Abstract: A crawler dozer includes a main frame having a longitudinal central axis. A push frame includes left and right push beams. A dozer blade is pivotally connected to the left and right push beams. At least one tilt cylinder is connected between the dozer blade and at least one of the left and right push beams. The tilt cylinder includes a larger cylinder portion pivotally connected to the dozer blade and a smaller piston portion pivotally connected to the at least one of the left and right push beams. The tilt cylinder includes a cylinder axis diverging laterally outward relative to the longitudinal central axis of the main frame in a forward direction by a splay angle of at least 2 degrees.

Abstract: A work vehicle with a chassis, a ground-engaging blade movably coupled to the chassis via a ball and socket assembly to allow the blade to pivot relative to the chassis. The ball and socket assembly comprises a semi-spherical socket with at least a first circular groove on a surface of the socket positioned coaxially with a centerline axis of the semi-spherical socket, a second circular groove concentric and spaced apart from the first circular groove along the surface of the socket, and at least two interconnecting grooves coupling the circular groove and the second circular groove; and a ball member disposed within the socket.

Abstract: A blade a work vehicle can include a moldboard for engaging material to be moved. The moldboard has a moldboard axis that lies laterally across the blade. The blade further includes a top wall adjacent a top portion of the moldboard a back wall including a pivot coupling for attachment to a hydraulic cylinder. The blade can include a debris guard the debris guard affixed to the top wall above the pivot coupling and aligned with the pivot coupling to shed debris away from the pivot coupling when the blade is operated in the forward direction. The debris guard can be welded to the top wall only along at least one line that is within twenty degrees of perpendicularity with the moldboard axis or that is within twenty degrees of parallel with the moldboard axis.

Abstract: A blade for a work vehicle may include a front wall, a back wall, a first support, a second support, and a third support. The front wall may be for engaging material to be moved. The back wall may be positioned at a distance from the front wall. The first support may be positioned between the front wall and the back wall and connected to the front wall and the back wall. The second support may be positioned between the front wall and the back wall and connected to the front wall and the back wall. The third support may positioned between the front wall and the back wall and connected to the front wall and the back wall.