Abstract: A three point hitch for a work vehicle is provided with one draft link of fixed length and another draft link of variable length. The variable length draft link includes a linear double action hydraulic cylinder assembly, a first attachment plate fixedly connected with one of the arm and the cylinder of the assembly and having a pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with the vehicle, and a second attachment plate fixedly connected with a remaining one of the arm and the cylinder and having a first pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with a tilt link and a second pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with the implement to be supported from the vehicle. The variable length draft link permits lateral adjustment of the angle of the implement with respect to the vehicle center line.

Abstract: A three point hitch for a work machine includes a first and a second draft link each having a mounting end portion and a free end portion opposite the mounting end portion. Mounting end portion being mounted to a first side of a work machine to allow upward and downward pivotal movement of the free end portion beside an upwardly and downwardly extending fixed structural element of the work machine. Mounting end portion of the second draft link being mounted to a second side of the work machine opposite the first side to allow upward and downward pivotal movement of the free end portion of the second draft link. A sway restrictor mounts on the free end portion of the first draft link and restricts sideward swaying thereof toward and away from the structural element. A counterweight for use with the three point hitch is interchangeable with a fluid motor.

Abstract: The sway restrictor includes a bracket attachable between the draft link or arm and an adjacent upwardly and downwardly extending structural element of a work machine, and is operable for substantially restricting or preventing relative sideward movement therebetween, particularly swaying of the hitch, while allowing relative upward and downward movements thereof, including tilting movements.

Abstract: A three point hitch for a work vehicle is provided with one draft link of fixed length and another draft link of variable length. The variable length draft link includes a linear double action hydraulic cylinder assembly, a first attachment plate fixedly connected with one of the arm and the cylinder of the assembly and having a pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with the vehicle, and a second attachment plate fixedly connected with a remaining one of the arm and the cylinder and having a first pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with a tilt link and a second pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with the implement to be supported from the vehicle. The variable length draft link permits lateral adjustment of the angle of the implement with respect to the vehicle center line.

Abstract: The sway restrictor includes a bracket attachable between the draft link or arm and an adjacent upwardly and downwardly extending structural element of a work machine, and is operable for substantially restricting or preventing relative sideward movement therebetween, particularly swaying of the hitch, while allowing relative upward and downward movements thereof, including tilting movements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for limiting rotation of a stabilizer flip pad assembly in a support assembly for a work vehicle to prevent undesired flipping of the stabilizer flip pad assembly, where the support assembly includes a support leg assembly and the stabilizer flip pad assembly, and the stabilizer flip pad assembly is rotatably attached to the support leg assembly. The apparatus includes a locking pin assembly and a restraint arm supported by the support leg assembly, where the restraint arm is rotatable at a rotation axis proximate a first end of the restraint arm. The restraint arm includes a slot configured to receive a locking pin of the locking pin assembly, and a restraint protrusion proximate a second end of the restraint arm and extending perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the restraint arm.

Abstract: The disclosure involves the combination of a vehicle chassis such as that used on a construction machine, e.g., a loader/backhoe. The chassis has a channel and a holding tank, e.g., a hydraulic oil tank, supported on the channel by first and second tank mounting ears. In the improvement, the channel includes a panel having outer and inner surfaces and first and second mounting plates are against the inner surface. First and second mounting fasteners extend through the first and second tank mounting ears, respectively, through the chassis panel and into the first and second mounting plates, respectively. A new method for mounting a holding tank to a vehicle chassis is also disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-rollback mechanism is provided for an off-highway implement having a mobile frame and a loader mechanism including a bucket pivotally attached between lift arms of the loader mechanism. The lift arms are connected to the frame of the implement and lift actuators are used to angularly move the lift arms to elevationally position the bucket. Tilt actuators connected to the bucket and to the lift arms effect rolling movements of the bucket relative to the lift arms. A single handled control mechanism regulates operation of the tilt and lift actuators through hydraulic tilt and lift valves. The anti-rollback mechanism of the present invention automatically positions the tilt valve as the lift arms move through a predetermined range of angular movements relative to the frame to prevent rollback of the bucket past a generally level position as the lift arms and bucket are elevated.

