Abstract: An apparatus for permitting the pitch of a dozer blade to change automatically during blade use includes a blade member including a housing having a housing wall and a blade attachment portion. An anchor member including a rod is telescoped to the housing and has a rod attachment portion and a retainer attached to the rod. A compression spring is in the housing and exerts force on the wall and the retainer. The rod and blade attachment portions are thereby urged closer to one another and the blade is automatically tipped rearwardly to a "semi-carry" position. During digging with the blade lower edge, the spring allows the blade to tip forwardly. A method for automatically adjusting the blade pitch is also included.

Abstract: A dozer blade pitch adjustment apparatus has a mounting lug and a block supported by the lug for setting a dozer blade at a first pitch or a second pitch. In the improvement, the lug has a mounting surface and the block has a first face contacting such mounting surface when the blade is set at the first pitch. A second face of the block contacts the mounting surface when the blade is set at the second pitch. The block has a surface portion between the lugs and such portion faces generally upwardly when the blade is set at either pitch. A new method for changing the pitch of the blade is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a pivot assembly of the type having an inner, generally spherical bearing and an outer race mounted for movement on the bearing surface and defining a bearing-race sliding contact area. The improvement comprises an enclosed grease chamber above the sliding contact area and in gravity flow communication with such area. The assembly has a lower annular passage which can either be left open to permit grease and dirt to flush from the sliding contact area or such passage may be closed with a dynamic seal. The invention helps exclude dirt from the sliding contact area and helps assure that such area is properly lubricated.

Abstract: A dozer blade has (a) a face plate with an exterior surface, (b) an edge plate having a front surface, and (c) a replaceable cutting portion having a front surface and a thickness. The method includes the steps of forming the face plate to include a curved lower portion and attaching the edge plate to the lower portion. Attachment is at a position generally parallel to the projected exterior surface and spaced from the projected exterior surface by a dimension about equal to the thickness of the cutting portion. The method also includes the step of attaching the cutting portion to the edge plate so that the front surface of the cutting portion and the exterior surface of the face plate are generally coextensive. In that way, a "step" in the profile of the blade is avoided and material discharges more readily from the blade.

Abstract: The invention is an in a dozer blade pitch adjustment assembly of the type having a blade pivot pin spaced from a reference line on a dozer blade assembly. The improvement comprises a flip block eccentrically mounted between lugs of the blade assembly for pivoting movement between a first position and a second position. Flipping the block to the first position or to the second position changes the spacing between the pivot pin and the reference line and the pitch of the blade is thereby changed. The block is retained in one position or the other by bolts extending through the lugs and into the block.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a mobile, operator-controlled machine (a crawler tractor, for example) which has a control-related panel such as an instrument panel. The improvement comprises a generally planar, plate-like member mounted for pivoting movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the plate protects the panel and in the second position, the plate provides an operator foot rest. That plate surface contacted by the operator's foot has a roughened, "anti-slip" portion. A stop device supports the plate against foot pressure and includes a frictionally-engaging socket and plunger to prevent the plate from "bounding" or bouncing as the machine travels.

Abstract: The invention is primarily for use with earth-moving machinery, e.g., crawler tractors and the like. Machines are used in ways such that their operators like to be able have the engine "idle" at lower speed and manually accelerate it or at higher speed and manually decelerate it. The invention is an improvement in an engine throttle linkage of the type having a throttle rod and a pivot-mounted shaft for moving the rod in either of two directions for engine acceleration and deceleration, respectively. A pedal is depressed for pivoting the shaft and, consequently, moving the rod. The improvement is a motion-reversing mechanism with a lever-like member connected to the shaft and having first and second attachment points. An operator's pedal is coupled to one of the two attachment points by a linking stem. Pedal depression pivots the shaft in one direction or the other. Depressing the pedal accelerates or decelerates the engine, depending upon which attachment point is used.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a vehicular clutch and brake control system, well suited for use on a crawler tractor. The system is of the type having a pair of primary pedals each controlling both clutch and brake operation for one track. The improvement includes an auxiliary pedal moving a hinge-mounted clevis to which a swinging link is pivotably mounted. In one operating mode (using only one or both primary pedals), either or both tractor tracks are de-clutched prior to brake application. In another mode, depression of the auxiliary pedal simultaneously depresses both primary pedals and track de-clutching is prevented even though both track brakes are applied. The operator is thereby better able to maintain control of the tractor in operating environments such as steep hills, embankments, foundation back-filling and the like.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for connecting a ground-engaging blade to the frame of a vehicle is disclosed which allows the blade to tilt, pitch or angle relative to the frame. The disclosed arrangement includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders which control the tilting or pitching of the blade and a single hydraulic cylinder which controls the angling of the blade. The cylinders are all pivotally connected to an intermediate member which is pinned to the blade and guided through an arc on the frame by a guide bar formed on the frame. A single hydraulic circuit is disclosed which powers the pair of hydraulic cylinders to pitch or tilt the blade relative to the frame. The resulting arrangement is both simplified and relatively stable when compared to prior art structures.

Abstract: A dozer blade mounting assembly for angling and tilting the blade, while preventing or adjustably limiting pitching, without inducing stresses in the assembly. The blade is supported on a conventional C-frame by a universal connection in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a mast assembly connected to the frame midportion and extending upwardly from the frame, a pair of hydraulic angling cylinders connected between the side portions of the blade and the mast assembly adjacent the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a tilt cylinder connected between the frame and the mast assembly and a bracket assembly supporting the upper portion of the blade and preventing or adjustably limiting pitching of the blade.

