Abstract: A hood guiding system for a work vehicle may include first and second walls positioned within an engine compartment of the work vehicle. The system may also include a hood configured to extend in a crosswise direction of the work vehicle between a first side and a second side so as to least partially cover the engine compartment. Additionally, the system may include a first guide component coupled to the hood at or adjacent to its first side and a second guide component coupled to the hood at or adjacent to its second side. When the hood is moved from an opened position to a closed position, the first and second guide components may be configured to contact outer surfaces of the first and second walls, respectively, to guide the hood towards the closed position.

Abstract: A hood guiding system for a work vehicle may include first and second walls positioned within an engine compartment of the work vehicle. The system may also include a hood configured to extend in a crosswise direction of the work vehicle between a first side and a second side so as to least partially cover the engine compartment. Additionally, the system may include a first guide component coupled to the hood at or adjacent to its first side and a second guide component coupled to the hood at or adjacent to its second side. When the hood is moved from an opened position to a closed position, the first and second guide components may be configured to contact outer surfaces of the first and second walls, respectively, to guide the hood towards the closed position.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine and a hood enclosure at least partially surrounding the engine. The hood enclosure may include a front grille and a secondary grille spaced apart from the front grille. The hood enclosure may also at least partially define an airflow compartment. The work vehicle may also include a heat exchanger disposed in the airflow compartment between the front grille and the engine and at least one cooling fan disposed in the airflow compartment between the heat exchanger and the engine. The at least one cooling fan may generally be configured to generate a reversible airflow within the airflow compartment between the front grille and the secondary grille.

Abstract: A parking brake system for a work vehicle may include an internal braking mechanism and an external brake actuator. The brake actuator may generally include a housing at least partially defining a rod-side chamber, a secondary chamber and a piston-side chamber extending between the rod-side and secondary chambers. The brake actuator may also include a primary piston movable between a first position at which the braking mechanism is actuated to an engaged state and a second position at which the braking mechanism is actuated to a disengaged state. In addition, the brake actuator may include a secondary piston at least partially housed within the secondary chamber that is configured to apply a force against the primary piston when fluid is supplied within the secondary chamber in order to move the primary piston from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A parking brake system for a work vehicle may include an internal braking mechanism and an external brake actuator. The brake actuator may generally include a housing at least partially defining a rod-side chamber, a secondary chamber and a piston-side chamber extending between the rod-side and secondary chambers. The brake actuator may also include a primary piston movable between a first position at which the braking mechanism is actuated to an engaged state and a second position at which the braking mechanism is actuated to a disengaged state. In addition, the brake actuator may include a secondary piston at least partially housed within the secondary chamber that is configured to apply a force against the primary piston when fluid is supplied within the secondary chamber in order to move the primary piston from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An integral water trap and venturi tube element for use in an exhaust stack on a vehicle, the exhaust stack being generally vertically oriented and having a catalyst element or other moisture-sensitive emission control component disposed below the water trap, the venturi tube having an aspirator tube disposed therein to provide a low pressure aspiration source for the vehicle, wherein the venturi tube is so disposed in the exhaust stack to also function as the water trap and allows capture and diversion of water entering the exhaust stack from above.

Abstract: An air filter arrangement for a work vehicle is disclosed. The air filter arrangement may include a fan shroud extending between a shroud inlet and a shroud outlet and at least one heat exchanger disposed adjacent to the shroud inlet. The air filter arrangement may also include a fan disposed within the fan shroud between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet. The fan may be configured to draw air through the heat exchanger and between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet. Additionally, the air filter arrangement may include an air filter disposed within the fan shroud between the fan and the heat exchanger such that the air flowing through at least one heat exchanger and between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet is directed around the air filter.

Abstract: An air filter arrangement for a work vehicle is disclosed. The air filter arrangement may include a fan shroud extending between a shroud inlet and a shroud outlet and at least one heat exchanger disposed adjacent to the shroud inlet. The air filter arrangement may also include a fan disposed within the fan shroud between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet. The fan may be configured to draw air through the heat exchanger and between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet. Additionally, the air filter arrangement may include an air filter disposed within the fan shroud between the fan and the heat exchanger such that the air flowing through at least one heat exchanger and between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet is directed around the air filter.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a work vehicle having an operator compartment for a vehicle operator, the system including a heating system, a compartment pressurizer blower, a compartment recirculation blower, a temperature sensor, and an operating mode switch, each operably coupled to an electronic circuit, wherein the circuit is configured to reduce pressurizer blower output when the operator selects high output from the heating system under certain predetermined temperature and conditions and operating modes to improve HVAC system performance.

