Abstract: An endless track assembly comprises a plurality of two-component track shoes pivotally interconnected by a link assembly secured thereto. The link assembly comprises a plurality of links with each track shoe being releasably secured to each pair of laterally spaced links by a plurality of bolts. Each track shoe comprises a base having a pair of laterally spaced supports disposed in upstanding relationship thereon and a track plate disposed on the supports. A lug is disposed on each lateral side of the track shoe and a bolt extends through the track plate, each of the supports and each link for releasably securing the track shoe to the link assembly.

Abstract: Steering apparatus is provided for a vehicle which has first and second sections and Ackerman steering apparatus connected to the first section. The steering apparatus includes a coupling assembly, steering cylinders for moving the first section relative to the coupling assembly and a linkage mechanism for changing the orientation of the first section relative to the second section. The coupling assembly is connected to the first and second sections and pivotally movable relative to the first section. The linkage mechanism is pivotally connected to the coupling assembly and Ackerman steering apparatus. The linkage mechanism has construction sufficient for actuating the Ackerman steering apparatus in response to movement of the coupling assembly relative to the first section.

Abstract: A counterweight is positioned adjacent an end portion of a frame and is attached to the frame to permit limited up and down movement thereof relative to the frame. A resilient supporting device is mounted on the end portion of the frame and is attached to the counterweight with the supporting device being of a construction sufficient for resiliently supporting the counterweight and for cushioning shock loads exerted on the frame in response to inertia force of the counterweight.

Abstract: An industrial truck has a hood normally seated on the mid portion of a frame. A counterweight has a first portion positioned adjacent a first portion of the hood and connected to the hood. A second portion of the counterweight is positioned adjacent and pivotally connected to the frame end portion for pivotal movement of the counterweight and the hood in unison and relative to the frame between a first position at which the hood is seated on the frame and a second position at which the hood is spaced from the frame. A fluid jack has first and second elements movable relative to each other with the first element being pivotally anchored to the frame end portion and the second element being pivotally connected to the counterweight. The fluid jack is of a construction sufficient for pivoting the counterweight and hood between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A loader, including a vehicle frame, lift arms mounted on the frame for movement between upper and lower positions, and a bucket having a bottom, a rear and spaced sides, said bottom and sides defining a dumping opening, the bucket being mounted on the lift arms for movement therewith, wherein the improvement comprises a gate pivotally mounted to the bucket for movement between a first position wherein the dumping opening is unobstructed, and a second position wherein the dumping opening is partially obstructed so that the dumping opening may be selectively narrowed when the bucket contents are to be dumped in a restricted area.

Abstract: A fork carriage attitude adjusting arrangement includes a mounting tower secured to and extending upwardly from the forward end of a longitudinally extending frame. A lever arrangement is pivotally attached to the mounting tower and has a hydraulic tilt motor operatively connected thereto for adjusting its angularity relative to the mounting tower. A pair of vertically spaced parallel arms have their rearwardly extending ends pivotally connected to the lever arrangement and their forwardly extending ends pivotally connected to a mast assembly to maintain the mast assembly at a predetermined attitude relative to the lever arrangement.

Abstract: An articulated wheel vehicle comprises first and second frame assemblies pivotally connected together and a pair of steering cylinders pivotally connected between the frame assemblies for pivoting them relative to each other. A telescopic boom is pivotally mounted on the first frame assembly and has a work implement, such as a fork, attached to the end thereof. In a first embodiment of this invention, a pair of lift cylinders are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the second frame assembly and have a ground engaging plate secured therebetween and disposed in underlying relationship relative to the vehicle. In a second such embodiment, an individual plate is secured to a lower end of each lift cylinder and is disposed on a respective side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel loader having a pair of lift arms pivotally mounted to the frame of the loader and a bucket pivotally connected to and moved by the lift arms includes a tire protector assembly having one or more deflector blade members pivotally mounted to the frame of the loader, the blade members being moved adjacent the ground forward of the wheels when the bucket is lowered so that the wheels of the loader are protected from damage and moved away from the ground when the bucket is raised. The deflector blade members may be mounted on levers or linkages which are pivotally connected to the loader or they may be mounted on the lift arms of the bucket so that the blade members are moved therewith.

Abstract: A motor grader comprises a tractor having a frame extending forwardly therefrom and supported on a plurality of road wheels. A first bracket is universally connected to the frame and is pivotally connected to a second bracket, disposed forwardly thereof, by a parallelogram-type linkage. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is pivotally interconnected between the first and second brackets to selectively pivot the second bracket relative to the first bracket and to maintain the brackets in parallel relationship relative to each other. A mold board is mounted for lateral sliding movements on a support member pivotally connected to a forward end of the second bracket. A pair of cylinders are pivotally interconnected between the second bracket and the support member to selectively pivot the support member and mold board relative to the second bracket.

Abstract: A truck comprises a generally U-shaped frame and a dump body pivotally mounted forwardly on the frame and supported on a pair of laterally spaced and parallel side beams thereof. The dump body comprises four triangularly-shaped bottom wall portions converging downwardly to form an inverse pyramidal construction. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is pivotally interconnected between the frame and dump body to selectively raise the dump body to discharge materials forwardly of the truck. An operator's cab is mounted on a forward end of one of the side beams.

Abstract: A fork lift truck includes an operator's protective structure carried on a longitudinally extending frame. The protective structure has a channel member which also forms part of a lift mast assembly. Certain components of the protective structure are hollow and have the hydraulic lift jack and portions of the lift chain disposed therein.

