Abstract: Disclosed is a seal assembly for a grading machine. The grading machine may include a machine body, a blade assembly, and a circle assembly supporting the blade assembly. The circle assembly may include a circle having a plurality of gear teeth. The grading machine may also include a drawbar assembly connecting the circle assembly to the machine body. The seal assembly may include a non-metallic seal component extending circumferentially around an inner circumference of the circle assembly for sealing the plurality of gear teeth.

Abstract: Link bar assemblies are provided to connect adjacent structural components (e.g., components of an aircraft such as connecting an underwing engine to the wing structure) having respective connection lugs. The link bar assemblies will include a link bar having opposed terminal ends which include circular bearings, bushings operatively received by the circular bearings of the link bar, and a bolt and pin assembly inserted through the bushings to connect the terminal ends of the link bar to the respective connection lugs of the adjacent structural components. At least one of the bushings includes a multi-faceted flange and defines an eccentric aperture (e.g., an elliptical aperture having major and minor axes) such that rotation of the bushing allows the eccentric aperture to become aligned with the mounting opening of a respective connection lug.

Abstract: The work equipment for the motor grader includes: a drawbar having a drawbar plate; a bearing having an outer ring and inner ring, the outer ring being fixed to a lower surface of the drawbar plate and the inner ring, disposed inside the outer ring ring; a circle having a circle plate that is fixed to a lower end of the inner ring over the peripheral direction; a blade supported by the circle; a peripheral-direction pipe extending in the peripheral direction of the outer ring along a peripheral surface of the outer ring and connected to an end portion of an outer peripheral side of the plurality of lubricant supply holes; and the lubricant inlet port connected to the peripheral-direction pipe and capable of introducing a lubricant oil from an outside.

Abstract: A control system for the work vehicle includes a display, an input device, and a controller. The controller displays a current position of a work vehicle on a screen of a display. The controller receives a first input signal indicating an input operation by an operator from a input device. The controller determines, as a first position, the position of the work vehicle when the first input signal is received. The controller displays the first position on the screen of the display. The controller receives a second input signal indicating an input operation by an operator from the input device. The controller determines, as the second position, the position of the work vehicle when the second input signal is received. The controller determines a target design surface indicating a target trajectory of a work implement based on reference position information including at least the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A grading machine may include a machine body, a grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, a drawbar centershift cylinder, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and extend or retract the drawbar centershift cylinder to adjust a centershift of the drawbar to one of a plurality of predetermined centershift positions based on the input.

Abstract: A draft frame positioning system of a motor grader having a main frame includes an adjustable draft frame configured to be moved to one of a plurality of positions and a moldboard coupled to the draft frame. The moldboard is movable based on the position of the draft frame. A saddle assembly is coupled between the draft frame and the main frame, and the saddle assembly includes a first saddle arm, a second saddle arm, and a saddle top member coupled between the first and second saddle arms. A saddle positioning cylinder moves between an extended position and a retracted position, and the cylinder is coupled at one end to the main frame or the saddle top member and at an opposite end to the saddle assembly. A movement of the saddle positioning cylinder induces movement of the draft frame to any of its plurality of positions.

Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a swerving portion, a controlling portion and a driving portion. The vehicle body comprises two front wheels, a front wheel shaft connecting between the two front wheels, two back wheels and a back wheel shaft connecting between the two back wheels. The swerving portion comprises a front swerving shaft, a front gear, a back swerving shaft, a first back gear, a swerving driver and a conveying belt. The controlling portion drives the swerving driver to rotate. The driving portion is installed to the back wheel shaft and driving the back wheel shaft to rotate.

Abstract: An implement valve layout associated with a machine, such as a motor grader, is provided to perform control and actuation of valves associated with a hydraulic valve block. The implement valve layout may include a control lever system having linkages and bell cranks for actuating valves of the hydraulic valve block located below a floor of the narrow front cab. An auxiliary implement valve layout may provide a second control lever system including linkages that actuate additional valves associated with the hydraulic valve block.

