Abstract: A compact articulated-steering loader is provided. The loader includes a front portion having a first pair wheels and a seat reference point (SgRP) for an operator. The loader also includes a rear portion having a second pair of wheels, wherein the rear portion is coupled to the front portion via a vertical articulation axis. The loader includes one or a pair of loader arms coupled to the front portion via a horizontal arm pivot axis, the one or a pair of loader arms having a bucket or an attachment interface for a bucket at a distal portion thereof. The arm pivot axis is disposed to the rear of the SgRP. The loader also includes a power source disposed on the front frame. The power source is coupled to at least one of the first and second pairs of wheels to provide motive power for the loader.

Abstract: A loader including an auxiliary motor disposed on an attachment interface is disclosed. The loader also has one or more primary motors providing motive power for the loader. The loader also includes lift arms having an attachment interface on a distal portion of the lift arms. The auxiliary motor is disposed on the attachment interface and an auxiliary motor interface is coupled to the auxiliary motor. The auxiliary motor is configured to transfer torque from the auxiliary motor to a powered attachment mounted to the attachment interface.

Abstract: A compact articulated-steering loader is provided. The loader includes a front portion having a first pair wheels and a seat reference point (SgRP) for an operator. The loader also includes a rear portion having a second pair of wheels, wherein the rear portion is coupled to the front portion via a vertical articulation axis. The loader includes one or a pair of loader arms coupled to the front portion via a horizontal arm pivot axis, the one or a pair of loader arms having a bucket or an attachment interface for a bucket at a distal portion thereof. The arm pivot axis is disposed to the rear of the SgRP. The loader also includes a power source disposed on the front frame. The power source is coupled to at least one of the first and second pairs of wheels to provide motive power for the loader.

Abstract: Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, the present invention red ices such shear loading on the bolts, by utilizing a wedge member or a tapered block 106, inserted and wedged into a space 108 between wedge surfaces 70 and 88, and having oppositely facing outer surfaces 110 and 112 thereby placed into abutment with those surfaces, respectively, so as to exert a fore and aft directed force against those surface, denoted by arrows C, effectively acting to push those surfaces apart and counteracting the shear loads B. Such forces will also act in opposition to and reduce tensile loads acting on bolts 100. Tapered block 106 has at least one passage 114 therethrough (FIG. 3) for the passage of bolts 104 therethrough, to allow insertion of those bolts into threaded holes 98 and tightening those bolts to exert compressive forces against tapered block 106, denoted by arrows D, for holding that block in position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of clutches in a powershift transmission. The transmission is coupled to an engine of an off-road vehicle. The method includes receiving a shift command having a shift direction. Clutch timing is selected based on the shift direction. Using the selected shift timing, on-coming clutches are engaged in sequence with disengagement of off-going clutches to achieve smooth shifting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of clutches in a powershift transmission. The transmission is coupled to an engine of an off-road vehicle. The method includes receiving a shift command having a shift direction. Clutch timing is selected based on the shift direction. Using the selected shift timing, on-coming clutches are engaged in sequence with disengagement of off-going clutches to achieve smooth shifting.

Abstract: This invention includes an undercarriage support and adjustment system for a tracked vehicle having first and second elongated outwardly extending members coupled to the vehicle, a first undercarriage bearing support coupled to the vehicle between the first and second outwardly extending members, and an undercarriage bearing support member slidingly coupled to the outer ends of the two support members and having a second undercarriage bearing support.

Abstract: A tracked suspension for a tractor or other work vehicle is disclosed having an endless belt, a belt tensioner, a drive wheel, and a plurality of idler wheels mounted to a suspension frame or idler carriage, the assembly being arranged such that the belt tension provided by the tensioner is absorbed within the frame and is not transmitted to the axle extending from the tractor that drives the tracked suspension. The tracked suspension can be adjusted by loosening or removing mounting bolts that fix the suspension to beams extending from the vehicle, sliding the suspension toward or away from the vehicle, and tightening the bolts. By absorbing the belt tensioning forces within the tracked suspension itself, rather than transmitting the belt tensioning forces to the axle, the suspension can be more easily adjusted without requiring the removal and replacement of the drive axle.

Abstract: A tracked suspension for a tractor or other work vehicle is disclosed having an endless belt, a belt tensioner, a drive wheel, and a plurality of idler wheels mounted to a suspension frame or idler carriage, the assembly being arranged such that the belt tension provided by the tensioner is absorbed within the frame and is not transmitted to the axle extending from the tractor that drives the tracked suspension. The tracked suspension can be adjusted by loosening or removing mounting bolts that fix the suspension to beams extending from the vehicle, sliding the suspension toward or away from the vehicle, and tightening the bolts. By absorbing the belt tensioning forces within the tracked suspension itself, rather than transmitting the belt tensioning forces to the axle, the suspension can be more easily adjusted without requiring the removal and replacement of the drive axle.

