Abstract: A wood chipper includes a cutting assembly and a feed wheel for feeding material through an adjustable throat opening adjacent the feed wheel and toward the cutting assembly. A throat sensor measures the size of the throat opening and an electronic control unit (ECU) controls operation of the wood chipper in accordance with the size of the throat opening. The ECU controls forward, reverse and non-rotation of the feed wheel as well as down pressure applied by the feed wheel on feed material moving through the throat opening. The feed wheel down pressure may be constant or vary in any number of ways. One option includes applying down pressure in a pulsating manner.

Abstract: A wood chipper includes a control system for controlling feed wheel rotation and engine operation to provide safety features and a fuel-saving mechanism. The control system allows the engine to start only when the feed wheel is in neutral; stops and/or reverses rotation of the feed wheel in response to an increased load on the engine; and dethrottles the engine if the feed wheel remains in neutral for a predetermined period of time. A pair of electric switches are activatable by the feed bar whereby an electronic control unit (ECU) can determine the position of the feed bar based on activation or non-activation of the switches and control the feed wheel and engine in light thereof. The ECU controls a pair of directional control valves via respective solenoids to control flow of hydraulic fluid to control rotation of a feed motor which drives the feed wheel.

Abstract: A wood chipper includes a cutting assembly and a feed wheel for feeding material through an adjustable throat opening adjacent the feed wheel and toward the cutting assembly. A throat sensor measures the size of the throat opening and an electronic control unit (ECU) controls operation of the wood chipper in accordance with the size of the throat opening. The ECU controls forward, reverse and non-rotation of the feed wheel as well as down pressure applied by the feed wheel on feed material moving through the throat opening. The feed wheel down pressure may be constant or vary in any number of ways. One option includes applying down pressure in a pulsating manner.

Abstract: A wood chipper includes an engine and a cutting assembly. A rotatable feed wheel and a gap-bounding member define therebetween an adjustable gap through which feed material moves toward the cutting assembly. An electronic control unit (ECU) controls force applied to the feed wheel or gap-bounding member toward the feed material in response to an operational condition of the wood chipper. The ECU can maintain or vary the force in any desired manner. One option is to apply the force with a pulsating mechanism in a pulsating manner to enhance the feeding procedure. The pulsating mechanism is in communication with a sensor from which the ECU receives signals typically indicating an operational speed of the cutting assembly or the engine. An ECU logic circuit permits the pulsating force only if the operational speed exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes an engine compartment with an engine disposed therein and a cooling assembly which includes a source of liquid and a cooling location disposed external to the engine compartment for cooling the liquid. One or more heat exchangers is disposed at the cooling location for cooling the liquid, which may include engine coolant, hydraulic fluid or air conditioning coolant. Preferably, the cooling assembly includes a fan which is elevated to minimize the intake of dust and other debris created during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a housing that defines a longitudinal axis and a channel extending therethrough. The housing also includes a socket which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis and is in fluid communication with the channel. The socket defines a socket radius. The ball joint assembly includes a ball that is receivable by the socket. The ball defines a ball channel extending therethrough. The ball joint assembly includes a plate that is fixedly secured to the housing to secure the ball and the channel. A plurality of seals extend about the ball preventing air from passing through the channel around the ball. Plates having rims of different thicknesses will provide different levels of tightness between the ball and the socket to vary the amount of freedom of movement the ball has with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A wood chipper includes a cutting assembly and a feed wheel for feeding material through an adjustable throat opening adjacent the feed wheel and toward the cutting assembly. A throat sensor measures the size of the throat opening and an electronic control unit (ECU) controls operation of the wood chipper in accordance with the size of the throat opening. The ECU controls forward, reverse and non-rotation of the feed wheel as well as down pressure applied by the feed wheel on feed material moving through the throat opening. The feed wheel down pressure may be constant or vary in any number of ways. One option includes applying down pressure in a pulsating manner.

