Abstract: An exemplary method generally involves determining a hazard parameter for a tracked vehicle including a ground interface assembly. The ground interface assembly generally includes a track and a drive wheel operable to move the track to thereby propel the tracked vehicle. A load sensor senses a load carried by the tracked vehicle, and a speed sensor senses a vehicle speed of the tracked vehicle. A control system in communication with the load sensor, the speed sensor, and a temperature sensor determines the hazard parameter based upon the load, the vehicle speed, and an ambient temperature in a vicinity of the tracked vehicle. The control system compares the hazard parameter to a threshold parameter, and performs an action based upon the comparison.

Abstract: An exemplary method generally involves determining a hazard parameter for a tracked vehicle including a ground interface assembly. The ground interface assembly generally includes a track and a drive wheel operable to move the track to thereby propel the tracked vehicle. A load sensor senses a load carried by the tracked vehicle, and a speed sensor senses a vehicle speed of the tracked vehicle. A control system in communication with the load sensor, the speed sensor, and a temperature sensor determines the hazard parameter based upon the load, the vehicle speed, and an ambient temperature in a vicinity of the tracked vehicle. The control system compares the hazard parameter to a threshold parameter, and performs an action based upon the comparison.

Abstract: An implement coupler including an electrical generator configured to generate electric power in response to a mechanical force provided by a power takeoff of a work vehicle. The implement coupler includes a support frame and an adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the support frame, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the support frame with respect to the work vehicle. The generator is located on the support frame and is operatively connected to the power takeoff. The implement coupler further includes a drive shaft connected to the power takeoff and to the generator, an electrical coupler electrically coupled to the generator to provide access to the generated electrical power wherein the electrical coupler includes an output configured to provide the generated electrical power, and a line coupler including a connector configured to couple to source of material and to deliver the material.

Abstract: A work vehicle and a commodity tank configured for mounting on a work vehicle and storing material are provided. The commodity tank includes an inboard portion extending vertically and configured to be positioned at an inboard location of the work vehicle. The commodity tank further includes an outboard portion extending horizontally from an upper end of the inboard portion and configured to extend at least partially over a ground-engaging member of the work vehicle.

Abstract: A track work vehicle includes a track system including a drive wheel supported by an axle housing that drives a continuous ground-engaging track, a saddle assembly that guides the track about the drive wheel and an undercarriage frame that supports one or more idler wheels that guide the track along a ground surface. The track work vehicle further includes a fender assembly that includes at least one fender coupled to the axle housing to overlap a portion of the track.

Abstract: A track work vehicle includes a track system including a drive wheel supported by an axle housing that drives a continuous ground-engaging track, a saddle assembly that guides the track about the drive wheel and an undercarriage frame that supports one or more idler wheels that guide the track along a ground surface. The track work vehicle further includes a fender assembly that includes at least one fender coupled to the axle housing to overlap a portion of the track.

Abstract: A work vehicle and a commodity tank configured for mounting on a work vehicle and storing material are provided. The commodity tank includes an inboard portion extending vertically and configured to be positioned at an inboard location of the work vehicle. The commodity tank further includes an outboard portion extending horizontally from an upper end of the inboard portion and configured to extend at least partially over a ground-engaging member of the work vehicle.

Abstract: An implement coupler including an electrical generator configured to generate electric power in response to a mechanical force provided by a power takeoff of a work vehicle. The implement coupler includes a support frame and an adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the support frame, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the support frame with respect to the work vehicle. The generator is located on the support frame and is operatively connected to the power takeoff. The implement coupler further includes a drive shaft connected to the power takeoff and to the generator, an electrical coupler electrically coupled to the generator to provide access to the generated electrical power wherein the electrical coupler includes an output configured to provide the generated electrical power, and a line coupler including a connector configured to couple to source of material and to deliver the material.

Abstract: An implement coupler including an electrical generator configured to generate electric power in response to a mechanical force provided by a power takeoff of a work vehicle. The implement coupler includes a support frame and an adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the support frame, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the support frame with respect to the work vehicle. The generator is located on the support frame and is operatively connected to the power takeoff. The implement coupler further includes a drive shaft connected to the power takeoff and to the generator, an electrical coupler electrically coupled to the generator to provide access to the generated electrical power wherein the electrical coupler includes an output configured to provide the generated electrical power, and a line coupler including a connector configured to couple to source of material and to deliver the material.

Abstract: An implement coupler including an electrical generator configured to generate electric power in response to a mechanical force provided by a power takeoff of a work vehicle. The implement coupler includes a support frame and an adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the support frame, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the support frame with respect to the work vehicle. The generator is located on the support frame and is operatively connected to the power takeoff. The implement coupler further includes a drive shaft connected to the power takeoff and to the generator, an electrical coupler electrically coupled to the generator to provide access to the generated electrical power wherein the electrical coupler includes an output configured to provide the generated electrical power, and a line coupler including a connector configured to couple to source of material and to deliver the material.

