Abstract: A receptacle lift apparatus for a cotton harvester or other dumping vehicle including a linear hydraulic motor including a first rod and piston assembly attached to the receptacle and a second rod and piston assembly attached to the chassis and a floating cylindrical housing receiving the first piston in one end and the second piston in the other end being independent of the chassis and receptacle for axially unrestrained movement relative thereto.

Abstract: Clutch-clutch-brake steering unit having hydraulically actuated cylinders for controlling same to control rotation of a track-drive sprocket in a crawler tractor. Specifically, one of the clutch cylinders and a brake cylinder provided in the unit have an inlet-outlet port in common, and are so arranged on a spring-applied-brake, hydraulically-applied-clutch basis that a single pressure signal in the inlet-outlet port alternately operates the cylinders to apply the brake and release the one clutch, to apply the one clutch and release the brake or, by proper modulation, to partially engage either, i.e., slip the clutch or drag the brake to intermediate degrees as desired.

Abstract: A planter having a frame, a drive train supported from the frame and having a forward end adapted to be connected to a drive and the other end having drive structure rotatably supported on the frame, the frame also having a pair of laterally spaced horizontal flanges, stop structures extending through each flange, funnel structure mounted on said frame, a clutch shaft rotatably supported in the drive structure and having spaced jaws and structure for releasably connecting the clutch shaft in a driving and non-driving position to the drive structure, a hopper assembly having lower flanged surfaces for engaging the frame flanges and stops, a granular dispenser located in the lower portion of said hopper and having a dispenser shaft engageable with the clutch shaft jaws and fastening structure between the frame and hopper for releasably attaching the hopper to the planter.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated clutch booster utilizes a seat accumulator incorporated in a vehicle seat suspension circuit for a source of fluid pressure when the normal clutch booster fluid supply pump is not operating thereby providing hydraulic assist to operate the vehicle's clutch upon initial start up.

Abstract: A disc brake protective cover plate is mounted to a radial flange on a tractor loader wheel axle housing which is used for mounting multiple air-over-hydraulic, external drive caliper disc brake units thereto. The disc brake protective cover plate is in the form of a canister which has an open end slipping over the disc brake units into a hub of the tractor wheel. The cover plate protects feeder brake lines which are connected to a main disc brake unit and run externally alongside the radial flange to two servo disc brake units.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle having an engine (10) governed to run within a predetermined speed range; the engine (10) arranged to drive a motive power train (11), a charge pump (14), a variable displacement pump (12) and a fixed displacement pump (15). The variable and fixed pumps (12 and 15) are arranged to supply hydraulic fluid pressure to a work circuit (26). A flow signal is created by passing the output from the charge pump (14) through an orifice (40), which signal is routed to a speed valve (46) which directs fluid to a control ram (78) to reduce the displacement of the pump (15) during a predetermined intermediate portion of said speed range.

Abstract: An improvement in an articulated tractor which has front and rear sections pivotally connected along a vertical axis of articulation. Each of the sections is supported by a pair of ground engaging wheels that are drivingly connected to a differential input by a differential and an axle. The improvement includes an engine mounted on the front section forward of the front section differential with the engine's output element disposed longitudinally of the tractor. The engine's output element extends rearwardly toward the front section differential and is vertically positioned in close proximity to the top of the front section differential. The improvement also includes a power train connected to the engine's output element which provides for the transmittal of engine power rearwardly from the engine output element along a first path over the front section differential, to and through the axis of articulation.

Abstract: A laminated composite structure having a rigid honeycomb core and upper and lower fabric skin layers is provided with a reservoir layer of randomly oriented fibers, such as chopped glass or chopped mat, between the core and the top skin to retain the resin during lay-up so that the top skin may be laid on dry and become impregnated upon compression of the laminate. A reservoir layer may also be used between the core and the bottom skin to improve the bond therebetween.

Abstract: A vibrating ripper having quadrilateral linkage. The linkage, equipped with a remote hydraulic control therefor for making running adjustments as afforded by a depth actuator cylinder during ripping and possibly, but not necessarily, as afforded by a pitch actuator cylinder which also can be provided, has a raised-carry position and a lowered-rip position in which it has a vibratory rocking action, and defines a pitch axis fixed in the linkage and shifting therewith during depth changes. Strategic upper level placement of an elastic strut connection which is provided, and diagonal placement of the lift or depth cylinder connection to the draft frame or to the ripper beam and shank assembly, locate the pitch axis at the node of the rocking assembly as it vibrates.

