Abstract: It is desirable in many applications to have a bulldozer assembly that can be angled and/or tilted without having interference between elements of the bulldozer assembly and the machine on which it is mounted. In the subject arrangement, a bulldozer assembly has a blade connected to a U-shaped frame through a universal connector. The blade is angled by a pair of angle cylinders connected between the U-shaped frame and a pair of spaced apart angle cylinder brackets located on the blade. The universal connector is connected to the blade generally midway between the pair of spaced apart angled cylinder brackets and generally aligned therewith. The pitch of the blade is maintained at a preselected position by a pitch control mechanism and mechanically adjusted by the pitch control mechanism.

Abstract: Links are useful for supporting and positioning spaced apart housing relative to each other. To allow for tolerance stackup the length of the link needs to be adjustable and still be strong enough to withstand high forces. The subject adjustable link includes a first end portion removably attached to a axle structure and a second end portion attached to a ripper structure. The second end portion includes an eccentric cam which is rotatable to adjust the length of the link. When the cam is properly adjusted it is moved into contact with a locking plate on the ripper structure to prevent rotation. A spacer washer is positioned between the cam and the ripper structure to prevent disengagement of the cam from the ripper structure. This arrangement of components provides for adjusting the length of a link and provides a locking structure which will withstand the high forces in the structure.

Abstract: In a track laying vehicle (10) a track tensioning apparatus wherein a track engaging idler (20) wheel is mounted to a cross member (82) for adjustment to tension the track by a piston (68) and cylinder (62). The cross member (82) is in turn adjustably (106) mounted to opposing sides (26,27) of the vehicle track frame. Acting in conjunction with the track tensioning apparatus an accumulator (130,146) is provided and is in fluid communication with the piston (68) and cylinder (62). The accumulator (130,146) exerts a backpressure upon the fluid so that the idler (20) may recoil in response to excessive tension or shock upon the track.

Abstract: An equalizer bar support assembly has an equalizer bar (14) mounted on a bearing (24) carried by a flanged bearing support (25) on a track roller frame (16). A support plate (98,150) is attached to one end portion of the flanged bearing support (25). In one embodiment, a bulkhead (100) having a ring portion (130) is bolted to the support plate (98) so that the ring portion (130) is wedged between a tapered outer circumference (120) of the support plate (98) and a contact surface (140) of a support member (78) of the track roller frame (16 ). The support plate (98) is firmly secured to the roller frame (16) and yet is readily removable therefrom. In another embodiment, the support plate (150) has a means (164) thereon to limit the axial movement of the support plate (150) relative to the roller frame (16) during the application of force to remove the support plate (150) from the track frame (16).

Abstract: A power drive assembly (10) wherein a driven member (14), such as an input clutch gear of a final drive (11), is removably connected to a driving member (12) by a shaft (17), such as a quill shaft, having splined connection (19,20) to the driving member (12) and splined connection (22,23) to the driven member (14). A control rod (24) is connected to the quill shaft (17) and is adjustably positioned within a final drive shaft (15) of power drive assembly (10) so as to effect selectively connection and disconnection of the quill shaft splines relative to the driving member (12) and driven member (14). Access to the control rod is through an opening (39) in a wall portion (38) of the power drive assembly housing (35) which may be selectively closed by a closure member (40) and which is adapted to mount a pulling device (43) removably connected to the control rod.

Abstract: A service brake actuating assembly is effective to bring friction material into contact with the opposite sides of a rotating disc by urging such elements in an axial direction toward a reaction wall. A compact parking and emergency brake actuating assembly extends through the wall and is alternately effective to also clampingly engage the disc by urging such elements in the opposite axial direction.

Abstract: Steering control valves selectively pressurize and vent fluid-actuated clutches and brakes of a crawler tractor steering system. Each control valve has an internal spool assembly, coupled to a foot pedal by a cable, which modulates brake pressure as a function of a pedal position and which establishes a maximum brake fluid pressure thereby eliminating the need for additional system components for such purposes. The control valves also provide a feedback fluid pressure, to resist pedal depression with a force proportional to the brake fluid pressure, enabling an operator to sense the degree of braking which is present at different degrees of pedal depression.

Abstract: A service brake actuating assembly is effective to bring friction material into contact with the opposite sides of a rotating disc by urging such elements in an axial direction toward a reaction wall. A compact parking and emergency brake actuating assembly extends through the wall and is alternately effective to also clampingly engage the disc by urging such elements in the opposite axial direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a suspension system for track-type vehicles. The system comprises a resilient assembly for mounting on the track roller frame of the vehicle which includes a tubular member having a stack of resilient pads therewithin and a plurality of spaced coaxial resilient members therearound. The mounted assembly effectively cushions relative vertical and horizontal movement between the track roller frame and main frame of the vehicle. An alternate embodiment includes a resilient assembly having a plurality of obliquely oriented resilient pads mounted upon the track roller frame to form a pocket for receiving a complimentary mating bracket secured to the main frame of the vehicle. The assembly effectively cushions horizontal and vertical relative movement between the main and track roller frames of the vehicle.