Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a powerhead that causes rotation of a driveshaft, a steering housing located below the powerhead, wherein the driveshaft extends from the powerhead into the steering housing; and a lower gearcase located below the steering housing and supporting a propeller shaft that is coupled to the driveshaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the propeller shaft. The lower gearcase is steerable about a steering axis with respect to the steering housing and powerhead.

Abstract: An outboard motor is for propelling a marine vessel in water and can be trimmed about a trim axis into and between a raised position in which the outboard motor is fully trimmed up out of the water and a lowered position in which the outboard motor is fully trimmed down into the water. The outboard motor has a hydraulic steering actuator for steering the outboard motor about steering axis and a reservoir mounted on the outboard motor and containing hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic steering actuator. A vent opening vents the reservoir to atmosphere and is located on top of the reservoir and closer to the back of the outboard motor than the front of the outboard motor so that the vent opening does not become covered by the hydraulic fluid when the outboard motor is trimmed into and out of the raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: Electronically controlled hydraulic valves can be directly mounted to rear steering cylinders of a four wheel steering machine to improve steering, reduce space consumption, reduce leak points and allow ease of routing. The valves can receive hydraulic fluid from a pump and release hydraulic fluid to tank, while controlling an amount of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder via inlets and outlets in direct contact. The valves can be controlled by a controller that is also in communication with position sensors configured to sense positions of the front and rear steering cylinders, so that the directly mounted valves in the rear can be correspondingly controlled to follow steering in the front.

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a frame capable of supporting wheels at a variable tread width. The frame includes a first cross member and a second cross member, both of which have slider receivers formed in an outer edge of either side of the frame. The machine also includes a first axle slider for a first side and a second axle slider for a second side. Each axle slider includes a pair of axle slider legs configured to be telescopically inserted into and out of the respective slider receiver, as well as a main slider body extending between the pair of axle slider legs. The axle sliders are configured to support a pair of wheels on either side of the frame. Additionally, actuators are mounted within the cross members that enable the telescopic movement of the axle sliders relative to the cross members.

Abstract: A touchscreen Human Machine Interface (HMI) may be used to communicate with a machine controller which, in turn, may communicate with a variety of systems of an agricultural machine to calibrate those systems. Accordingly, the HMI, via the machine controller, may communicate and interact with various electronically controlled devices of the machine, such as a joystick, a brake pedal, a hydrostatic pump system, a steering angle sensor, a rear steering controller, and the like (such as via an ISO Bus or CAN bus) to effect such calibrations.

Abstract: A hose clamp assembly for use with an agricultural machine that help to route hoses or other elongate routed components about the agricultural machine. The hose clamp assembly may include a first clamp block having first and second outer walls, with at least a first set of openings formed in one of the first and second outer walls. Additionally, the first clamp block may further include a second set of openings formed into the other of the first and second outer walls. The first clamp block may be secured to the agricultural machine, to a mounting bracket, or to a lock plate. Additionally, the hose clamp assembly may have a second clamp block having third and fourth outer walls. The second clamp block may have a third set of openings formed therein, as well as a fourth set of openings. The clamp blocks may be mounted to one another.

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a frame capable of supporting wheels at a variable tread width. The frame includes a first cross member and a second cross member, both of which have slider receivers formed in an outer edge of either side of the frame. The machine also includes a first axle slider for a first side and a second axle slider for a second side. Each axle slider includes a pair of axle slider legs configured to be telescopically inserted into and out of the respective slider receiver, as well as a main slider body extending between the pair of axle slider legs. The axle sliders are configured to support a pair of wheels on either side of the frame. Additionally, actuators are mounted within the cross members that enable the telescopic movement of the axle sliders relative to the cross members.

Abstract: A hose clamp assembly for use with an agricultural machine that help to route hoses or other elongate routed components about the agricultural machine. The hose clamp assembly may include a first clamp block having first and second outer walls, with at least a first set of openings formed in one of the first and second outer walls. Additionally, the first clamp block may further include a second set of openings formed into the other of the first and second outer walls. The first clamp block may be secured to the agricultural machine, to a mounting bracket, or to a lock plate. Additionally, the hose clamp assembly may have a second clamp block having third and fourth outer walls. The second clamp block may have a third set of openings formed therein, as well as a fourth set of openings. The clamp blocks may be mounted to one another.

