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: A track pin and track link bushing lubrication system wherein lubricant is carried within the track pin for use in lubricating the track pin and track link bushing joint. The track pin is formed with a lubricant retaining cavity sealed such that the lubricant supply may be readily replenished in the field without requiring a replacement seal.

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 lubrication pump and filter are mounted to an access cover for the final drive of earthmoving equipment together with necessary interconnecting lubricant lines. The pump and the filter can both be removed from the access cover without removing the other and without removing the cover. Both the pump, filter and lines affixed to the access cover can be removed or installed as a unit.

Abstract: A crawler tractor has an engine-driven fluid power shifted transmission for supplying motive power to left and right crawler tracks through spring-applied fluid-released left and right steering clutches and also has spring-applied fluid-released brake actuators for the track brakes. A hydraulic control system for steering and braking the tractor includes a combined steering and braking valve having a pair of lever operated valve spools, a shuttle valve, and a supplemental brake control valve operated by a single brake pedal. The combined steering and braking valve, which includes a flow divider, directs fluid from a pump to the brake actuators to maintain the brakes released when the valve spools are in neutral. When a lever operated valve spool is moved from neutral to some other position, the combined steering and braking valve directs fluid to disengage a clutch and causes the brake for the associated track to be applied.

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.

Abstract: A roller for a continuous track on a crawler tractor or the like comprises two sections welded together to define an interior lubrication cavity which communicates by means of lubrication passages to spaces containing bearings and to an exterior lubrication port. Liquid plastic material capable of in situ foaming to form an open cell plastic mass is injected into the cavity and passages wherein it sets into an open cell plastic mass. Subsequently, lubricating oil or grease is injected under pressure through the lubrication port to fill the open cells of the plastic mass for storage and subsequent supply to the bearings through the lubrication passages. The open cell plastic mass also provides a barrier or filter for particles of contaminants disposed in the cavity as a result of welding and other manufacturing steps and prevents circulating of such particles with the lubricant and damage to the bearings and seals.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for reclaiming strip-mined land. The apparatus generally comprises a leading tractor and a trailing tractor and an elongated adjustable side casting blade angularly disposed between and connected to the tractors. Control of both tractors and blade adjustment is carried out by an operator on the leading tractor. The method generally comprises the steps of driving the apparatus along a spoil bank crest near one side thereof in one direction to make one pass to effect side casting of material down one repose slope of the spoil bank and then driving the apparatus along the spoil bank crest near the other side thereof in the opposite direction to make another pass to effect side casting of material down the other repose slope of the spoil bank. Two such passes constitute one complete cycle and blade angle; blade tilt and depth of cut are changed for each pass.

Abstract: A uni-lever system for controlling operation of multiple functions. A uni-lever is coupled to linkage for actuating the multiple functions and supported for pivotal movement through a spherical bearing permitting controlled movement in predetermined planes effecting corresponding movement of the actuating linkage. Auxiliary equipment being controlled is coupled through the linkage connected to the uni-lever to respond only to movement of the uni-lever in a particular plane. Movement in the remaining planes is restricted due to the spherical joint and stabilizing linkage.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for reclaiming strip mined land. The apparatus generally comprises a leading tractor and a trailing tractor and an elongated adjustable side casting blade angularly disposed between and connected to the tractors. Control of both tractors and blade adjustment is carried out by an operator on the leading tractor. The method generally comprises the steps of driving the apparatus along a spoil bank crest near one side thereof in one direction to make one pass to effect side casting of material down one repose slope of the spoil bank and then driving the apparatus along the spoil bank crest near the other side thereof in the opposite direction to make another pass to effect side casting of material down the other repose slope of the spoil bank. Two such passes constitute one complete cycle and blade angle; blade tilt and depth of cut are changed for each pass.

Abstract: The power train of a crawler tractor comprises a hydraulically operated modulating main clutch (operated by a clutch control valve) for transmitting motive power from the tractor engine to a hydraulically operated reversible multi-speed range power shift transmission (operated by a shift selector valve) for varying the speed at the output shaft of the transmission. A control lever assembly at the tractor operator's station comprises a manually operable gear selector lever and a manually operable safety lever. The gear selector lever is pivotally mounted on an oscillatable shaft and movable laterally in opposite directions from a centered neutral position to rotate the oscillatable shaft and thereby operate the shift selector valve (connected to the oscillatable shaft) and shift the transmission to either first or second speed ranges in either forward or reverse direction.

Abstract: A track idler recoil assembly is mounted on a crawler tractor for resiliently resisting longitudinal movement of a yoke-mounted track idler caused by track deflection. The assembly comprises a spring housing, open at one end and closed at the other, rigidly secured to the tractor track frame; a coiled compression type recoil spring within the spring housing; and means, including a pushrod and a hydraulic ram, to transmit force between the track idler yoke and the spring and to enable installation and removal of the spring in uncompressed condition. The pushrod is detachably connected to the idler yoke and extends through a hole in a rigid portion of the track frame. The hydraulic ram is located between the pushrod and the spring and is slideably supported in a tubular spring restraining member which is mounted on the spring housing and movable axially into the open end thereof to fixed position to hold the spring in a precompressed condition.

Abstract: An elevating scraper comprises a bowl which can be hydraulically raised and lowered, a motor-driven elevator which can be hydraulically raised and lowered, an ejector hydraulically movable forwardly from an aft position to eject material from the bowl and a hydraulic control system for operating the aforesaid components.

Abstract: A track roller for a continuous track on a crawler tractor or the like comprises two sections welded together to define an interior lubrication cavity which communicates by means of lubrication passages to spaces containing bearings and to an exterior lubrication port. The track roller has a central cavity with a foam material holding a lubricant in its open cells. Axles extend from the track roller and through which a passage extends to communicate with the cavity. The axles are supported by bearings in the caps that are fixedly and non-rotatably mounted on the frame that supports the track roller. The passage in each axle permits lubricant to pass from the cavity to the bearings.

Abstract: A motor scraper has a dozer-type ejector blade which is forwardly movable to eject earth from the scraper bowl by an operating mechanism which includes a movable carriage having three hydraulic rams mounted thereon. The ram cylinders are rigidly connected in parallel physical arrangement on the carriage. The piston rods of two rams are pinned to the ejector blade and the rod of the remaining ram is pinned to the scraper frame. The blade and carriage are initially disposed in their rearward positions. To move the blade forward to eject earth from the bowl, pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied simultaneously to all ram cylinders to initially cause the said two rams to extend fully and move the blade part way forward (while the said one ram causes the carriage to remain stationary) and to then subsequently cause the said one ram to extend fully and move the carriage forward and thereby cause the blade to move all the way forward.

Abstract: The power train between the engine and drive wheels of a motor grader, for example, comprises a normally engaged main engine clutch, a high-low power shift range transmission, and a four speed reversible power shift main transmission. The main engine clutch is releasable manually by a clutch pedal or releasable automatically by a hydraulically operated clutch release cylinder. The range transmission is shiftable into high or low by supplying hydraulic fluid to power shift clutches therein. The main transmission is shiftable into forward, reverse or neutral by manual operation of a direction selector valve. The main transmission is also shiftable into each of its speed ranges by axially moving the spool of a speed selector valve. The spool of the speed selector valve is axially movable into four positions by a hydromechanical linkage comprising three hydraulic shift cylinders.

Abstract: Support pads formed of stacks or rolls of corrugated material have instant-bonding (pressure sensitive) adhesive on one surface thereof to adapt them for instant attachment to the underside of shipping containers, such as corrugated boxes, to provide an integral palletized container construction.