Abstract: An assembly for machine leveling including a plurality of hydraulic cylinders having upper ends adapted for supporting the machine's base, a lower end, a shaft, and a port opening the cylinder; branch conduits having cylinder ends and pump ends, each branch conduit connecting to one of the ports; first shutoff valves connected to the branch conduits for alternatively permitting and resisting fluid flow within the branch conduits; a manifold conduit connected to the branch conduits; a hydraulic pump connected to the manifold conduit and adapted for raising hydraulic pressure within the manifold conduit to a shaft extending pressure; and an electrically modulated variable pressure relief valve connected to the manifold conduit and adapted for raising and lowering the hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A machine leveling pedestal incorporating a cylinder and piston defining an interior space, having a helically threaded outer surface, and having an upwardly facing land; a hydraulic fluid port opening the interior expansion space; a nut having a downwardly facing land and gear teeth, the nut being threadedly mounted over the helically threaded outer surface; a drive gear connected to the cylinder and piston for vertically slidably engaging the drive gear with the gear teeth, and, upon alternate rotations of the drive gear, rotating the nut about the cylinder and piston so that the nut vertically moves between a mechanical support position and a hydraulic support position, the upwardly and downwardly facing lands contacting each other upon movement to the mechanical support position, and the downwardly facing land displacing upwardly upon movement toward the hydraulic support position; and a motor connected to the drive gear.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid actuated equipment leveling assembly incorporating a plenum having adjustment ports; an input channel opening the plenum; a disk valve operable for opening and closing the adjustment ports; telescoping and hydraulic ram actuated equipment support pedestals; hydraulic lines spanning between the plenum's adjustment ports, and the pedestal's hydraulic rams; and fluid displacing plungers connected operatively to the hydraulic lines for adjusting the hydraulic line's interior volumes.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid actuated equipment leveling assembly incorporating a plenum having adjustment ports; an input channel opening the plenum; a disk valve operable for opening and closing the adjustment ports; telescoping and hydraulic ram actuated equipment support pedestals; hydraulic lines spanning between the plenum's adjustment ports, and the pedestal's hydraulic rams; and fluid displacing plungers connected operatively to the hydraulic lines for adjusting the hydraulic line's interior volumes.

Abstract: A coupling device is provided for interconnecting an attachment tool to the loader arm of the skid steer. The coupling device includes handles which are pivotable between unlocking and locking positions. The handles control coupling pins which diverge from each other and which move between a retracted position and an extended position to capture the attachment tool on the coupling device.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for releasably securing an implement to a work vehicle. The coupling system includes top wedges which are engaged in wedge-shaped sockets, and tapered lower hooks that apply a continuous force to a pin or cylindrical rod which operates to tightly engage the wedges in the wedge-shaped sockets, thereby preventing movement and resultant wear between the engaging portions of the coupling assembly and having the capability of handling heavy, high load inducing attachments as well as existing attachments.

Abstract: A lift boom assembly including a pair of laterally spaced interconnected lift arms having a tool mounted between forward ends thereof. Each lift arm includes a main lift link having upper and lower connecting portions at a rear end thereof. A second lift link is pivotally connected to the upper connecting portion of the main lift link and partially controls movements of the respective lift arm. The opposite end of each second lift link is pivotally connected to a frame of a machine on which the lift assembly is mounted. Movement of the lift arms is further controlled by a pair of control arms. A lower end of each control arm is pivotally connected to the frame. When the boom assembly is in a lowered position relative to the frame, a second or upper end of each control arm extends upwardly and rearwardly from the lower end and is pivotally connected to the lower connecting portion of the respective main lift link.

Abstract: A boom assembly including a boom with laterally spaced side walls and adapted to have a digging chain and tooth assembly rotatable thereabout. A boom end idler assembly is arranged between the side walls at the free end of the boom for rotatably supporting the digging chain and tooth assembly. The boom end idler assembly includes a boom end idler rotationally supported by an anti-friction bearing. Axially aligned members pass through aligned apertures in the side walls of the boom and at least partially within the inner race of the bearing for defining the rotational axis of the boom end idler and for clamping the side walls of the boom to each other to minimize clearances between the boom and the boom end idler. Seals are provided to close the clearances proximate the bearing and inhibit foreign debris from contaminating the anti-friction bearing.

Abstract: A trencher machine digging boom assembly having a mounting arrangement for the digging boom wherein the boom includes a boom attaching weldment that is pivotally mounted to a boom pivot casting. The boom pivot casting is rigidly mounted to a trencher frame with a drive motor being mounted to one end of the boom pivot casting and a planetary gearbox being mounted at its opposite end. The planetary gearbox and associated drive components for the digging chain may be disconnected to permit easy and convenient removal of the digging boom for replacing its pivot bearings. Further, the torque reactions of the drive train are maintained within the boom pivot casting and are not transferred to the lift components associated with the digging boom.

