Abstract: A multiple coupling fan drive provides power to a fan in a cooling system. An input shaft drives a constant viscous coupling and a variable viscous coupling, both of which are operative to drive the fan.

Abstract: A face seal cartridge to facilitate the operation of a shaft and a bore forming a sealed rotating assembly is disclosed. The face seal cartridge includes first and second sealing members to form the face seal, and first and second o-rings and cartridge walls which act, along with a cartridge bottom, to contain the first and second sealing members and provide additional sealing functions to the interface of the shaft and the bore.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus and method of a load gate. A forwarder includes a load gate, a frame, a power source, an operator station, at least one propulsion device, at least one load retaining member, an implement, all of these arranged into a tractor and a trailer. The load gate includes at least one window and at least one transparent pane covering the windows.

Abstract: A decelerator control system includes a first control member, a machine control device, an engine, at least one brake, and a transmission. The first control member is manually moveable and is adapted to produce a first operator control signal. The machine control device is adapted to receive the first operator control signal and responsively produce an engine control signal, a brake control signal, and a transmission control signal. The engine is adapted to receive the engine control signal and responsively control the speed of the engine. The brake is adapted to receive the brake control signal and responsively control an engagement of the brake. The transmission is adapted to receive the transmission control signal and responsively control an engagement of the transmission.

Abstract: The present automatic clearance adjuster mechanism maintains a predetermined maximum brake clearance regardless of the wear condition of the brake. The brake includes a longitudinally extending rod mounted to the brake housing external to the piston element. The present automatic clearance adjuster mechanism includes a sleeve element disposed about the rod, and a biasing element disposed for releasably holding the sleeve element against the rod for preventing movement thereof along the rod to limit the retraction of the piston element to a predetermined distance relative to the sleeve element.

Abstract: A method to prevent overspeed of an internal combustion and attached ancillary devices in a mechanized vehicle includes one or more procedures to prevent improper gear selection to disengage the lockup function of a torque converter, to initiate engine braking and to destroke variable displacement hydraulic pumps. Requested gear selection in downshift is allowed only after interrogation of brake pressure, ground speed, shift selection requested and torque converter output speed. The torque converter lock-up solenoid is activated or deactivated in response to torque converter output speed which is compared to selected values to engage or disengage. Engine braking using a compression release braking system response to engine RPM in manual or automatic mode to prevent overspeed. Variable displacement pumps are destroked in response to engine RPM by adjusting swashplate control. The systems may be operated independently or under the control of a common electronic module.

Abstract: High speed disk saws are used in forestry applications as part of a harvesting head to fell trees. These saws have a saw disk which often becomes dull or damaged through use, so is commonly provided with replaceable teeth and holders. One aspect of the present invention provides a replaceable tooth and holder arrangement with recessed fasteners attaching the holder to the saw disk and the tooth to the holder. Another aspect of the present invention provides a replaceable tooth and holder arrangement with a reversible holder.

Abstract: A braking system for a construction machine includes service brakes operated by service valves to which pressure fluid is supplied by a safety valve which affords protection against unintentional application of the service brakes upon failure or malfunction of a braking system component.

Abstract: A loader is provided with rack stops on a pair of side walls of a loader boom which abut rack stops beneath opposite ends of a pair of implement tilt links to stop rack back movement of an implement pivotally mounted on one end of the boom.

Abstract: A machine operator or service person is alerted to the excessive wear condition of friction discs in friction couplings or brakes of construction machinery by being provided with a visual indication of wear of the friction discs in one embodiment, a wear indicating pin element is shifted axially by a brake piston and the position of the end of the pin element is visible through a window in a brake housing, thereby providing a visual indication of the wear condition of the friction disc. In a second embodiment of the invention the excessive wear condition of the friction discs is revealed by a signal light which is activated by a pressure switch responding to the pressure of the fluid delivered to a brake cylinder when the brake piston moves a predetermined distance in application of the brake.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the steady-state speed of a cylinder in an electrohydraulic system having multiple cylinders includes a plurality of levers for controlling each of the cylinders. A controller, in communication with the levers and the hydraulic cylinders, has a limited number of parameters defining at least one desired relationship between steady-state speed and lever position for each of the cylinders stored therein. The controller further determines a current desired relationship for each of the cylinders from the associated at least one desired relationships. Upon detecting movement of the lever, the controller determines a current position of the lever associated with one of the cylinders and then controls the steady-state speed of the associated cylinder based on the limited number of parameters defining the current desired relationship and the position of the lever.

Abstract: A tree harvester head structure is connected to a mounting structure on a mobile tree harvester by a compact coupling which provides lateral pivotal movement of the harvester head structure. An antifriction bearing and a fluid powered rotary actuator have a concentric relationship and are in substantial radial alignment, thus creating a compact design and avoiding additional side loading of the bearing. A brake prevents rotational movement of the tree harvester head structure except when the rotary actuator is operated.

Abstract: In the present invention, the distance from a predetermined point to the center of gravity of the load and a first portion of a work machine and the distance from that predetermined point to the center of gravity of the second portion of the work machine are compared, either singly or in a combination, to a predetermined value. Optionally, the articulation angle of the machine and weight and position of the load are combined with a vehicle weight value into a stability value and the stability value is compared to an alarm value. Should an instability condition be detected, an output signal is sent to an output device to alert the operator and/or affect the movement of the machine to prevent instability of the work machine.

Abstract: In many types of construction machines, the frame assembly comprises a rear frame that supports the engine and drive train components and a front frame that supports the work implement. In this type of machine, the two frames are normally pinned together and the front frame is articulated with respect to the rear frame by a pair of steering cylinders to provide steering for the machine. In the area in which the two frames are pinned together it is necessary to provide structural support, especially in the hitch area of the front frame. The present invention provides a front frame assembly (12) that has an upper and lower hitch plate (118, 120) that are positioned between and secured to the rear portion of a pair of side plates (62, 64) defined by the front frame assembly (12).

Abstract: A tree harvesting head is disclosed. An embodiment includes an elongate frame, a first support device, a second grapple arm, a second support device, and a base portion. The first support device includes a first grapple arm. The second support device includes a collector mechanism. The base portion includes a cutting device and a guard assembly.

Abstract: A control system implements several methods for automating work functions of a machine. Single activation of an operator switch generates a command to automatically perform a desired work function. A controller determines whether conditions are satisfactory to perform the desired function. When the conditions are satisfactory, the work function is performed automatically without requiring the operator to manipulate levers that are otherwise used to control the work implement of the machine.

Abstract: The present automatic clearance adjuster mechanism maintains a predetermined maximum brake clearance regardless of the wear condition of the brake. The brake includes a longitudinally extending rod mounted to the brake housing external to the piston element. The present automatic clearance adjuster mechanism includes a sleeve element disposed about the rod, and a biasing element disposed for releasably holding the sleeve element against the rod for preventing movement thereof along the rod to limit the retraction of the piston element to a predetermined distance relative to the sleeve element.