Abstract: A dozer blade mounting for a dozer frame having a dozer blade movably supported thereon includes at least one rigid link that has one end pivoted on the vehicle frame and the opposite end pivoted on the dozer frame with fluid ram means associated with the vehicle frame and dozer frame for raising and lowering the blade and dozer frame and angling the dozer frame and blade with respect to a horizontal reference plane. In one version of the invention, two separate links are universally connected at opposite ends to the dozer frame and the vehicle frame and a pair of independently actuated fluid rams are interposed between the dozer frame and the vehicle frame to produce the raising and lowering as well as the tilting of the blade with respect to the vehicle. In another version, the rigid link is raised and lowered through a fluid ram between the link and the vehicle frame and a second fluid ram is interposed between the link and the dozer frame to produce the tilting of the blade.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system is disclosed for a hydrostatically operated earth-working machine which controls ground speed, forward and reverse movement, steering, and braking, for the machine. The hydraulic control system includes an improved mono stick assembly having a manually operable handle assembly mounted within a resilient pivot bushing that permits pivotal movement of the handle assembly in any direction. The pivotal movement of the handle assembly is transmitted to a control rod assembly which is mounted to a universal pivot joint that permits both longitudinal sliding movement and lateral pivotal movement of the rod assembly in response to selective pivotal movement of the handle assembly. Cable assemblies are mounted between the rod assembly and the hydraulic propulsion pump and steering valve.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a dozer frame having a dozer blade supported thereon consists of a pair of rigid links of equal length which are pivotally connected at vertically spaced pivot points on a vehicle frame and have free ends connected to the mounting frame at vertically spaced locations. The spacing between the pivot axes on the mounting frame and the vehicle frame are substantially equal so that the blade does not tilt when moved between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A dozer blade mounting for a dozer frame having a dozer blade movably supported thereon includes at least one rigid link that has one end pivoted on the vehicle frame and the opposite end pivoted on the dozer frame with fluid ram means associated with the vehicle frame and dozer frame for raising and lowering the blade and dozer frame and angling the dozer frame and blade with respect to a horizontal reference plane. In one version of the invention, two separate links are universally connected at opposite ends to the dozer frame and the vehicle frame and a pair of independently actuated fluid rams are interposed between the dozer frame and the vehicle frame to produce the raising and lowering as well as the tilting of the blade with respect to the vehicle. In another version, the rigid link is raised and lowered through a fluid ram between the link and the vehicle frame and a second fluid ram is interposed between the link and the dozer frame to produce the tilting of the blade.

Abstract: A solar panel having at least two corrugated heat retention surfaces, each including a pair of opposite sides and opposing ends. One of the retention surfaces has a surface defining a plurality of dimples. The retention surfaces are mated with each other and remain separated by the dimples. One end of the mated heat retention surfaces includes an orifice means to control the flow of water between the mated surfaces and the other end has an outlet for solar heated water.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting a dozer blade on a vehicle so that it is capable of being tilted, angled, and raised and lowered is disclosed herein. The mounting structure includes a member that is adapted to be attached to the vehicle and defines a vertical pivot axis which supports a bracket that is pivoted through a fluid ram attached to the bracket and the vehicle. The bracket supports a pair of arms that are connected thereto through universal connections which are located on a common horizontal axis and the blade is attached to the opposite ends of the arms through further universal connections so that the blade can be raised and lowered by a lift fluid ram interposed between the bracket and the blade. A rigid link is connected to one of the arms and to the blade above the connection for the arm while the second arm has a single tilt fluid ram connected thereto and to the blade so that extension and retraction of the tilt fluid ram will tilt the lower edge of the blade.

Abstract: The helically oriented knives of a cutting reel, such as found in forage harvesters, may be sharpened by reciprocating a sharpening stone along the beveled cutting edge of each knife. The reel is held against rotation when the knife to be sharpened has been disposed in its proper position relative to the stone, whereupon the stone is shifted back and forth along the beveled edge while at the same time rocked automatically to-and-fro in a direction transverse to the edge such that the curvature of the knife is automatically compensated for to maintain the stone in continuous engagement with the edge. Followers mounted on the stone ride along an arcuate guide rod conforming to the helical orientation of the knives to provide the required rocking of the stone as the latter is reciprocated.