Abstract: A tractor (10) comprising a power takeoff stub (20) which is drivingly connected to an engine (12) by a driveline (14) is provided. A power takeoff clutch (16) is provided in the driveline for selectively powering the power takeoff stub. A first hydraulic pump (26) is drivingly connected to the driveline between the engine and the power takeoff clutch, whilst a hydraulic pump/motor (30) is drivingly connected to the driveline between the power takeoff clutch and the power takeoff stub. The pump/motor can operate as a pump driven by the connection to the driveline so as to deliver an additional hydraulic output (B) when required for high capacity implements for example. The PTO clutch (16) can be employed to selectively control operation of the pump/motor. Alternatively, the pump/motor can serve as a motor driven by a hydraulic connection (35) to the first hydraulic pump. In combination with disengagement of the PTO clutch, the pump/motor can provide a hydrostatic drive for the PTO stub.

Abstract: A utility vehicle (10) comprising a cab (12) mounted to a frame (14) by cab suspension means (16) is provided. The cab suspension comprises rolling linkage (20) which permits only circumferential movement of the cab around a generally longitudinal axis (24;44), and vertical linkage (22) which permits only radial movement of the cab relative to said axis (24) or radial movement of the axis (44) relative to the frame. The rolling linkage and vertical linkage are connected in series between the cab and the frame thus allowing independent resolution of rolling movement and vertical movement. The cab suspension means further comprises two spring/dampers (28,38; 58,38) arranged to independently control the stiffness and damping within the two degrees of freedom, namely roll and vertical movement.

Abstract: A front loader (12) is provided and is suitable for attachment to a tractor (10) which has an engine compartment (16) disposed forwardly of a cab (18) and transversely centred on a longitudinal axis. The front loader (12) is detachable from the tractor (10) and comprises a pair of lift arms (36), when in use, each being pivotally mounted relative to the tractor at respective pivot points (38) which are transversely spaced either side of the engine compartment. The lift arms, when lowered, extend generally forwardly and converge in front of the engine compartment to attach to a single, transversely centred, telescopic boom (40) which is disposed in front of the engine compartment (16). By providing a front loader having a telescopic boom wherein the front loader is simply detachable by a quick release mechanism, the versatility of a tractor can be increased in addition to delivering improved productivity.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) comprises a hydrogen fuel ceil (12) and a hydrogen storage tank (14). The storage tank includes an intake valve for connecting with an external hydrogen source (26) to Fill the tank (14), A hydrogen supply line (16) is provided for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell from the storage tank (14). Heat transfer means (14, 22) transfers heat from the storage tank (14) to the fuel cell (12). Heat expelled by the storage tank during filling thereof is captured and transferred to the fuel cell (12).

Abstract: In summary, there is provided a front axle mounting assembly (100) which is suitable for a tractor or a construction vehicle for example. The assembly comprises a steerable front axle (130), which is typically the front axle on a tractor, and a pair of support arms (120) which extend forwardly from the main body of the vehicle. The arms are pivotally mounted to the body of the vehicle, for example, at the front of the chassis, at transversely spaced mounting points (121). The other ends of the arms (120) are pivotally attached to, and maintained at a fixed spacing, by a crosslink member (124). The axle (130) is mounted to the crosslink member (124) so as to be parallel thereto when viewed from above. By mounting the axle (130) on two support arms (120) instead of one, the effective radius of pivot of the axle is significantly increased, thereby allowing the axle to move sideways to a greater extent for a given angular displacement.

Abstract: A variable speed fan drive (10) particularly suitable for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The fan drive comprises an input shaft (11) driven by the output of an engine. The input drives a carrier (12) for planetary gears (13) which each orbit a sun gear (14) in an epicyclic gear arrangement. A fan (16) is coupled to the sun gear. A further gear arrangement (18,19,21), driven by the input shaft, delivers a variable output to input ratio, the output of which is coupled to a housing (17) of the epicyclic gear arrangement which is meshed with the planetary gears. The provision of the epicyclic gear arrangement in combination with the variable ratio allows the fan blade to operate in reverse. Advantageously, this can be exploited to provide a means to clean a radiator grille.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor (10) comprises a cooling package (22) disposed in front of an engine (20) and under a hood (14) forward of a cab (12). The cooling package (22) comprises a cooler having a major surface into which air enters. The cooling package (22) and hood (14) is inclined so that the major surface slopes upwardly in the rearward direction. The hood (14) comprises an air inlet grille (36) in the upper surface to provide an upstream air inlet for the cooling package (22), thereby significantly improving the airflow dynamics.

Abstract: In summary, there is provided a front axle mounting assembly (100) which is suitable for a tractor or a construction vehicle for example. The assembly comprises a steerable front axle (130), which is typically the front axle on a tractor, and a pair of support arms (120) which extend forwardly from the main body of the vehicle. The arms are pivotally mounted to the body of the vehicle, for example, at the front of the chassis, at transversely spaced mounting points (121). The other ends of the arms (120) are pivotally attached to, and maintained at a fixed spacing, by a crosslink member (124). The axle (130) is mounted to the crosslink member (124) so as to be parallel thereto when viewed from above. By mounting the axle (130) on two support arms (120) instead of one, the effective radius of pivot of the axle is significantly increased, thereby allowing the axle to move sideways to a greater extent for a given angular displacement.

Abstract: A fuel tank system for a vehicle (1) such as a tractor comprises a first compartment (28) and a second compartment (29) located on a first side of the vehicle. A third compartment (8) is located on a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side and a first pipe (10) is connected between an aperture (12) in the first compartment and an aperture (14) in the third compartment, wherein the first pipe (10) includes a one-way valve (16) which allows fuel to flow from the third compartment (8) to the first compartment (28). A second pipe (20) is connected between an aperture (22) in the second compartment (29) and a junction (25) in the first pipe (10). The junction (25) is intermediate the one-way valve (16) and the third compartment (8) allowing fuel to flow to the third compartment (8) from the second compartment (29).