Abstract: Apparatus, for the remote control of a carrier vehicle from the cab of an excavator which is rotatably mounted upon the back bed of the carrier vehicle through a center pin assembly, is accomplished with a hydrostatic pump operably connected to the crankshaft of the carrier engine. Electric controls in the excavator cab connect to the pump which selectively directs fluid to a motor which rotates a first gear which meshes with a second gear fixed to the carrier vehicle drive shaft. In alternate embodiments, the motor connects to a power take-off on the transmission. Carrier steering, braking, and throttle functions are also remotely controlled at the excavator cab through a combination of electric and hydraulic controls with the electric wires extending from the electric controls in the excavator cab, through a slip ring on the center pin assembly and to the respective function controls at various sites on the carrier vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically actuated and controlled auxiliary hydraulic system for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to mounted attachments on a skid steer loader. In one embodiment, an electrically actuated auxiliary control valve is coupled to the front and rear mounted attachments through an electrically actuated diverter valve. In a second embodiment, a front and a rear auxiliary control valve is coupled to the front and rear mounted attachments. An operator can select between control of either the front or rear attachments by selectively actuating the forward, reverse and latch switches on the control handles. A mode control switch electrically coupled to an auxiliary mode control circuit allows the cyclical selection between the disable mode, the momentary mode, and the latch mode. In the disable mode, the actuation of the forward, reverse or latch switches has no effect.

Abstract: An improved power control device including a pair of remote levers having lower ends provided with pivot structure for pivotally attaching the remote levers to the support platform of a power tool attachment. A pair of rigid bars are pivotally coupled to the remote levers and extend rearwardly and are pivotally coupled to the power control levers of the vehicle. Thus, movement of the remote levers by a control operator at the power tool attachment causes corresponding movements of the power control levers of the vehicle so that the vehicle can be controlled by the operator on the power tool attachment. The pivot connections between the bars and the levers and between the remote levers and the platform of the power tool attachment can be quick-release fastener units.

Abstract: An electrically controlled auxiliary hydraulic system for both front and rear mounted attachments on a skid steer loader. An electrically actuated auxiliary control valve is coupled to the front and rear mounted attachments through an electrically actuated diverter valve. An operator can select between control of either the front or rear attachments by actuating a diverter switch located on a steering lever. The auxiliary control valve is then used to control the selected attachment by actuating forward, reverse and forward latch switches on the control handles. The selected attachment can also be operated in a high pressure mode by actuating a high pressure switch when extra horsepower needs to be delivered to the attachment.

Abstract: A self-loading and unloading truck trailer rig assembly wherein the cargo truck driver's cab comprises a split configuration mounted at one end of its chassis and a forklift mounted at the other end of the chassis. The mast of the forklift is pivotally mounted to the other end of the chassis and is arranged to lie on top of the chassis longitudinally thereof when the cargo truck is in transit on the highway and is movable to extend laterally of the chassis at its other end when the cargo truck is disconnected from its trailer and is serving as a forklift. When the cargo truck operates as a forklift, a part of its driver's cab is rotated 180 degrees to the rear of the chassis for operator control of the movement of the forklift and cargo truck.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle is provided which includes a lower truck chassis and an upper material handling structure pivotally supported by the lower chassis, all functions of which vehicle are driven by a single engine. The material handling vehicle is controllable from a main truck cab on the truck chassis or from an upper operator's cab mounted on the upper structure. The single engine provides highway travel power and power to all excavator functions, while the vehicle, including remote travel and implement manipulation capabilities, may be controlled from the upper operator cab. The main engine, when used for over the highway travel, powers the driven wheels through a power shift transmission in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A remote controller for the transmission of a material handling vehicle having a lower chassis on which is mounted a truck cab, an engine and the transmission and which pivotally supports an upper structure including an upper cab and a material handling implement is provided. A three-way rocker switch is mounted on a joystick in the upper cab and is connected via a single control wire through a single slip ring to the main shift controller. The rocker switch is normally biased with a reference voltage which, when the switch is actuated to its other positions is either increased or grounded. First and second comparators in the main shift controller monitor the voltage in the control wire and cause a counter to increase or decrease the number stored in its memory on the basis of increases or decreases in the control wire voltage. The main shift controller then outputs a signal to the shift solenoids of the transmission based on the number stored in the counter.

Abstract: A steering device for an automotive vehicle includes steering wheels one of which is associated with a driver's seat positioned at the front of the vehicle and the other with a seat positioned at the rear of the vehicle and available for manipulating a crane or the like. Power cylinders are provided for hydraulically steering front wheels only or both of front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle. Hydraulic circuits associated with the power cylinders are controlled such that while the wheels are steered at the driver's seat, they cannot be steered at the craneman's seat. Such control of the hydraulic circuits occurs in response to actuation of a key switch. A four-wheel steering mode for steering the front and rear wheels at the same time is prevened from replacing a two-wheel steering mode for steering front wheels only, unless the vehicle runs at low speeds.

Abstract: The invention refers both to a method of converting a vehicle, such as a truck, a tractor, a lorry or the like and to a steerable working machine for specific working purposes, e.g. a hammer arrangement for making holes, or a drilling machine and to a combined vehicle and working machine. The working machine (30) in question is mounted on the chassis of the vehicle (1) and is arranged to be operated from an operating location (9) which is fixed or movable relative to the vehicle. The vehicle is provided with an additional driving mechanism (23-25), e.g. a hydraulic motor having a driving element (25) which can be moved between an active and an inactive position and which is arranged to engage the vehicle wheels (3) or the vehicle transmission system (20, 21, 22) for slowly propelling the vehicle and a separate remote-control means (12-16) actuating the vehicle steering system (10, 11). The drive mechanism (23-25) and the remote-control means (12-16) are operated from said operating location (9).

Abstract: An operator cab for an over-the-road truck includes a forward disposed driver's compartment and a separate equipment control station disposed rearwardly of the driver's compartment. The control station includes a control panel disposed below a window in the rear wall of the cab. The cab provides standing head room at the control station whereby equipment on board the truck may be monitored and controlled from the control station and instrumentation on the driver's compartment instrument panel may also be viewed by the operator at the control station. A combination bunk and operator's seat is disposed across the interior of the cab between the driver's compartment and the control station and, together with foldable curtains disposed within the interior of the cab, defines a convertible sleeping compartment.

Abstract: A dual steering system for use on a material handling vehicle having a chassis with front steerable wheels and an upperstructure movably supported from the chassis for rotary movement about a connecting center pin. The vehicle has a main truck cab on the chassis, from which the vehicle may be driven over road to a selected site, and an operator cab on the upperstructure from which the excavator vehicle may be operated and also driven for short distances. When the vehicle is driven over road, the vehicle is steered from a steering wheel in the main truck cab, and hydraulic power is provided by a hydraulic power supply mounted on the chassis. When the excavator is controlled from the operator cab, the vehicle is steered with a joy stick and hydraulic power is supplied from an alternate hydraulic supply on the upperstructure. Thus, two alternate but interconnected sources of hydraulic fluid are utilized to provide power to a hydraulically powered, mechanically controlled steering gear.