Abstract: A vibration generator has a driven excitation shaft on which are fixed two axially-spaced first eccentric weights. A second eccentric weight positioned between the two first eccentric weights also rotates with the excitation shaft but is angularly adjustable thereon about the longitudinal axis of the shaft in order to adjust the vibration amplitude. Such adjustment employs a pawl mounted on one of said first eccentric weights for two-and-fro movement tangentially of a gear ring mounted on said second eccentric weight and with the toothed periphery of which the pawl engages. The second eccentric weight is lockable in adjusted position by a friction disc mounted on said one first eccentric weight and into frictional engagement with which the second eccentric weight is urged by a set of annular disc springs disposed in compression between the second eccentric weight and the other of said first eccentric weights.

Abstract: A pile driver has a hollow and elongated cylindrical housing. Within the housing, a ram can slide upwardly and downwardly in order to provide the force which can drive a pile into dense strata of the earth. A follower, located partially inside the housing and extending out of the bottom therof, is struck by the ram and is thus interposed between the ram and the pile to be driven when the device is operated. Various devices are disclosed which serve as shock absorbers, the devices cooperating with the follower and with the housing in order to absorb recoil shock which is reflected back to the pile driver after a blow has been transmitted to the pile by the ram via the follower. These devices are so designed that the exterior diameter of the housing does not have to be substantially increased, which allows the pile driver thus manufactured to drive piles through surrounding guides.

Abstract: An earth working implement such as a field cultivator shank for use on a tool bar of a field cultivator includes a mounting bracket having an upper end and a lower end. The mounting bracket is secured at the lower end of the mounting bracket to the tool bar with the upper end of the mounting bracket extending rearwardly and upwardly of the tool bar. A spring shank is pivotably connected to the lower end of the mounting bracket at a first pivot point with the spring shank extending rearwardly and downwardly of the lower end of the mounting bracket. The spring shank terminates in a rounded end portion. A support bracket which securely engages an upper portion of the spring shank is pivotably connected to the mounting bracket and extends immediately beneath and alongside the spring shank for a portion of the spring shank length. A coil spring biases the spring shank downwardly away from the upper end of the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated vibration exciter for a vibrating compactor of the kind comprising a piston in a cylinder, the piston and cylinder being arranged to move to and fro relative to each other, a source of liquid under pressure, a pressure line connecting the source to the cylinder and means for causing the liquid to move to and fro between the source and the cylinder to bring about the relative movement between the piston and cylinder is cooled by a method in which, during the relative movement, a quantity of the liquid is withdrawn from the cylinder and this quantity is not returned to the cylinder in the subsequent stroke, but is replaced by a fresh quantity of liquid at a lower temperature.

Abstract: Tree cutting equipment that may constitute a part of the head of a tree harvester includes a saw assembly and a shear assembly, the shear and saw being movable towards each other, preferably in substantially the same plane. A stop associated with the shear assembly and engageable with the saw assembly limits the extent to which the saw can approach the shear so as to prevent the saw from attempting to cut completely through the trunk of a tree located between the shear and saw. The stop is located on the side of the pivot point for the saw that is remote from the shear, and a window is provided in the arm that supports the shear to permit the ejection of saw chips.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for increasing the lifting capacity of the boom of an excavator to lift heavy objects, while conjointly disabling the hydraulic circuit used for normal digging operations to avoid damaging the excavator. The apparatus includes a manually operated pilot valve for selectively applying a control fluid pressure to a relief valve for a hoist cylinder and a to relief valve for a digging bucket cylinder. The control fluid pressure biases the hoist relief valve to remain closed at hydraulic pressures above the normal relief pressure of the valve, and conjointly biases the bucket relief valve to open, thereby disabling the bucket.

Abstract: A soil stabilizer comprises a self-propelled vehicle, a rotor having soil-working teeth, and a motor for driving the rotor. The motor is reversible to drive the rotor in opposite directions. The rotor includes tooth holders, each having generally oppositely directed tapered sockets. A tooth is received in one of the sockets so as to project in the direction of rotation. The rotor can thus be effectively utilized in either direction of rotation. The sockets are coplanar and intersect so that the zone of intersection forms an interruption in the tapered engagement between the tooth and socket intermediate the ends thereof to compensate for manufacturing variations in the tapered fit.

Abstract: A cutting reel grinder is disclosed which includes an automatic control for operating the grinding device as well as an indexing device that advances cutter reel knives for sharpening by the grinding device. The control includes a pair of electrical actuators: one actuator driving the indexing device; the other actuator driving the grinding device so as to translate it axially of the cutting reel. In addition, a plurality of cam-actuated switches are employed that are positioned with respect to the indexing device and the grinding device so as to shift the control circuit between an indexing cycle in which the cutter reel knives are repositioned with respect to the grinding device and a grinding cycle in which a properly indexed cutter knife is sharpened by the grinding device. A simple and efficient mechanical indexing device is driven by the one actuator and includes a geneva gear arrangement.

Abstract: A hydraulic function disconnect means is interposed between an operator's control lever and a spring centered hydraulic control valve for a hydraulic motor actuator. The means is operable when the hydraulically actuated element approaches a limit position to prevent any operation of the valve by the lever which would move the element toward the limit position while permitting operation of the valve which results in movement of the element away from the limit position. A solenoid operated detent is used to control the ability of the disconnect means to transmit movements of the lever to the valve. The hydraulic function disconnect means forms part of the linkage in a two blocking prevention device used on boom-type material handling equipment such as a cable equipped crane in which the hydraulically actuated element comprises the movable hook and the cable is drawn in or paid out by a hydraulic motor actuator.

