J. I. Case Company

James C Skeel

Brian T Nelson

Robert D Doescher

Thomas M Denny

Lloyd A Brewer

William R Seidel

Wheel loader

The material loading machine supported on the ground surface is in combination with a return to travel assembly. The combination includes a material loading machine chassis, a work implement, and at least one lift arm supported by the chassis to pivot between an uppermost position and a lower most position while supporting the work implement. Actuators pivotally raise and lower the lift arm. A lift arm position control system automatically stops the lift arm in an uppermost position when it is raised upwardly and automatically stops the lift arm in a return to travel position when it is lowered. In the return to travel position the work implement is located safely above the ground surface so that the vehicle may travel without scraping the work implement on the ground surface.

Automatic return to travel

An apparatus is disclosed that aids an operator in entering or leaving the cab of a large construction or farm vehicle. This apparatus consists of a series of steps leading from the ground up into the cab of the vehicle and two guide rails that guide the operator up into the cab. A first guide rail is fixed to the cab outer housing, and a second guide rail is fixed to the inner face of the cab door that provides access to the cab. The cab door guide rail is angled and positioned so as to aid in guiding the operator into or out of the cab and is also positioned so as not to interfere with the use of any accessories that may be mounted within the door. In addition, the cab door guide rail is useful as a door handle and allows the operator to guickly enter or exit the cab.

Combination guide rail door handle

A parking brake declutching system which places an earth-working machine transmission in neutral when the parking brake is engaged and prevents the transmission from being re-engaged until the parking brake is released. The parking brake declutching system includes a parking brake valve, a declutch valve, and a pair of service brake valves with the parking brake valve being connected to a spring applied, air released parking brake actuator. The declutch valve is also connected to the parking brake actuator and to a clutch cut-out actuator which selectively disengages the transmission. When the parking brake valve is positioned to actuate the parking brake, the declutch valve is positioned to direct compressed air to actuate the clutch cut-out actuator which disengages the transmission for the machine. If the parking brake valve is opened, compressed air is directed to the parking brake actuator for disengaging the parking brake. Simultaneously, air is directed to the declutch valve to position the declutch valve for releasing the clutch cut-out actuator by permitting the exhaust of air from the cut-out actuator. The transmission may then be re-engaged since the parking brake is released. The present system also provides a means for temporarily disengaging the transmission while the service brakes are applied which is desirable in some loading conditions for the machine to make maximum engine power available.

Growing community of inventors

Wausau, WI, United States of America

James C Skeel