Abstract: An improved ripper assembly (12) is joined to and drawn by a draft device (10) and includes a mounting structure (14), a ripper element (16), and an impactor apparatus (18). The mounting structure (14) includes an upper flange (20) and a lower flange (22) joined together by a pair of side plates (23). Aligned openings (24,26) in the flanges (20,22) permit attachment thereof to the draft device (10) and allows pivoting about a vertical pivot axis (28) when pins (30,32) are installed. The ripper element (16) is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis (38) and is secured to the mounting structure (14) by a pivot pin (40). The impact apparatus (18) imparts intermittent blows to the ripper element (16) and is joined to the mounting structure (14) by a single upper support pin (44) and two, aligned lower support pins (46).

Abstract: A multi-piece wheel structure (16) permits inflation of a tire (10) mounted thereon only when components constituting the wheel structure (16) are locked together. The wheel structure (16) includes an annular rim base (18) having an outer periphery (30) with an indentation (36), an annular restraining flange (22) arranged about the rim base (18) which prevents axial movement of the tire (10) mounted on the rim base (18), a locking ring (24) which is insertable in the indentation (36) between the restraining flange (22) and the rim base (18) and on one axial side of the restraining flange (22), a conduit structure (44,46) which extends through the rim base (18), at least one connection hole (52) in the rim base (18) connecting the conduit structure (44,46) to the indentation (36), and a sealing plug (26) located in the hole (52) in sealing engagement with the rim base (18) and properly assembled locking ring (24).

Abstract: An oscillating rear axle assembly (30) and associated drawbar (40) which oscillates therewith. The rear axle (24) protrudes from an axle housing (32) which is joined to a support structure (34) extending forwardly therefrom. The support structure (34) is oscillatably joined to a rear frame (14) by two axially separated bearings (36,38) disposed therebetween. The drawbar (40) is laterally guided by the rear axle assembly (30) and a pivot support structure (84) and is axially fixed as well as oscillatably joined to the rear frame (14) by a spherical bearing (52) to permit drawbar oscillation with the rear axle assembly (30).

Abstract: An impacting apparatus (10) for fracturing material includes a housing (14) and a fracturing shank (12) which is mounted adjacent the housing (14) so as to reciprocate about a pivot axis (24). The fracturing shank (12) has an impact receiving portion (28) and a sealing portion (26). The sealing portion (26) has a cylindrical sealing surface (26a) which is arranged about a longitudinal axis (26b). Such longitudinal axis (26b) is perpendicular to a radial line (33) extending from the pivot axis (24) and is inclined at a predetermined angle to a longitudinal axis (28b) extending through the impact receiving portion (28). An annular seal (16) is connected to the sealing surface (26a) and the housing (14) to obstruct the passage of material into and out of the housing (14). The seal (16) has a flexible portion (40) whose inner margin (46) lies along the radial line (33 ).

Abstract: A load skidding vehicle (10) utilizing a grapple assembly (28) for grasping loads. The grapple assembly (28) is pivotally connected to a boom (24) which extends rearwardly from and is connected to a chassis (12). The grapple assembly (28) is pivotable relative to the boom (24) by a hydraulic cylinder (36) connected to the grapple assembly (28) and chassis (12). Displacement of the hydraulic cylinder (36) provides pivoting of the grapple assembly (28) to an optimum load skidding position. Means (66,68,70,72,78,62',68') are provided for maintaining the optimum skidding position for the grapple assembly (28) with a biasing force during skidding by permitting the grapple assembly (28) to pivot away from the initial skidding position when a predetermined skidding force is encountered. When the skidding force falls below the biasing force magnitude, the grapple assembly (28) is again pivoted toward the initially set skidding position.

Abstract: A dampened fully pivotal hanger (10) for a grapple (12) of a log skidding vehicle (14) or the like having a main mounting member (24) attachable to a rotator (22), first pivoting members (32) pivotal with respect to the main mounting member (24) and second pivoting members (48) pivotal with respect to the first pivoting members (32). A grapple assembly (12) is attached to the second pivoting members (48). A pair of shock absorbers (60,68) is connected between each pair of pivotally attached assemblies (24,32,48) for dampening motion therebetween. The elements of the present hanger (10) define a recess (71) through which hydraulic lines (72) are protectedly run. The dampened, fully pivotal hanger (10) prevents destructive swinging of the grapple assembly (12) when not loaded.

Abstract: Window for construction vehicle cabs or the like having following features: provides maximum cross sectional area for viewing; can be fastened into place by screws turned home from the inside and which are hidden from view after installation; and comprises a minimum number of parts which must be handled at installation and so speeds up the process.

