Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a tractor supported log splitter is disclosed to accommodate reorientation of the splitter with respect to the tractor hitch. The mounting arrangement includes a hitch adapter which supports a female socket, and a male plug connected to the log splitter which is adapted to be received within the female socket. Relative angular repositioning of the log splitter is provided by relative movement of the male plug within the female socket, with a locking mechanism provided so that the log splitter may be releasably locked in the selected position. In this way, the log splitter may be used in a conventional fashion by positioning logs atop its cutting table, or it may be rotated along a line generally parallel to the line of cutting action of the splitter so that logs may be split while they are on the ground without having to lift them onto the splitter cutting table.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for mounting a hydraulic actuator used to raise and lower a material handling element relative to a base member using a minimum of pivotal connections and using the inherent strength and force producing capabilities of a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator includes a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted within the cylinder and a piston rod connected to the piston such that hydraulic actuators extended when the material handling element is in its upright or raised position. A pair of articulated connecting links join the piston rod to the material handling element and the base member. The cylinder end of the hydraulic actuator is pivotally connected to the common pivotal connection between the base member and the material handling element. Two specific embodiments are described in detail, one for the bucket mounted at the end of the lift arms of a loader and one in connection with the boom portion of a backhoe mechanism.

Abstract: A bucket for use in conjunction with earth working and material handling implements having a plurality of tooth members associated therewith. The bucket includes a cutting-edge plate secured to the leading edge of a backwall plate. The cutting-edge plate has a plurality of downwardly extending transversely spaced tongue portions associated with a forward end thereof. The tooth members have transverse grooves formed in the upper surfaces thereof for receipt of the tongue portions. Each tooth member has a pair of oppositely disposed beveled portions to permit reversal thereof on the cutting-edge plate.

Abstract: A replaceable wear cover for track chain bushings which covers and protectively shields the track bushing such that the wear cover, rather than the bushing, directly engages the metallic outer radial portions of the chain-driving sprocket wheel. The wear cover may be made of heat treated steel or like material for long life and includes noise suppression and impact absorbing elastomeric members for reducing noise and impact resulting from driving engagement with the sprocket wheel. A mounting portion of the replaceable wear cover is attached to the inner surface of the track plate by one or more fasteners that pass through the track plate and wear cover mounting portion or by using the same fasteners which attach the track plate to the track links. The wear cover includes a shield portion having depending legs for covering the standard track bushing and which are sprung apart for installation or removal, thereby insuring a tight fit on the bushing.

Abstract: A mechanism for angling, pitching, and tilting a dozer blade utilized in a conventional bulldozer wherein the blade is pivotally connected by an angling frame to the forward ends of push arms. A tilt-pitch control assembly for the blade is provided including a pitch cylinder, a pitch-tilt cylinder, a torsion bar, and drag link connections. The pitch cylinder and pitch-tilt cylinder are each pivotally attached to the torsion bar by the drag link connections. If a load is applied against one side of the blade, the load is transmitted to the pitch cylinder or pitch-tilt cylinder closest to the loaded side of the blade thereby causing some movement of that cylinder. The cylinder which is under load transmits any movement through its respective drag link connection into a turning movement on the torsion bar.

Abstract: A digging chain is provided with a plurality of trencher or digging teeth mounting brackets at spaced intervals around its periphery. Each mounting bracket is secured to the digging chain by spaced apart adaptor links and pin connections. The mounting bracket includes a base having opposed end surfaces, opposed side surfaces, and a top surface for mounting a trencher or digging tooth cutter bit. A one-piece mounting member is attached to the underside of the base for permitting the base to be securely attached to the upper ends of the adaptor links. The mounting member is generally in the shape of a "W" in longitudinal cross-section and includes opposed leg portions that are secured to the end surfaces of the base. The upper terminal end of the mounting member's mid-portion is secured to the underside of the base, and the lower end of the mounting member forms a pair of mounting slots or grooves that fit between the opposed, spaced apart adaptor links for attachment thereto.

