Abstract: A method of stabilizing a small to mid-sized skid steer vehicles used to grade earth using a dozer blade in conjunction with GPS automatic grade control equipment. The main arm of the skid steer is retained at a specific height and the hydraulic controlling the main arm is limited. The height of the dozer blade is raised and lowered by affecting the pitch axis of movement of the blade and not by raising and lowering the main arm. The device is most suited to skid steer vehicles capable of using a variety of interchangeable front end accessories in addition to a dozer blade.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a motor associated with selectable movement of a frame by a first operator control. The frame structurally carries a cab structure and a manipulating structure associated with an implement for performing work. The manipulating structure is selectably movable by a second operator control located in the cab structure. All control functions associated with positioning the implement with respect to three different rotational axes are manipulable using the second operator control.

Abstract: A mounting assembly (6) for mounting a bulldozer blade (2) to a vehicle (4) is disclosed. The assembly comprises a lower link (8) adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, a pair of first actuators (16, 18) adapted to be pivotably mounted to the blade, and to a pair of link plates (24, 26) via respective pin joints (28, 30), and a pair of second actuators (36, 38) adapted to adjust the position of respective pin joints (28, 30) relative to the lower link to adjust the orientation of the blade relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A blade control system of the present invention includes an angle obtaining part, an open ratio setting part and a lift cylinder controlling part. The angle obtaining part is configured to obtain an angle of a lift frame with respect to a designed surface. The open ratio setting part is configured to set an open ratio based on the angle. The lift cylinder controlling part is configured to open a proportional control valve at the open ratio for elevating the blade when a distance between the designed surface and an edge of a blade is determined to be less than or equal to a threshold.

Abstract: A mounting assembly (6) for mounting a bulldozer blade (2) to a vehicle (4) is disclosed. The assembly comprises a lower link (8) adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, a pair of first actuators (16, 18) adapted to be pivotably mounted to the blade, and to a pair of link plates (24, 26) via respective pin joints (28, 30), and a pair of second actuators (36, 38) adapted to adjust the position of respective pin joints (28, 30) relative to the lower link to adjust the orientation of the blade relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A bulldozer of the present invention includes a GPS receiver which is fixed to a vehicle body of the bulldozer, and angle obtaining part which stores a conversion table in which a combination of an angling cylinder length and a tilt cylinder length are matched with a combination of a blade angling angle and a blade tilting angle.

Abstract: A support structure for an implement lift cylinder on an earth-working machine. The support structure includes first and second implement lift cylinder supports. The first implement lift cylinder support mounts to the work machine and the second implement lift cylinder support rotatably connects thereto about a first axis of rotation. The second implement lift cylinder support receives the implement lift cylinder and allows rotational movement thereof about a second axis of rotation. The first and second axes are located within a single plane. The dual axes provide stability and adjustability of the implement lift cylinder for different angle configurations of a work implement, such as an earth-working blade.

Abstract: A blade mounting structure of a bulldozer capable of enhancing visibility and operability of a blade is provided. A left portion and a right portion of a blade and a vehicle main body are swingably connected with a set of left and right straight frames. The straight frames and the blade are swingably connected respectively by a hydraulic cylinder and a support member. The blade mounting structure includes an arm for connecting a single one of the straight frames and the blade to be swingable up and down and to the left and the right. A connecting point of the arm and the blade is provided on an axis line connecting horizontal axes of rotation of connecting points of the set of left and right straight frames and the blade in plane view.

Abstract: Top link assemblies for a construction machine are typically used to adjust the pitch angle of a cutting edge of a blade. The present top link assembly has substantially co-planar first and second adjustment plates with each including a pair of slots therein. Joint upper and lower surfaces are defined between the first and second adjustment plates. Upper and lower spacer plates are disposed on the joint upper and lower surfaces, respectively, and each include a pair of openings coaxially aligned with the slots within the first and second adjustment plates. A threaded portion of a bolt extends through the upper spacer plate, first and second adjustment plates and lower spacer plate through the co-axially aligned openings and slots. A nut is tightened on the threaded portion at any one of a plurality of positions along the pair of slots and the desired pitch angle of the cutting edge may be adjusted by loosening the nuts and repositioning at any one of the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A bulldozer blade mounting structure is disclosed. The mounting structure includes a first pivot arm having a first end adapted for pivotal attachment to a tractor and a second end coupled to a bulldozer blade, and a second pivot arm having a first end adapted for pivotal attachment to a tractor and a second end coupled to a bulldozer blade. The mounting structure also includes a first coupling joint coupling the second end of the first pivot arm to the bulldozer blade, wherein the first coupling joint permits the bulldozer blade to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the first pivot arm and to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first pivot arm.

Abstract: The caterpillar track attachment is provided for a vehicle having a drive shaft and a steering mechanism. The attachment comprises a pair of endless caterpillar tracks for propelling the vehicle, a frame for supporting the vehicle, drive devices to be operatively connected to the drive shaft and engaging the tracks for transmitting motive power from the drive shaft to the tracks, and a hydraulic device to be coupled to the steering mechanism for providing at least one hydraulic fluid outlet controlled by commands from the steering mechanism. The frame has securing devices for connecting the vehicle onto the frame, and a pair of spaced apart elongated side members around which the tracks are respectively mounted. Each of the members has front and rear sets of wheels located substantially at its front and rear extremities for guiding therearound the corresponding track, and straight slides located at its lower portion between the corresponding rear and front sets of wheels for guiding the corresponding track.

Abstract: A bulldozer apparatus for a working vehicle comprising a vertically pivotable arm assembly, and a blade pivotable on a fore and aft axis extending along a center position of the vehicle. Two hydraulic cylinders are disposed at opposite sides of the fore and aft axis for causing pivotal movement of the blade such that the blade is pivotable in opposite directions with extensions of the hydraulic cylinders. Two engaging devices extend substantially longitudinally of the vehicle at opposite positions across the fore and aft axis and interconnect the blade and the arm assembly for relative pivotal movement.

Abstract: An earthmoving attachment to be mounted on the front end of a tractor. The attachment includes a frame secured to the tractor, arms pivoted to the frame and extending forwardly and mounting a combination bucket and blade. Hydraulic cylinders individually extend telescoping sections in the arms to effect a skewing of the blade. Another hydraulic cylinder mounting a slider adjacent one end of the blade is operable to tilt the blade or bucket. Other sets of hydraulic cylinders tip the bucket and lift the arms conventionally. Simple adjustments are operable to convert the attachment from the configuration of a front-end-loader to that of a dozer, and to skew, tilt and tip the blade and bucket in various configurations.

Abstract: A dozer blade mounting for a dozer frame having a dozer blade movably supported thereon includes at least one rigid link that has one end pivoted on the vehicle frame and the opposite end pivoted on the dozer frame with fluid ram means associated with the vehicle frame and dozer frame for raising and lowering the blade and dozer frame and angling the dozer frame and blade with respect to a horizontal reference plane. In one version of the invention, two separate links are universally connected at opposite ends to the dozer frame and the vehicle frame and a pair of independently actuated fluid rams are interposed between the dozer frame and the vehicle frame to produce the raising and lowering as well as the tilting of the blade with respect to the vehicle. In another version, the rigid link is raised and lowered through a fluid ram between the link and the vehicle frame and a second fluid ram is interposed between the link and the dozer frame to produce the tilting of the blade.