Abstract: A subharmonic controller for a dual coil electromagnetic vibrator, which derives both power and timing from a conventional a.c. line, having a zero crossing detector providing pulses at twice line frequency to a phase control. The phase control provides a selectively variable pulse width and triggers a frequency divider, which in turn triggers a divide-by-two-counter. Pulses from each of the phase control, divider and counter are fed to a logic controller which generates plus and minus gate signals. The gate signals alternately fire a pair of oppositely-directed SCR's, each SCR connected in series with one of the dual coils across the a.c. line. A polarity detector and reset circuit restore the polarity information and synchronize it with the direction of conduction of the SCR's.

Abstract: A traveling water screen is provided with a support frame having a transverse tray for accommodating a conventional screen panel of a specific configuration or alternatively a modified screen panel having an integral pan for positioning over the transverse tray to provide special handling of seasonally varying screened material. A non-abrupt smooth transition at a transition margin between the screen material and the integral pan allows aquatic life forms to flow from the screen into the integral pan when the screen is backwashed without the aquatic material getting lodged between a screen retaining means and the screen.

Abstract: A mechanical override is provided for use with electromechanical linear actuators used in the control of lever operated valves. A pair of telescoping tubes are supported in a fixed relationship to the valve. One tube provides a mounting location for the linear actuator while the other tube is stationary. A lead screw will be manually rotated to move one tube relative to the other. The linear actuator will travel with the moving tube to adjust the valve position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrating exciter for use in vibratory equipment incorporates a free non mass housed in an elongated housing having electromagnets mounted inboard at each end of the housing. The free mass is totally enclosed and carries a pair of armatures for cooperation with the electromagnets.An airgap is maintained during operation between the electromagnet and the armatures through the use of compression elements interposed between the electromagent housing and the armature of the free mass.

Abstract: A traveling water screen has trays that travel one after the other along a path in the form of a vertical loop. Adjacent trays are connected for articulation about an axis extending transversely of the path. Each tray has a transverse member extending parallel and adjacent to the axis, with one member leading the other member in the direction of tray travel. The trailing member has a cross-sectional shape that extends linearly outward of the loop and curves about the axis of articulation both outwardly and forwardly relative to the path of travel. The leading member has a cross-sectional shape that extends outwardly of the loop beyond the curved portion of the trailing member to an outer edge where an extension projects rearwardly towards the curved portion. A flexible seal that is mounted on the leading member overlaps and contacts the curved portion of the trailing member on the opposite side thereof from the axis of articulation.

Abstract: A self-locking step assembly is attached to a vehicle by rigidly connecting the outer cylinder of the assembly to the vehicle frame. The outer cylinder is secured with the centerline of its concentric inner and outer walls being substantially vertical. The inner cylinder of the assembly is slidably and rotatably positioned within the inside wall of the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder has a step secured to its bottom section, with the step being substantially perpendicular to the inner cylinder. The assembly also utilizes a locking pin that is rigidly secured to one of the inner or outer cylinders, and a cam slot that is in the other of the inner and outer cylinders. The pin engages the cam slot which has first and second portions connected by a third portion. When the pin is in the first portion of the cam slot, the step is held in its used position by gravitational forces. When the pin is in the second position of the cam slot, the pin is held in its stored position by the same gravitational forces.

Abstract: A farm tractor having front and rear frames pivotally interconnected to define an axis of articulation for steering in which the physical arrangement and relationships of the pivot points for the steering cylinders relative to said axis provide desired steering characteristics.

Abstract: A tire illumination arrangement for an articulated tractor. The tractor has front and rear sections pivotally connected along an axis of articulation with a source of electric current mounted on one of the sections. The front and rear sections are each supported by a pair of ground engaging tires, which are mounted on and for rotation with an axle. In addition, the front section tires each have an inner surface which face opposite sides of the front section. The arrangement utilizes a lighting device which is electrically connected to the source of electric current. The lighting device is mounted on the front section, below and rearward of the front axle. This arrangement also utilizes a mechanism, interposed in the electrical connection between the lighting device and the source of electric current, to selectively supply the device with a flow of electric current from the source.

Abstract: A cotton harvester (10) is provided with several independently hydraulically adjustable heater units (16) that are movable in unison or completely independently depending on ground plane elevation. A rotary flow divider (30) is positioned in the supply conduit (42) to the header units (16) to control synchronous movement of the units.

Abstract: A shift gate 22 allowing movement of a control lever 12 in a fore and aft plane is provided with a pivotable plate 46 having a recess 60 located in the midsection of said pivotable plate corresponding to a neutral position of a control lever. The control lever 12 will be locked in neutral when the pivotable plate is swung into position and an attached security knob 56 draws the pivotable plate 46 into a restrained position.

