Abstract: A draft connection is disclosed for tractor and trailer units or similar articulated vehicles, which is characterized by a vertically disposed hitch pin mounted in the end portion of the trailer gooseneck and a cooperating bearing socket for receiving the pin which constitutes a part of an assembly mounted in the back portion of the frame of the tractor unit, which assembly includes an associated horizontal hitch pivot arrangement.

Abstract: An electric circuit for use in the ignition system of a vehicle having an auxiliary steering system powered by the vehicle battery which is energized upon engine failure or shut down during vehicle operation. The ignition circuit disconnects the auxiliary steering system from the vehicle battery during engine starting to eliminate unnecessary drain on the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A vertical coupling or hitch shaft carried by one of a pair of articulated units in engagement with a complementary shaft-receiving bearing surface carried by another unit for joining the articulated vehicle is formed with an aperture through which flexible control lines are passed to interconnect controls positioned on the draft unit with operable actuators on the trailer unit to actuate the controlled functions.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator for excavating laterally of the excavator's position on a work plane which includes a two part or compound lever lifting arm wherein the first part or portion of the lifting arm is pivoted at one end to an excavator base by a support pin to permit the lift arm to move vertically in a plane extending normal to the excavator base or work plane. A second part or portion of the lift arm is pivotally connected to the end of the first portion opposite to the excavator base to rotate relative to the first portion in the same vertical plane of movement. A side positioning arm is pivotably connected to the second portion of the lifting arm for movement in a horizontal plane parallel to the work plane or excavator base. A working arm, having an excavating apparatus such as a bucket, is pivotably connected to the free end of the side positioning arm for movement in a vertical plane extending normal to the plane of movement of the side positioning arm.

Abstract: A control lever assembly mounted on a panel including a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to one side of the panel over an opening therein and a pivot pin fixed to the bracket having its axis disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the opening in the panel. A rotary bearing device surrounds the pin and is journaled thereon to rotate about the pin axis. A handle is fixed to the bearing device and extends through the opening in the panel with the distal end portion of the handle being disposed on the opposite side of the panel. A centrally-apertured, flexible seal member surrounds the handle and is disposed between the bearing device and the mounting bracket to seal the assembly to the one side of the panel.

Abstract: A master link assembly in a continuous flexible track assembly for a crawler tractor comprises two laterally spaced apart (left and right) parallel master links and each master link comprises two overlapping half-links held in alignment and mechanically secured together in fixed relationship by track shoe capscrews which extend through holes in a master link track shoe which overlies both half-links and screw into tapped capscrew holes in the half-links.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting relative tilting between a tractor unit and a trailer unit of an articulated vehicle comprising a horizontal hitch pivot fixed to the tractor to permit relative tilting movement between the tractor and trailer units. A pair of right and left stationary stop members are each fixed to the tractor frame and spaced from the pivot device. Two pairs of movable upper and lower stop engaging members are fixedly connected to the horizontal pivot device to contact opposite sides of each stationary stop member to limit relative tilting movement between the tractor and trailer. During the relative tilting between the units, one of the movable upper stop engaging members contacts the upper surface of one of the stationary stop members and simultaneously therewith the opposite movable lower stop engaging members contacts the lower surface of the opposite stationary stop members to evenly distribute stresses exerted on the components when limiting the tilt between the tractor and trailer units.

Abstract: A track laying tractor comprising a tractor body having a framework supported laterally by a pair of track units, a crane placed upon one of the sides of the tractor body and having a movable boom which can be tilted laterally and pivoted at the base on an appendage fixed to the outer face of the adjacent track unit. A counterweight for balancing the load is placed on the side of the tractor body opposite to the crane. An additional framework supports a mechanical linkage system for varying the lateral tilt of the crane, for adjusting the position of the counterweight and for lifting the load.

Abstract: A crawler tractor has an engine-driven transmission for supplying motive power to the left and right crawler tracks through spring-applied fluid-released left and right steering clutches and also has spring-applied fluid-released track brakes. A hydraulic steering clutch and brake control system is provided and includes left and right manually operable steering levers for the clutches and a single foot-operated brake pedal. The control system further includes a single pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the steering clutches and to the brake actuators for the brakes. A steering valve, having a flow divider therein, receives fluid from the pump and is responsive to actuation of the steering levers to supply fluid to release the steering clutches. The steering valve also continually directs fluid to a pilot operated shuttle valve which is responsive to operation of the steering clutches to direct operating fluid to the brake actuators to effect brake release for that track whose clutch is engaged.

Abstract: An engine compartment enclosure for reducing sound emission from the engine while providing adequate air flow through the engine compartment for cooling and accessibility to the interior thereof for servicing. An upwardly swingable hood panel, a downwardly swingable service panel and an outwardly swingable sound barrier panel are operatively connected such that the sound barrier panel, when closed, secures both the hood and service panels in their closed position allowing a single latch to function as a security lock for controlling access to the engine compartment. Upon unlatching and swinging the sound barrier panel outwardly, the hood panel may be raised and the service panel lowered providing complete access to the interior of the engine compartment.