Abstract: A hose positioning and tensioning assembly for a vehicle having a transverse scraper blade supported on the forward end of the vehicle for relative movement. A plurality of hydraulic fluid lines extend from the lower forward end of the vehicle to the rear of the blade in an arch. The hose positioning and tensioning assembly holds the fluid line arch in an upright position and maintains a tension on the arch during any movement of the blade relative to the vehicle. Further, the hose positioning and tensioning assembly permits the blade to be moved without interfering with or twisting the hydraulic fluid lines.

Abstract: A visual tilt indicator for an implement, particularly but not exclusively for indicating the tilt angle of a dozer blade on a tractive vehicle, wherein the implement is pivotally supported on the vehicle by an implement universal joint and the support includes hydraulic cylinders operably interconnected between the vehicle and the implement to angle and tilt the implement. The visual tilt indicator of this invention includes an indicator shaft which is operably connected to the vehicle by a universal joint in the vertical axis of the implement support universal joint and the shaft extends horizontally adjacent the implement to indicate the tilt angle of the implement relative to the vehicle. The implement preferably includes a plurality of shaft support indicator means, such as brackets, which receive and slidably support the indicator shaft on the implement to indicate the relative movement of the shaft and the implement.

Abstract: A dozer blade mounting assembly for angling and tilting the blade, while preventing pitching, without inducing stresses in the assembly. The blade is supported on a conventional C-frame by a universal connection in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a mast assembly connected to the frame midportion and extending upwardly from the frame, a pair of hydraulic angling cylinders connected between the side portions of the blade and the mast assembly adjacent the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a tilt cylinder connected between the frame and the mast assembly and a bracket assembly supporting the upper portion of the blade and preventing pitching of the blade. The bracket assembly includes a bracket member having an elongated slot extending generally parallel to the blade and a slide block having a width substantially equal to the width of the slot which floats within the slot to allow tilting of the blade, but preventing pitch of the blade.

Abstract: Improved means for removably attaching digging teeth to the cutting edge member of an earth-moving bucket. The attachment means includes a pair of clamping means which both apply sandwiching pressure on both the upper and lower surfaces of the edge member to hold the tooth in place against both front and side impacts.

Abstract: A hydraulically-operated latch mechanism is disclosed for releasably maintaining a backhoe in its lowered, working position on an associated material handling implement. In the preferred embodiment, the mechanism includes a movable latch member pivotally mounted on the implement for movement between engaged and disengaged positions. A latch pin is provided on the frame of the backhoe for cooperation with the latch member whereby the latch pin is adapted to be received by the latch member in the engaged position thereof for holding the backhoe against movement relative to the implement. A latch hydraulic motor is provided in operative connection to the pivotal latch member for effecting movement between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A clamp assembly is provided for holding one or more flexible fluid lines or hoses of a material handling device wherein fluid hoses extend between the body of the device and an implement movably mounted thereon. The arrangement includes a clamp assembly fitted to the one or more flexible fluid hoses, and further includes a flexible linkage preferably comprising a flexible cable which extends between and is connected to the body of the device and its movable implement. The clamp assembly is configured such that it receives the flexible cable therethrough, and is freely movable along the cable. By this arrangement, desired support and restraint of fluid hoses are provided while avoiding undesired tangling or kinking of the hoses.

Abstract: An angle adjustment mechanism for an implement mounted on a vehicle, such as a bulldozer having a C-shaped frame which pivotally supports the dozer blade at the forward end of the vehicle for angled movement. The side frame portions include slide members mounted on rails which are pivotally interconnected with one of the opposed sides of the implement. The rails each include a plurality of spaced horizontal slots or openings at predetermined locations, and the channel-shaped slide members each include a downwardly opening slot which is alignable with one of the openings in the rails. The slide members are locked to fix the angled position of the implement by horizontally oriented tapered anchor pins receivable through the slot in the slide member and one of the aligned openings in the rails.

Abstract: A battery jumper cable assembly for preventing electrical sparking when a pair of batteries are connected together. The battery cable assembly includes a ground wire and a power wire with a switch assembly being connected at a location along the length of the power wire. The switch assembly includes a housing for a slidable switch element having an electrically conductive contact plate. The switch element is biased toward a normally open or off position by a spring. The power wire includes spaced apart contacts within the housing and the switch contact plate is movable to bridge the gap between the contacts. An electromagnet is mounted within the housing in alignment with the slidable switch element, and the electromagnet is electrically connected to the ground wire and to a contact element within the switch housing.

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 tractor control structure is provided including a pivotal flip-up control console that automatically engages a parking brake and shuts off the fuel supply to the engine when the console is moved to a vertical inoperative position. The console is selectively movable to a vertical inoperative position where it is out of the way when the operator is getting onto or out of the operator's seat. Further, the console is movable to a generally horizontal operative position where conventional transmission control handles are easily accessible from the operator's seat. When the console is moved to its vertical inoperative position, a push-pull cable attachment is automatically pushed forward to actuate an on-off valve for shutting off the fuel supply to the engine and thereby making the machine inoperative. A parking brake is also attached to the pivotal console by means of a tension brake cable.