Abstract: A foldable trencher boom assembly including a first boom portion pivotally connected to a second boom portion by a hinge. One leg of the hinge is connected to the first boom portion while the other leg of the hinge is connected to the second boom portion. When the boom portions are aligned, fasteners secure the hinge to maintain the colinear relationship between the boom portions. In the initial phase of folding, the fasteners are removed thereby permitting the boom portions to pivot relative to each other. The digging boom is conveniently folded by securing the digging chain to one of the foldable boom portions and employing the trencher drive motor as an actuator to achieve the folding action. With the foldable trenching boom of the present invention, an overall decrease in the machine length is attained for transport and maneuverability. Further, when the folded trencher boom is in its transport position, the machine height is decreased and a better distribution of weight is achieved.

Abstract: An improved high-speed cable-laying apparatus of the type which digs a kerf, lays a cable at the kerf bottom, and refills the kerf with spoil in one pass. The kerf digger is a chainline loop having ground-cutting teeth spaced along its length and restricting elements between the teeth. The chainline is preferably in the form of a narrow upright loop. Rearwardly of the chainline loop are an upright chute for directing cable to the bottom of the kerf and a trailing structure supporting a reel, cable guide means, and angled plow blades for directing spoil back into the kerf on top of the cable. The arrangement of elements is compact and maneuverable and avoids damage to fragile cable even while the device operates at high ground speed.

Abstract: An improved control assembly is disclosed which is particularly suited for embodiment as a so-called mono stick control for a material handling implement. The control assembly includes a lever support member adapted to be pivotally mounted on an associated implement, and which carries a first control lever adapted to pivot with respect to the support member about a first pivot axis. The support member further carries a second control lever which is adapted for pivotal movement about a second axis parallel to and spaced from the first axis. Notably, the second control lever is operatively interconnected with the first control lever such that relatively large angular movement of the second lever results in a relatively lesser angular movement of the first control lever, with the second lever then acting to prevent movement of the first lever back into its neutral position.

Abstract: A digging chain is provided with a plurality of trencher or digging teeth mounting brackets at spaced intervals around its periphery. Each mounting bracket is secured to the digging chain by spaced apart adaptor links and pin connections. The mounting bracket includes a base having opposed end surfaces, opposed side surfaces, and a top surface for mounting a trencher or digging tooth cutter bit. A one-piece mounting member is attached to the underside of the base for permitting the base to be securely attached to the upper ends of the adaptor links. The mounting member is generally in the shape of a "W" in longitudinal cross-section and includes opposed leg portions that are secured to the end surfaces of the base. The upper terminal end of the mounting member's mid-portion is secured to the underside of the base, and the lower end of the mounting member forms a pair of mounting slots or grooves that fit between the opposed, spaced apart adaptor links for attachment thereto.

Abstract: A drive train assembly is provided for the digging chain drive sprocket and spoil dispersing auger of a hydrostatically operated trenching machine. The drive assembly is totally enclosed and includes a hydraulic motor, a rotatable drive sprocket-hub subassembly, a planetary gearbox, and a boom lift casting. The planetary gearbox and hydraulic motor are mounted on opposite ends of the boom lift casting, and they are drivingly interconnected by a drive shaft that passes through the casting. The planetary gearbox includes a housing for rotatably mounting the spoil dispersing auger such that the gearbox housing and auger act as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the driven gears within the gearbox. The digging chain drive sprocket subassembly is rotatably mounted on the boom lift casting adjacent the planetary gearbox, and it is connected to the gearbox whereby the digging chain drive sprocket and auger are driven in unison by the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: An articulated joint for an articulated vehicle. Upper and lower pivotal connections, each employing a ball and socket, allow pivoting of two vehicle sections about a vertical axis. The ball of the lower joint is attached to one section while the socket is attached to the other section of the vehicle. The socket and ball of the upper joint are attached to a support member free to move along a shaft in a transverse direction between two stops. The ball of the upper joint is free to move along a vertical shaft joined to the other section of the vehicle. The transverse shaft provides a bearing surface to transmit loads between the two vehicle sections. Seals along the support member prevent entrainment of dirt along the shaft and bearing. The stops are part of the structure attaching the transverse shaft to the vehicle.

Abstract: A universal digging boom assembly is disclosed for attaching either a conventional type digging chain or a rock type digging chain for trenching operations. The boom assembly includes a box-like core section having upper and lower stiffening strips wherein each stiffening strip includes a plurality of embossments along its longitudinal extent. These embossments form mounting portions between the stiffening strips and the core section so that sprocket assemblies or channels may be attached to the boom assembly depending on the type digging chain being used. The digging boom also includes an attachment portion which permits the boom to be mounted on the trencher for both center and offset trenching operations. Other features include the sprocket assemblies and a rock chain channel which provide additional ease in the utilization of the various types of digging chains on the boom assembly.

Abstract: A control mechanism for controlling a reversible pump that selectively supplies fluid to two different motors forming separate functions includes a control lever pivoted about a fixed axis and having said pump connected thereto. A control console is located adjacent the control lever and cooperates therewith to define a plurality of distinct operating positions on opposite sides of a neutral position for said control lever. The control lever and control console also have releasable interlock means defining the neutral position for the control lever and the pump.