Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Caterpillar Inc.

Eldon D Oestmann

George G Codina

Noel J Rytter

Daniel L Mikrut

Robert L Shelby

David J Balzer

Ronald L Krolak

Thomas M Dennison

Ronald O Groth

Royce D Allen

Marvin G Getz

George F Alexander

Charles J Chappell

Gary J Shane

An overshot loader including a set of ground engaging members, a frame attached to the set of ground engaging members, and a linkage assembly movably connected to the frame and located within a longitudinal center portion of the frame.

Overshot loader for autonomous operation

An apparatus for determining the spool position of a directional valve is disclosed. A longitudinal valve housing has opposed ends and a plurality of fluid ports, and a spool moves reciprocatingly within the valve housing. A first spring disposed adjacent an end of the spool extends and retracts with the reciprocating movement of the spool. A first oscillator circuit is coupled to the first spring and is adapted to produce a first position signal in response to the inductance of the first spring. Finally, a logic device determines the incremental linear position of the spool relative to the housing in response to the frequency of the first position signal.

Integral position sensing apparatus for a hydraulic directional valve

A vehicle steering differential (10) includes a case (12) defining a chamber (76), an opening (78) on a transverse axis (36) communicating therewith, and a mounting surface (80) about the opening (78). An input pinion gear (14) and a bevel gear (18) driven by the pinion gear (14) are rotatably connected within case (12) in right angle intermeshing relationship by a body (20) releasably secured to the mounting surface (80). A radial opening (82) is defined in the case (12), and a steering motor (16) has a shaft (88) that extends through the radial opening (82) into driving engagement with the pinion gear (14), with the body (20) supporting the steering motor (16). The body (20) includes an arm (110) and a collar (122) releasably secured to the arm (110) for supporting the steering motor (16).

Vehicle steering differential

Integral idler track adjusting and recoil apparatus

A suspension system for a track-type tractor includes a shaft disposed through apertures of unitary frame members adjacent opposite sides of the vehicle, with track frames pivotally mounted to extended ends of the shaft, the shaft being rotatable and movable axially relative to the frame members.

Vehicle suspension system

Structure for mounting a bulldozer assembly to a vehicle, such as a tractor. The mounting structure includes lift jacks connected to a radiator guard extending about the vehicle engine coolant radiator. The mounting structure includes a portion connected to the lift jacks and a portion received in a socket provided in a corner portion of the radiator guard. The mounting structure includes structure for removably securing the same to the radiator guard.

Structure mounting a bulldozer assembly to a vehicle

A tractor recoil mechanism for maintaining tension of the track includes a cylinder having a sleeve piston movably disposed therein, associated with a rear frame portion. A rod member, disposed within the sleeve piston to form therewith a closed chamber with the cylinder means, extends through an open end of the cylinder means. A helical spring acts between the sleeve piston and reaction means associated with a front frame portion to urge them apart. Recoil movement of the front portion in one direction relative to the rear portion moves the rod therewith, so that, with the chamber filled with incompressible fluid, the sleeve piston moves in the opposite direction relative to the cylinder means, with compressive movement of the helical spring being greater than the amount of movement of the front portion toward the rear portion. Vent means associated with the chamber allow introduction of substantially incompressible fluid therein while air may be properly vented therefrom.

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Morton, IL, United States of America

Eldon D Oestmann