Abstract: An electric work vehicle with a battery powered traction motor and pump motor is provided with an auxiliary power supply for a load circuit requiring voltage lower than that of the battery. The pump motor is provided with an auxiliary brush at a location between a pair of motor brushes and the auxiliary load circuit is connected between the auxiliary brush and one of the motor brushes. The auxiliary brush is positioned relative to the motor brush so that it supplies the voltage required by the auxiliary load circuit.

Abstract: A plugging defeat system for use with a reversible electric motor having a motor shaft. A slipping clutch-type mechanism is used to sense the speed and direction of the motor and to selectively open forward or reverse enabling switches when the motor reaches a predetermined speed. If operating in the forward direction, the clutch mechanism will open the reverse enabling switch, once the predetermined speed is reached, preventing motor reversal until the speed has fallen to a safe level, and vice versa.

Abstract: An adjustable steering assembly for vehicles pivotable forwardly and rearwardly about upper and lower pivots, the upper pivot being operably connected to the steering column by a swingable link which is adapted to actuate along said steering column an axially slidable adjustment sleeve assembly. The sleeve assembly includes a manually adjustable spring actuator for adjusting axially of the steering column the position of a detent device which in turn allows angular adjustment of the steering column for the comfort of operators of different sizes and heights and to provide a fully forward tilted position at which improved access to vehicle components is provided.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle such as a narrow-aisle lift truck has a canopy that extends above the operator's compartment of the vehicle. A pair of elongated vertical posts are mounted to the rear of the canopy at spaced-apart positions. Each of the middle sections of the posts is offset relative to the end portion of the posts. The posts are capable of being mounted to the vehicle so that the distance between the middle sections thereof is either less than the distance between the pairs of respective ends of the posts or greater than the distance.

Abstract: A controller (10) for the traction motor of an industrial truck comprises an actuator spool (56) which is axially shiftable by a manual selector member (12) for actuating a plurality of control switches (44,46,48). The controller comprises a unitary body (24) with a first passage (62) for slidably supporting the actuator spool (56) and a second passage (203) which is orthogonally related to the first passage for slidably supporting an actuator plunger (202) for a speed control member (222). A box (26) is mounted on the unitary body and contains the plural control switches adjacent the actuator plunger and also contains the speed control member and a starting switch (52).

Abstract: A ventilation system for electric vehicles in which a fan draws air into a housing surrounding the pump motor. A portion of the air entering the housing flows through ports in the pump motor to cool the motor before leaving the system through an exit port in the motor. The remainder of the air drawn into the housing flows through a duct and into a manifold from where a portion of the air flows through ports in the drive motor to cool the drive motor, a portion of the air flows through a duct to the pump motor S.C.R. control, and the remainder of the air flows through a duct and into the drive motor S.C.R. control, for cooling those units. A filter may be provided over the intake for the fan to prevent dust and other contaminants from reaching the motors and control mechanisms, thus minimizing the risk or fouling of the motors and controls.

Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit especially for use with multi-function hydraulic devices, such as for industrial lift truck attachments, in which a combination of valves are adapted to operate two or more hydraulic systems, the valve system being designed such that a minimum number of hydraulic conduits are required to connect the main hydraulic system to the hydraulic devices, as from a lift truck to an attachment supporting carriage on a lift truck upright, and no electric lines are required to be connected to switching devices between the hydraulic devices, such as to solenoid operated valves.

Abstract: A skid steer loader comprising an improved loader main frame and including an operator's compartment designed to present a low profile vehicle particularly suitable for low clearance applications. The loader main frame includes a center compartment partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side beams. The engine for the vehicle is mounted at the rear of the center compartment and is acoustically enclosed by structural elements of the frame. A seat pan mounted on the side beams overlies the engine and transmission and separates the operator compartment from the center compartment. At a forward end of the center compartment an elongated transmission case forms a partial bottom wall and also encloses the chain and sprocket drive system of the vehicle. The side walls of the transmission case are displaced from the side walls of the frame, enabling the operator to straddle the case, thus reducing height requirements for both the operator compartment and the overall vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated auger is adapted for mounting on a skid steer vehicle. The auger includes a hydraulic drive motor for driving the main drive shaft of the implement as well as an auxiliary drive shaft interconnected with the main shaft by multiple chain and sprocket drives disposed therebetween. An augering tool is mountable on one or the other of the output shafts of the implement. Use of the appropriate chain and sprocket drive with the hydraulic output of the drive motor permits variable speed settings for the hydraulic auger.

