Abstract: Struts are useful for improving the suspension of a machine wherein a rod is reciprocating mounted within a housing. A bearing is positioned within the housing to improve the sliding motion of the rod and to reduce wear. The subject apparatus is used for removing and installing the bearing without removing the strut from the machine. The strut includes a multi-piece bearing which is positioned around the rod to form a circular bearing. An end cap is positioned around the rod and a key connects the end cap to the bearing so that the components can be removed and installed as an assembly.

Abstract: Snubbers are useful in dampening inertia loads at the end of stroke movement of hydraulic cylinders. The known snubbers have one part attached to a piston rod assembly and another part on the cylinder assembly thereby any misalignment between the piston rod and cylinder assembly will produce inconsistent snubbing action. The subject snubber mechanism of the invention is attached to the cylinder assembly and includes a sleeve position around a stem, the sleeve is moved from a first position to a second operative position by contact with the piston rod assembly. The stem defines a variable rate flow path continuously communicating an actuating chamber with a pressure source as controlled by movement of the sleeve relative to the stem.

Abstract: Snubbers are useful in dampening inertia loads at the end of stroke movement of a hydraulic motor. The known snubbers usually restrict fluid flow therethrough in the non-snubbing mode thereby slowing the response of the motor in the opposite direction. The subject self-energizing snubber includes a snubber piston which is moved from a first operative position to an intermediate operative position by contact with an end surface and then hydraulically moved to a second position by differential pressure established between an actuating chamber and a fluid passage. The snubber piston defines a variable rate flow path continuously communicating the actuating chamber with the passage. A maximum flow rate is established through the flow path at the first operative position while a minimum flow rate is established through the flow path at the second operative position.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer unit (10,26) including a trailer (26) having wheels (30) at its rear and adapted to have its front supported by a hitch (16) to a tractor (10), a draft assembly (20) having spaced elongated arms (24) extending from the front rearwardly along the sides of the trailer, each arm being pivotally connected (34) to the trailer on a common horizontal axis intermediate the front and the rear, each arm further being jointed (54) intermediate its end to define front and rear sections (50,52) and dampeners (56,74,76) interconnecting the front and rear sections of each of the arms.

Abstract: In a self-loading scraper, an elevator is provided with a linkage assembly for upward movement of the elevator about an axis offset from the center of the elevator. Spaced fixed stops are carried by the scraper bowl with a member on a bracket carried by the frame of the elevator engaging one of the fixed stops to limit downward movement of the elevator and a second member is movable with said bracket for engagement with the second fixed stop to limit upward movement of the elevator.

Abstract: A work vehicle has a frame, a movable first member, a first magnetic switch portion connected to the first member, and a second magnetic switch portion connected to the frame. Apparatus is provided for pivotally connecting the second magnetic switch portion to the frame. The second magnetic switch portion generally vertically moves in response to movement of the first member and is maintained a preselected distance from the first member for assuring relative positioning of the switch portions.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as the bowl assembly of a tractor scraper, comprises a first member having a second member movably mounted therein for movement between first and second positions. An actuator, interconnected between the first and second members, is adapted to move the second member between its first and second positions. The actuator is connected to the second member via a slot formed through the first member. The slot is continuously masked during movement of the second member between its first and second positions.

Abstract: In a self-loading scraper, an elevator is provided with a linkage assembly for upward movement of the elevator about an axis offset from the center of the elevator. Movable stops carried by the elevator engage with spaced, fixed stops carried by the scraper bowl so as to limit the upward and downward movement of the elevator relative to the cutter blade on the bowl.

Abstract: A carriage assembly has first and second pairs of rollers rotatably connected to first and second sides of the carriage. First and second rail means are secured to spaced parallel sidewalls. The first rail device has first and second elongate rails positioned in end-to-end relationship at which the adjacent ends are spaced one from the other. Each of the first pair of rollers are rollably carried by respective first and second rails while the second pair of rollers are rollably carried by the second rail device.

Abstract: A composite, movable fender includes first and second assemblies. The first assembly has a surface and an end portion and the second assembly has a working member. The second assembly is connected to the end portion of the first assembly and movable between first and second positions. The working member is spaced from the first assembly at the first position and the working member is supported by the first assembly surface at the second position.

Abstract: The bowl assembly of a tractor scraper comprises a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls having a movable bowl portion pivotally mounted thereon to normally close an opening defined through a bottom of the bowl assembly. A double-acting cylinder, pivotally interconnected between one of the sidewalls and the bowl portion, is adapted to pivot the bowl portion to an open position. The cylinder is confined within the sidewall and is pivotally connected to the bowl portion via an arcuate slot formed through the sidewall. A sidewall of the bowl portion and a plate secured thereto function to continuously mask the slot during pivotal movement of the bowl portion between its open and closed positions.

Abstract: The scraper bowls of power earth movers have a support bar across the front on which a replaceable cutting blade is mounted. In the apparatus of the present invention the cutting blade is mounted for angular adjustment relative to the front of the bowl, so that the cutting edge of the blade may be disposed to form a precisely horizontal surface. This permits such a power earth mover to be used for final grading and cleanup work which often requires a completely horizontal cut on the grade. The present invention compensates for manufacturing tolerances which often cause the bowl to be supported at a slight angle to the horizontal.

Abstract: A scraper comprises a bowl structure having an ejector assembly reciprocally mounted thereon for selectively discharging material forwardly of the bowl structure. In one embodiment of this invention, a guide rail assembly is secured interiorly on each sidewall of the bowl structure to engage a guide roller, rotatably mounted on the ejector, for guiding the same during its movements in the bowl. Each guide rail assembly comprises a cylindrical guide rod secured on a respective sidewall by a pair of locating rods disposed on either side of the guide rod and welded between the guide rod and the sidewall. The guide rod is secured to the sidewall of the bowl structure by placing a first linear portion thereof adjacent to the sidewall and then placing first linear portions of the locating rods on either side of the guide rod to space it from the sidewall at a first predetermined distance.