Abstract: A modular machine including several removable components which are structurally interconnected in a manner to result in a rigid unit which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to service or repair. The modular machine includes as its basic components a base frame assembly, an operator's control station, and a cab assembly. The base frame assembly comprises an open frame construction including opposed rectangular end members and opposed hollow rectangular side members. Ground-engaging wheels are mounted to the side members by using a unitized axle assembly including a hub and sprocket which extends into the interior of a side member. A fluid motor is mounted to the inner wall of each side member for driving the ground-engaging wheels connected to that side member. The operator's control station includes a front wall portion and rearwardly extending side wall portions.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic swing mechanism for a material handling implement, such as a backhoe, includes a multi-position, hydraulic sequencing valve for directing the flow of hydraulic fluid to hydraulic motors which rotate the swing tower and boom of the implement. A unique valve operating mechanism is provided for selectively repositioning the sequencing valve as the boom and swing tower are rotated in order to improve the operating characteristics of the swing mechanism. The valve operating mechanism includes a pivoted, frame mounted actuating arm connected with the sequencing valve by a lost-motion linkage, and flexible linkages connecting the actuating arm with the hydraulic motors of the swing mechanism.

Abstract: A precision regulated plural voltage system having particular application for vechicular electrical systems requiring dual voltage applications. The output of a voltage doubler is precisely regulated as a function of the regulated output voltage from the alternator. This precise regulation of the doubler output is provided automatically without having to manually adjust the output as a function of load or temperature, is provided inexpensively by use of a relatively few number of solid state circuit components, and produces the desired regulated doubles voltage output having the precise value desired as a function of the loads connected to the circuit.

Abstract: A counterweight arrangement for mobile vehicles including a pair of transversely spaced support members having notches formed therein. The counterweight has a pair of transversely spaced rod members secured thereto which are selectively received in the notches. A pair of transversely spaced cables are secured to the counterweight to raise and lower the counterweight. The cables are received around corresponding sheaves which may be repositioned to control the movement of the rod members into and out of the notches and around the support members.

Abstract: An assist assembly for reducing the work required by an operator in rotating a cab structure on a machine between selected positions. The basic components of the assist assembly include a bellcrank member, a cab movement transmission linkage, and an extensible and retractable actuator. The actuator applies a constant pushing force on the bellcrank member urging it to rotate in a first direction. This pushing force is converted by the bellcrank member into a pulling force on the cab movement transmission linkage which assists the operator in rotating the cab structure until the center of gravity of the cab structure moves to a point directly above its rotational axis on the machine.

Abstract: A boom and dipper stick construction for mobile excavators and an improved method of manufacturing the same. The boom and dipper stick are fabricated from side plates that are butt welded together with respect to various hinge point locations to eliminate the necessity of doubler plates on the sides of the structures. The butt welds are located at non-critical areas to provide for even stress flow and ease of manufacture.A method of welding together the side plates of the boom and dipper stick construction in an end to end abutting relationship in a manner which attains a complete weld penetration over the entire length of the joint.

Abstract: A bucket position indicator assembly for relieving the operator from constantly maintaining visual contact with the bucket and thereby taking his attention away from other operator functions. The bucket position indicator assembly includes a fluid cylinder, a slidable piston actuator, and an indicator panel that is mounted within the operator's compartment. The actuator includes a rod member which is pivotally attached at one end to the bucket movement linkage for reciprocal movement in response to rotational movement by the bucket. The piston end of the actuator is slidably movable within the fluid cylinder in response to the movement of the bucket during its normal duty cycle. A bore through the rod member permits fluid pressure to escape into an annular chamber formed between sealing disks at the piston end of the actuator. A plurality of orifices along the periphery of the fluid cylinder are connected by conduits to corresponding fluid inputs at the indicator panel.

