Abstract: In a tailgate assembly, a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the assembly in response to a torque generated by a moment arm of the tailgate assembly and a force resulting from the jolting of the truck as it travels over rough terrain.

Abstract: In a tailgate assembly, a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the assembly in response to a torque generated by a moment arm of the tailgate assembly and a force resulting from the jolting of the truck as it travels over rough terrain.

Abstract: A dump truck is provided with a dump body having a tailgate. A lever arm having a first end and a second end is pivotably attached to the dump body. The first end is fixedly attached to the tailgate and the second end is attached to a latching device which locks the position of the lever arm. When the dump body is raised, the latching device is deactivated and the position of the lever arm is unlocked. When the dump body is lowered, the latching device is activated and locks the position of the lever arm, thereby locking the position of the tailgate.

Abstract: A bale accumulator is provided for use in conjunction with a baler from which, during operation, bales successively are discharged. The accumulator comprises a bale receiving table movable between a home position for receiving a bale from the baler and a bale transfer position. A loadbed is disposed to receive bales from the bale receiving table and to accumulate a plurality of bales thereon. The bale receiving table is pivotally mounted on a shuttle mechanism which itself is movable along a transverse linear path between retracted and extended positions. A table positioning mechanism is provided for moving the receiving table from its home position to its bale transfer position and vice versa. A loadbed positioning mechanism pivots the loadbed from a horizontal home position for accumulating a plurality of bales thereon to a bale dumping position and vice versa.

Abstract: A grass catcher for receiving grass clippings and leaves from a rotary deck mower towed by a tractor. A fan driven by the mower forces the clippings through a flexible hose leading to a large capacity hopper. The hopper is mounted on a carriage having a single wheel. A parallel arm linkage permits the hopper to float up and down independently of the mower. When the rope is pulled from the tractor seat, the hopper is dumped to unload its contents. A rear door on the hopper is automatically opened when the hopper is dumped and is closed when the hopper is returned to its running position by pulling on another rope from the tractor seat.

Abstract: A liner for a truck box for increasing the volumetric load carrying capacity thereof. The liner is provided with wall portions extending higher than the walls which form the truck box. The liner has a tail gate which opens automatically as the truck box is pivotally moved for dumping thereof.

Abstract: A surface maintenance machine that includes a powered vehicle having a rotary tool in a tool enclosure to direct debris from the surface through an enclosure outlet, a debris hopper having a debris inlet locatable adjacent the enclosure outlet, and a discharge opening remote from the hopper inlet, a hingedly mounted door for closing the discharge opening, lift arms mounted on the vehicle for mounting the hopper for pivotable movement relative thereto, supporting the hopper in a debris collecting position, and selectively elevating the hopper from a street level position to a high dump position, control arms and piston cylinder combinations to control the pivoting of the hopper as it is moved between its street level and high dump positions, the piston cylinder combinations being operated from a retracted condition to an extended condition for pivoting the hopper to a dumping position in either the street level position or the high dump position, latches mounted on the hopper that are operated through the hopp

Abstract: The invention comprises a forage trailer. The trailer has an upper and lower frame with a scissor mechanism to raise and lower the upper frame. The lower frame has wheels thereon for towing. The upper frame has a box pivotally mounted to one side of the upper frame with hydraulic cylinders to pivot the box from horizontal to an angle. The box has one side wall in the direction of the pivoting action which opens up automatically to allow materials within the box to be emptied from the box while pivoted through the opening in the side wall of the box. The opening automatically closes when the box is pivoted back to horizontal.

Abstract: An all purpose wagon vehicle for general farm use, including an undercarriage frame on which is provided a dump box having a floor and fixed front and side walls standing thereover, with the dump box being tiltable on the undercarriage frame to discharge whatever it carries rearwardly, and a rear wall closure door which is hinged to the side walls forwardly of the normal upper back edge corners to open only upon the appreciable tilting of the dump box and without ground interference. And, a special latching mechanism operative in the course of tilting the dump box on the frame, to automatically allow the closure door to open or be held closed.