Abstract: A grader includes a chassis, a saddle linkage, and a motion measurement system. The saddle linkage is supported for movement relative to the chassis and includes a mount movably coupled to the chassis, first and second arms each movably coupled to the mount, and a crossbar movably coupled to each of the first and second arms. The mount has a lock pin aperture, each of the first and second arms has a locking hole, and the crossbar has a plurality of locking holes. The lock pin aperture may be aligned with one locking hole of the first arm, the second arm, or the crossbar to position the saddle linkage in use of the grader. The motion measurement system is coupled to the saddle linkage and configured to measure movement or position of one or more components of the grader in use thereof.

Abstract: An implement control system may include an operator interface having a grip movable to a pose relative to an operator interface frame of reference. A grip position sensor may detect the grip pose and generate a grip pose signal, and a controller communicatively coupled to the grip position sensor may receive the grip pose signal and generating an implement control signal. An implement assembly may include an implement supported for movement relative to a machine frame of reference and a plurality of actuators operably coupled to the implement and communicatively coupled to the controller. The plurality of implement actuators is configured to actuate in response to the implement control signal to drive the implement toward an implement pose relative to the machine frame of reference that corresponds to the grip pose.

Abstract: A motor grader with an adjustable wheelbase. The motor grader may include front and rear wheels supporting a chassis and a main frame. A working blade may downwardly depend from the main frame between the front wheels and rear wheels to perform work on the ground below. The motor grader may also provide an adjustable wheel base to allow the center of gravity of the motor grader to better match the work load being addressed. The adjustable wheel base may also provide more swing clearance for the blade relative to the rear wheels, allow for an adjustable articulation angle, and minimize structural loads on the motor grader, particularly during ripping operation. The wheel base may be adjustable by providing structure through which the relative positions of the rear wheels can be altered automatically, manually, and dynamically.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame and a coupler assembly suspended below the frame, the coupler assembly configured for sideshift movement and having an implement mounting element for engaging with a mating feature on an implement. An implement grabber mounted to the coupler assembly is configured to grab an implement and move the implement via sideshift movement of the coupler assembly from a position lateral of the frame to a mounting position at which the mounting element of the coupler assembly can engage with the mating feature of the implement. A method of implement positioning for a machine includes grabbing the implement with a implement grabber mounted on a coupler assembly and moving the implement with the coupler assembly. The method also includes disengaging the implement from the implement grabber and actuating a mounting element of the coupler assembly to engage or disengage with the mating feature of the implement.

Abstract: An intuitive control for a motor grader controls the blade high lift assembly by adjustment of a miniature representation available at the operator's station. This miniature representation allows the direction of adjustment of various hydraulic components to be made by moving the representation in the desired directions. The control is intuitive in that it corresponds to the actual high lift assembly. A similar miniature representation can be used for controlling the steering of the motor grader.

Abstract: An end gate for a grader blade includes a first body attachable to a grader blade. A second body is provided which supports a barrier member. The second body is pivotally secured to the first body for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised transport position. Upon the barrier member sustaining an impact when in the lowered operative position, the second body pivots to the raised transport position thereby reducing damage to the barrier member resulting from the impact.

Abstract: A field finishing land plane has a V-shaped, horizontally oriented frame converging at a front end affixed pivotal to steerable rollers in a yoke fastened to a tow tongue. The pivotal front is housed in a protective shielding. A cross member that attaches to the wide section of the V frame at the rear of the land plane extends outward from the V ends on each side. The outward extensions have individual rollers attached to swivel at the outer ends. Supported by internal framing and operated hydraulically, pneumatic tired, retractable road wheels can be raised for field use of the land plane and lowered for on-road towing. For field use with the road wheels raised, the land plane of this invention rests on the front steerable rollers and on the rear swivel rollers so that a long crosswise scooping bucket located centrally under the main frame of the land plane makes ground contact. For road safety during towing with road wheels down, the long crosswise scooping bucket has rotatable end sections.

Abstract: A highlift adjusting mechanism for the blade of a motor grader uses the traditional twin highlift cylinders connected to the motor grader by means of bell cranks. A rigid link member joins lower ends of the bell cranks and includes a number of locking ports therein. The link member is pivotally connected to the bell cranks by a specialized arrangement which additionally defines a further locking port. In the preferred form, the link member is secured to the bell cranks by pin members which include a cavity in one end thereof sized to receive the locking pin. With this arrangement, the bell cranks can be maintained closer to the frame of the grader and improved visibility is achieved.

Abstract: A drag-type road grader including a skewable frame and a plurality of blade assemblies extending transversely across the frame. A tongue assembly is mounted on the frame and includes hydraulic cylinders for skewing the frame to alternative parallelogram-shaped configurations whereby the blade assemblies are angled with respect to the direction of travel. Retractible wheel assemblies are provided for transporting the grader in a non-working mode.

Abstract: A land leveling device having a frame supported on wheels for earth traversing movement forwardly thereof; a first pair of blades borne by the frame in rearwardly convergent oblique relation to each other; a second pair of blades borne by the frame rearwardly of the first pair in rearwardly divergent oblique relation to each other; and means for deploying the frame in a substantially horizontal attitude substantially continuously during said earth traversing movement.

