Abstract: In one aspect, a sealing assembly may include a connector body extending axially between an outer surface and an inner surface. The connector body may define a groove extending axially from the outer surface toward the inner surface. The groove may include a first groove portion and a second groove portion. The first groove portion may be at least partially defined by a first bottom surface of the connector body and may include a first depth. The second groove portion may be at least partially defined by a second bottom surface of the connector body and may include a second depth that may be greater than the first depth. The sealing assembly may also include a gasket positioned in the first groove portion. Furthermore, the sealing assembly may include a retention sleeve positioned in the second groove portion and configured to retain the gasket within the first groove portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, a sealing assembly may include a connector body extending axially between an outer surface and an inner surface. The connector body may define a groove extending axially from the outer surface toward the inner surface. The groove may include a first groove portion and a second groove portion. The first groove portion may be at least partially defined by a first bottom surface of the connector body and may include a first depth. The second groove portion may be at least partially defined by a second bottom surface of the connector body and may include a second depth that may be greater than the first depth. The sealing assembly may also include a gasket positioned in the first groove portion. Furthermore, the sealing assembly may include a retention sleeve positioned in the second groove portion and configured to retain the gasket within the first groove portion.

Abstract: A multiple-speed steering system for an off-road vehicle having a loading mechanism and a hydraulic steering system associated with guiding the vehicle. The multiple-speed steering system includes a hydraulic steering cylinder and a first component fluidly coupled to the steering cylinder to provide a primary metered flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder. A second component is selectively fluidly coupled to the steering cylinder to provide a supplemental metered flow in addition to the primary metered flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder. Addition of the supplemental metered flow is selectable by an operator of the vehicle.

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: 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 multiple-speed steering system for an off-road vehicle having a loading mechanism and a hydraulic steering system associated with guiding the vehicle. The multiple-speed steering system includes a hydraulic steering cylinder and a first component fluidly coupled to the steering cylinder to provide a primary metered flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder. A second component is selectively fluidly coupled to the steering cylinder to provide a supplemental metered flow in addition to the primary metered flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder. Addition of the supplemental metered flow is selectable by an operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for use in a work vehicle includes a tube including a first end, a second end and an inner surface; a plug with a portion of the plug disposed inside the tube and a portion of the plug extending outside the tube; a weld extending around the perimeter of the plug and coupling the first end of the tube to the plug, the weld forming a fluid-tight seal between the plug and the tube; a seal abutting against the plug and the inner surface of the tube and being spaced from the weld; an end plug affixed to the second end of the tube to enclose and seal the second end of the tube, the end plug defining a rod opening; a piston configured to be slidingly supported within the tube, the piston including a retract face, an extend face oppositely disposed from the retract face and a lip protruding from the extend face; and a piston rod affixed to the piston, the piston rod extending out of the tube through the rod opening.

Abstract: An articulated wheel loader provides a cushioned deceleration at the limits of its turning to the left and to the right by reducing fluid flow through a hydraulic steering cylinder as the articulated frames approach abutment. The throttled fluid flow causes a variable displacement pump to de-stroke, which further cushions the deceleration.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a hydraulic cylinder includes a piston head configured to slide axially within the hydraulic cylinder in response to changes in hydraulic pressure. The piston head has an axial through-hole. A piston rod has a proximal end axially abutting the piston head and a distal end extending outward through an end of the hydraulic cylinder. The proximal end of the piston rod has a threaded bore co-axial with the axial through-hole in the piston head. A bolt has a bolt head and an unthreaded shank portion adjacent the bolt head and a threaded shank portion away from the bolt head. The bolt secures the piston head to the proximal end of the piston rod when the bolt shank is inserted through the axial through-hole in the piston head and is threadingly engaged in the threaded bore in the piston rod. An annular washer is positioned and held captive on the unthreaded portion of the bolt shank between the bolt head and the piston head.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for use in a work vehicle includes a tube including a first end, a second end and an inner surface; a plug with a portion of the plug disposed inside the tube and a portion of the plug extending outside the tube; a weld extending around the perimeter of the plug and coupling the first end of the tube to the plug, the weld forming a fluid-tight seal between the plug and the tube; a seal abutting against the plug and the inner surface of the tube and being spaced from the weld; an end plug affixed to the second end of the tube to enclose and seal the second end of the tube, the end plug defining a rod opening; a piston configured to be slidingly supported within the tube, the piston including a retract face, an extend face oppositely disposed from the retract face and a lip protruding from the extend face; and a piston rod affixed to the piston, the piston rod extending out of the tube through the rod opening.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a hydraulic cylinder includes a piston head configured to slide axially within the hydraulic cylinder in response to changes in hydraulic pressure. The piston head has an axial through-hole. A piston rod has a proximal end axially abutting the piston head and a distal end extending outward through an end of the hydraulic cylinder. The proximal end of the piston rod has a threaded bore co-axial with the axial through-hole in the piston head. A bolt has a bolt head and an unthreaded shank portion adjacent the bolt head and a threaded shank portion away from the bolt head. The bolt secures the piston head to the proximal end of the piston rod when the bolt shank is inserted through the axial through-hole in the piston head and is threadingly engaged in the threaded bore in the piston rod. An annular washer is positioned and held captive on the unthreaded portion of the bolt shank between the bolt head and the piston head.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a welded cylinder is provided wherein a seal (such as an O-ring seal or a cured polymeric sealant) is disposed between the tube of a cylinder and its welded end plug. The seal is spaced away from the circumferential weld that joins the end plug to the cylinder to reduce the hoop stress in the tube adjacent the weld, thereby reducing the tensile stress at the weld joint.