Abstract: A linkage positioning system for a machine is disclosed. The linkage positioning system has a lock pin, a linkage member having a plurality of holes configured to receive the lock pin, an actuator configured to selectively extend and retract the lock pin, and a control module in communication with the actuator. The control module is configured to receive a request for lock pin engagement with the linkage member, and retract the lock pin from a first of the plurality of holes in the linkage member. The control module is also configured to move the linkage member to align a second of the plurality of holes with the lock pin, and extend the lock pin into the second of the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A coupler includes first and second spaced-apart ribs each defining first and second bores. The first bore of the first rib is aligned with the first bore of the second rib on a first pin-on axis, and the second bore of the first rib aligned with the second bore of the second rib on a second pin-on axis. A first hook assembly includes a first hook adapted to receive a first associated attachment pin. The first hook assembly is fixed relative to the first and second ribs. A second hook assembly includes a second hook adapted to receive a second associated attachment pin. The second hook assembly is selectively pivotable relative to the first and second ribs toward and away from the first hook assembly. An actuator is operatively connected to the second hook assembly to pivot the second hook assembly selectively relative to the first and second ribs.

Abstract: A highlift adjusting mechanism for the blade of a motor grader uses the traditional twin highlift cylinders connected to the motor grader by means of bell cranks. A rigid link member joins lower ends of the bell cranks and includes a number of locking ports therein. The link member is pivotally connected to the bell cranks by a specialized arrangement which additionally defines a further locking port. In the preferred form, the link member is secured to the bell cranks by pin members which include a cavity in one end thereof sized to receive the locking pin. With this arrangement, the bell cranks can be maintained closer to the frame of the grader and improved visibility is achieved.

Abstract: A blade lift and support system for a road grader is taught which is of simplified construction and improved geometry. According to one embodiment, the adjustment of the beam and associated grader blade is fully hydraulically controlled including locking of the beam in a desired position and maintaining the beam position by an hydraulic fluid lock. This preferred arrangement permits full power adjustment of the high-lift while the blade is in a lifted condition. The particular beam shape improves the position of the cylinders to effect positioning the blade for working.

Abstract: A main frame construction for a motor grader wherein the main frame comprises a rear unit, a center unit, and a front unit. Both rear and center units are box-like structures in cross sections with constant transverse dimensions, with constant metal specification, with continuous welds at all four corners running longitudinally of each unit, with but one weld junction at a location spaced rearwardly of the knee area supporting a saddle structure for the blade, and without the provision of extra structural members and arrangements at the knee area. Minimum section changes within the box structures of the rear and center units, the elimination of weld starts and stops provides a strong smooth section of main frame alleviating locally high stresses at the knee area for mounting the saddle. The very simplicity of the rear and center unit box-structure as described and depicted is the heart of the improved main frame.

Abstract: A saddle construction for use in a motor grader having a fore-and-aft extending main frame comprising an upper portion having a generally longitudinal extending section forming a forward facing and a rear facing. The facings have a generally vertical orientation. The main frame has first and second pins slidably mounted transversely in the main frame in longitudinal spaced apart relationship. The forward facing of the saddle upper portion straddles the main frame and is fixably mounted to opposite ends of the first pin. In like manner, the rear facing straddles the main frame and is fixably mounted to opposite ends of the second pin. The saddle further includes a lower portion straddling the main frame and fixably mounted the rear facing. The main frame has a plurality of recesses formed in respective side walls of the main frame in longitudinal spaced apart relationship for seatably receiving inwardly directed landings formed on the facings.

Abstract: The function control levers of an earth moving vehicle such as a motor grader are mounted on a pedestal which may be selectively pivotally tilted for optimum position for the operator, sitting or standing. The pedestal comprises a trapezoidal-type configuration of an upwardly extended pair of parallel panels pivotally mounted at their base and pivotally connected across their upper ends by a steering wheel unit such that two horizontally spaced pairs of vertically spaced shafts define the articulating corners of the pedestal. A series of hydraulic valves are mounted forwardly of the pedestal. The function controls are pivotally mounted on one of the upper pedestal shafts for manipulation and includes linkage connecting the function controls to the valves which maintain the controls in a substantially constant position relative to the operator regardless of the pedestal tilt position.

Abstract: A method of arranging function controls for a vehicle, which method provides a control system that is easily converted from a two-hand control for left and right blade lift functions to a one-hand control for the same functions. The method comprises the steps of placing the blade lift levers at the extreme left and right ends of a pivot shaft inserted through the control console, with the third lever for the optional functional control placed adjacent to the right blade lift lever; and placing the left and right blade lift control valves at opposite ends of the control valve stack similarly to the placement of the left and right control levers, with the optional functional control valve placed adjacent to the right blade lift control valve as with the optional control lever.