Abstract: A wood chipper includes an engine and a cutting assembly. A rotatable feed wheel and a gap-bounding member define therebetween an adjustable gap through which feed material moves toward the cutting assembly. An electronic control unit (ECU) controls force applied to the feed wheel or gap-bounding member toward the feed material in response to an operational condition of the wood chipper. The ECU can maintain or vary the force in any desired manner. One option is to apply the force with a pulsating mechanism in a pulsating manner to enhance the feeding procedure. The pulsating mechanism is in communication with a sensor from which the ECU receives signals typically indicating an operational speed of the cutting assembly or the engine. An ECU logic circuit permits the pulsating force only if the operational speed exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A stump grinder having a clutch assembly which includes a system for cooling the clutch bearings. The clutch assembly is mounted onto a crankshaft extending from the power source for the grinder and a fan is keyed to the crankshaft. The fan that is adapted to drive air over the clutch assembly during operation and thereby cool the same. More specifically, the fan drives air toward the clutch bearings to reduce the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A wood chipper includes a control system for controlling feed wheel rotation and engine operation to provide safety features and a fuel-saving mechanism. The control system allows the engine to start only when the feed wheel is in neutral; stops and/or reverses rotation of the feed wheel in response to an increased load on the engine; and dethrottles the engine if the feed wheel remains in neutral for a predetermined period of time. A pair of electric switches are activatable by the feed bar whereby an electronic control unit (ECU) can determine the position of the feed bar based on activation or non-activation of the switches and control the feed wheel and engine in light thereof. The ECU controls a pair of directional control valves via respective solenoids to control flow of hydraulic fluid to control rotation of a feed motor which drives the feed wheel.

Abstract: A load control system controls movement of a cutter wheel of a stump cutter wherein the cutter wheel rotates at a rotational speed independent of the rotational speed of an engine which powers the stump cutter. The stump cutter includes a hydrostatic transmission having a variable displacement hydraulic pump whereby the rotational speed of the cutter wheel is independent of that of the engine. The load control system includes a sensor for directly or indirectly sensing the rotational speed of the cutter wheel, a microprocessor for determining a response to changes in cutter wheel rotational speed and trim valves for controlling the feed rate of the cutter wheel.

Abstract: A vacuum cup safety device selectively maintains pressure within a vacuum cup for an extended period of time until release of the vacuum is desired. The device includes a housing having first and second apertures extending through a first portion of the housing and in communication with a third aperture extending through a second portion of the housing. First and second seals are positionable within first and second apertures, and extend radially inwardly within the first and second apertures a predetermined distance for defining first and second check valve seats. First and second check valves composed of a hard, polished material are provided within the first and second apertures. Each of the first and second check valves is insertable within the respective aperture of the housing and is reciprocally movable therein between a first position seated with respect to the corresponding check valve seat and a second position longitudinally spaced from the corresponding check valve seat.

Abstract: A multi-fixture rack system for inspecting a part on an automated assembly line comprising a main plate assembly having coordinate-labelled mounting holes for mounting a series of sub-plate assemblies. Each sub-plate assembly has coordinate-labelled mounting holes for receiving clamps and vacuum clamp holders. The locations of the clamps and vacuum clamp holders are preset for a particular part to be measured on each sub-plate. The sub-plates are stored on component trays in a rack near a measuring device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a motor driven tug vehicle which utilizes essentially three wheels, two parallel independently controlled driven wheels and a rearward balancing, fully pivotal dolly wheel, and wherein the vehicle operator is located essentially between and directly over the driven wheels so as to be immediately adjacent the connecting hitch, and having it in the visual line of sight, whereby precise control of the independent drive wheels in a forward and reverse direction can allow very controlled and precise maneuvering of the vehicle and the hitch as selectively desired by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: The invention is an appratus for, and the method of clamping flexible items in a fixed position in relation to the measuring probe of a coordinate measuring machine. A perforated rigid plate is attached to the working surface of coordinate measuring machine. One or more hollow, rigid article holders are mated to the plate by use of suitable fastening mechanisms. On the upper end of each hollow support holder for articles is a flexible suction cup. A source of vacuum is provided to the article holders which is directed through the opening of the suction cup. One or more stand-offs or spacers may be installed on the plate as well, to help position a part. A part to be measured is then placed on the article holders and a vacuum is applied. Coding of the position of each of the perforations on the plate allows for easy set-up and reproducibility.