Abstract: A vehicle engine radiator assembly has a radiator having first and second opposed surfaces, an inlet conduit, and an outlet conduit. A fluid coupling is connected to each conduit and is of a construction sufficient for pivotal movement of the radiator for controllably directing either the first or second surface outwardly from the vehicle. Means is provided for permitting pivotal movement of the radiator and maintaining the radiator fixed to the vehicle at a preselected position. The radiator is pivoted for changing the direction of air flow therethrough for removing dirt and other materials from the radiator.

Abstract: In a double articulated vehicle, such as for use in low clearance areas, i.e. mines with low ceilings and the like, front and rear frames are pivotally mounted relative to an intermediate carriage about spaced vertical axes. A link is pivotally mounted to the front and rear frames with the longitudinal axis of the link crossing the centerline of the vehicle. Rams are provided between the carriage and the front and rear frames so that actuation of the rams turns the front and rear frames simultaneously relative to the carriage.

Abstract: In a double articulated vehicle, such as for use in low overhead clearance areas, a front and rear frame are pivotally mounted to an intermediate carriage in such a way that both frames will turn in the same direction upon actuation of the steering mechanism. A cab is removably mounted on sound suppressing shock mounts on the side of the intermediate carriage with the floor of the cab substantially coterminous with the bottom of the carriage and with the roof of the cab substantially coterminous with the highest projections on the front and rear frames. The cab will face in a direction transverse to the lengthwise centerline of the vehicle and be protected by and from the wheels on one side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprises a support structure adapted to be moved on rails to position a drilling assembly mounted thereon adjacent to a selected drilling site. The drilling assembly includes a carriage movably mounted on the support structure for longitudinal movements thereon and a shroud secured on the carriage and having an auger rotatably mounted therein. A cutting edge, having a square configuration, is disposed adjacent to a forward end of the auger and at least one double-acting hydraulic cylinder is interconnected between the support structure and the carriage to aid in pushing the auger and cutting edge through material to form an opening having a square cross section. Upon full extension of the auger and cutting edge, a second drilling assembly may be attached rearwardly on the first-mentioned drilling assembly to increase the overall penetration capabilities of the drilling apparatus.

Abstract: An upwardly extending mast is disposed adjacent a forward end of a lift truck main frame which has a mounting tower secured to and extending upwardly therefrom. A pair of longitudinally extending vertically spaced parallel arms have their forward ends pivotally connected to the mast and their rearward ends individually pivotally connected to a pair of sector gear devices rotatably mounted on the mounting tower in spaced relation to one another. A gear device is rotatably mounted to the tower in meshing engagement with both of the sector gear devices and includes a crank arm which extends therefrom and has its distal end pivotally connected to one end of a guide link which has its other end pivotally connected to one of the pair of arms. A motor device is provided for raising the mast relative to the main frame.

Abstract: A truck comprises a main frame having a U-shaped subframe, including a pair of side beams and a forward cross-beam, universally mounted thereon by a ball and socket connection. A rearward end of each side beam is mounted under the main frame of the truck by a suspension cylinder pivotally interconnected therebetween. A drive motor is mounted on each of the side beams and has an output shaft thereof drivingly connected to at least one roadwheel, rotatably mounted on a spindle secured to a rearward end of each side beam. A rearward cross-beam is preferably secured between the rearward ends of the side beams in axial alignment with the spindles.

Abstract: An endless track for a track-type vehicle such as a crawler vehicle or the like, including an endless, tire-like, flexible carcass including a fluid receiving chamber that is at least partially collapsible, the chamber being defined by at least two cells arranged in substantially side-by-side orientation and extending about the periphery of the carcass. The cells have substantially equal cross sections and the carcass is provided with irregularities on its interior and exterior surfaces. An endless, flexible, grouser carrying belt is disposed about the exterior surface and secured thereto in interlocked relation by the surface irregularities. A plurality of grousers are located about the periphery of the grouser-carrying belt and are secured thereto and extend outwardly from the exterior surface thereof. An endless, flexible, shield-carrying belt is disposed inwardly of the carcass and is secured thereto on the interior surface of the carcass in interlocked relation by the surface irregularities.

Abstract: An upwardly extending mast is disposed adjacent the forward end of a vehicle main frame of a lift truck. A mounting plate device extends upwardly from the forward end of the main frame with the forward ends of a first pair of longitudinally extending vertically spaced parallel arms pivotally connected thereto. A second pair of longitudinally extending vertically spaced parallel arms have their rearward ends individually pivotally connected to the rearward ends of the first pair of arms and their forward ends pivotally connected to the mast. A vertical link has its opposite ends pivotally connected to the rearward ends of at least one pair of the arms while a motor device is provided to raise the mast relative to the main frame. A control linkage device is pivotally anchored to the main frame and pivotally connected to one arm of the first pair of arms and to the mast so that the control linkage device causes the mast to move in a substantially straight path as it is raised.

Abstract: A scraper comprises a front frame having an operator's station mounted forwardly thereon. A generally vertically disposed suspension cylinder is pivotally interconnected between the front frame and each one of a pair of front roadwheels for permitting the roadwheels to pivot in a horizontal plane for steering purposes. A steering linkage is pivotally interconnected between the front frame and the roadwheels to effect such steering. A rear frame, having a scraper bowl secured thereon, is mounted on a pair of rear roadwheels. A pair of draft arms, disposed on either side of the scraper bowl, are pivotally interconnected directly to the scraper bowl and to the front frame along with a lift cylinder for selectively raising and lowering the scraper bowl relative to the front frame.