Abstract: Rail wheels and road wheels of vehicles may be easily modified to differing axle lengths, so that, typically, the vehicle may roll on rails of differing gauges. An easily installable and removable spacer is provided to the axle systems of the vehicle.

Abstract: A railcar moving vehicle having rail wheels for operating on railroad track and having retractable road wheels for operating on road, the vehicle having a main frame and a pivotable frame which is connected to the main frame by a longitudinal pivot, there being mounted on the pivotable frame one rail wheel axle, a pair of driven road wheels, and hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the driven road wheels between inoperative and operative positions, whereby both the driven road wheels as well as the rail wheels are capable of oscillating or pivoting action to maintain equal wheel loadings on both the rail wheels and the road wheels.

Abstract: A single lever shift mechanism for shifting two control valves by selective movements of a single lever. The lever includes a spindle projecting horizontally from a vertically disposed control column and is pivoted about the axis of the control column to operate one valve. The lever also includes a handle on the spindle which is turned about the axis of the handle to provide for the operation of a second control valve.

Abstract: A self-storing panel mechanism for a vehicle engine compartment which has a lower side frame member extending longitudinally of the vehicle adjacent one side of the compartment, and an upper structural portion extending longitudinally above the lower side frame member and forming with the lower side frame member an access opening into the engine compartment. A movable side panel is detachably secured to the upper structural portion and extends downwardly across the access opening. There is at least one vertically disposed guide cable extending from the lower side frame member to a connection with the upper structural portion frame member. The guide cable normally holds the side panel in position to close the access opening but the side panel can easily be moved to the open position by disengaging the panel from the upper structural portion and allowing it to move by gravity downwardly without disconnecting the guide cable.

Abstract: A joint for connecting together two frame members of a machine for relative movement wherein one of the frame members has flexible portions which during assembly of the joint are flexed to enable the joint to be assembled without shims and without exceeding predetermined maximum stresses on the parts of the joint.

Abstract: A joint for connecting two structural members of a machine for pivotal movement relative to each other, one of the frame members including a bifurcated portion having spaced-apart parallel flanges, such flanges having equal diameter coaxial openings through them. The other frame member is located in part between the parallel flanges and has a third opening through it coaxial with the other openings. Thrust bushings and thrust plates are utilized to absorb thrust loads on the joint, and one of the thrust plates is held from circumferential movement relative to one of the flanges by means of a weld bead on such flange which mates with a radial slot in the thrust plate.

Abstract: A pivot joint mechanism for connecting together two relatively movable members which includes a pair of cone-type locks at the respective ends of a pivot pin which can be readily assembled and tightened to hold all of the internal parts locked in place by means of a single nut on a bolt extending through the pin, and which can be readily disassembled by inserting jack screws in the ends of the mechanism and backing the female locking members out again.

Abstract: A compactor module is adapted to be attached to a tractor module to form a complete unit. Eight pneumatic tires support the rear portion of the compactor. An emergency or parking brake is attached to each compacting wheel. The brakes are interconnected by a continuous cable and pulley control system. All brakes are applied in unison when the cable tension in the control system is increased, due to the retraction of a piston rod of an air cylinder connected to one end of the cable. The rod retracts when the pressure in the air cylinder falls below a certain predetermined level. The rod projects outwardly when the pressure in the air cylinder returns above the predetermined level. The tension in the control system is relaxed when the air pressure in the cylinder again rises above the predetermined level, the rod returns to its extended position, and the brakes are substantially simultaneously released. The other end of the cable is attached to a winch.