Abstract: An air intake assembly (12) of a vehicle (10) can be adjusted to selectively communicate ambient air to an engine for summer operation and air from the engine enclosure (16) to the engine for winter operation. Accordingly, during winter operation, and especially for tree harvesting vehicles, which harvest snow laden trees creating localized snow flurries, any snow which collects on the air intake assembly (12) cannot be drawn into the engine causing poor engine performance or engine shutdown. The air intake assembly (12) includes an intake cover (72) which is pivotal from a position covering an ambient air inlet (60) to a position covering an air inlet (71) from the engine enclosure (16).

Abstract: A hand rail assembly (10, 110) including a graspable portion (14, 114) connected at spaced portions, such as ends (15, 18), to a support wall (11) with at least one of the connections (16, 116) being breakable by inadvertent application of high force to the hand rail assembly to avoid substantial damage to the hand rail assembly by such forces. The breakable connection may include a shear pin (30) or releasable ring (143) permitting the breakable connection to be broken by such high forces but assuring the connection to be maintained by forces normally applied to the hand rail assembly in normal use. The breakable connection may be provided at one or both ends of the graspable portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the breakable connection is provided at one end with the other end being provided with a swingable connection. The connections may include brackets (28, 35) or may be defined by distal end portions (140, 148) of the studs (121, 131) connected directly to the wall portion (11).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00131 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 5, 1979, Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 5, 1979 PCT Filed Mar. 5, 1979 PCT Pub. No. W080/01865 PCT Pub. Date Sept. 18, 1980.A tree harvester (12) is provided with an apparatus (20) for accumulating trees, one at a time. The apparatus includes a single, multiple accumulator arm (58) which has three joined members (30,40,50). A first member (30) is pivotally connected to the frame (18) of the tree harvester (12) and the second member (40) is pivotally connected to the first member (30) and movable relative to the first member (30) between an open position and a closed position. The second member (40) is maintained in one of the open and closed positions during pivotal movement of the first member (30). A third member (50) is pivotally connected to the second member (40) and biased so that it can be folded and removed from between a tree (26) and the frame (18) and unfolded to later accumulate trees against the frame (18).

Abstract: A multi-purpose retainer is provided for use in association with a drive mechanism for retaining a housing thereof to a support. The mechanism has a nut disposed therein which is accessible through an opening formed in the housing. The retainer has a body portion positionable across the opening for serving as a cover therefor and nut locking device provided on the body portion and extendable into the opening. The retainer is securable in any of a plurality of angular positions relative to the nut to permit the placement of the nut locking device in constraining relation thereabout to lock the nut in substantially any desired rotational position so as to prevent its inadvertent loosening during operation.

Abstract: A control lever arm pivotably mounted on a shaft has associated therewith a plurality of friction discs, and washers disposed between alternate adjacent friction discs. Means are included for adjusting the tightness of the friction discs and washers, such adjustment thereby varying the force which must be applied to the lever arm to overcome the force of such friction discs and pivot the arm about the shaft.

Abstract: A final drive bearing arrangement is provided for rotatably mounting a sprocket carrying hub about a nonrotatable sprocket shaft for a final drive assembly of a crawler tractor. The bearing arrangement includes an annular bearing cage for mounting a tapered roller bearing on the outer end of the hub and has an inner sleeve portion positionable in closely slidable relation about a cylindrical portion on the sprocket shaft adjacent its distal end. A nut screw threadably mounted on the distal end of the shaft is effective in securing the cage thereon and in adjustably exerting a predetermined axial preloading force on the bearing through the cage to obtain the maximum life from the bearing.

Abstract: A strip of metal is formed into a bow-like member configured to capture a nut. The ends of the bow-like member define openings through which bolts may be disposed, to fix the bow-like member to a suitable frame or the like. The bow-like member defines yet another opening through which another bolt may be disposed to threadably engage with the nut, to secure the bow-like member to yet another frame or the like.