Abstract: A linkage assembly couples a plunger of a brake valve to a manually operated brake input member. The linkage assembly includes a pushrod and a resilient member. The pushrod has an end member which is engagable with the plunger. The resilient member is attached to the pushrod end member. The resilient member has an end which is engagable with the plunger when the pushrod end member is spaced apart from the plunger. The resilient member deforms to allow the pushrod end member to directly engage the plunger when the pushrod end member is moved towards the plunger. One of the end and resilient members surrounds a portion of the other of the end and resilient members. The resilient member may be a sleeve which surrounds an end portion of the pushrod. Or, the resilient member may be surrounded by a hollow end portion of the pushrod.

Abstract: A linkage assembly couples a plunger of a brake valve to a manually operated brake input member. The linkage assembly includes a pushrod and a resilient member. The pushrod has an end member which is engagable with the plunger. The resilient member is attached to the pushrod end member. The resilient member has an end which is engagable with the plunger when the pushrod end member is spaced apart from the plunger. The resilient member deforms to allow the pushrod end member to directly engage the plunger when the pushrod end member is moved towards the plunger. One of the end and resilient members surrounds a portion of the other of the end and resilient members. The resilient member may be a sleeve which surrounds an end portion of the pushrod. Or, the resilient member may be surrounded by a hollow end portion of the pushrod.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes an axial flow fan between an inlet stator and an outlet stator. The inlet stator has inlet stator blades which extend outwardly from an inner ring. Each inlet stator blade has a downstream edge which has a tangent which is oriented at a first variable angle with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to the fan axis. The first angle increases with increasing distance from the inner support ring. The outlet stator has a plurality of outlet stator blades which extend outwardly from a second inner ring. Each outlet stator blade has an upstream edge which has a tangent which is oriented at a second variable angle with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to the fan axis. The second angle decreases with increasing distance from the inner ring.

Abstract: An axial flow fan assembly includes a plurality of fan blades surrounded by a shroud. The shroud includes an annular first wall which extends radially outwardly, an annular second wall which extends axially and radially outwardly, and an annular third wall which joins the first wall to the second wall. The third wall has a curved cross sectional shape, and has a minimum diameter part which is positioned approximately half-way between the upstream and downstream edges of the fan blades. There is a desired relationship between the radius of curvature of the third wall and the diameter of the fan. There is a desired relationship between the height of the first wall and the diameter of the fan. The fan blades have an upstream edge which is upstream with respect to the first wall.

Abstract: A fender mounting assembly is provided for a vehicle steerable wheel. The fender mounting assembly includes a base mounted on the axle and a support pivotally coupled to the base about a pivot axis which is aligned with the kingpin axis. A bumper arm projects from the support. A stop support with a curved arm is fixable at different positions on the axle, and a stop member is fixable at different positions on the arm. The stop member is engagable with the bumper arm to limit pivoting of the fender. The base has a cylindrical pivot pin which is aligned with the kingpin axis. The support has a bearing housing which receives an annular bearing, and the annular bearing receives the pivot pin. A torsion spring is coupled between the base and the support. The fender mounting assembly allows the fender to rotate relative to the wheel. The fender pivot axis is coincident with the kingpin axis and includes stops which can be set in a range of positions to prevent unwanted fender rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle front drive assembly includes a housing supporting a plurality of belt driven pulleys, including an input pulley driven by an engine of the vehicle, a first driveshaft, a front PTO drive, and a second driveshaft. The first driveshaft can be connected directly between the engine and the input pulley. The front PTO drive has a housing rotatably supporting an input member, an auxiliary drive member and a PTO driveshaft, and enclosing a PTO transmission. A second driveshaft can be coupled between the engine and the auxiliary drive member. The first driveshaft is removable from the assembly when the second driveshaft and the front PTO drive are connected between the engine and the input pulley. The second driveshaft and the front PTO drive are removable from the assembly when the first driveshaft is connected between the engine and the input pulley.

Abstract: A vehicle engine enclosure includes a tractor frame which supports an engine. A cooling system is mounted on the frame. The cooling system has a housing which surrounds cooling components. A hood is mounted on the frame and encloses the engine and the cooling system. The hood includes a top panel and left and right hood side panels. The top panel has outlet vents formed therein. A pair of left and right side plates are mounted on the frame. A rear end plate covers a rear end of the hood. A plurality of seals are placed between these components so that a duct is formed which collects hot air and moves it vertically through the vents to prevent re-ingesting of the hot air.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes an axial flow fan between an inlet stator and an outlet stator. The inlet stator has inlet stator blades which extend outwardly from an inner ring. Each inlet stator blade has a downstream edge which has a tangent which is oriented at a first variable angle with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to the fan axis. The first angle increases with increasing distance from the inner support ring. The outlet stator has a plurality of outlet stator blades which extend outwardly from a second inner ring. Each outlet stator blade has an upstream edge which has a tangent which is oriented at a second variable angle with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to the fan axis. The second angle decreases with increasing distance from the inner ring.