Abstract: A height adjustment system for automatically adjusting the height of the tail of a tilt bed truck in response to changes in the terrain profile. The tail of the bed of the truck is adjustable in height relative to ground level by a lifting mechanism, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electro-mechanical lift. The main components of the height adjustment system include a terrain following member and a support member. The terrain following member follows the terrain profile as the truck traverses the terrain. The support member movably attaches the terrain following member to the bed of the truck proximate the tail. The support member moves relative to the bed of the truck responsive to the terrain profile and is capable of assuming a range of positions, including a first position and a second position. The support member closes a first electrical contact when in the first position and closes a second electrical contact when in the second position.

Abstract: A hauling system for loose bulk material at a construction site uses a self-propelled vehicle and a trailer that is not self-propelled which are releasably connected by a system that is operable by a single operator who aligns, connects, locks, unlocks and disconnects the self-propelled vehicle and the trailer, preferably without leaving the cab of the self-propelled vehicle. A hook secured on a tool of the self-propelled vehicle and a ring secured, directly or indirectly, to the trailer, releasably connect them. Rotation of the tool, e.g. the bucket of a wheel loader, locks and unlocks the coupling. The operator of the self-propelled vehicle has direct visible sight of the coupling. The ring can be mounted at the end of an articulated frame pivotally connected to a hydraulic jack cylinder. A dump body of the trailer can be raised by a hoist piston. Vertical reciprocation of the tool pumps the jack cylinder which produces hydraulic power to activate the hoist cylinder via a valve body.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically lowering the bed of a dump truck by disengaging the hydraulic pump and the power take-off when the dump vehicle reaches or exceeds a predetermined speed or when the transmission is shifted to or above a predetermined gear. A conventional dump truck speedometer or transmission system is utilized.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus for receiving, transporting, discharging, and feeding of large round bales of hay is provided. The apparatus includes an upwardly open semi-cylindrical cradle rotatably supported above a trailer frame on a scissor device attached to the trailer frame and an undercarriage slideably mounted on the trailer frame. A restraining bail is pivotally mounted to the top of the cradle for restraining the bale of hay as the cradle is rotated. A hitch mechanism is attached to the trailer for connecting the apparatus to a towing vehicle.As the invention moves in a rearward or forward direction the undercarriage slides along the frame causing the scissor to open and close, and thereby raising or lowering the cradle into engagement or disengagement with the underlying surface, causing rotation of the cradle for receiving, transporting, and discharging the bale of hay.

Abstract: A cargo-receiving bed is pivotally mounted upon a wheeled undercarriage. An elongated actuator is telescopically and slidably mounted in the undercarriage and is hitched at its free end to a tractor. A lifting mechanism is connected to a portion of the actuator extending into the undercarriage to raise and lower the cargo bed. In one embodiment, the lifting mechanism comprises a pair of jointed arms each connected at one end to the cargo bed and at the other to the actuator. Suitable stop and guide members are provided to urge the arms into elevated positions as the actuator moves into the undercarriage and lowered positions as the actuator moves out of the undercarriage. An alternative lifting mechanism includes a lifting cam and a series of pivotally connected rods. Inward movement of the actuator causes the cam lifting surface to rotate upwardly against the underside of the cargo bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a towable trailer having a tipping tray. The tipping tray incorporates an axle and wheels, and is mounted to the trailer's chassis via a pivot. The chassis incorporates a guide slot which accommodates the tray's pivot. A cam arrangement is provided to control the rate and angle at which the tray is tipped. To tip the tray, the trailer is reversed, and the towing vehicle suddenly braked. The tray continues to move in the reverse direction by virtue of its inertia. The pivot of the tray slides rearward within the guide slot, while the cam on the tray bears against a follower on the chassis to tip the tray.

Abstract: A load carrying and tipping vehicle (11) adapted to be coupled to a power-operable vertically movable part (15) of a motor vehicle (13) such as a front end loader in which case the bucket of the front end loader constitutes the vertically movable part. The load carrying and tipping vehicle (11) has a load carrying portion (21) which is supported on two wheels (29) and which is tippable in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle (11). A coupling mechanism (41) is provided for detachably coupling one end (25) the load carrying portion to the bucket (15) of the front end loader whereby raising of the bucket (15) effects tipping of the load carrying portion (21). The coupling mechanism (41) provides a pivotal connection between the bucket (15) and the load carrying portion (21) about a first pivot axis (48) which is substantially horizontal and transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle (11).

Abstract: The trailer bed plate (3) is tipped by the towing vehicle moving backwards. The tow bar (1) is hinged to a sliding hinge (2) disposed on the underside of the bed plate, and connected via at least one connecting rod (4) to wheel-supporting frame (5) which is hinged to the rear of the bed plate at (11). When the sliding hinge is released to slide rearwardly, the rod-frame-bed triangle changes shape at the same time as the trailer tips. The trailer may then be locked in this position and tilted back about the wheels so that its bed plate occupies a higher horizontal plane than that occupied in the running position. The trailer then constitutes a table, or work bench.

