Abstract: A traction vehicle includes a frame module formed principally from a plurality of platelike structural elements permanently fixed together to provide substantial rigidity for supplying and withstanding relatively large forces. Elongated boxlike drive assembly housings define the outer transverse longitudinal edges of the frame module, and a plurality of vertically-spaced, transversely-extending plate members connect the laterally positioned drive assembly housings in the frame module. End members extend transversely of the longitudinal ends of the frame module for applying the high forces from the vehicle. A plurality of driving wheel members are positioned outwardly from the drive assembly housings, and one separate power train assembly supplies reversible motive traction power simultaneously to all the driving wheel members on each lateral side of the vehicle. An operator's cab is positioned above the frame module, the sidewalls of the cab slope outwardly and define an octagonal cab structure.

Abstract: A throttle control system for a tractor having at least three tractor vehicles each of which has its own engine and wheels driven by the engine, in which there is means responsive to change in angular relationship of the vehicles to change the relative settings of the throttles of the vehicles in the rear so that the engine of the vehicle on the inside of the turn tends to operate at a slower speed than the engine of the vehicle on the outside of the turn. There are cables running from a throttle control in the operator's compartment of the lead vehicle to the throttles of all three vehicles, the angle responsive means being effective, when the throttles are in advanced position, to override the action of the main throttle lever and move one of the throttles towards throttle retard position without disturbing the position of the main throttle control.

Abstract: A yieldable door latch for holding open the door of a tractor cab in which the fender adjacent the door is of a width comparable to the width of the door, the door latch being mounted adjacent the outer edge of the fender so as to engage the under side of the door at a point close to the outer edge of the door. The door latch has biasing means located beneath the fender for biasing the door latch upwardly and has two inclined surfaces inclined upwardly from the outer and inner ends of the latching member to a central notch which is designed to receive the lower edge of the door. This biasing means is located beneath the fender and has an adjustable stop for limiting the upward movement of the latching member so that the outer end of the latching member always lies beneath the path of the lower edge of the door.

Abstract: A tractor having a driver's cab, an accessory compartment in the fender immediately adjacent the door to the driver's cab, the accessory compartment having a cover forming part of the fender and which projects below the edge of the cab door so that when the cab door is closed, it is impossible to raise the cover of the accessory compartment. In this way, when the door is locked, the accessory compartment is also automatically locked. The accessory compartment may hold a battery or tools or both. In the particular form shown, there is a battery compartment and tool compartments adjacent to the battery compartment. The invention is particularly applicable to the type of tractor which is sufficiently large that steps are required to reach the door of the driver's cab. In such case, the cover for the compartment may also include a downwardly extending part of the fender and one of the steps may be secured to this downwardly extending part.