Abstract: An ejecting device for a dump truck has a truck bed with a bed surface, a pair of side walls, and a pivotally moveable tailgate. The ejecting device has a pair of guide rails, one each mounted to a top edge of the side walls of the bed. A generally vertically oriented ejector plate is disposed between the side walls extending transversely there across and has a roller member assembly attached to each side edge. The roller assemblies are carried one in each of the guide rails. The ejector plate is moveable between a fully retracted position at a first end of the truck bed to a fully extended position at a second end of the truck bed adjacent the tailgate. An extendable cylinder is carried on the truck frame and attached to the ejector plate for moving the plate between the fully retracted position and the fully extended position to eject material from the bed.

Abstract: A fluid control system incorporates an orificing device between each of a plurality of pilot operated control valves in connection with a control device and a resolver. The pilot operated control valves are actuated by the control device to control different functions of a work machine. The actuation of the pilot operated control valves produces pressure flows that are sent to the respective resolver. The orificing devices include a plurality of steps that may be varied in size and shape to dampen the pressure flow to the respective resolver so that independent control for the pilot operated control valves is achieved. Additionally, a precision edge is defined within each of the orificing devices to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid through the respective orificing device and maintain a consistent viscous drag therethrough independent of temperature and oil-viscosity variations.

Abstract: An articulated truck for carrying a load through a plurality of work cycles is disclosed. An embodiment includes a frame assembly, an articulation. joint, a plurality of axles, a plurality of ground engaging devices, an operator compartment, a body, an engine, a transmission and an apparatus for receiving the torque and transferring the torque to a plurality of drive shafts. The apparatus includes a plurality of gears, an inter-axle differential, and a plurality of drive shafts. The inter-axle differential is located such that the front axle may be suspended to allow oscillation.

Abstract: A lift boom assembly includes a pair of lift arm assemblies. Each of the lift arm assemblies include a main lift link with a rear end portion and a second lift link. The second lift links each have a first end portion, a second end portion pivotally connected to a frame of a work machine to define a first pivot, and a central portion pivotally connected to the rear end portion of a respective main lift link to define a second pivot. A pair of control links each having a first end portion that is pivotally connected to the frame of the work machine to define a third pivot. A second end portion of the control links being pivotally connected to a respective one of the main lift links to define a fourth pivot with each of the first, second, third, and fourth pivots being located above the lower portion of the frame. The pivots of the components are located on an upper portion of the work machine so that the components cooperate together to achieve a simple and efficient lift boom design.

Abstract: The present invention includes a hydrostatic transmission system that has a control device that is selectable to send a speed signal to a motor for driving an output at a predetermined speed. A controller is used to automatically permit the selected speed signal in response to a predetermined speed signal and predetermined input from a sensing device indicating that the output is being driven in a forward drive condition. The controller is also used to automatically override the selected speed signal in response to a predetermined speed signal and predetermined input from a sensing device indicating that the output is being driven in a reverse drive condition. This invention allows for the speed of the motor to be changed from a high speed to a low speed when the motor is driving the output in a reverse drive condition to achieve greater efficiency and control of a work machine.

Abstract: In the operation of work machines having an ejector blade pivotally coupled to a cylinder by cylinder-attached pivot pins, it has been a problem reducing the stress acting on the pivot pins caused by, for one example, improperly set yaw rollers. The present invention provides for an ejector arrangement for a work machine in which a coupler is pivotally coupled to the cylinder and pivotally coupled with the ejector blade.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a work machine having a telescopic arm coupled to the front thereof. This arm is used for seating various sorts of frontal attachments and is raised and lowered by means of a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit. Now in order to ensure that an installed frontal attachment always rests on the ground with a pre-selected force, use is made of a pilot controlled seat valve and an adjustable pressure regulating valve which ensure that a constant pressure is maintained in the cylinder chamber formed below the base of the piston in the piston-cylinder unit when a constant supply of oil is fed to this part of the cylinder chamber. In consequence, this means that the installed frontal attachment always rests on the ground with one and the same force independently of whether the ground is flat or uneven. The frontal attachment thus precisely copies the contour of the ground at all times.