Abstract: A digging tooth assembly for an excavating machine including a digging tooth having a resilient housing for mounting the tooth to the forward end of a digging tooth shank. A wedge-shaped projection or retaining member is mounted to the top surface of the shank for locking engagement within a cut-out or socket formed in the housing for mounting the digging tooth. The digging tooth is held on the tip of the shank by the locking coaction between the wedge-shaped projection and cut-out and the resiliency of the housing. The top surface of the digging tooth abuts against the flat bottom surface of the shank such that impact forces are transmitted through the resilient digging tooth housing to the shank thereby providing the digging tooth with increased flexibility and longer wear life. The present construction provides for vertical cutting action by the digging tooth shank and horizontal cutting action by the digging tooth for improved loosening of the earth being excavated.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly for a tractor having a pivotal or slidable engine hood that must be moved out of the way to permit an operator complete access into the engine compartment. The exhaust assembly includes a tubular housing positioned within the engine compartment below the top surface of the engine hood. The tubular housing has a cylindrically shaped inlet conduit adapted to be connected to the exhaust manifold of the tractor engine. Exhaust gases are forced vertically into the inlet conduit and then directed in a horizontal swirling fashion through the tubular housing by apertures and baffles along the length of the inlet conduit. The tubular housing further includes a cylindrically shaped outlet conduit having an open conical discharge end which is in close proximity to the lower end of an elongated exhaust tube that is attached to the engine hood.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic system is disclosed for a backhoe having a rotating boom operated by a hydraulic swing mechanism. The system includes a hydraulic rotary sequencing valve which is operatively connected with the swing tower which supports the rotating boom. During rotation of the swing tower and boom by the hydraulic motors of the backhoe, the rotary valve is operated to selectively direct pressurized fluid to the motors for improved torque characteristics. A hydraulic cushioning circuit is provided in association with the rotary sequencing valve so that hydraulic cushioning of the motors, and thus the boom, is effected during the approach of the boom toward its travel stops, eliminating the need for conventional cushioning mechanisms in the motors themselves, and improving overall performance of the machine.

Abstract: A fixed displacement pump including a variable capacitance flow regulator for absorbing the excess fluid flow from the pump which is not required by a hydraulic system. The variable capacitance flow regulator, in a hydraulic embodiment, includes a pair of pistons slidably movable within a housing for independent movement relative to each other. The fluid pressure in the hydraulic system is communicated to a first of the pistons to bias it to various positions within the housing depending upon the pressure level in the hydraulic system. The second or varibale capacitance piston is acted upon by the fluid pressure in the pump discharge chamber, and when the pressure in the hydraulic system exceeds the spring pre-load against the first piston, the first piston will be displaced away from the second piston.

Abstract: A snow caster for use as a snow blower is disclosed having auger units which rotate and propel snow toward a fan rotating at a higher speed to propel the snow out of the snow caster. The fan is fixed on a drive shaft which extends within the auger units and is operably connected to the auger units by a speed reduction means.

Abstract: An improved front blade mounting arrangement for a tractor is disclosed which includes a blade assembly supported by a blade mount for pivoting movement of the blade assembly to change its working angle. A control arm extending from the blade mount to the control area of the tractor permits the operator to raise and lower the blade mount and blade assembly in unison. A self-actuating lock mechanism is provided for locking the blade assembly at the desired angle when the blade assembly and blade mount are in the lowered position, the lock mechanism including a pivotal lock bar which is substantially disengaged from the blade assembly when it is in the raised position so that the tractor operator may conveniently angularly reposition the blade assembly without leaving the operator's control area on the tractor.

Abstract: A vertical lift and blade control mechanism for a plow blade which is particularly suitable for a vibratory plow assembly used for laying cable, pipe, and the like underground. The blade control mechanism is generally in the form of a parallelogram frame assembly including substantially equal length vertical frame members which are parallel and interconnected by links to form a four bar linkage arrangement that is collapsible for adjustable movement of the plow blade. The frame assembly is pivotally connected at one corner to a rigid mast assembly, and a first piston cylinder is connected between the mast assembly and frame assembly for raising and lowering the plow blade between a generally vertical plowing position and a transport position. The vertical frame members are shifted relative to each other by a second piston cylinder to provide variable digging depths for the plow blade.