Abstract: In an automatic tailgate of a dump truck a continuous single cable extends from a left side gate lever arm to a right side gate lever arm after passing below the dump body of the truck and being movably secured to the truck frame. When the dump body is in a dumping mode the continuous single cable will allow equalization of tailgate lifting forces.

Abstract: A multi-segment farm implement flexible tool bar or frame is provided with a hydraulic system including a rotary flow divider for raising and lowering each segment of the sectional frame in synchronous movement with the other sections. A mechanical linkage associated with a ground wheel positioning cylinder also activates the hydraulic fluid control system limiting the downward movement of the implement mounted to the sectional frame on its supporting gear.

Abstract: A retainer clip for securing a first electrical wire terminal lug to an electrical terminal contact post of a junction block. The retainer clip may have one or more snap tabs, each of which is snapped around a respective post. Finger tip or tool gripping holes may be provided in the body in the case of a ganged plurality of snap tabs, or side cutouts may be provided in the case of one snap tab which facilitate easy removal of the snap tab from the respective terminal contact post after a second terminal lug is mounted on the post on top of the snap tab retained first terminal lug and a securing nut is threaded onto the post for mechanically connecting the first and second electrical wire terminal lugs to the same post.

Abstract: A gear-shift mechanism for a motor vehicle having a change-speed transmission equipped with a speed-range selection device. The mechanism has a multi-speed gear-shift transmission unit and a range-shift transmission unit. The mechanism incorporates a shift control level whose movement can be transferred via a gear-selector passage and via several gear-shift passages to a gear-shaft which is supported in a rotating manner and can be axially moved inside a housing. The shaft loosely supports gear shifting levers which can be engaged on the shaft and locked in position in a non-revolving manner after an axial movement of the gear-shift shaft caused by the respective gear-selecting operations of the shift-control lever.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for driving a rotatable seed drum of a seed planter which includes a fan for supplying air under pressure to the drum. The drum drive system includes an alternator which is mechanically driven, preferably from a drive for the planter fan, and which has output terminals connected to a motor mechanically connected to the seed drum. A ground speed signal generator is mechanically connected to a ground-engaging wheel to develop a signal which has an amplitude proportional to ground speed and which is applied through an adjustable resistance to a field winding of the alternator after passing through a control box. A drum speed signal generator arrangement is provided for developing a drum speed signal having an amplitude inversely proportional to the speed of rotation of the seed drum. This signal is also directed to the control box. Preferably, the signal generators include reluctance generator devices.

Abstract: A basket lift apparatus for a cotton harvester including a pair of linear hydraulic motors having floating axially unrestrained housings is provided with a variable length guide tube assembly pivotally connected between the respective cylinder housings to prevent rotation thereof.

Abstract: A cotton harvester is provided with a hydraulic system incorporating a multiple segment rotary flow divider interposed between a source of fluid pressure and a plurality of header unit lift cylinders. A variable orifice valve assembly is arranged parallel to the header unit lift cylinders and is responsive to undulations in the ground plane for raising and lowering individual header units.

Abstract: A self-propelled crop harvester having a header for harvesting crop material, a macerator for shredding the crop into small particles, a press for separating the crop material into liquid and fibrous fractions, a blower for conveying the fibrous fraction into a trailing wagon, a separator for separating the liquid fraction into a protein portion and a heated deproteinized juice, and a system for directing the deproteinized juice in a high pressure flow to cut the standing crop at the header. In another embodiment the heated juice is applied to the standing crop to moisten and heat the crop for more efficient subsequent processing.

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 into engagement with the upwardly extending end portion 20 of the rod 16 attached to the control lever 10. The hinged plate 24 is provided with a cutout 48 having a depth greater than the diameter of the control lever to prevent transverse movement of the control lever 10 when the plate 24 is in a restraining position. The spring 44 also urges the hinged plate 24 into disengaged over center position when the lever restraint is in a disengaged mode.

Abstract: A steering circuit for an articulated farm tractor having front and rear frame sections pivotally interconnected with steering cylinders pivotally connected between the frame sections. An open center hydrostatic steering unit selectively directs hydraulic fluid from a pump to the steering cylinders and a pilot-operated, alternating check valve is interposed in the conduit connecting the steering mechanism with the steering cylinders.