Abstract: A quick coupler assembly for attaching a material handling bucket or the like to the free ends of lift arms extending from a loader. The quick coupler assembly includes an elongated cross member having hitch brackets on its opposite ends. Each hitch bracket includes an end which is received against the underside of an upper attachment member on the rear wall of the bucket near the top edge thereof. The opposite end of the hitch bracket is configured for engagement against a lower inclined ramp extending along the bottom rear edge of the bucket. The coupler assembly further includes an over-center locking mechanism consisting of a pivotal handle and link connected to a shaft with a wedge on the lower end of the shaft. The shaft and wedge are slidably movable in response to over-center movement of the handle and link such that the wedge moves downwardly and passes through openings in a lower hitch bracket attachment member and the lower inclined bucket ramp for locking the quick coupler assembly to the bucket.

Abstract: A start switch mechanism for synchronization of a starting circuit actuation with a neutral zone of a vehicle transmission, thereby allowing an operator to start the vehicle in neutral gear, comprises a switch mounted on one shaft and an actuating pin mounted on another shaft. The pin trips the switch, thereby actuating the starting circuit, only when both shafts, each of which being connected to a different series of range gears, are aligned in a predetermined position which corresponds to a neutral zone of the transmission.

Abstract: A cotton harvester and picker unit is provided for the harvesting of narrow spaced row cotton. The cotton harvester is provided with novel picker units which overlap one another to reduce the total lateral width of the cotton harvester. The inventive harvesting units are also elongated in the direction of the travel to reduce the transverse width. The picker units also have a composite post assembly, compressor sheet and plant lifter which allows for quick disassembly without hand or power tools. Removal of the front post assembly provides easier access to the rotors for maintenance or removal of chokes.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly which requires an operator to buckle the seat belt straps together in front of him when he is seated. The seat belt straps are inserted through flexible shields on opposed sides of an operator's chair with leaf springs extending from the ends of the shields to positions beneath and slightly inwardly of the chair arms. If the operator attempts to leave the straps unbuckled or to buckle the straps behind him, the leaf springs cause sufficient discomfort to prevent this non-use or misuse of the seat belt assembly. Further, the straps may be provided with projections adjacent their secured ends which also cause discomfort to the operator if the straps are not buckled properly. The seat belt assembly also includes a switch which is secured to a mounting bracket on the floor of the operator's compartment.

Abstract: Reverse tilt steering wheel, i.e., the pivot point is not located down on the steering column below the wheel. The reverse tilt hereof is accomplished by concealed ramp track and track roller follower mechanism locating the pivot on the column axis, as and when extended, to a point located thereon which is above the wheel, to wit, projected completely without and beyond the structure. The resulting characteristic of the wheel is that it executes combined relative motion, coordinated so as to adjust in position along an arc concave with respect to the operator while simultaneously controlled in tilt to avoid change of wheel angularity from its normal position squarely facing the operator.

Abstract: A seal ring for controlling fluid flow is provided with an interlocking cut allowing the seal ring to be latched into a continuous ring after being opened to allow positioning in an accompanying annular groove.

Abstract: A park lock interlock assembly prevents shifting of a vehicle transmission, while a vehicle park lock is engaged, by virtue of an interlock rod block insertion into an interlock rod aperture, when the transmission is in a neutral position.

Abstract: A parking brake declutching system which places an earth-working machine transmission in neutral when the parking brake is engaged and prevents the transmission from being re-engaged until the parking brake is released. The parking brake declutching system includes a parking brake valve, a declutch valve, and a pair of service brake valves with the parking brake valve being connected to a spring applied, air released parking brake actuator. The declutch valve is also connected to the parking brake actuator and to a clutch cut-out actuator which selectively disengages the transmission. When the parking brake valve is positioned to actuate the parking brake, the declutch valve is positioned to direct compressed air to actuate the clutch cut-out actuator which disengages the transmission for the machine. If the parking brake valve is opened, compressed air is directed to the parking brake actuator for disengaging the parking brake.

Abstract: A fuel filler assembly is retained in a concealed compartment in a closed position. A fuel receptacle linked with the door to the compartment moves together with the door for an angular positioning relative to a vehicle body. The door opening automatically places the receptacle into an inclined position for fuel intake and the door closing brings the receptacle back into the concealed compartment.

Abstract: A muffler assembly having a thermally-responsive valve mechanism is disclosed which facilitates draining of moisture from within the muffler assembly without compromise of its sound-attenuating characteristics. The muffler includes an outer muffler body which defines a water drainhole disposed at a relatively low portion of the muffler where water would otherwise collect. The valve mechanism comprises a valve member affixed to the muffler body in overlapping relation relative to the water drainhole. Notably, the valve member comprises material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion which differs from that of the material from which the muffler body is formed, thus permitting the valve member to close and open the drainhole attendant to thermal expansion and contraction of the muffler body, respectively.

