Abstract: A quick coupling device for connecting a work tool, such as a bucket, to an arm and a tilt link of a work machine includes a first hook arrangement connected to the arm and a second hook arrangement connected to the tilt link. Each hook arrangement defines a recess which engages a supporting pin connected to the work tool. An adjustable link is connected between the first and second hook arrangements and is adapted to apply a force to the hook arrangements to maintain engagement between the supporting pins and the recesses.

Abstract: A work machine includes a boom which is pivotally connected at one end to the machine and is provided at the other end with a tool carriage which is attached to the boom at a pivot which is fixed with respect to the boom. The tool carriage is associated with a mechanism for maintaining it at a constant attitude when the boom is raised and lowered. The boom further includes an extension for improving the versatility of the machine.

Abstract: A system for activating and neutralizing a transmission of a work machine includes an electrical circuit having a latching relay. The transmission is shifted by electrical solenoids which are activated by electrical current through the latching relay. Current to the latching relay is provided from an electrical source through a parking brake switch. When the parking brake is applied, the switch is open and the latching relay is de-activated. If the transmission is left in a forward or reverse position when the parking brake is applied, the machine will not move when the parking brake is released because the latching relay is still de-activated. To activate the latching relay, the transmission shifting mechanism must be moved to neutral. The transmission can then be shifted into forward or reverse positions.

Abstract: A track roller assembly for guiding an endless track includes a central supporting shaft, a roller shell having a through bore, a pair of bushings surrounding the shaft and positioned within the roller through bore, and a pair of split rings which secure the roller shell in a fixed position with respect to the bushings and the shaft. A seal assembly at each end of the through bore seals in lubricating fluid and seals out dirt and other harmful matter. The split rings hold the shaft, bushings, and roller shell together and eliminate threaded fasteners which reduce the useful wear life of the roller shells. Resilient load rings in the seal assemblies provide proper loading of the seal assemblies and prevent dirt from eroding the load rings.

Abstract: The lift arms and linkage arrangement for the bucket of a loading machine includes first and second spaced apart lift arm assemblies and first and second spaced apart linkage assemblies associated with respective lift arm assemblies. The first and second lift arm assemblies diverge with respect to the centerline of the machine while the first and second linkage assemblies are parallel to the centerline of the machine. The first and second lift arm assemblies are closer to each other at the machine end than at the bucket end. This provides greater visibility of the corners of the bucket for the machine operator and more precise positioning of the bucket by the operator.

Abstract: A vehicle has a steering control system including a first mode in which the front and rear steering mechanisms operate and a second mode in which only the front steering mechanism operates. When the control system is switched from the first mode to the second mode by a master switch, the change to the second mode is prevented unless and until the rear steering mechanism is in a straight-ahead condition. This condition is sensed by an alignment sensor which is activated by the switching of the master switch to the state corresponding to the second mode.

Abstract: All wheel steer work vehicles are useful for working in conditions which require greater maneuverability and traction. When simultaneous work operations and steering is required, a control having both functions is required. The subject vehicle includes a steering wheel for steering a first pair of wheels, an implement lever for controlling the implement work functions, and a switch means for steering a second pair of wheels mounted on the implement lever. This arrangement of components provides simultaneous movement of a work mechanism and steering of the second pair of wheels using only one hand of an operator.

Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing the area between a stationary member and a rotatable member includes first and second mating metal seal rings and first and second resilient load rings. The load rings are adapted to apply a load to the metal seal rings. Each load ring is cup-shaped and columnar in cross-sectional configuration and is adapted to flex toward the sealed area and prevent dirt from entering the sealed area and from eroding the load ring.

Abstract: A track supporting roller apparatus supports the articulated track chain of an undercarriage assembly of a track-type work machine. Vibrations and shock loads are generated to a track-type work machine when load bearing track rollers contact the articulated joints of the track chain and the born load is not picked up by an adjacent track roller. The subject roller apparatus has track rollers spaced to support the track chain and prevent the introduction of vibrations and shock loads.

Abstract: A load handling apparatus for a vehicle includes a telescopic boom pivotably mounted on a chassis frame of the vehicle. The boom has first, second, third, and fourth sections telescopically engaged in sequence and mounted so as to be slidable relative to one another. A first hydraulic ram is adapted to move the first and second sections together by way of a synchronizing arrangement, and a second hydraulic ram moves the third section relative to the fourth section. The first section carries a load receiving device and a hydraulic unit for manipulating the load receiving device.