Abstract: A multi-piece wheel structure (16) permits inflation of a tire (10) mounted thereon only when components constituting the wheel structure (16) are locked together. The wheel structure (16) includes an annular rim base (18) having an indentation (36), a restraining flange (22) arranged about the rim base (18) prevent axial movement of the tire (10) mounted on the rim base (18), a locking ring (24) insertable in the indentation (36) between the restraining flange (22) and the rim base (18) on one axial side of the restraining flange (22), a conduit structure (44,46) which extends through the rim base (18), a groove (53) in the rim base (18) intersecting the indentation (36), at least one biasing hole (52) in the rim base (18) connecting the conduit structure (44,46) and the groove (53), and a sealing ring (26) located in the groove (53) in sealing engagement with the rim base (18) only when the locking ring (24) is completely disposed in the indentation (36) in engagement with the locking ring (24).

Abstract: A shaft arrangement (34) having a transversely displaceable weight member (42) relative to the shaft arrangement's longitudinal axis (B). The shaft arrangement (34) includes a housing structure (36) within compression structure (44) is arranged. The compression structure (44) extends through the housing structure (36) and connects to the displaceable weight member (42). An elastomeric member (50) is captured between the compression structure (44) and the housing structure (36) so as to resist transverse displacement of the weight member and the connected compression structure (44). The elastomeric member (50) maintains the weight member (42) and connected compression structure (44) in a rotatably balanced position relative to the longitudinal axis (B) for rotation speeds less than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Multiple, interconnected shielding portions (26,28,30) constitute a protection structure (22) which may be arranged relative to a console (10) in an obstructing position so as to shield instruments contained in the console (10) from damage. The multiple shielding portions (26,28,30) are relatively displaceable to permit common occupation of all the shielding portions (26,28,30) in an envelope formed by one of the shielding portions (26). Such common occupation or self-storing design permits the protection structure (22), when removed from the console (10), to be stored in a minimum of space. The protection structure (22) may be assembled in obstructing relationship with the console (10) by displacing the individual shielding portions (26,28,30) to predetermined positions prior to interconnecting the console (10) and one of the components (28) with tabs (38) connected to the component (28) into slots in the console (10).

Abstract: A noise reducing assembly, including a sound absorbing grille (30) with louvers (33) and a sound and air diverting unit (40) is used for noise control in an earthmoving vehicle (20). The sound absorbing grille (30) has a perforated panel (32) covering an air exhaust opening (22). A plurality of sound absorbing louvers (33) are attached to the perforated panel (32) in spaced relationship. The sound and air diverting unit (40) is disposed in front of the sound absorbing grille (30), and includes means (42a,42b,42c) for diverting the sound and air from said sound absorbing grille (30) vertically and transversely of the vehicle body. The walls of the louvers (33) and the sound and air diverting unit (40) are filled with sound absorbing material (37,43).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for stopping an engine from a remote location relative to an operator's work station. An engagement apparatus (20) which is displaceable between first and second positions is engaged with an engine stoppage member (19) which, when rotatably displaced by the engagement apparatus (20) between two positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the engagement apparatus (20), can permit engine operation or induce engine shutdown. An actuating link (24) interconnected with engagement apparatus (20) is displaceable, when subjected to a momentarily applied external force, between engine operating and engine shutdown positions. A spring (30) biases engagement apparatus (20) towards the first and second positions when the actuating link (24) occupies the engine operation and shutdown positions, respectively.

Abstract: A seal apparatus (40) for sealing between relatively rotatable structures (12,14) is provided and has a pair of seal rings (62,64) which are engageable at axial sealing face portions (70,72). Axially facing surfaces (78,80) of the first seal ring (62) are arranged such that fluid pressure acting thereon biases it in a first direction. Axial positioning and circumferential retention of the second seal ring (64) is provided by an elastomeric toric (68) which is arranged radially between the second seal ring (64) and a retaining ring structure (46) which constitutes a part of the relatively rotatable structure (14). Axially facing surfaces (82,84,96) of the second seal ring (64) and the sealing toric (68) have areas in the axial direction which cause the second seal ring (64) to be pressure balanced in the axial direction by fluid pressure exerted thereon.

Abstract: A self adjusting actuator system (32/32') has an actuator housing (40), a telescoping piston (52) defining therewith head and rod end chambers (58,60), and a compression spring (66) disposed for biasing the piston (52) in a preselected direction against an external force. A control system supplies fluid selectively to either of the chambers (58,60) and includes control device (33/33') for selectively permitting egress of fluid from the rod end chamber (60) to permit the piston (52) to move in the preselected direction in response to a change in the external force. Such system is particularly useful in a log grapple (10).