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 within a socket coupling member on the rear wall of the bucket near the top edge thereof. The opposite end of the hitch bracket is configured for engagement within a lower coupling member on the bucket rear wall. The coupler assembly further includes an attaching lever which is rotatably secured to the backside of the cross member substantially at its mid-portion. The lower end of the attaching lever is movable into engagement within a coupling member on the rear wall of the bucket. The upper end of the attaching lever includes a slidable or rotatable locking bracket assembly which is selectively moved into locking engagement with a locking member on the bucket rear wall.

Abstract: A four speed, constant mesh transmission includes an input and an output shaft with four pairs of driver and driven gears respectively spaced on the two shafts. A pair of gear couplings are slidably disposed on the output shaft and splined for rotation therewith. Each gear coupling is selectively moved along the shaft for engagement with one of the driven gears by means of a pair of shift forks respectively engaged with the gear couplings. The two shift forks are slidably disposed on a guide rail which extends parallel to the input and output shafts of the transmission. Each shift fork includes a solenoid lock which may be selectively engaged with the guide rail for preventing sliding movement of the shift fork with respect thereto.

Abstract: A hydraulic log splitter attachable to a tractor or the like having self-contained means for raising or lowering the machine. The motive power for the elevating means is the hydraulic ram itself and only a single, fixed attachment to the tractor is required. There is also disclosed a twin-tube log bed and adjustable stabilizing means for the machine. In one embodiment of the invention, means are provided for releasably slidably mounting the twin-tube log bed, which permits the splitter to be collapsed to a relatively compact size for shipment, storage and transport.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a shield arrangement for the power take-off shaft of a tractor or like piece of equipment. The arrangement includes an inverted, U-shaped shield member which is pivotally mounted to the tractor for movement between raised and lowered positions, wherein in the lowered position the power take-off shaft is shielded. The arrangement further includes a spring-loaded, strut-like link pivotally mounted within the shield member. The link member is adapted to contact the power take-off shaft for supporting the shield member in its raised position, with the link member configured to disengage the take-off shaft upon initiation of the shaft's rotation for automatically lowering the shield member.

Abstract: A double articulated material handling machine that is particularly adapted for use with a rotatable working tool having a cantilevered boom arm. The machine includes a front module, a central module, and a rear module with the front and rear modules being connected to the central module for pivotal motion about vertical axes. Steering of the machine is effected by double acting hydraulic rams which are mounted in symmetrical relation to the longitudinal axis of the machine. A pair of retractable and extensible stabilizers extend laterally from the central module. If the fluid steering rams on one side of the machine are retracted and the rams on the other side of the machine are extended, the front and rear modules are caused to turn through an angle relative to each other for steering or for placing the machine in a working position.

Abstract: A variable volume pump for satisfying the requirements of a hydraulic system while limiting fluid flow when the full volume of fluid displacement from the pump is not required by the hydraulic system. The pump includes one or more lines of reciprocable pumping pistons mounted radially around a crankshaft. The rotation of the crankshaft results in centrifugal flow of fluid through crankpin apertures for filling the pumping pistons. Each pumping piston reciprocates within a pumping chamber and the fluid volume filling the piston is directed through a discharge port to the hydraulic system. A valve piston is mounted within the pumping chamber in spaced apart opposing relationship to the pumping piston. The valve piston is normally seated against a valve seat when the pressure level in the hydraulic system is below that necessary to reduce flow.

Abstract: A self-leveling linkage assembly for maintaining a bucket in a level condition and for preventing the bucket from being rolled rearwardly beyond a predetermined maximum rollback position as the lift arm for the bucket is moved to an extreme raised position. The self-leveling linkage assembly includes a control arm rotatably mounted to a tractor frame at a location forwardly of the lift arm pivot, a position link connected between the control arm and bucket, a control valve for actuating a bucket cylinder, and a linkage connected between the control valve and a manually operable control handle. If the bucket rolls back beyond a predetermined position, the position link causes the control arm to rotate which in turn actuates the control valve for the bucket cylinder thereby rolling the bucket to a level position.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit and charging valve arrangement is disclosed for charging an accumulator where the accumulator is used to power an additional function such as a brake valve. The accumulator charging circuit is connected to a load sensing power steering circuit including a flow divider that controls the flow of a fixed displacement pump to selectively effect actuation of a power steering motor and an auxiliary device such as a bucket loader or backhoe control valve. The charging circuit includes a pilot operated charging valve which controls the flow divider of the load sensing steering circuit for the purpose of recharging the accumulator. The charging valve includes a valve member that is biased against a coil spring to a neutral position when the accumulator is charged. When the accumulator pressure drops below a preset level, the valve member is shifted thereby permitting fluid flow through the charging valve to the flow divider in the load sensing steering circuit.

Abstract: A variable volume pump for satisfying the requirements of a hydraulic system while absorbing excess fluid volume when the full volume of fluid displacement from the pump is not required by the hydraulic system. The pump includes one or more lines of reciprocable pistons mounted radially around a crankshaft. The rotation of the crankshaft results in centrifugal flow of fluid through crankpin apertures for filling the pistons. Each piston includes a cylindrical tube portion which is slidably movable within a metering sleeve. The metering sleeve is spring biased towards a position for covering metering ports that are located around the periphery of the piston tube portion. When the fluid pressure in the hydraulic system acting on a metering sleeve abutment area exceeds the force of the metering sleeve spring, the metering sleeve moves thereby uncovering the piston metering ports. The movement of the metering sleeve permits the piston to travel an equal distance with its metering ports open.