Abstract: Electronically controlled hydraulic valves can be directly mounted to rear steering cylinders of a four wheel steering machine to improve steering, reduce space consumption, reduce leak points and allow ease of routing. The valves can receive hydraulic fluid from a pump and release hydraulic fluid to tank, while controlling an amount of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder via inlets and outlets in direct contact. The valves can be controlled by a controller that is also in communication with position sensors configured to sense positions of the front and rear steering cylinders, so that the directly mounted valves in the rear can be correspondingly controlled to follow steering in the front.

Abstract: An improved system for braking an agricultural vehicle propelled by a hydrostatic drive unit is disclosed. An operator provides a desired speed command from a first user interface, such as a joystick. The joystick generates a command responsive to the deflection and communicates the command to a controller. The agricultural vehicle also includes a second user interface, such as a brake pedal. The brake pedal includes a transducer configured to generate a signal corresponding to a deflection of the brake pedal which is also communicated to the controller. If the operator presses the brake pedal when the joystick is commanding motion, the controller reduces the signal from the joystick. The amount the signal is reduced increases as the deflection of the brake pedal increases until the brake pedal overrides any speed command from the joystick.

Abstract: A self-propelled off-road agricultural vehicle is provided with a hydraulic propel circuit protection system. The hydraulic propel circuit protection system reduces extreme pressure buildup from the motors when the pumps and/or motors are rapidly deactivated. The hydraulic propel circuit protection system may include a propel manifold with integral valving and an accumulator to protect a propel circuit of the self-propelled off-road agricultural vehicle. External relief valves which may be integrated into the propel manifold may limit the high pressure condition on the outlet of the motors to a level that prevents damage to the hydraulic motors and the accumulator provides supplemental flow and thus prevents the extremely low pressure condition from occurring at either side of the motors.

Abstract: An improved system for braking an agricultural vehicle propelled by a hydrostatic drive unit is disclosed. An operator provides a desired speed command from a first user interface, such as a joystick. The joystick generates a command responsive to the deflection and communicates the command to a controller. The agricultural vehicle also includes a second user interface, such as a brake pedal. The brake pedal includes a transducer configured to generate a signal corresponding to a deflection of the brake pedal which is also communicated to the controller. If the operator presses the brake pedal when the joystick is commanding motion, the controller reduces the signal from the joystick. The amount the signal is reduced increases as the deflection of the brake pedal increases until the brake pedal overrides any speed command from the joystick.

Abstract: A touchscreen Human Machine Interface (HMI) may be used to communicate with a machine controller which, in turn, may communicate with a variety of systems of an agricultural machine to calibrate those systems. Accordingly, the HMI, via the machine controller, may communicate and interact with various electronically controlled devices of the machine, such as a joystick, a brake pedal, a hydrostatic pump system, a steering angle sensor, a rear steering controller, and the like (such as via an ISO Bus or CAN bus) to effect such calibrations.

Abstract: A self-propelled off-road agricultural vehicle is provided with a hydraulic propel circuit protection system. The hydraulic propel circuit protection system reduces extreme pressure buildup from the motors when the pumps and/or motors are rapidly deactivated. The hydraulic propel circuit protection system may include a propel manifold with integral valving and an accumulator to protect a propel circuit of the self-propelled off-road agricultural vehicle. External relief valves which may be integrated into the propel manifold may limit the high pressure condition on the outlet of the motors to a level that prevents damage to the hydraulic motors and the accumulator provides supplemental flow and thus prevents the extremely low pressure condition from occurring at either side of the motors.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering system is provided in which a steering actuator is an integral portion of the support structure of a marine propulsion system. A steering arm is contained completely within the support structure of the marine propulsion system and disposed about its steering axis. An extension of the steering arm extends into a sliding joint which has a linear component and a rotational component which allow the extension of the steering arm to move relative to a moveable second portion of the steering actuator. The moveable second portion of the steering actuator moves linearly within a cylinder cavity formed in a first portion of the steering actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator is provided for an outboard motor system in which the cylinder and piston of the actuator are disposed within a cylindrical cavity inside a cylindrical portion of a swivel bracket. The piston within the cylinder of the actuator is attached to at least one rod that extends through clearance holes of a clamp bracket and is connectable to a steering arm of an outboard motor. The one or more rods attached to the piston are aligned coaxially with an axis of rotation about which the swivel bracket rotates when the outboard motor is trimmed. As a result, no relative movement occurs between the outboard motor, the rod attached to the piston of the actuator, and the swivel bracket during rotation of the outboard motor about the axis of rotation.