Abstract: A leveler frame is attached to the three-point linkage of an agricultural tractor and serves to break up earth clods by vibrating action of its inclined blades. The implement comprises two lateral members and three cross members in the shape of one fixed inclined blade at the rear end of the frame and two vibrating blades pivotally fastened to the lateral members, one at the front end and one in the center of the frame. The pivoted blade at the front end is rigidly connected to an upstanding lever member which serves to attach the leveler frame to the parallel upper and lower linkage arms by means of vertically spaced pivots on the lever member. The second vibratory, pivoted blade--which is not obligatory--is connected to the upstanding lever by a link extending parallel to the lateral members.

Abstract: A land plane for leveling or grading the surface of a land area. The plane includes a frame defined by a center section and end sections pivotally connected to the center section, with each connection permitting relative physical movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the plane. A first hydraulic system is provided for pivoting the end sections about their transverse axes for raising and lowering the center section with respect to ground level, wherein the system includes a device for equalizing fluid between hydraulic cylinders carried by the end sections to permit adjustment of the grader assembly with respect to ground level under different operating conditions.

Abstract: A snow grooming device for leveling a snowmobile trail comprising a frame having retractable wheels for transporting the snow grooming device and a set of angled blades which direct the snow back and forth across the trail to a leveler bar that directs the snow to a compacter attachment.

Abstract: Land leveling apparatus includes a leveling attachment drawn by a tractor with the attachment having pivotally connected side blade sections on a central blade section affording a substantially greater leveling capacity. The side blade sections fold up to reduce width during transport and have a power-driven linkage arrangement for each blade section that moves and positions the blade sections and locks them in the lowered working position, together with upper and lower level adjustments for the side blade sections. A hitch assembly facilitates quick coupling to a crossbar carried by the lower links of the tractor linkage and is pivotally joined to the central blade section so as to facilitate rear tractor wheel movement independently of the scraper blades.

Abstract: Land leveling apparatus includes a leveling attachment drawn by a tractor with the attachment having pivotally connected side blade sections on a central blade section affording a substantially greater leveling capacity. The side blade sections fold up to reduce width during transport and have a power-driven linkage arrangement for each blade section that moves and positions the blade sections and locks them in the lowered working position, together with upper and lower level adjustments for the side blade sections. A hitch assembly facilitates quick coupling to a crossbar carried by the lower links of the tractor linkage and is pivotally joined to the central blade section so as to facilitate rear tractor wheel movement independently of the scraper blades.

Abstract: A land plane for leveling or grading the surface of a land area including a frame having front and rear wheel assemblies, a center section and two end sections. A plurality of grader blades are supported below the center section which in turn may be raised away from and lowered towards the ground surface by pivoting the end sections of the frame with respect to the center section. Adjustable braces correct warps and distortion in the frame and permit accurate setting of the alignment and angular disposition of the blades with respect to the ground surface. Steering of the plane is controlled through a fluid system which coordinates the steering actions of the front and rear wheel assemblies and, alternatively, permits the rear wheel assembly to be steered independent of the front wheel assembly.

Abstract: An earthmoving apparatus has first and second traction units and a connecting device for connecting the second traction unit to the first traction unit in rearwardly spaced relationship. A ripper is carried by the connecting device intermediate the traction units. An adjusting device selectively adjusts the positioning of the ripper on the connecting device and includes a jack having a first portion carried by the connecting device and a second selectively extensible portion connected to the ripper for selectively positioning the ripper relative to and independently of the connecting device.

Abstract: A basic land leveller has the side plates and moldboard carriers. Angle irons are welded to the top of the carriers to form the moldboard carriers into a rigid structure and to form a guide for the wheel booms extending behind the leveller and a tongue extending in front of the leveller. The equipment is shipped with the wheel booms and tongue aligned with the moldboard carriers and the buyer bolts the booms into the boom guides and the tongue into the tongue guides.The moldboards are formed of a plate broken three times to form three panels with a blade bolted to the bottom panel.

Abstract: A tractor drawn implement having a blade engageable with the ground and adjustable as to its depth of engagement whereby depth is increased over high spots and depth is decreased over low spots to transfer soil from high spots to low spots as the implement traverses the ground. A gauge frame trails a main frame carrying the blade and is coupled to a gauge beam whose elevation with respect to the main frame is altered as a function of the elevation of the gauge frame relative to the main frame and/or blade. The gauge beam is coupled to the gauge frame so that the articulation between the gauge frame and main frame provided for convenience in manipulating the implement and the freedom of transverse motion between frames is enabled without displacing the gauge beam from an operative relationship with control elements adjustably mounted on the main frame. Electro-hydraulic controls are illustrated.

Abstract: A light weight trail groomer is supported at its rear end on each side by a pair of longitudinally aligned skis connected to respective arms of a bracket pivotally mounted on a main frame element. The frame structure is arranged for connection at its forward end to a towing vehicle and includes a scraper blade structure the height of which can be adjusted by independent adjuster means connected between an auxiliary frame structure and each one of the main frame elements.

Abstract: In an earthmoving scraper, a pivotally adjustable router bit is provided on the leading edges of the bowl to fracture the soil ahead of both sides of the cutting edge of the scraper to protect the bowl sides from excessive wear. The bits are pivotally mounted on the side walls of the bowl and are shaped in such a way that the leading edge of each bit wears uniformly as the bit is advanced from one secured position on the bowl to the next.

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.