Abstract: A system for moving a step assembly in response to maneuvers of an articulated work vehicle. The step assembly moves to avoid interference with the vehicle's wheels or tracks. A push rod assembly provides actuation to the step assembly in response to the vehicle motions.

Abstract: A work vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal length and a transverse width which includes a remote fluid power supply system, the remote fluid power supply system includes a fluid pump, a fluid reservoir, a first valve fluidly connected to the pump and the reservoir, and a second valve fluidly connected to the pump and the reservoir. The first valve is located on a first side of a transverse center line of a work vehicle at one of the front and rear ends of the work vehicle. The second valve is located on a second opposite side of the transverse center line at said one of the front and rear ends of the work vehicle. In one embodiment, the work vehicle includes a three-point hitch having a pair of transversely spaced side links and an upper hitch link extending from the transverse center line, wherein the first and second valves are located on first and second opposite sides of the upper hitch link.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a work vehicle, such as a tractor, having a frame, a compartment, a hood coupled to the frame and configured to at least partially cover the compartment when disposed in a closed position; and a mechanism coupling the hood to the frame, the mechanism configured to move the hood between the closed position and at least one at least partially opened position, the mechanism including at least one four-bar linkage, a first bar of the linkage including a portion of the frame and a second bar of the linkage including a portion of the hood, the vehicle further having a support member configured to engage the at least one linkage at predetermined positions and thereby immobilize the hood against further changes in position.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor with four ground contacting suspensions, two front and two rear disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle can be steered such that its front suspension lies behind its rear suspension. The front suspension can pivot about an articulation joint in the vehicle and also about a wheel-end steering joint such that when it is in an extreme left or right turn position, the front suspension cannot be turned about the wheel-end steering joint while holding the articulation joint in an extreme left or right turn position without causing the front suspension to interfere with and contact the rear suspension.

Abstract: A front windshield for a work vehicle having a steering column includes a transparent panel formed as a single integral unitary body. The transparent panel includes an opening therethrough sized to receive the steering column of the work vehicle.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a first section having a first set of ground engaging motive members, a second section having an operator station, and a third section having a second set of ground engaging motive members. The first section is pivotally coupled to the second section about the first pivot axis, while the second section is pivotally coupled to the third section about a second pivot axis. Preferably, the operator station has an arcuate front contour with a radius centered proximate the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A control console for a mobile machine includes a lower support device, a first platform and a pair of links pivotally coupled between the support device and the first platform. A second platform is mounted atop the first platform for sliding movement parallel thereto and a compression mechanism coacts with the platforms and secures them in respective positions. More specifically, each platform includes a horizontal support member and a web extending downwardly from such members. The platform webs are closely proximate one another and when the compression mechanism is tightened, the webs and one of the links are compressed together. Web/link compression prevents up-down movement of the platforms in unison and also prevents movement of the second platform with respect to the first platform. A new method for moving the position of a control lever mounted on the console is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive system for a work vehicle is provided having a differential gearbox with an output pinion coupled to a bull gear where the bull gear is coupled to an axle and the axle rotates about an axis below that of the bull pinion's rotational axis. The axle is engaged to a drive gear which is in turn coupled to a track. The differential may have two such axles coupled to two suspensions, and may be a part of an articulated vehicle. The vehicle may have two such differentials and suspension arrangements, one in a front frame of the articulated vehicle and one in a rear frame.

Abstract: A resilient suspension element for use in a resilient system for supporting roller wheels from the undercarriage of a tracked vehicle having a rubber track. The resilient suspension element includes a T-shaped and a U-shaped rigid mounting component, with the inside surface of a U-shaped resilient component secured to the leg of the T-shaped component and the outside surface secure to the inside surface of the U-shaped rigid mounting component. A resilient suspension element is secured to each end of a beam, extending transverse to the axles of the roller wheels mounted thereon, to provide resilient support in the vertical direction and limited resilience to "fore" and "aft" and rolling motion of the beam, and the roller wheels mounted thereon, with respect to the undercarriage.

Abstract: A system for supporting roller wheels from the undercarriage of a tracked vehicle having a rubber track.

Abstract: In the improvement, the slot portions are in a plate fixed with respect to the control lever. The mechanism includes an auxiliary lever and a selection device mounted for movement by the auxiliary lever for selecting a slot portion. The mechanism is used in an apparatus for manipulating plural valves. Such apparatus has two control assemblies, each having a valve control lever coupled to its respective plate, and two auxiliary levers. In a specific embodiment, each auxiliary lever is coupled to a selection bracket having parallel quadrant members with a selection device, e.g., a pin, mounted between the members. The pin is retained in registry with the selected one of the slot portions by a retention mechanism bearing against the selection bracket.