Abstract: A portable grade averaging apparatus comprising an averaging bar assembly that serves as an elevation control reference for a track supported road working machine, one end of the averaging bar assembly being pivotally supported by a forward walking beam and the other end of the averaging bar being pivotally supported by a rear track assembly that serves as a track walking beam. A grade sensor assembly supported on one side by the road working machine contactingly engages the averaging bar assembly for directing the elevation of one side of the road working machine to establish the elevation of a working tool supported by the road working machine. A lifting bracket supported by the road working machine serves to lift the grade averaging apparatus into a grade clearing position while the machine is being maneuvered into a cutting position.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for maintaining, in a predetermined horizontal orientation, the support assembly for supporting an earth working tool to an earth working machine and comprises a cam surface and a cam sensor mounted between the support assembly and the machine wherein the cam sensor has a follower for following the cam surface to maintain the support assembly in its predetermined horizontal orientation. The system for maintaining the support assembly in a predetermined horizontal orientation is proportional.

Abstract: In a slope control system for the working tool of a motor grader or other earth working machine, the slope sensor used for controlling the slope of the tool is mounted on a resolving platform below the front axle pivot of the machine to provide anticipation of the deviations of the machine from the gravity reference. The attitude of the slope sensor is corrected by a factor related to the angle of the tool with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

Abstract: A tractor drawn implement having a blade engageable with the ground and adjustable as to its depth of engagement whereby depth is increased over high spots and depth is decreased over low spots to transfer soil from high spots to low spots as the implement traverses the ground. A gauge frame trails a main frame carrying the blade and is coupled to a gauge beam whose elevation with respect to the main frame is altered as a function of the elevation of the gauge frame relative to the main frame and/or blade. The gauge beam is coupled to the gauge frame so that the articulation between the gauge frame and main frame provided for convenience in manipulating the implement and the freedom of transverse motion between frames is enabled without displacing the gauge beam from an operative relationship with control elements adjustably mounted on the main frame. Electro-hydraulic controls are illustrated.

Abstract: The cutting angle or cutting depth of the blade of an earth-moving equipment such as a bulldozer is adjusted by a hydraulic pressure cylinder and the supply of pressurized liquid to and from the hydraulic pressure cylinder is controlled in accordance with the running speed of the bulldozer. In addition, the rate at which the cutting depth of the blade of the earth-moving equipment is adjusted is inversely proportional to the speed of the earth-moving equipment.

Abstract: Cross slope sensing apparatus for directly and accurately measuring the cross slope of a surface finishing machine cutting blade regardless of the depth or angle of the cut, or the looseness of the attachment of the blade to the machine. The apparatus includes a sensor support table that rests on the upper edge of the cutting blade and linkage for maintaining the longitudinal axis of the table parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine during selective positioning of the cutting blade. Since the table rides on the upper edge of the cutting blade while remaining forwardly oriented, the inclination of the table reflects the true cross slope of the blade and is directly measured and controlled by a sensor positioned on the table.

Abstract: An automatic planer comprising hinged fore and rear frames, a scoop with a cutting edge, a running gear, a planer dip angle pickup and a ground level pickup, an engagement mechanism of a prime-mover engine clutch, mainly tractor. The dip angle pickup is connected by means of one electrohydraulic distributor to a hydraulic cylinder joining the rear and fore frames and the scoop is secured on the fore frame and provided with side walls joined by a bottom plate in their rear part and a back wall, which can move in slideways parallel to the bottom plate and is connected to the fore frame by means of another hydraulic cylinder in its turn coupled by means of another electrohydraulic distributor to the ground level pickup positioned in front of the scoop cutting edge.

Abstract: A grade cutting machine having an elongated main frame supported on three bogey-mounted individually driven endless tracks. The cutting tool is rotatably mounted on an axis transverse the front of the main frame within an enclosing bowl. A vertically adjustable moldboard is provided across the back wall of the bowl behind the cutting tool. Two of the endless tracks are mounted on vertical non-rotatable axes on opposite sides of the main frame behind the moldboard and each is provided with an extensible frame-supporting member for automatic simultaneous or independent vertical adjustment. The third endless track which can control the steering under certain conditions is provided with an extensible frame-supporting member connected for independent manually controlled vertical adjustment.

Abstract: Groove cutting apparatus having a rotatable cutting drum comprising a plurality of spaced drum segments coaxially mounted on a central shaft. A plurality of secondary shafts are spaced circumferentially around the central shaft and supported by the drum segments. Apertured cutting members are mounted on the secondary shafts and spaced by the drum segments.