Abstract: In an apparatus for de-limbing trees, there is provided a carriage moving longitudinally on a rail, and having a pair of de-limbing arms adjacent one end which are mounted for pivoting movement with respect to the carriage. Each arm defines a concavity adapted to pivot into contact with a tree held in an upper recess in the carriage, and there are means for urging the arms against the tree. Each arm has a first cutting edge along the forward margin and a second cutting edge along the rearward margin, the first cutting edge being offset inwardly with respect to the second, such that the first cutting edge after passing forwardly beyond the stump of a tree limb which it has severed, can shift inwardly to lie against the tree trunk so that the next cut is made as close as possible to the trunk.

Abstract: A control apparatus is disclosed for permitting simultaneous actuation of a plurality of fluid motors whose combined flow capacity exceeds the available flow rate. The plurality of fluid motors are actuated by a corresponding plurality of open center, pressure-compensated, pneumatically actuated control valves which are connected in series flow arrangement with a fluid supply having a fixed minimum flow output and a maximum flow rate output. A device is provided to sense the rate of flow for hydraulic fluid exhausting from the series of control valves. The rate of flow sensing device controls a pneumatic pressure regulator that provides a corresponding pressure change in the pneumatic supply pressure provided to a plurality of control valves.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sorting trees in situ in the forest immediately after being cut, the steps of limbing and topping optionally being included prior to the sorting operation. To this end a vehicle is provided having at least four dumping bunks. Trees of different sizes or species are loaded into the different bunks. The inner two bunks dump to the rear of the vehicle, while the outer two bunks dump to the sides of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sprocket assembly adapted for rotational cooperation with a flexible, toothed driving belt and used in a crop handling device such as a forage harvester or the like is constructed of a pair of parallel sidewall members or disks which are interconnected by a central hub rotatable about a center axis. The outer surface of the hub is contoured so as to include a middle section of reduced diameter together with additional sections of generally conical configuration extending away from the middle section toward the sidewalls. Sets of drive lugs are provided on the inner surfaces of each of the sidewalls and arranged in a circular pattern so as to cooperate with the teeth of the drive belt. A stationary wiper arm is mounted adjacent to the rotatable hub and includes a portion extending into the space between the sidewalls and between the two sets of drive lugs such that an end portion of the wiper arm is positioned in close proximity to the middle section of the hub.

Abstract: A vehicle with apparatus for discharging material such as salt on a roadway or the like at a rate that a control system automatically varies with vehicle speed includes means that ordinarily interrupts normal control to prevent discharge of material while vehicle speed is below preselected threshold value. The system also includes a blast circuit which responds to momentary manual operation of a switch to impose a blast signal on control system to override all other control activity to cause rapid dispensing of material for a preselected period even if vehicle is stopped or moving below the threshold speed.

Abstract: A thermostat controlled window furnace for heating a room features a construction wherein the air required for its operation is comprised on the one hand of outside air used solely for combustion purposes, to service a heat transfer component, and on the other hand of air drawn from the room, to be heated in passage through the heat transfer unit and returned to the room to elevate its temperature. The arrangement provided for inflow of room air insures that it will exhibit the general temperature of the room. The furnace not only provides for an effective separation therein of outside air and room air which is utilized thereby but for a return to the room of heated air in a manner to inhibit a chance or premature intermingling thereof with that portion of the room air being drawn into the furnace the function of which, in part, is to signal the general temperature of the room to a furnace thermostat.

Abstract: A boom length sensing and indicating system for a crane of the type having an operator's cab, in which changes in the extended length of the boom are sensed and a signal representative of the sensed changes is generated. The changes are sensed and the representative signal generated by a cable that winds and unwinds from a reel mounted on the boom in response to changes in boom length. A boom length indicator mounted in the cab of the crane has a movable dial or pointer to indicate the extended length of the boom. A stepping motor connected to the indicator receives the generated signal representative of the sensed changes and drives the indicator by an amount and in a direction related to the sensed changes. A pair of stops cooperate with the indicator to prevent movement of the indicator beyond predetermined upper and lower extremities of indicator movement regardless of sensed changes in the extended length of the boom, thereby providing self-synchronization of the indicator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a dynamic soil compaction operation, involving striking the soil with vibrating compacting tools, monitoring the vibrational power generated by the tools or the current degree of soil compaction, and controlling the amplitude or frequency of the vibratory movements of the tools as a function of the value of such quantity.

Abstract: In an eccentric drive system including a rotatably mounted driven shaft, at least one primary eccentric mass fixed to the driven shaft for rotation therewith, an additional eccentric mass mounted for rotation with the shaft in a manner to permit periodic adjustment of the angular position of the additional mass relative to that of the primary mass, the shaft is provided with a shaft portion presenting an outer periphery which is arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the shaft, the additional mass is mounted on the shaft portion to be angularly movable relative to that portion, and the system is further provided with a spring element connected between the additional mass and the shaft for producing a force about the axis of the shaft urging the additional mass into an initial angular position relative to the shaft, and with a fastening unit disposed between the shaft and the additional mass and actuatable between a released position in which it permits the additional mass to undergo angular displac