Abstract: A draft gear assembly is disclosed alone and in combination with a draft sill and a coupler. The draft sill has front and rear stops defining a draft gear pocket. The draft gear assembly has a yoke, a coupler follower, a rear follower, a front resilient member and a back resilient member. The yoke has top and bottom stops. The coupler follower is biased against the yoke top and bottom stops. The draft gear assembly also includes a center rod that extends through the yoke, through the back resilient member and through the rear follower. Prior to installation on a railcar, there is a shortening member on the center rod. The length of the assembly between the shortening member and the front of the coupler follower is slightly less than the longitudinal length of the draft gear pocket. After installation, the rear follower is positioned against rear stops of the draft sill. After installation, the yoke, coupler and coupler follower each have a neutral position and a full buff position.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly is disclosed alone and in combination with a draft sill and a coupler. The draft sill has front and rear stops defining a draft gear pocket. The draft gear assembly has a yoke, a coupler follower, a rear follower, a front resilient member and a back resilient member. The yoke has top and bottom stops. The coupler follower is biased against the yoke top and bottom stops. The draft gear assembly also includes a center rod that extends through the yoke, through the back resilient member and through the rear follower. Prior to installation on a railcar, there is a shortening member on the center rod. The length of the assembly between the shortening member and the front of the coupler follower is slightly less than the longitudinal length of the draft gear pocket. After installation, the rear follower is positioned against rear stops of the draft sill. After installation, the yoke, coupler and coupler follower each have a neutral position and a full buff position.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly is disclosed alone and in combination with a draft sill and a coupler. The draft sill has front and rear stops defining a draft gear pocket. The draft gear assembly has a yoke, a coupler follower, a rear follower, a front resilient member and a back resilient member. The yoke has top and bottom stops. The coupler follower is biased against the yoke top and bottom stops. The draft gear assembly also includes a center rod that extends through the yoke, through the back resilient member and through the rear follower. Prior to installation on a railcar, there is a shortening member on the center rod. The length of the assembly between the shortening member and the front of the coupler follower is slightly less than the longitudinal length of the draft gear pocket. After installation, the rear follower is positioned against rear stops of the draft sill. After installation, the yoke, coupler and coupler follower each have a neutral position and a full buff position.

Abstract: An improved sweeping machine. The machine includes a main frame. A plurality of ground engaging wheels are mounted on the frame. A cylindrical brush is rotatably carried in a support assembly. A pair of elongate linkage members pivotally interconnect the support assembly and the main frame. One of the elongate linkage members is connected to the main frame and brush support assembly at pivot points having a greater elevation than the pivot points of the other linkage member. The sweeping machine of the invention permits the brush to initially rebound away from the ground when the brush begins to rotate.

Abstract: A valve including a cast or nodular iron body and a cast or nodular iron valve member having sealing surfaces which seal the fluid passage in the closed position of the valve member. At least one of the sealing surfaces in the closed position is formed by a bonded powder metal layer having high wear and corrosion resistant properties.

Abstract: A twitch for use in controlling an animal bound to a lead rope. The twitch includes an elongate, L-shaped member having attached at one end thereof a flexible, looped cord which is twistable about a portion of the animal's lip, when the member is rotated, to secure the cord tightly to the lip. A ring attached to the other end of the member is adapted to receive the lead rope therethrough to prevent the twitch--in its twisted configuration--from unwinding.