Abstract: A brake assembly, having a plurality of co-operating rotating and non-rotating brake discs, includes a dump valve mechanism, including a spool valve. The spool valve is adapted to move between first and second positions to close and open fluid communications between a fluid supply passage and a fluid dump passage. Excess cooling fluid supplied to a brake assembly when the brakes are inactive causes "brake drag" which wastes power and decreases machine efficiency. By dumping the cooling fluid to a fluid dump passage when the brakes are inactive, the "brake drag" is reduced.

Abstract: A belted undercarriage assembly for a belt laying track machine includes a frame, an endless belt for supporting the machine, a plurality of spaced apart resilient wheels in contact with the belt, and a plurality of guide members associated with the belt. Each of the resilient wheels includes a side wall portion having a reinforcing ring attached thereto. The reinforcing rings are adapted to contact the guide members and prolong the useful life of the resilient wheels. The reinforcing rings are preferably segmented to provide a plurality of spaced apart pads having substantially straight edge portions for removing debris from the frame as the resilient wheels rotate.

Abstract: A track supporting roller apparatus supports the articulated track chain of an undercarriage assembly of a track-type work machine. Vibrations and shock loads are generated to a track-type work machine when load bearing track rollers contact the articulated joints of the track chain and the born load is not picked up by an adjacent track roller. The subject roller apparatus has track rollers spaced to support the track chain and prevent the introduction of vibrations and shock loads.

Abstract: An hydraulically powered rotary actuator for rotating a first portion of a work machine relative to a second portion of the work machine has inner and outer rings enclosed by first and second cover plates. The inner and outer rings are spaced apart to define an hydraulic power chamber to which pressurized fluid is supplied to rotate one of the inner or outer rings. The first portion of the work machine is connected to the rotatable ring and rotates with it. A large diameter bearing assembly rotatably supports the rotatable ring and the first portion of the work machine. Most prior work machines with rotatable car or upper structure require large expensive components including gear reduction assemblies, an hydraulic motor, and large diameter swing gear. The subject actuator simplifies the construction by eliminating many of the prior components.

Abstract: An hydraulically powered rotary actuator for rotating a first portion of a work machine relative to a second portion of the work machine has inner and outer rings enclosed by first and second cover plates. The inner and outer rings are spaced apart to define an hydraulic power chamber to which pressurized fluid is supplied to rotate one of the inner or outer rings. The first portion of the work machine is connected to the rotatable ring and rotates with it. A large diameter bearing assembly rotatably supports the rotatable ring and the first portion of the work machine. Most prior work machines with rotatable car or upper structure require large expensive components including gear reduction assemblies, an hydraulic motor, and large diameter swing gear. The subject actuator simplifies the construction by eliminating many of the prior components.

Abstract: A pair of guide rollers contact the side surfaces of the guide blocks of an endless elastomeric track belt and guide the guide blocks into a space formed between a pair of spaced apart idler wheels. The guide rollers prevent undesirable frictional contact between the guide blocks and the idler wheels, thereby increasing the useful life of the idler wheels and the guide blocks.

Abstract: An automatic honing apparatus for honing the internal surface of a cylindrical member has a wheel member for tightening the honing stones against the internal surface. A brake assembly is associated with the wheel member, and when activated contacts the wheel member and when de-activated releases the wheel member. A sensing device detects the load on a first motor and activates or de-activates the brake assembly in response to preset motor load values. As the load on the first motor increases and decreases, the sensing device cycles the brake on and off to tighten the honing stones. A second motor drives a carriage assembly forward and backward to run the honing stones in and out of the cylindrical member to hone the entire internal surface of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A plurality of fastening plates are used to securely connect a plurality of teeth segments to a support member to form a sprocket wheel. Each of the fastening plates has a plurality of threaded through holes and a plurality of threaded fasteners engage the threaded holes to secure the teeth segments to the support member. Each of the fastening plates also has a flat planar surface which contacts the teeth segments and provides a large area of clamping surface contact. Each fastening plate spans a joint between adjacent teeth segments and contacts a portion of at least two adjacent segments. Because of the large clamping surface area provided by the flat planar surfaces of the fastening plates, potential for tangential slippage of the teeth segments under load is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A belt tension indicating system for indicating the belt tension of a belt driven machine includes a belt tension indicating assembly and a hydraulic ram assembly to provide the belt tension. The hydraulic ram assembly is connected between an idler wheel of the machine and the belt tension indicating assembly. When the belt tension decreases below a predetermined value, the belt tension indicating assembly activates a switch which then activates a horn, light or other device to alert the machine operator.