Abstract: A control lever 10 is restrained in a neutral position through the interaction of a perforated hinged plate 24 with a horizontal rod 16 extending from said control lever 10. The hinged plate 24 is provided with a spring 44 to urge the plate 24 into engagement with the upwardly extending end portion 20 of the rod 16 attached to the control lever 10. The spring 44 also urges the hinged plate 24 into a disengaged over-center position when the lever trap is in a disengaged mode.

Abstract: An articulated tractor that has its front and rear sections pivotally connected along the tractor's axis of articulation. The lead surface of the rear section and the trailing surface of the front section form an articulation space which is in close proximity to the articulation axis. To improve this arrangement, a cover is provided which substantially encompasses the articulation space with an enclosure. The enclosure incorporates at least two flexible bellows, which are opaque between their forward, rearward, top and bottom edges. The enclosure also includes four bands, a plurality of elements rigidly securing one of the bands to each of the forward and rearward edges of the bellows, and a plurality of members rigidly secured to the bands. The cover also utilizes a support to pivotally support the enclosure. This support is rigidly secured to either the front or the rear section of the tractor.

Abstract: The improvement of a hood of a tractor that has a filler neck passing through a neck aperture in the top surface of the hood. The neck aperture is transversely offset from the tractor's centerline. The improvement includes a downwardly projecting trough in the hood's top surface. The bottom of the trough is a major depression that is connected at four brake lines to the top surface by inner, outer, fore and aft sides. The major depression incorporates a pair of run-off apertures, with each run off aperture being adjacent one of the fore or aft sides. The neck aperture is located in the inner side of the trough, while the outer side of the trough contains a grip aperture. The improvement also includes a seal which resiliently and sealably connects the filler neck and the inner side of the trough. The improvement further includes a downwardly projecting hand grip that is sealably secured to the outer side of the trough in the grip aperture.

Abstract: Disc brake rotors on driven axles are resurfaced without being removed from host axles by replacing the relatively non-abrasive service brake pads with abrasive grinding pads. Grinding pads are urged into contact with the rotor being resurfaced utilizing the service brake piston. The rotor to be resurfaced is driven by the vehicle drive train after the vehicle has been raised to prevent wheel contact with the ground.

Abstract: A boom arm of a boom assembly is formed of a pair of side walls integrated into a box boom structure where the top and bottom plates are roll formed with transition edges providing a weld bed for welds attaching the side walls to the top and bottom plates. The particular cross sections of the top and bottom plates provide a weld blow-through preventing barrier and also dimensional guidance and tolerance control during assembly of the boom arm.

Abstract: An electrical vehicle is propelled by a constant speed motor receiving current from a storage battery. An alternator, driven by the vehicle power train through a differential while the vehicle is in motion, is associated with the drive train such that it controls the velocity of the vehicle. Dynamic braking through increasing field current of the alternator is provided. The alternator is used to recharge the storage battery during periods of less than maximum vehicle velocity and also during deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A grouser retainer that is positioned between a belt and a tire carcass provides an anchor for attaching one outboard end of a grouser to a tracked tire assembly. A pair of grouser retainers, one at each edge of the track or belt, are used to anchor each grouser as each grouser retainer is less than the full width of the tire tread.

Abstract: A horizontally adjustable seat support may be rotated 180.degree. to lock in either a forward facing position or a rearward facing position. A latching mechanism restricts frame movement from horizontal or pivotable movement but may be partially displaced for free horizontal adjustment without releasing the pivotable lock.Horizontal seat tracks may engage the lower or alternatively the upper portions of rollers carried between the seat tracks, depending on the lateral position of the seat frame.

Abstract: An elastomeric bushing encircles a piston of a mechanically operated disc brake system forming a seal between the piston and its host cylindrical bore. The elastomeric bushing provides for a small amount of lateral piston travel and will provide a retraction means to return the brake piston to a position of repose.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring and controlling the level of a working element of an agricultural implement including a digital comparator which compares stored digital signals with digital signals corresponding to the actual position of the working element. A secondary valve is controllable from the digital comparator to limit lowering movement. The actual position digital signals are developed by counters which count clock pulses during a pulse developed by a transducer circuit and having a duration corresponding to the vertical position of the working element. Such actual position digital signals are applied to latching circuits from which a signal may be applied upon operation of a memory reset button to memory latch circuits operative to provide the stored signals and such signals may also be applied to display latching circuits.