Abstract: A coupler assembly for rotatably coupling a moldboard of a grader machine includes a bracket, a beam, a pin, a retainer, and an apparatus. The bracket is adapted to support the moldboard. The beam extends from a circle member rotatably coupled relative to a drawbar of the grader machine. The pin is adapted to rotatably couple the bracket and the beam to each other. Further, the pin defines an end adapted to extend outwardly from an assembly of the bracket and the beam. The retainer is adapted to be engaged with the end to retain the pin with the assembly of the beam and the bracket. Moreover, the retainer defines at least one end portion extending outwardly from the end. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted around the pin at the end to shield the at least one end portion of the retainer extending outwardly from the end.

Abstract: A method for enhancing productivity for an excavating operation is disclosed. The method includes establishing a machine-to-machine communication system for a fleet of machines, including at least two machines. The method also includes removing material during the excavating operation with at least a first machine of the fleet of machines. The method additionally includes operating a second machine of the fleet of machines in a mode involving contact between at least the first machine and the second machine. The method further includes employing the machine-to-machine communication system to effect controlled contact between at least the first machine and the second machine.

Abstract: The invention is related to an attachment to a front end loader. The invention comprises a dual blades having a rear frame which is fixed to the movable arm means at the front of the front end\ loader. The rear frame has a pivotal left arm and a pivotal right arm with a left blade mounting frame pivotal mounted to the forward end of the left arm and a left blade spring mounted to the forward end of the left mounting frame. A right blade mounting frame is pivotally mounted to the forward end of the right arm and a right blade spring mounted to the forward end of the right blade mounting frame. A pair of hydraulic cylinders with one mounted between the left arm and the rear frame and with the other mounted between the left arm and the left blade mounting means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a grading boot attachment which when attached to a roadway grading moldboard allows for more accurate and uniform grade cutting or leveling with the moldboard. The attachment includes amounting plate for mounting to the moldboard, a winged section and an adjustable leveling gate which may be adjusted to the appropriate angular position for any desired task. A compressive strut retains the leveling gate in an operable position.

Abstract: A towed snowplow includes a frame which is carried by at least one wheel. The frame includes at least one moldboard and is arranged to be towed behind a vehicle and movable from a transport position directly behind the vehicle to a deployed position in which the frame extends diagonally from the vehicle to enable plowing of pavement alongside and to the rear of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A plow assembly includes a pair of plow wings which are pivotally mounted at opposite ends of a center plow. Each of the plow wings may pivot between a forwardly angled position and an aligned position. The plow assembly may pivot a trailing plow wing in response to the center plow being urged or angled toward that side of the vehicle. The plow wings may be oriented in their forwardly angled position until the center plow is at least substantially urged or pivoted toward its angled position or toward a position between the center position and the angled position. The trailing plow wing may be pivoted or urged to its aligned position in response to the center plow being substantially urged or pivoted toward its angled position or toward a position between its center position and its angled position.

Abstract: A grader vehicle has a vehicle body mounted on two drive tracks. A boom is mounted on the front of the vehicle and extends to the front of the body. A third drive track is mounted on the leading end of the boom by a steering mechanism for rotation about an upright steering axis. The three tracks are driven by separate hydraulic motors. The use of a steering, driven track on the boom provides a tractive force pulling the vehicle forwards in the desired direction of travel and positively driving the leading end of the boom in the direction of a turn. The track also provides a degree of packing at the center of the vehicle's path that can not be achieved with a ski gliding on the surface. This is of particular importance when packing ski trails with the vehicle. For grading purposes, the vehicle has a grader blade across the front of the vehicle and a second blade leading the front track.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading and grading has first and second runners disposed in generally parallel relation to each other; a blade support operatively connected between the runners; a moldboard pivotally attached to the blade support; and first and second blades attached to the moldboard and facing generally forward and aft, respectively. The blade support, moldboard, and blades are configured so that, when the apparatus is in contact with the surface to be worked and forward or aft motion is imparted to the apparatus, then the moldboard undergoes pivotal motion so that one blade is placed in operative connection with the surface to be worked while the other blade is placed in a clearance position with respect to the surface to be worked. This configuration allows for bi-directional operation.

Abstract: A side wing plow assembly is provided for use on a vehicle, e.g. a grader. It includes an elongated blade, an articulated forward connector assembly for connecting the inner end of the blade to the vehicle and a rear connector assembly for connecting the outer end of the blade to the vehicle rearwardly of the vehicle cab. Hydraulic cylinders tilt the blade and raise and lower the blade and a telescopic arm adjusts the angle of the blade. A shock absorbing linkage also permits the blade to bounce over an obstruction to avoid damage.

Abstract: An attachment for a vehicle generally consisting of a support frame mountable on the vehicle, a swing frame pivotally mounted on the support frame about an axis disposed laterally of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when the support frame is mounted on the vehicle, the swing frame being angularly displaceable relative to the support frame, a moldboard universally mounted on the swing frame, the support frame and the moldboard operatively connected for angularly displacing the moldboard relative to the swing frame about a first axis and a second operative connection for angularly displacing the moldboard relative to the swing frame about a second axis.

Abstract: An angled blade unit is attached to a loader bucket and, as the bucket is moved along a roadway, the blade unit plows excess roadstone away from a newly poured concrete gutter in order to prepare a roadbed for paving. A gage rides along the flag of the gutter and limits the depth to which the blade unit plows into the roadstone.