Great Plains Manufacturing, Incorporated

Jason Carlson

John M Relph

Jeff Welsh

Matthew Shobe

Toshihiko Takemura

Cameron Roehlk

Eric Lehnert

A vehicle steering assembly for controlling movement of a vehicle having independently rotatable left and right ground-engaging traction elements. The steering assembly comprises a steering handle and a steering controller positioned generally below the steering handle and actuated by movement of the steering handle. The steering handle includes an upright shaft and a laterally-extending crossmember fixed to the top of the upright shaft. A flexible protective cover is attached to the shaft and is configured to prevent dirt and debris from entering the steering controller. The steering handle is shiftable in forward and rearward directions to thereby cause corresponding forward and rearward rotation of both of the left and right traction elements. The steering handle is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to thereby cause a change in the relative speeds and directions of rotation of the left and right traction elements.

Vehicle steering assembly

A compact work machine, such as a compact track loader and/or a compact utility loader, which can carry and operate a wide range of attachments while maintaining a reduced operating footprint.

Controls for a work machine

A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, a first track and a second track positioned on either side of the frame, and a pair of loader arms. The loader arms are configured to couple with an attachment via a hitch plate and a hitch pin. The compact utility loader is configured such that as the loader arms are raised and lowered, the hitch pin follows a path approximately defined by a curve ƒ(x)=4.641e. The value 'x' represents a horizontal direction and the function f(x) represents a vertical direction.

Loader with improved arm path

Hydraulic power amplification systems and methods configured to selectively supply an interval of increased force to a working hydraulic cylinder. The systems generally comprise a working cylinder and a pressure amplification cylinder. The rod side chamber of the working cylinder is in fluid communication with the rod side chamber of the working cylinder, such that shifting of the pressure amplification cylinder piston increases the power applied to the rod side of the working cylinder piston. The hydraulic power amplification systems and methods are particularly useful for providing supplemental breakout force to working cylinders on loader equipment, such as bucket loaders.

Hydraulic power amplification

A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, a first track and a second track positioned on either side of the frame, and a pair of loader arms. The loader arms are configured to couple with an attachment via a hitch plate and a hitch pin. The compact utility loader is configured such that as the loader arms are raised and lowered, the hitch pin follows a path approximately defined by a curve ƒ(x)=4.641e. The value 'x' represents a horizontal direction and the function ƒ(x) represents a vertical direction.

Loader machine rear door

A compact utility loader comprising a frame, an engine, a pair of loader arms, and an attachment secured to ends of the loader arms. The compact utility loader additionally includes a first track or wheel and a second track or wheel positioned on either side of the frame. The compact utility loader additionally comprises a control interface including a graphic display configured to present operational information to an operator. The graphic display is configured to present a login screen prompting the operator for a passcode. The engine is prevented from being started until a valid passcode is entered via the control interface.

Control system for compact utility loader

Loader machine seat

A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, a first track and a second track positioned on either side of the frame, and a pair of loader arms. The loader arms are configured to couple with an attachment via a hitch plate and a hitch pin. The compact utility loader is configured such that as the loader arms are raised and lowered, the hitch pin follows a path approximately defined by a curve f(x)=4.641e. The value 'x' represents a horizontal direction and the function f(x) represents a vertical direction.

A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, a first track and a second track positioned on either side of the frame, and a pair of loader arms. The loader arms are configured to couple with an attachment via a hitch plate and a hitch pin. The compact utility loader is configured such that as the loader arms are raised and lowered, the hitch pin follows a path approximately defined by a curve ƒ(x)=4.641eThe value 'x' represents a horizontal direction and the function f(x) represents a vertical direction.

A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, a first track and a second track positioned on either side of the frame, and a pair of loader arms. The loader arms are configured to couple with an attachment via a hitch plate and a hitch pin. The compact utility loader is configured such that as the loader arms are raised and lowered, the hitch pin follows a path approximately defined by a curve f(x)=4.641eThe value 'x' represents a horizontal direction and the function f(x) represents a vertical direction.

A vehicle steering assembly for controlling movement of a vehicle having independently rotatable left and right ground-engaging traction elements. The steering assembly comprises a steering handle coupled to the panel support structure and extending generally upwardly from the panel support structure. The steering handle comprises a laterally-extending crossmember and at least one upright extension member. The crossmember and the upright extension member are rigidly connected to one another so that shifting of the crossmember relative to the extension member is substantially prevented. The steering handle is shiftable in forward and rearward directions to thereby cause corresponding forward and rearward rotation of both of the left and right traction elements. The steering handle is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to thereby cause a change in the relative speeds and directions of rotation of the left and right traction elements.

A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame including a lower portion and an upper portion. A width of the lower portion is smaller than a width of the upper portion. The compact utility loader additionally comprises a first track and a second track, with each track being positioned on a side of the frame. Each of the tracks has a width of at least 7.5 inches, and the compact utility loader has an overall width of no more than 36 inches.

Growing community of inventors

Lindsborg, KS, United States of America

Jason Carlson