Abstract: An automatic blade angle controller system capable of maintaining a blade an earth-working tool level with the ground. A transparent, closed manometer partially filled with an opaque liquid is contained in an opaque enclosure. A light source is located within the perimeter of the manometer. Two solar cells are located on opposite sides of the enclosure in such manner that the light from the light source must pass through the manometer before impinging on the solar cells. The opaque liquid partially blocks the light from impinging on the solar cells. The voltages from the solar cells are subtracted resulting in an error signal. Of course, when the two voltages are of equal value, no error signal is produced, thereby establishing a level reference position for the enclosure. The enclosure is rigidly affixed to the blade, thereby establishing a reference position for the blade. A servo-hydraulic system returns the blade to its reference position upon receipt of the error signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hydraulic control system including body automatic and manual control for controlling the position of a grader blade for a motor grader. The hydraulic system is supplied fluid from a single pump and is provided with means to isolate the fluid supply from the automatic portion of the system when the manual portion of the system is activated.

Abstract: An improved control apparatus of a motor grader for maintaining the grader blade relative to a reference line has a biasing element connected to an actuating wand and associated with the reference line for urging the reference line toward the actuating wand of the controls at a preselected force for damping undesirable vibrations of the wand.

Abstract: A steering control system, for a land vehicle which is supported by right and left side propelling means for independently driving the vehicle, comprises a steering control apparatus for turning the right and left side propelling means for steering the vehicle and a frame distortion sensor which relieves any stress on the vehicle frame by controlling the speeds at which the left and right side propelling means drive the vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket is carried by the motor grader and has upper and lower slots formed therein to slidably receive an upper and a lower slide surface respectively of a slide rail arrangement which is secured to the back of the moldboard. A hydraulic jack is attached to the bracket and has an extendable and retractable rod which is operatively associated with a clamp device positioned for direct engagement with the upper slide surface for forcing the lower slide surface into rigid clamping engagement with the lower slot in the bracket upon extension of the rod.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for use for precise control of the height of the earth working blade on road graders, and in particular for use in combination with road graders that are automatically controlled. The control system is selectively operable, and when engaged will permit only simultaneous movement of the two cylinders used for controlling the depth of the earth working blade.

Abstract: The cutting angle or cutting depth of the blade of an earth-moving equipment such as a bulldozer is adjusted by a hydraulic pressure cylinder and the supply of pressurized liquid to and from the hydraulic pressure cylinder is controlled in accordance with the running speed of the bulldozer.

Abstract: Rock crusher comprising a rotor on which hammers are pivotally mounted between claws or plowshares which are transversely aligned on a frame 1 mounted on two wheels, the height of which is adjustable. The crusher is provided with a drawbar (15) for attaching it to a tractor, and the rotor (4) is also mounted on the frame and connected to a longitudinal drive shaft carried by the drawbar (15). A coupling is provided to connect the rotor to a power takeoff carried by the tractor.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the elevation of the working tool of an earthworking machine, or the pavement distributor head of a mobile road-paving machine, in predetermined relationship to a fixed horizontal plane, as set by a laser beam which is periodically swept across the working area, such apparatus comprising a tape-dispensing device carried by the machine and arranged to intermittently advance the tape past a tape reader; the tape carrying two sets of indicia, one set indicating whenever a change in the height of the tool is required at a particular point in the travel of the machine, and the second set of indicia indicating the distance between such points, there being a ground-engaging wheel measuring the travel of the machine and connected to the tape-dispensing device to advance the tape to the next set of indicia whenever the machine arrives at the next one of said predetermined points.

Abstract: An improved trimmer type road construction apparatus, particularly useful in applications requiring a high degree of maneuverability and control flexibility, which is steeringly controlled by turning a centrally disposed front track assembly in such a manner that the main frame can be raised and lowered relative to the front drive assembly without a loss of steering control; and which has an automatic steering, grade and slope control constructed to be automatically adapted to particular job specifications and locations. The trimmer also has a reclaimer assembly for removal of the excavated earth, the reclaimer assembly being automatically positionable to deposit the excavated earth in predetermined, controlled positions about the trimmer.

Abstract: A control system for a road grader adapted to maintain the working edge of the grader blade in a preset datum plane so as to establish a uniform graded condition of the surface worked by the blade, regardless of the inclination assumed by the motor grader or the relative angular position of the blade itself. The system includes grade sensor means mounted adjacent one end of the blade to follow a pre-selected grade datum, slope sensing means mounted in fixed relation with the blade for keeping the blade at a predetermined slope with rotation sensing means mounted on the blade supporting ring or circle to detect the relative angular position of the blade. The rotation sensing means provides a correction signal for maintaining the slope angle of the blade at a value which will keep the "cross slope" of the surface established at a predetermined value regardless of the rotary position of the blade relative to the direction of travel.