Abstract: A three function control mechanism for independently or conjointly controlling three separate functions of an off-highway implement. The control mechanism basically includes lever structure accessible to the operator of the implement and connected to a singular modular controller having three separate actuator structures means arranged relative to various pivotal axes of the controller for effecting the three functions either independently or conjointly relative to each other.

Abstract: A three function control mechanism for independently or conjointly controlling three separate functions of an off-highway implement. The control mechanism basically includes lever means accessible to the operator of the implement and connected to a singular modular controller having three separate actuator means arranged relative to various pivotal axes of the controller for effecting the three functions either independently or conjointly relative to each other.

Abstract: A three function control system for independently or conjointly controlling three separate hydraulic valves through manipulation of a single control lever. The control system basically includes a single vertically elongated control lever mounted for manipulation through first and second control arcs and has a handle assembly carried at a free upper end of the control lever to facilitate one-handed control over the three valves. First and second linkage assemblies translate arcuate movements of the control lever through the first and second arcs, respectively, into regulatory operations of a first and second hydraulic valves, respectively. A third linkage assembly transmutes twisting movements of the control lever into regulatory movements for the third valve thereby facilitating single-handed control over all three hydraulic valves. A locking mechanism releasably holds the handle assembly to inhibit inadvertent operations of the valves.

Abstract: A control mechanism for independently or conjointly controlling three different functions of an off-highway implement. The control mechanism includes a single, vertical elongated control lever mounted for manipulation in first and second directions about first and second axes and for manipulation through a twisting action about a vertical axis extending substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes. A salient feature of the present invention is that manipulation of the control lever in the first and second directions, conjointly or independently, controls first and second functions of the implement while twisting manipulation of the control lever about its vertical axis controls a third implement function independently or conjointly relative to the other two implement functions.

Abstract: A quick coupler for attaching various material handling implements to a lift arm. The quick coupler includes an opening on one end for pivotal connection with the lift arm and a slotted end portion for selective engagement with a mounting pin on the implement. An intermediate portion of the quick coupler includes a mounting or coupler pin that extends laterally beyond the sides of the quick coupler. An actuating mechanism including a push-pull link is connected to the quick coupler for rotating it about the end of the lift arm. The quick coupler includes an element which may be used for lifting or positioning objects while the quick coupler is fully attached to the implement. Each implement is provided with a pair of opposed attachment members which include slots for receiving the outer laterally extending portions of the quick coupler mounting pin.

Abstract: A quick coupler for attaching various material handling implements to a lift arm. The quick coupler includes an opening on one end for pivotal connection with the lift arm and a slotted end portion for selective engagement with a mounting pin on the implement. An intermediate portion of the quick coupler includes a mounting or coupler pin that extends laterally beyond the sides of the quick coupler. An actuating mechanism including a push-pull link is connected to the quick coupler for rotating it about the end of the lift arm. The quick coupler includes an element which may be used for lifting or positioning objects while the quick coupler is fully attached to the implement. Each implement is provided with a pair of opposed attachment members which include slots for receiving the outer laterally extending portions of the quick coupler mounting pin.

Abstract: A quick coupler for attaching various material handling implements to a lift arm. The quick coupler includes an opening on one end for pivotal connection with the lift arm and a slotted end portion for selective engagement with a mounting pin on the implement. An intermediate portion of the quick coupler includes a mounting or coupler pin that extends laterally beyond the sides of the quick coupler. An actuating mechanism including a push-pull link is connected to the quick coupler for rotating it about the end of the lift arm. The quick coupler includes an element which may be used for lifting or positioning objects while the quick coupler is fully attached to the implement. Each implement is provided with a pair of opposed attachment members which include slots for receiving the outer laterally extending portions of the quick coupler mounting pin.

Abstract: A cover plate is disclosed for a hydraulic control panel that houses a series of manually operable valves for controlling a plurality of hydraulic cylinders associated with an implement such as a backhoe. The cover plate includes a one-piece plastic base with a plurality of upstanding, spaced apart, integral formations along its longitudinal extent through which a plurality of control handles are inserted and attached to the valves. Each formation on the cover plate is generally box-shaped with open sides and aligned openings in its upper and lower walls to permit the passage of a respective control handle through the cover plate. A closed-cell, rectangular block insert is sandwiched within each cover plate formation with an opening therethrough which is aligned with the upper and lower openings in the formation.