Twin Disc Incorporated

Joseph B Snoy

Richard D Preston

A transmission system for a vehicle such as a farm tractor comprises a solenoid-operated reversible multispeed transmission (twelve speeds forward and four reverse); an electronic control circuit for operating solenoids in the transmission to effect shifting; and a single lever control device including a manually operable control lever movable from neutral to forward or reverse positions and between upshift and downshift directions when in each position to operate electric switches which are connected to the electronic control circuit to effect desired shifting of the transmission.

Vehicle transmission system and a single lever control device therefor

A power transmission for tractors or the like and having change speed gear mechanism and also having a power take-off shaft for driving auxiliary equipment. A hydraulically actuated clutch is utilized in the transmission for selectively engaging various gear ratios. A hydraulically actuated brake is provided for disconnecting the drive shafts and locking the power take-off to the transmission housing. Operating control valve means are provided for controlling the power take-off brake and a hydraulic detent is provided for the valve. The power take-off shaft is controlled by a modulatable clutch of the duplex type which enables the operator to modulate the speed of the power take-off shift and automatically insures that the power take-off shaft is locked and the power take-off brake is disengaged. The control valve for the power take-off brake includes a hydraulic detent that can lock the operator shifted control valve in the clutch operative position.

Power transmission having power take-off shaft and fluid control means

A hydraulically actuated friction plate type clutch having a centrifugally actuated valve for controlling the amount of modulation or engagement of the friction clutch, and apparatus such as a counterweight for counteracting the centrifugal force characteristics of the shiftable valve parts so that the capacity of the clutch remains substantially the same at all centrifugal speeds.

Friction clutch having a centrifugally actuated hydraulic control valve

Means to prevent flutter of the interleaved clutch plates of a clutch including clutch plates having their peripheries formed as non-circular members. The outer periphery of the clutch plates are formed with flat portions or spots which act as cams when the adjacent discs rotate relative to each other and whereby they resist the tendency to flutter. The clutch plates are formed so that a continuous circular surface no longer exists on the periphery of the plates and in effect a series of cams are provided which tend to drive the clutch plate to a neutral or no-force position.

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Rockford, IL, United States of America

Joseph B Snoy