Abstract: A skid steer loader comprising an improved loader main frame and including an operator's compartment designed to present a low profile vehicle particularly suitable for low clearance applications. The loader main frame includes a center compartment partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side beams. The engine for the vehicle is mounted at the rear of the center compartment and is acoustically enclosed by structural elements of the frame. A seat pan mounted on the side beams overlies the engine and transmission and separates the operator compartment from the center compartment. At a forward end of the center compartment an elongated transmission case forms a partial bottom wall and also encloses the chain and sprocket drive system of the vehicle. The side walls of the transmission case are displaced from the side walls of the frame, enabling the operator to straddle the case, thus reducing height requirements for both the operator compartment and the overall vehicle.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly mountable on the chain sprocket drive of a skid steer vehicle. Independent hydrostatic transmissions for a skid steer vehicle have a driving motor for each set of wheels of the vehicle. Drive shafts for each motor extend into the transmission case and carry at their inner ends rotatable brake discs splined thereon and fastened in place so as to be integrally rotatable with the output shafts of the hydraulic motors. Brake members carried on a brake assembly mounted on the transmission case engage the brake discs to limit the output of the drive motors and stop the vehicle.

Abstract: A linkage, especially for the pedals of a skid-steered tractor vehicle for operating the boom arms and attachment carrier, which requires no machining or threaded couplings. The arrangement includes links made of flat bar stock. Pivotal connections between adjacent links are made by punched holes, pins and side connectors. Adjustment for linear travel is at the pedal or valve rather than in the linkage itself. Crossover in the linkage path is by a bridging link having an open slot with curved sides rocking on a flat sided pin whereby movement is transmitted laterally.

Abstract: The cooling system of a skid-steer loader provides a high mount radiator and employs negative pressure to cool the engine. Circulating air is drawn into the engine compartment at the rear thereof, is carried over the engine and is blown out through the radiator provided at the forward top portion of the engine compartment to cool the fluid circulating therethrough. An oil cooler for hydraulic fluid is mounted underneath the radiator at a forward portion of the engine compartment.

Abstract: A backhoe mounting assembly for a skid steer loader. A backhoe mounting assembly is provided for securing a backhoe to the front end of a skid steer loader at a forward end portion of the boom lift arms of the loader. A latch attachment provided on the frame of the loader engages an upper part of the mounting assembly and an implement carrying attachment on the loader lift arms engages the lower part of the assembly. Provision is made in the mounting assembly for disabling both the boom lift arms and a tilt cylinder associated with the implement carrying attachment when the backhoe mounting assembly is secured in place.

Abstract: A skid-steered tractor vehicle is driven by right and left hydrostatic transmissions having separate steering levers, one for each transmission. A centering device acting directly on the transmission controls is longitudinally shiftable against the force of a spring in response to pivotal movement of either steering lever from a neutral or idle position for returning the steering lever upon release.Also, there is a second pivotal mounting for one or both steering levers in a plane at right angles to the pivot axis of the levers for controlling auxiliary functions without interfering with the steering movements of the levers.

Abstract: A skid steer loader comprising an improved loader main frame and including an operator's compartment designed to present a low profile vehicle particularly suitable for low clearance applications. A improved hydraulic system for the vehicle includes a new arrangement of an implement pump interconnected with the hydraulic drive pumps of the steering system of the vehicle. An internal connection between the drive pumps and the implement pump substantially improves the flow of hydraulic fluid through the system by providing an internal passage for flow of excess hydraulic fluid from a drive pump to the implement pump to supply the implement pump with inlet fluid.

Abstract: A linkage, especially for the pedals of a skid-steered tractor vehicle for operating the boom arms and attachment carrier, which requires no machining or threaded couplings. The arrangement includes links made of flat bar stock. Pivotal connections between adjacent links are made by punched holes, pins and side connectors. Adjustment for linear travel is at the pedal or valve rather than in the linkage itself. Crossover in the linkage path is by a bridging link having an open slot with curved sides rocking on a flat sided pin whereby movement is transmitted laterally.

Abstract: A skid steer loader comprising an improved loader main frame and including an operator's compartment designed to present a low profile vehicle particularly suitable for low clearance applications. The loader main frame includes a center compartment partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side beams. The engine for the vehicle is mounted at the rear of the center compartment and is acoustically enclosed by structural elements of the frame. A seat pan mounted on the side beams overlies the engine and transmission and separates the operator compartment from the center compartment. At a forward end of the center compartment an elongated transmission case forms a partial bottom wall and also encloses the chain and sprocket drive system of the vehicle. The side walls of the transmission case are displaced from the side walls of the frame, enabling the operator to straddle the case, thus reducing height requirements for both the operator compartment and the overall vehicle.

Abstract: A skid steer loader comprising an improved loader main frame and including an operator's compartment designed to present a low profile vehicle particularly suitable for low clearance applications. The loader main frame includes a center compartment partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side beams. The engine for the vehicle is mounted at the rear of the center compartment and is acoustically enclosed by structural elements of the frame. A seat pan mounted on the side beams overlies the engine and transmission and separates the operator compartment from the center compartment. At a forward end of the center compartment an elongated transmission case forms a partial bottom wall and also encloses the chain and sprocket drive system of the vehicle. The side walls of the transmission case are displaced from the side walls of the frame, enabling the operator to straddle the case, thus reducing height requirements for both the operator compartment and the overall vehicle.