Abstract: The present invention includes a coupler assembly connected between a standard bucket and a work machine. The coupler assembly converts the standard bucket to a side dump bucket. The conversion is possible through the use of a pivot assembly and actuating device. The pivot assembly includes an interface portion that is releasably connected to the work machine and a base portion. The base portion is pivotably and releasably connected with the interface portion via pins. The actuating device is connected between the interface portion and the base portion. The removal of one of the pins allows for the pivotable movement of the base portion outwardly and laterally via the actuating device to establish an angular relationship between the bucket and the work machine for dumping material within the bucket to one side of the work machine.

Abstract: A snubbing arrangement functions to control the rate of deceleration of a piston and rod assembly within a fluid cylinder as the piston and rod assembly nears the bottom of the piston cavity. A flow blocking mechanism is attached to the piston and rod assembly and acts to block flow from the piston cavity through a first head end port. A pressure differential valve mechanism is disposed between a second head end port and the rod end port and operative to control the pressure in the head end cavity relative to the pressure in the rod end cavity.

Abstract: The present invention includes a resilient cab mounting apparatus for resiliently mounting a cab structure, incorporating a roll over protective structure, onto a vehicle frame. The cab mounting apparatus includes a first resilient member which is positioned between the cab structure and the frame members and held in place by use of a mounting structure having an attached upper flange.

Abstract: A material eject system includes an ejector mounted to a bed of a vehicle which is movable between a rear end and a forward end of the bed for ejecting material from the bed. The ejector is powered by a cylinder having different fluid volumes depending on the direction of motion of the cylinder. Two pumps having flow rates matching the different fluid volumes of the cylinder are used to power the cylinder in the different directions.

Abstract: In the operation of work machines, it has been a problem providing a dashboard with sufficient durability to withstand the oftentimes rigorous operating environments and which does not require the use of metal brackets for support. The present invention provides for a dashboard which has a front portion and a reinforcing structure attached to the front portion.

Abstract: A quick coupler assembly connects an implement to a work machine. The coupler assembly includes a cylindrical catcher rotatably mounted between a pair of plates. During coupling of the implement with the coupler assembly, the catcher is rotated at a cam surface by an implement coupling pin which allows a latch member mounted to the pair of plates to slidingly engage automatically with the catcher for locking the catcher in a closed position. The closed position of the catcher locates a jaw thereof in a position which retains the implement coupling pin within a receiving notch of the catcher thereby coupling the implement to the work machine. The ability to couple an implement to a work machine with ease and simplicity in conjunction with the utilization of durable components, increases usability and reliability while reducing costs.

Abstract: A log hauler having a wheeled tractor and one or more wheeled log trailers with support wheels which are individually steerable to permit the log hauler to travel in a serpentine manner through a tree harvesting area. The support wheels are vertically adjustable to provide stability as the log hauler traverses uneven ground.

Abstract: A lower frame assembly for use in a skid steer loader machine has front and rear end portions. A front wall is positioned at the front end portion of the lower frame assembly and is connected between a pair of side rails. Each of a pair of spaced transmissions housings with front and rear end portions is connected at the front end portion to the front wall and extends rearwardly along a respective side rail. A fuel tank is connected at the rear end portion of the transmission housings and extends between the side rails so that the fuel tank is integral with the lower frame assembly.

Abstract: Earthmoving machines are often provided with quick coupling devices that allow them to change work implements in a relatively rapid fashion when compared to changing conventionally mounted implements. A locking system between the machine linkage and the implement is positioned between the components and includes a hydraulic system which continually applies pressurized fluid to the locking system.

Abstract: A first tree engaging device is attached to the first trimming member and maintains the first trimming member at a transverse position relative to the tree trunk during relative longitudinal movement of the tree trunk. The first trimming member includes a knife portion which includes a knife edge portion structured and arranged to form an angle (&phgr;) relative to the tree trunk surface when placed adjacent to the tree trunk.

Abstract: The present invention includes a trencher assembly with a motor that directly drives a sprocket through the rotation of a shaft of the motor. The rotation of the sprocket drives both a digging chain and an auger assembly simultaneously. The ability to use a motor to directly drive the sprocket decreases the components necessary for a drive train of the trencher assembly to promote a compact design. This occurs because the sprocket is able to drive both the digging chain and auger assembly through the transfer of driving forces from the motor without any intermediate gearing, belts, rotating support structure, and the like.