Abstract: A double arch center frame employs a depending center arch to mount by a ball and socket connection the leading end of a draw bar and yoke assembly. Bell cranks pivotably mounted to yoke plates borne by the arched center frame intermediate of the center arch and the rear arch have arms pivotably coupled to respective hydraulic lift cylinders disposed on opposite sides of the center frame and to a link member common to the bell cranks. A side shift hydraulic cylinder is pivotably connected at one end to one side of a subframe rotatably supporting a mold board assembly and at the other end to the link member intermediate of its pivot connections to the second arm of the bell crank members.

Abstract: A blade positioning mechanism for a motor grader that permits the blade ends to be raised or lowered independently of each other or together through a pair of hydraulic cylinders universally gimballed in independent locking bell cranks. The mechanism also allows the blade to be shifted to either side of the vehicle and into a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: An adjusting device for the main shield of a grader in which two lifting cylinder, a sideways adjusting cylinder and two pivot arms interconnected by an arresting bridge for actuating the main shield are by the arresting bridge linked to a bridge frame of the grader which bridge frame has a rectangular cross section. Each of the two pivot arms are arranged for pivoting about two joints while one of the pivot arms has its free end provided with fulcrums arranged asymmetrically with regard to the vertical axis of symmetry for establishing linkage connection with one lifting cylinder and a sideways adjusting cylinder. The other one of the two pivot arms is at its free ends provided with a fulcrum for establishing linkage connection with the other lifting cylinder.

Abstract: A motor grader including a wheeled main frame and a drawbar structure attached thereto is disclosed wherein a circle-mounted working implement, such as a blade or the like, is supported on the drawbar by improved guide shoes. The improved guide shoes include surfaces in engagement with both upper and lower surfaces of the circle at all times and remotely controlled mechanical apparatus for varying the frictional forces exerted by such guide shoes on the circle, whereby undesirable effects due to wearing of the engaging surfaces in operation are reduced.

Abstract: The motor grader drawbar assembly has a blade mounted on a circle gear and a drive gear selectively rotates the circle gear and the blade via a pinion gear engaged with the circle gear and mounted on a rotatable shaft. A slip clutch is interposed between the drive gear and the shaft to allow relative movement therebetween when a preselected torque is exceeded, as when the blade hits an obstruction. A pressure plate overlies the slip clutch and may be adjusted to change the preselected torque required.

Abstract: A motor grader includes a blade support frame in the form of a drawbar located beneath and having its forward end universally pivotally connected to an arched beam forming a fore-and-aft extending main frame section of the grader. The drawbar is further connected to the arched beam through means of a suspension and control linkage including a pair of bell cranks pivotally connected at opposite sides of the beam for movement about respective fore-and-aft axes. A transverse bar extends beneath the beam and has opposite ends thereof respectively pivotally connected to respective first arms of the bell cranks. A pair of two-way hydraulic lift actuators respectively have first ends pivotally connected to respective second arms of the bell crank and respectively have second ends pivotally connected to opposite side of the drawbar.

Abstract: A grader of the type including a longitudinal overlying boom connecting a front wheel assembly to a rear tractor unit with a blade carrier frame assembly positioned intermediate the front wheels assembly and the tractor unit. This grader is characterized by a boom which is longitudinally adjustable, laterally swingable and mounted over the cab to allow selective adjustment between a maximum effective wheelbase and a minimum turning radius to allow a lower cab and overall profile of the grader, and to provide an increased effective field of vision to the operator and to provide roll-over protection for the operator. This grader also distinctively includes a blade, the carrier frame of which is rearwardly connected to the tractor unit rather than forwardly to the boom, such as to be pushed by the tractor unit instead of being drawn by the boom, to thus allow a boom of lighter construction.

Abstract: a grader blade actuator comprises a frame, a pair of pivot arms connected to said frame, a link member pivotally interconnecting the arms, a blade member, and a diagonal fluid cylinder connecting the link member to the blade member. The blade actuator further comprises a pair of fluid lift cylinders which are of a construction sufficient for connecting each pivot arm to a respective end portion of the blade member.One or both of the lift cylinders has two or more spaced apart releasable connectors 48 and 50 or 48' and 50' which are selectively connectable to the respective pivot arm for providing vertical positioning of the blade member.