Abstract: An apparatus adapted to permit independent setting of pitch and tilt of dozer blades without necessitating complex hydraulic circuitry or mechanical linkage. The blade is pivotally supported by two forwardly extending push beams. A strut is connected at one end to one of the push beams and is connected at its other end to the dozer blade via a cam assembly. The cam assembly permits dozer blade pitching to take place without interacting with the dozer blade tilt angle. In a preferred embodiment, two struts are used at opposite ends of the blade and are each connected to their respective side of the blade by a respective cam. The two cams are linked together and synchronized so that their stroke equally pitches the sides of the dozer blade.

Abstract: A dozer blade mounting assembly for angling and tilting the blade, while preventing or adjustably limiting pitching, without inducing stresses in the assembly. The blade is supported on a conventional C-frame by a universal connection in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a mast assembly connected to the frame midportion and extending upwardly from the frame, a pair of hydraulic angling cylinders connected between the side portions of the blade and the mast assembly adjacent the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a tilt cylinder connected between the frame and the mast assembly and a bracket assembly supporting the upper portion of the blade and preventing or adjustably limiting pitching of the blade.

Abstract: A visual tilt indicator for an implement, particularly but not exclusively for indicating the tilt angle of a dozer blade on a tractive vehicle, wherein the implement is pivotally supported on the vehicle by an implement universal joint and the support includes hydraulic cylinders operably interconnected between the vehicle and the implement to angle and tilt the implement. The visual tilt indicator of this invention includes an indicator shaft which is operably connected to the vehicle by a universal joint in the vertical axis of the implement support universal joint and the shaft extends horizontally adjacent the implement to indicate the tilt angle of the implement relative to the vehicle. The implement preferably includes a plurality of shaft support indicator means, such as brackets, which receive and slidably support the indicator shaft on the implement to indicate the relative movement of the shaft and the implement.

Abstract: A dozer blade mounting assembly for angling and tilting the blade, while preventing pitching, without inducing stresses in the assembly. The blade is supported on a conventional C-frame by a universal connection in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a mast assembly connected to the frame midportion and extending upwardly from the frame, a pair of hydraulic angling cylinders connected between the side portions of the blade and the mast assembly adjacent the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a tilt cylinder connected between the frame and the mast assembly and a bracket assembly supporting the upper portion of the blade and preventing pitching of the blade. The bracket assembly includes a bracket member having an elongated slot extending generally parallel to the blade and a slide block having a width substantially equal to the width of the slot which floats within the slot to allow tilting of the blade, but preventing pitch of the blade.

Abstract: Improved means for removably attaching digging teeth to the cutting edge member of an earth-moving bucket. The attachment means includes a pair of clamping means which both apply sandwiching pressure on both the upper and lower surfaces of the edge member to hold the tooth in place against both front and side impacts.

Abstract: A hydraulic latch arrangement is disclosed for facilitating efficient movement of a backhoe between working and transport positions relative to an associated material handling implement upon which the backhoe is mounted. The arrangement includes an upper pivot which pivotally connects the frame of the backhoe to the implement for relative movement of the backhoe about a horizontal axis. The arrangement further includes a pivotally movable latch member preferably mounted on the associated implement, and a latch pin mounted on the backhoe frame for cooperation with the pivotal latch member. A hydraulic latch motor is provided for selectively moving the pivotal latch member between engaged and disengaged positions, wherein in the engaged position the latch member cooperates with the latch pin for effecting a substantially rigid connection between the backhoe and the associated implement.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission control system is provided for enhancing braking of a crawler-type tractor by controlling the engagement and disengagement of the clutches associated with right-hand and left-hand crawler tracks in response to actuation of the brakes associated with the tracks. The arrangement includes hydraulic pressure sensor means operatively associated with the hydraulic brake systems of the right-hand and left-hand crawler tracks. The system is arranged to selectively function such that actuation of both the right-hand and left-hand track brakes simultaneously prevents the normal disengagement of the track clutches, which permits the engine of the tractor to assist in braking. Actuation of a single brake pedal provides braking of the respective crawler track with disengagement of its respective clutch, while allowing the clutch of the opposite track to remain engaged to effect the pivot turning of the implement.

Abstract: A transmission control system is provided for enhancing the braking of a crawler-type tractor by controlling the engagement and disengagement of the clutches associated with a right-hand and left-hand crawler tracks in response to the actuation of the brakes associated with the tracks. The arrangement includes pressure sensor means operatively associated with the hydraulic brake system of the right-hand and left-hand crawler tracks of a crawler-type tractor. The system functions such that actuation of both the right-hand and left-hand track brakes simultaneously prevents the normal disengagement of the track clutches which permits the engine of the tractor to assist in braking. Actuation of a single brake pedal allows braking of that respective crawler track with disengagement of its respective clutch, while allowing the clutch of the opposite track to remain engaged to effect pivot turning of the tractor.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for automatically laterally shifting a dozer blade to the exposed side of the tractor as the blade is angled to thereby keep the blade in front of the tractor and permit the use of a blade which is shorter than conventional angling blades. The lateral shift mechanism includes a slide plate support connected by a universal joint to the center bight portion of a C-shaped frame. The blade is mounted to the slide plate support by guide plates that permit the blade to slidably move along the longitudinal extent of the slide plate support when the blade is angled. A vertical mast support structure at the center of the bight portion of the frame mounts one end of extensible piston-cylinders used for angling, tilting, and pitching the slide plate support and blade. A slider bar is connected between the vertical mast and the blade for laterally shifting the blade when it is angled.

Abstract: An implement side shift assembly is disclosed for laterally shifting an earth-working implement relative to a tractor or the like. The side shift mechanism permits various implement attachments to be mounted on one common side shift frame. The side shift assembly includes a frame assembly having laterally extending upper and lower slide rails. An implement support bracket mounts the implement to the slide rails for lateral movement. A slide plate is slidably mounted between the slide rails for lateral movement, and a piston-cylinder is connected between the frame assembly and slide plate to move the slide plate laterally. A latching mechanism selectively connects the slide plate to the implement support bracket at one of a plurality of connecting points on the implement support bracket.