Abstract: A welded cylinder is provided wherein a seal (such as an O-ring seal or a cured anaerobic sealant) is disposed between the tube of a cylinder and its welded end plug. The seal is spaced away from the circumferential weld that joins the end plug to the cylinder to reduce the hoop stress in the tube adjacent the weld, thereby reducing the tensile stress at the weld joint.

Abstract: A backhoe hydraulic system includes a first source of hydraulic fluid, a tank or reservoir, a boom lift cylinder, and a directional control valve that controls fluid flow between the boom swing cylinder and the tank and reservoir. The system also includes a second source of hydraulic fluid (at a higher pressure than the first source) that is connected to one port of the boom lift cylinder via a separate boost valve.

Abstract: A welded cylinder is provided wherein a seal (such as an O-ring seal or a cured anaerobic sealant) is disposed between the tube of a cylinder and its welded end plug. The seal is spaced away from the circumferential weld that joins the end plug to the cylinder to reduce the hoop stress in the tube adjacent the weld, thereby reducing the tensile stress at the weld joint.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a welded cylinder is provided wherein a seal (such as an O-ring seal or a cured polymeric sealant) is disposed between the tube of a cylinder and its welded end plug. The seal is spaced away from the circumferential weld that joins the end plug to the cylinder to reduce the hoop stress in the tube adjacent the weld, thereby reducing the tensile stress at the weld joint.

Abstract: A backhoe hydraulic system includes a first source of hydraulic fluid, a tank or reservoir, a boom lift cylinder, and a directional control valve that controls fluid flow between the boom swing cylinder and the tank and reservoir. The system also includes a second source of hydraulic fluid (at a higher pressure than the first source) that is connected to one port of the boom lift cylinder via a separate boost valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control circuit for automatically bringing a hydraulically operated work arm into a particular position without having to manually reverse the direction of the hydraulic operating system.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting an earthworking implement such as a backhoe apparatus to a mobile frame of an off-highway machine. The mounting mechanism includes a support attachment that is connected to the frame for movement about a generally vertical pivot axis. The earthworking implement is carried by, and thus, movable with the support attachment. First and second drivers move the support attachment and thereby the earthworking implement in opposite directions relative to each other. Each driver has one end articulately connected to the machine frame and a second end connected to the support attachment by a pin aligning a second generally vertical axis that extends generally parallel to the pivot axis of the support attachment. A self-aligning bearing is captively carried by and between the second end and a respective pin of each driver to compensate for vertical misalignment between the first and second vertical axes without substantially increasing the distance the pivot axis is disposed away from the frame.

Abstract: A common relief valve circuit for controlling or monitoring two or more pumps. The circuit includes two fixed displacement pumps with the pumps being connected to at least two valve bodies or sections that supply fluid to hydraulic cylinders for operating earth-working buckets or the like. A main relief valve is connected to the inlet of a first valve section, and a check valve is connected in a parallel cavity line in the first valve section. The check valve remains closed under conditions where a valve spool in the first valve section is shifted but a valve spool in the second valve section is not shifted or when a valve spool in the second valve section is shifted and a valve spool in the first valve section is not shifted.