an earth-working implement-engaging side from which the conduits extend. The conduits are equipped with hydraulic couplings for mating with the hydraulic lines from the tractor and an earth-working implement.

Abstract: A connector system for coupling the electrical and brake systems of a tractor vehicle with those of a trailer to be towed by the tractor vehicle. The coupling is done automatically at the time the tractor vehicle couples to the trailer. The connector system has a female receptacle having therein connectors from the electrical and braking systems to the trailer. A male unit having therein connectors from the electrical and braking systems of the tractor is lifted automatically vertically for insertion into the female receptacle. When the insertion is made the various connector carry out connections connecting the electrical and braking system of the tractor vehicle to those of the trailer.

Abstract: An over-the-highway tractor-trailer vehicle including a tractor coupled in towing relationship to a forward trailer, and a dolly for towing a rearward trailer behind the forward trailer. The dolly has a hydraulically driven power unit. A hydraulic pump is driven by the tractor engine, and connects with a first set of flexible hydraulic hoses. A hydraulic motor is provided to drive the dolly, and connects with a second set of flexible hydraulic hoses. The sets of hoses releasably connect with conduits carried under the bed of the forward trailer. When the tractor is "dead headed" without a trailer or towing only one trailer, the sets of hoses are directly coupled so as to power the dolly drive.

Abstract: A system is provided for retracting and extending flexible hoses where the hoses are adapted to connect a fluid power system on a first vehicle to a fluid power receiving device on a second vehicle and the vehicles are connected together for traveling. A flexible hose mounted on a first one of the vehicles has an extensible portion of sufficient length to allow the hose to extend at least a maximum distance normally anticipated to occur between the vehicles during travel. A resilient member, also mounted on the first vehicle, has a first end connected to the extensible proportion of the hose and a second end connected to the first vehicle. The resilient member is adapted to extend and retract the extensible portion of the hose in proportion to variations in the distance between the vehicles. A housing mounted on the first vehicle covers both the resilient member and the extensible portion of the hose when the hose is fully retracted.

Abstract: A mobile agricultural machine pulled by a tractor has first and second hydraulically actuated functional units powered through a single pair of outlets of a hydraulic system on the tractor. A spool-type direction control valve mounted on the machine has its inlet side connected to the outlets of the tractor hydraulic system and outlets connected to the respective hydraulic actuators. The valve spool is selectively positioned by means of a cam to direct oil to actuate either the first or second functional units. The cam is rotated by a bell crank through a sprag clutch so that the cam is driven in one direction only. The throw of the bell crank is limited by a stop and it is provided with a spring return so that an operator on the tractor may, by successive pulls on a single control rope attached to the bell crank, progressively index the cam and hence selectively actuate either the first or second functional units on the machine.

Abstract: A linkage for supporting the hoses extending between a fixed portion of a machine and a shiftable carriage mounted on the fixed portion. A pair of links are pivotally interconnected with one of the links pivotally connected to the carriage and the other pivotally connected to the fixed portion. A clamp means is carried by the pivotal interconnection of the links and secures the hoses to the linkage to control the flexure thereof as the carriage is shifted.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a bucket loader, having a fluid operated device. A hose assembly is connected between a source of pressurized fluid carried by the apparatus and the fluid operated device so as to prevent pinching of the hose during selective positioning of the device on pivotable elements of the apparatus. The hose assembly includes a rigid coupling fixedly connected between stiff hose portions connected at their distal ends to the pressurized fluid source and the fluid operated device, respectively.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor has a cab enclosed operator station and a pair of rearward hydraulic coupling elements, one of which is selectively connected to the tractor fluid pressure supply and the other of which is connected to the tractor reservoir by means of a control within the cab. The tractor tows and powers a pull-type forage harvester having three hydraulic cylinders that respectively control the deflection of the discharge spout cap, the rotation of the discharge spout, and the transmission control lever that controls the rotational direction of the feed roll drive. A valve package is removably mounted on the exterior of the cab rear wall and has a pair of inlet lines respectively connected to the tractor hydraulic coupling elements, three sets of hydraulic lines to the respective hydraulic cylinders on the forage harvester, and three control valves for controlling the flow of fluid between the inlet lines and the three sets of outlet lines.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism for connecting and disconnecting service lines between a pair of relatively articulated vehicles, such as electrical service lines and service lines for pressurized operating fluids, between a tractor and a semitrailer, one of which having a fifth wheel and the other a king pin and each having one connector in the vicinity of the fifth wheel and the king pin, respectively, for the connection of said service lines, one of said connectors being mounted on a support which is reciprocably movable along a circular path having its center on the common geometrical axis of the fifth wheel and king pin when coupled together, whereby said one connector is free to be moved on one vehicle by the other connector which is fixed to the other vehicle in case of articulation between the tractor and the semitrailer, and one of said connectors being movable in relation to the other into and out of engagement therewith by means of an operating mechanism for the connecting and disconnecting o