Abstract: A plurality of cylindrical, equiangularly spaced elastomeric isolator members are assembled axially between a drive plate fixed to an engine flywheel and a driven plate fixed to a transmission input shaft. The isolation members are resilient and yieldably resist relative rotation between the drive and driven plates at a first spring rate when torque loads are in a low range. When the torque load reaches an upper value of the low range, a pair of snubber members respectively mounted on the drive and driven plates are engaged by the flexed isolator members and support the latter such that torsional loads in a range higher than the low range will be yieldably resisted by the isolator members at a second spring rate higher than the first spring rate.

Abstract: A backhoe is mounted on the rear end of a tractor and includes a boom constructed of first and second separate sections which are interconnected by means that are selectively alterable to establish first and second conditions respectively wherein the first and second separate sections are fixed relative to each other to thereby establish a rigid boom for normal backhoe operation and wherein the first and second sections are pivotable relative to each other to thereby establish a foldable boom to permit the latter to be moved toward the tractor to a folded transport position.