Abstract: An integral water trap and venturi tube element for use in an exhaust stack on a vehicle, the exhaust stack being generally vertically oriented and having a catalyst element or other moisture-sensitive emission control component disposed below the water trap, the venturi tube having an aspirator tube disposed therein to provide a low pressure aspiration source for the vehicle, wherein the venturi tube is so disposed in the exhaust stack to also function as the water trap and allows capture and diversion of water entering the exhaust stack from above.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a work vehicle having an operator compartment for a vehicle operator, the system including a heating system, a compartment pressurizer blower, a compartment recirculation blower, a temperature sensor, and an operating mode switch, each operably coupled to an electronic circuit, wherein the circuit is configured to reduce pressurizer blower output when the operator selects high output from the heating system under certain predetermined temperature and conditions and operating modes to improve HVAC system performance.

Abstract: A cooling system for a work vehicle is disclosed that includes first and second heat exchangers disposed one above the other to create two discrete flow paths. The upper heat exchanger is an engine water cooler and the lower heat exchanger may be an intercooler, an oil cooler or a refrigerant condenser. The lower heat exchanger is disposed forward of the upper heat exchanger. Additional heat exchangers may be positioned in front of the first and second heat exchangers to provide additional cooling. The first and second heat exchanger may be cross-flow heat exchangers conducting the fluid to be cooled laterally through the core of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cooling system for a work vehicle is disclosed that includes first and second heat exchangers disposed one above the other to create two discrete flow paths. The upper heat exchanger is an engine water cooler and the lower heat exchanger may be an intercooler, an oil cooler or a refrigerant condenser. The lower heat exchanger is disposed forward of the upper heat exchanger. Additional heat exchangers may be positioned in front of the first and second heat exchangers to provide additional cooling. The first and second heat exchanger may be cross-flow heat exchangers conducting the fluid to be cooled laterally through the core of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cooling system for a work vehicle is disclosed that includes first and second heat exchangers disposed one above the other to create two discrete flow paths. The upper heat exchanger is an engine water cooler and the lower heat exchanger may be an intercooler, an oil cooler or a refrigerant condenser. The lower heat exchanger is disposed forward of the upper heat exchanger. Additional heat exchangers may be positioned in front of the first and second heat exchangers to provide additional cooling. The first and second heat exchanger may be cross-flow heat exchangers conducting the fluid to be cooled laterally through the core of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An engine hood includes an outer shell with vertical front, right and left sides and a planar top that covers an engine and its radiator. An inner panel is fixed to the inner surface of the hood underneath an opening in the top. This inner panel directs air passing through the opening in the top forward to in front of the radiator. The inner panel is fixed to the hood at its rear and side edges, and abuts the top of the radiator with it front edge. This prevents heated air flow from behind the radiator over the top of the radiator and into the radiator air inlet and the combustion air inlet.

Abstract: A work vehicle having a novel hood coupling apparatus is disclosed. The work vehicle includes a frame provided with a compartment and a hood. The hood is coupled to the frame by at least one hinge and at least one latch. The latch includes a stationary portion associated with the frame and a movable portion associated with the hood, and the hinge includes a first portion associated with the frame and a second portion associated with the hood. The latch is configured for the stationary portion to engage the movable portion in a particular location when the hood is closed, and the second portion of the hinge is configured to assume an approximate position with respect to the first portion of the hinge, and thereby to the frame, upon engagement of the latch, the latch thereby aligning the hood and the second portion of the hinge to the frame when engaged. The work vehicle may also include a hood biasing device and a hood positioner for controlling the amount of opening of the hood.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a ground-travelling machine such as an agricultural spreader having a PTO shaft for connection to a power source. The improved machine includes a bracket for supporting a shaft in a utility position. The supported shaft is thereby spaced above the ground to help keep the shaft clean and protect from damage, is readily connected to a source of power such as a tractor PTO point. The supported shaft need not be disassembled for storage.