New Holland North America, Inc.

Darryl T Leeds

John G Berger

Steven J Campbell

Barry E Smith

Robert E Long

Jack K Braine

Randall D Kern

Donald Russell Whitenight

The disclosure relates to a self-centering and dampening hydrostatic transmission linkage. The invention consists of a pivot link that is pivotally attached to an isolator plate. Connecting the isolator plate to the pivot link is a centering damper. An upper rocker arm and lower rocker arm connect the pivot link to the hydrostatic transmission system control pedal. The pivot link also has a hydrostatic transmission adjustment rod and an aperture. The movement of the pedal controls the movement of the rod which adjust the tractor transmission for either forward or rearward travel. When a no force is placed on the pedal, the centering damper moves the aperture into contact with an adjustable spring steel detent. This ensures that the tractor transmission will remain in neutral. The pedal is designed with a foot rest and two elongated pads. This allows the operator flexibility when using the tractor for a variety of farm operations.

Self-centering and dampening hydrostatic transmission linkage

A disc mower incorporates a modular disc cutterbar surrounded by a flexible canopy supported from a frame. A split guard is mounted to the distal end of the mower canopy to keep objects away from the end of the disc cutterbar. The guard presents a smooth contiguous surface to prevent debris and crop material from catching the guard. The guard has an L-shape configuration, including a front member leg oriented to project rearwardly while a rear leg member is oriented to project forwardly. The front and rear legs overlap in line with the transverse pivot axis of said canopy support such that the split guard presents a continuous edge for effectively deflecting crop material.

Disc mower cutterbar guard

A front end loader is provided with a seat switch that is closed when an operator sits in a seat and a seat belt switch that is closed when a seat belt is fastened. Closure of the seat switch enables a programmable controller which begins executing a program. The program repetitively checks the status of the seat and seat belt switches and enables the hydraulic controls for the boom and bucket only if (1) the seat belt switch is not closed at the time the operator sits in the seat and (2) subsequent to sitting in the seat the operator fastens the seat belt. The system makes it inconvenient for an operator to defeat the purpose of the seat belt by fastening it and sitting on it since, on each entry into the operator's cab, the operator must unbuckle the seat belt before sitting in the seat in order to enable the boom and bucket controls. To deter theft, the operator may lower the boom and bucket to engage the ground and then enter any two-digit lock code using two manual switches. Once a lock code has been entered, the boom and bucket hydraulic controls are disabled until the operator follows a specific procedure and again enters the same two-digit lock code.

Security and safety interlocks for a loader

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Wrightsville, PA, United States of America

Darryl T Leeds