Abstract: A tilt and telescope steering wheel with a push button keyboard non-rotatably mounted within the steering wheel has a foot actuated release mechanism for simultaneous disengagement of tilt lock and telescope lock mechanisms. A readout instrument panel with various indicators thereon rigidly attached to and tiltable with the steering column so as to provide a constant angular correlation with the steering wheel facilitating an unobstructed view of the panel in all steering wheel tilt positions.

Abstract: A dual wheel mounting arrangement for material handling implements is disclosed which permits the second, outer wheel of the arrangement to be easily and quickly releasably affixed to the first, inner wheel of the arrangement. The connecting arrangement includes a plurality of spokes affixed to a rim portion of the second wheel assembly, and further includes a generally elongated removable wheel fastener which is adapted to coact with the spokes for securing the second wheel assembly to the first. An adapter bracket is adapted to be mounted in association with the first wheel assembly by its lug fasteners, with the adapter bracket being adapted to releasably receive the wheel fastener. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of openings are defined by the hub portion of the first wheel assembly, with the openings respectively receiving projecting portions of the spokes affixed to the rim of the second wheel assembly, thus operatively interconnecting the wheel assemblies in driving relation.

Abstract: A transmission system particularly useable for transmitting power from an internal combustion engine to the driving wheels of a vehicle such as a tractor. The system includes a multiple ratio mechanical range transmission coupled to a speed transmission via a manually operable master clutch. A high slip fluid coupling is used to couple the speed transmission to the engine, and an electronically controlled lockup clutch locks the impeller of the fluid coupling to the output turbine of same when the speed of the engine exceeds a first predetermined speed, and maintains the coupling locked until the speed of the engine drops below a second substantially lower predetermined speed; the difference between the predetermined speeds is due to a speed comparator hysteresis which serves to prevent hunting during automatic gear shifts between different ratios.

Abstract: A ring seal for protecting a designated area from ambient contamination is alternately placeable into its sealing and non-sealing positions. The ring seal permits a limited travel between the sealable surfaces without compromising the seal integrity. The ring seal facilitates an interference-free installation and selective maintenance of the sealable parts.

Abstract: A leak-detecting hydraulic system is disclosed for operation of a fluid actuator associated with a front-end loader, a backhoe, or a like implement on a material handling device. Notably, the system includes a leak-detection circuit which normally acts to prevent movement of the implement associated with the actuator by gravity in the event of a failure in one of the hydraulic fluid lines operatively connected with the actuator. Additionally, the system preferably includes a selectively operable float valve which permits fluid flow which bypasses the leak-detection circuit, thus desirably permitting operation of the implement associated with the actuator in a "floating" mode.

Abstract: Fan-shroud structure and mounting which compensates for relative movement between an engine and radiator to prevent contact between a rotating fan and the shroud structure. In one embodiment of the invention, a one-piece fiberglass shroud is provided having a generally rectangular end portion which is integral with and merges into an opposed annular venturi portion. The rectangular end portion is secured to a bulbous seal which accommodates the relative movement between the engine and radiator to prevent damage to the shroud. In an alternate embodiment, a one-piece fiberglass venturi shroud is provided having a rounded convergent end section, a throat section and a divergent end section. A box-like outer shroud having an opening therein receives the convergent end section and a bulbous seal is fitted around the opening in the outer shroud for engagement with the throat section.

Abstract: A self-propelled cotton harvester having a cotton receiving and unloading basket mounted for vertical movement between cotton-receiving and cotton-unloading positions in a level attitude wherein the basket comprises a chain conveyor for cotton unloading regardless of angle and moving load on the door in all basket height positions.

Abstract: A plow that has a plurality of equally spaced right hand plows and left hand plows that are mounted one above the other on a beam of the plow support structure. Each right hand plow has trip linkage that is offset from the trip linkage of the left hand plow of the set. The plow structure is mounted on a frame for 180.degree. rotation on an axis offset from the longitudinal center line of the frame so that the foremost right hand plow in the working position is the same distance from the longitudinal center line of the frame as the left hand plow in the working position.

Abstract: A cotton harvester basket for accumulating picked cotton comprises four walls, a floor with a conveyor and a detachable roof section. The basket is vertically moveable between its raised and lowered positions by hydraulic cylinders disposed at the opposite ends of the basket. The same cylinders can be used for telescopically bringing the roof section into and out of the space encompassed by the basket walls.

Abstract: A dispenser that includes a vertical wall, a selector drum having an open end mounted for rotation in sealing relationship on the wall, the drum having circumferentially spaced openings about its periphery for seeds, a seed hopper having a conduit for supplying seeds to the interior of the drum through an opening in the wall, a blower fan supplying air to the interior of the drum through an opening in the wall, seed cut-off and singling structure for removing extra seeds picked up by the openings in the rotating drum, and a seed discharge structure located 90.degree.