Abstract: A dump trailer includes a frame attached below a trailer bed and having a first pair of parallel outer rails which are inclined upwardly from front to rear and a pair of center rails which are inclined downwardly from front to rear. A towing tongue extends along the center line of the frame and includes a forked end having a first pair of rollers engaging the first pair of rails and a second pair of rollers which engage the center rails. Pairs of wheels are disposed on each side of the bed and are mounted on the ends of leading and trailing arms pivotally mounted on the frame. A strut is adapted to be coupled to the arms at points above or below the wheel spindles for raising and lowering the bed relative to the wheels. The trailer is dumped by using a prime mover to force the tongue rearwardly thereby moving the rollers backwardly along their respective rails to pivot the frame and bed about the axis of the rear wheels.

Abstract: The invention is a hook and latch assembly for hauling hay, the device being mounted on a trailer axle and comprising a front assembly, a rear assembly, attached to the front assembly, and a hook assembly pivotally attached to the rear assembly by means of a swing bar latch and hinge bolt which allows the hook assembly to be raised and lowered to pick up and haul bales of hay.

Abstract: A trailer designed to be towed behind a vehicle with a frame that is slidably attached to the trailer body. Inclined ramps are formed on the members of the frame such that when the frame slides rearward relative to the trailer, rollers on the underside of the trailer body cause the trailer to rotate about the axle. The slidable connection between the trailer and the draw bar yoke is slightly negatively inclined to insure that the mechanism will move freely and to enable the trailer to be returned to the horizontal position by merely applying a forward force on the frame. The invention also employs means to secure the trailer body to the frame when the trailer is in its normal horizontal position.

Abstract: A wheeled dump cart is described which may be dumped from the user's normal position behind the handle. The cart includes a box member pivotably connected to the frame. A cam member may be pivoted from a normal raised position to a ground-engaging position. The cam member engages the box member and causes it to pivot forwardly relative to the frame so as to dump the contents of the cart.

Abstract: A dump cart is disclosed having a box removably mounted on an axle support and pulled by a drawbar. A latch is mounted on the drawbar to coact with a latch catch on the side of the box. The latch is biased by biasing means such as a spring located within the drawbar where it is protected from damage. The box can have two mounting positions with respect to the drawbar permitting alternate use of the front and back sides for dumping.

Abstract: A transporter-unloader for large cylindrical hay bales features a main frame and a load frame, the load frame partially overlying the main frame and pivoted to the rear end of the latter frame. The rear end of each frame is equipped with a pair of wheels, and a scissors type hoist between the two frames raises the load frame relative to the main frame and at the same time elevates the rear end of the main frame relative to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-stabilizing load lifting and handling vehicle, wherein the chassis thereof is composed of two elements bearing, respectively, the rear axle and the front axle, these two elements being pivoted on each other about a horizontal pivot pin located above and parallel to the axles, in linear travel position.

Abstract: An articulated, cross-country motor vehicle, especially for forestry work and the transportation of timber, comprising front and back pairs of bogies with belts, pivotally attached to the frame of the vehicle by means of transverse axles or shaft journals. The bogies are independently and/or mutually pivotable and adjustable relative to one another in the vertical plane by means of hydraulic pivoting members controlled from the driver's seat of the vehicle. The vehicle consists of a forward, endless tread vehicle and a trailer provided with a hitch. The two components are releasably coupled together and arranged so as to be mutually universally pivotable relative to one another.

Abstract: A two-wheeled trailer has a V-shaped hay-bale-holding cradle pivoted about an axis closely above and parallel to the wheel axle. In its bale-loading position, parallel arms of the cradle extend rearwardly from the trailer and close to the ground for sliding under a large cylindrical bale when the trailer is backed-up by a tractor. The then-upright part of the cradle is tiltable forwardly and downwardly into its upright-V bale-carrying position in which it is automatically latched. The trailer is hitch-connected to a tractor by a tow-bar which is longitudinally extendably attached to the trailer chassis. A cable connects the cradle to the front end of the tow bar so that an extending pull thereon (when the wheel brakes are set) causes the cradle to tilt to its latched bale-carrying position. A latch normally holds the tow bar in its slightly extended hauling position.

Abstract: A trailer has a torque arm assembly pivotally mounted between the upper front portions of a pair of opposed side walls. A bottom is slideably and pivotally supported upon a bottom support member extending between the side walls and has a upwardly extending front wall the upper edge of which is pivotally connected to a pair of torque arms extending from the torque arm assembly. Also extending from the torque arm assembly is a mounting post which can be pivotally and rotatably connected to a mounting rack detachably fastened to the bed of a pick-up truck. The torque arm assembly is pivotable between one position in which the bottom is horizontal and a second position in which the bottom is inclined downwardly toward the rear end of the frame. In the second position, the mounting post is pivoted inwardly with respect to the trailer so that the truck is received in a retracted position between the side walls of the trailer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for unloading a platform from a lorry having a tipping frame, the tipping frame having an endless belt or chain which in turn has an elongated chain connected thereto. The chain has hook and wedge member thereon adapted to connect to pull bars on the platform to lift the platform onto the lorry. For lowering, a counter element is provided on the endless belt or chain for pushing the platform off the lorry.

Abstract: A dump truck has a carrier that is placed on its body frame so as to be longitudinally movable thereon when longitudinal impact force exceeding a given value works on the truck's body. Energy absorbing means are interposed between said frame and carrier, for absorbing kinetic energy of said carrier by the use of hydraulic pressure produced by the relative displacement therebetween.