Abstract: A low speed idle actuator for an internal combustion engine usable, e.g., in an electrical power generator, can be easily and precisely adjusted to set, adjust, or readjust the low speed idle setting of the engine. The actuator includes (1) an electromagnet including a core and a coil which surrounds the core, and (2) an attractor plate which is connected to the governor lever of the engine. Low speed idle adjustment is performed by axially adjusting the position of the core relative to the position of the coil without moving the electromagnet with respect to its mounts or even loosening the electromagnet from its mounts, thereby adjusting the distance through which the attractor plate travels upon electromagnet energization.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly positively engages the drive gear or another component of a wheel drive train and thus cannot slip. Accordingly, the brake assembly can be smaller in size, is less expensive to construct and install, and requires lower release pressures than are required for friction brake assemblies of comparable capacity. When used with industrial vehicles powered via an axle-mounted drive gear, the brake assembly preferably includes a pinion which meshes with the drive gear and a piston on which the pinion is supported. The piston (1) is spring applied towards a first position in which the piston and thus the shaft and the drive gear are mechanically locked from rotation and (2) can be pressure-driven to a second position permitting free rotation of the piston, pinion, and drive gear.

Abstract: A start circuit including: a current source; a start switch connected to the current source; a starter relay connected to the start switch; an anti-restart module connected to the starter relay, the anti-restart module including: a bi-directional thyristor having a gate, a first terminal connected to the starter relay and a second terminal connected to a ground; and a diode having a cathode and an anode, the anode being connected to the gate so as to allow current flow from the gate through the anode to the cathode; and a normally closed switch connected between the cathode and the ground, the normally closed switch becoming open upon detecting an engine run condition.

Abstract: A vibratory roller is disclosed having a frame comprised of pivotally interconnected front and rear subframes. A motor is mounted on the frame and a steering mechanism is provided to articulate the subframe relative to each other. A roller drum carrier is mounted by a longitudinal centerline suspension system to support each of the subframes. Ground engaging roller drums are rotatably mounted on the roller drum carrier for rotation about an axle axis. An exciter mechanism for generating a vibratory compacting force is mounted in the roller drum carrier below the axis. Hydraulic drive units for rotating the roller drums are mounted in the roller drive carrier above the axis.

Abstract: The base plate and the exciter housing in the vibratory compactor of this invention comprise a one-piece casting of ductile nodular iron. The exciter housing portion of that casting, located at the front of the base plate, has coaxial holes in its opposite side walls, each large enough to receive the exciter axially. In each such hole is axially slidably received a substantially cylindrical bearing support into which a bearing for the exciter shaft is coaxially press fitted. Tab portions on each bearing support, projecting radially beyond its cylindrical surface, overlie the exterior surface of its housing side wall and provide for securement of the bearing support to that side wall by means of bolts.

Abstract: The power trowel of this invention has a chassis comprising a gear box and a prime mover and has a plurality of blades which engage a surface to be finished and which are driven by the prime mover, through the gear box, for substantially edgewise rotation about a vertical axis. An elongated handle for controlling movements of the machine across the surface has a pivotal connection to the chassis to be swingable up and down, but has an upper limit of such motion from which it is swingable downwardly. An elastically compressible shock absorber, confined between the handle and the chassis under compressive preload, tends to maintain the handle at that limit and is further compressed by downward force on the rear end of the handle. The center of gravity of the chassis is spaced forward of the vertical axis. Control of machine movements is minimally influenced by machine vibration, and is therefore more precise and less fatiguing.

Abstract: A centrifugal vibratory exciter of this invention has a tubular rotatable exciter shaft on which a centrifugal mass is eccentrically fixed and in which a control shaft is axially slideably adjustable. Surrounding the exciter shaft, rotatable but not axially slideable relative to it, is a tubular counterweight carrier on which a counterweight mass is eccentrically fixed. A transverse pin carried by the control shaft projects through a slot in the exciter shaft that is elongated lengthwise of it and into a helical groove in the counterweight carrier, to translate axial adjustment of the control shaft into rotation of the counterweight carrier about the exciter shaft but to constrain the counterweight carrier to rotate with the exciter shaft in any position of axial adjustment of the control shaft.

Abstract: A rigid connector secured to the front end of the core of the flexible shaft of this invention has a front portion axially receivable in a noncircular well in a driving shaft of a driving device and has a radially projecting circumferential flange rearwardly adjacent to that portion. Secured to the front of its sheath is the rear one of two telescoped tubular parts, each of which has a counterbore that opens to the other and defines an internal annular shoulder. One tubular part is threaded into the counterbore in the other, and the flange is axially slidable in the counterbore in that one, between the shoulders. The front portion of the front tubular part is formed for detachable securement directly to a conventional fixed collar on the driving device.

Abstract: A trash pump having a mixed flow impeller has a housing with a rear wall through which the impeller shaft extends. A large front opening in the housing is sealingly closed by a readily detachable cover member wherein there is a port through which water enters the housing. Attached to the rear of the cover member is a volute that is received in the housing through said front opening therein and whereby water centrifuged from the impeller is guided in spiral flow to a side outlet in the housing. The rear portion of the volute, wherein there is an opening through which the impeller can pass, is adjacent to the rear wall of the housing all around the shaft. A front wall of the volute has an inlet opening in register with said port and has a rearwardly opening recess concentrically surrounding said inlet opening. An annular liner of tough elastomeric material, received in said recess, has a conical rearwardly divergent rear surface slightly spaced from front edge portions of the impeller vanes.

Abstract: Speed and direction of movement of a vibratory roller are controlled by a member which is manually shiftable to a neutral position at which the roller is stopped, through a range of forward positions at one side of neutral, and through a range of rearward positions at the opposite side of neutral. The member actuates a cutout switch that is open only when said member is in neutral, a forward switch that is closed only in the range of forward positions, and a reverse switch that is closed only in the rearward range. A vibratory exciter for the roller operates forwardly when a forward solenoid is energized and reversely when a reverse solenoid is energized. Each solenoid is energized through the contacts of an associated relay, which are closed when the coil of the relay is energized through a circuit comprising, in series, a current source, the cutout switch, and the respective forward or reverse switch for the solenoid.

Abstract: A very maneuverable soil compacting roller for use in a confined area comprises a frame, a compacting drum freely rotatable about a horizontal axis near one end of the frame, and a pair of coaxial wheels near the other end of the frame, for propulsion and steering. The wheels are maintained in coaxial spaced apart relation by axle means with which they are drivingly connected, and the axle means is confined to rotation relative to an axle housing between the wheels. A drive motor is secured to the axle housing. The unit comprising axle housing and drive motor has a connection with a steering bracket which rotates relative to the frame about a vertical steering axis, and said connection provides for swinging of said unit about an axis which is mutually perpendicular to the wheel axis and the steering axis so that the wheels can move up and down to accommodate terrain irregularities.