Abstract: A battery jumper cable assembly for preventing electrical sparking when a pair of batteries are connected together. The battery cable assembly includes a ground wire and a power wire with a switch assembly being connected at a location along the length of the power wire. The switch assembly includes a housing for a slidable switch element having an electrically conductive contact plate. The switch element is biased toward a normally open or off position by a spring. The power wire includes spaced apart contacts within the housing and the switch contact plate is movable to bridge the gap between the contacts. An electromagnet is mounted within the housing in alignment with the slidable switch element, and the electromagnet is electrically connected to the ground wire and to a contact element within the switch housing.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for use in a track joint having a track pin and a cylindrical bushing on the pin and two track links. The end of the bushing and one of the track links present annular surfaces faced toward each other and spaced apart. The seal arrangement includes a seal ring of elastomer material and a thrust ring of rigid material. The seal ring has a body portion and two radially outwardly extending leg portions which contact the annular surfaces. The thrust ring is molded into the body portion of the seal ring and includes a plurality of cooperating axial recess portions and radial recess portions formed therein. The elastomer material of the seal ring extends into and fills the recess portions so as to form circumferentially spaced integral link portions around the thrust ring.

Abstract: An improved outrigger support arrangement for a crane or like piece of equipment is disclosed for stabilization of the crane during work operations. The support arrangement includes an outrigger having a horizontally disposed beam portion and an extensible leg portion fixed thereto extending downwardly and angularly outwardly thereof. Upper and lower beam supports are provided on the wheeled frame of the crane for reactively engaging the outrigger when it is in an extended position. A fluid extensible cylinder and piston is provided for moving the outrigger from the extended position to a stowed position wherein it is substantially completely nested within a cavity defined by the frame of the crane.

Abstract: A rotary cultivator is disclosed which is adapted to be supported upon a rear-mounted tractor hitch. The cultivator includes a tined cultivation shaft and a hydraulic motor and drive mechanism for driving one end of the shaft. The cultivator includes an arrangement for selectively varying the speed ratio of the hydraulic motor and cultivation shaft, as well as for selectively changing the length of the cultivation shaft so that the width of the path of soil cultivation may be changed as desired. A pair of spaced, negatively angled ground-engaging surfaces are provided on the cultivator housing for urging the cultivator downwardly during forward movement thus providing a more uniform depth of penetration during soil cultivation.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic control system is disclosed for operating the swing tower and boom of a backhoe. The system includes a pair of hydraulic motors interconnected between the backhoe frame and swing tower. A sequencing valve is hydraulically associated with respective ends of the hydraulic motors and operates to direct the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the motors for improved performance as they rotate the swing tower and boom. A hydraulic cushioning circuit associated with the sequencing valve provides an improved arrangement for cushioning of the swing mechanism as the swing tower and boom are moved toward either of their travel stops without the use of conventional cushioning devices.

Abstract: An unloading valve for satisfying the requirements of a hydraulic system while minimizing transient pressure fluctuations. When the hydraulic system requires full fluid flow, fluid under pressure passes through the valve for discharge to the hydraulic system. If the system does not require full fluid flow, the excess fluid is automatically discharged from the unloading valve to a reservoir. Incoming fluid under pressure is communicated against one end of a locking spool for causing it to operate against an unloading pin. An orifice plate is mounted within the valve body adjacent to the unloading pin with the opening through the orifice plate being closed by a spring biased unloading poppet. A relief poppet is provided in the valve body and incoming fluid under pressure into the interior of the relief poppet is communicated to a fluid chamber between the seated end of the unloading poppet and a mounting plug holding the unloading pin.

Abstract: A power lawn mower including a plastic endless chain type cutter assembly having a plurality of plastic whip sticks which produce aeration and suction within the mower casing for improving grass cutting and dispensing. Each whip stick includes an elongated generally flat portion which extends horizontally and merges with a main lift or curved wing portion with the wing portion including a leading impact edge and a trailing lift edge. In operation, the cutter assembly is moved continuously with the lift portions of the whip sticks acting to create an aerating effect for causing a vacuum or suction within the mower casing. This action causes a continuous flow of air to be drawn between the ground and casing for discharging cut grass outwardly through an opening in the casing. The whip sticks are permitted limited pivotal movement upon striking obstacles during rotation. The cutter assembly is supported during powered rotational movement on elongated horizontal portions of a chain guide and support member.

Abstract: A hydraulic system having a pump, a power steering valve, a loader control valve and a pressure compensating valve is used to supply fluid under pressure to one or more hydraulic actuators of an earthworking machine to prevent repositioning of those actuators due to hydraulic leakage or leak-down. The pressure compensating valve has two outlets. One outlet, the priority outlet, is joined to the power steering valve, the other outlet is joined to the loader control valve. The pressure compensating valve includes a load sensing line joined to the power steering valve. A hydraulic connection is provided between the priority output of the pressure compensating valve to those hydraulic actuators which are to be protected against leakdown. This connection includes a check valve to prevent reverse flow. Whenever the steering valve is actuated, the priority output from the pressure compensating valve is thus applied to those hydraulic actuators of interest.

Abstract: A dump cart is disclosed having a box removably mounted on an axle support and pulled by a drawbar. A latch is mounted on the drawbar to coact with a latch catch on the side of the box. The latch is biased by biasing means such as a spring located within the drawbar where it is protected from damage. The box can have two mounting positions with respect to the drawbar permitting alternate use of the front and back sides for dumping.