Abstract: A track driven vehicle has an undercarriage transmission assembly that has a central transmission housing forming a one piece all welded housing. The central transmission housing has upright side wall portions with multiple layers of plates or walls in a sandwich construction on which drive motors are mounted. The drive motors are on the interior of the transmission housing, with track driven sprocket assemblies on the exterior of the side walls. Track mounting pods or frames are welded to the exterior of the side walls of the transmission housing.

Abstract: A ride-on operator platform or sulky is used in connection with a small self-propelled loader to provide a support for an operator. The operator platform is pivotally mounted to the loader about a generally horizontal axis, and has a rear support engaging the surface over which the loader is operating to maintain the operator platform at a desired position relative to the surface. The upward pivoting of rear portions of the operator platform is limited by stop members, and substantial downward pivoting is permitted.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a system, including a mechanical arm, an attachment member, an actuator, a power system, an electronic control, and an operator interface. The attachment member is tiltably mounted on the mechanical arm about a pivot joint. The actuator is operably connected to the attachment member for powering the attachment member to tilt about the pivot joint. The power system is operably connected to the actuator. The electronic control is operatively connected to the power system, and comprises an automatic vibration mechanism for causing the attachment member to vibrate automatically in response to an activation signal. The operator interface is in operable communication with the electronic control. The system comprises a default state and an activation state for causing the activation signal.

Abstract: A fluid pressure cylinder assembly is provided with a sensor for sensing the extension of a piston rod from a tubular cylinder. The tubular cylinder has a base block that seals the end of the tubular cylinder with an inner wall. The inner wall has a threaded bore for receiving the sensor housing, which has an elongated sensor rod passing into an axial bore in the piston rod. The piston rod carries a sensor element that moves relative to the elongated sensor rod. The inner wall is at an inner end of an access bore in the base block. The sensor is threaded into a bore in the inner wall using a socket that has a slot to permit a sensor lead to extend to the exterior of the socket and out of the access bore so the lead rotates with the socket in the access bore while the sensor is tightened in place. The base block is provided with a slot that extends to the exterior of the base block so that when installed the sensor lead can be extended out through the slot for connection to suitable controls.

Abstract: A skid steer loader has an interlock system that is responsive to sensor input to lock out such as operation of lift and tilt cylinders of the skid steer loader when the input indicates a condition has not been met. The loader is provided with a cab that has an operator entrance and egress door, and a door latch and a latch striker on the cab are provided with a sensor that senses when the cab door is closed and latched. The lockout prevents carrying out the functions when the door is not closed and latched.

Abstract: A control system for a small work vehicle such as a compact track propelled loader has a control handle that is mounted onto a swinging support plate. The support plate swings about a vertical axis positioned forwardly of the control handle, and the control handle is mounted on the support plate about a horizontal axis. Linkages are provided between the control handle and the pivotal mounting about the upright axis to respective motor control levers for operating motors on opposite sides of the vehicle for steering and propelling the vehicle. Moving the control handle about the horizontal axis causes a drive selectively in forward and reverse direction, and moving the support plate and the control handle about the vertical axis provides differential movement for steering control.