Clark Equipment Compnay

William A Wright

Mark F Bares

James H Page

Scott B Jacobson

Jason Lee Magnuson

Robert D Waletzko

Edward A Larson

A skid steer loader has an interlock system that is responsive to sensor input to lock out such as operation of lift and tilt cylinders of the skid steer loader when the input indicates a condition has not been met. The loader is provided with a cab that has an operator entrance and egress door, and a door latch and a latch striker on the cab are provided with a sensor that senses when the cab door is closed and latched. The lockout prevents carrying out the functions when the door is not closed and latched.

Sensor and interlock on an industrial vehicle

A pretensioned spring track tensioning system provides a two stage loading of a tension roller on the interior of a vehicle drive track. The two stage loading first loads the track under a lower tension load for normal operation, but when the track is highly loaded, such as when digging, or when debris is forced between the track member and its drive sprocket or guide rollers, the compression of the lighter spring will be stopped mechanically and a second heavier compression spring will provide the tension loading. The additional spring tension under unusual conditions prevents detracking of the track and buckling of the track. A lighter tension load during normal operations reduces the loads on bearings, particularly in relation to a drive motor. The tensioning system has particular adaptability to 'high' drive type tracks which have a drive sprocket elevated above the tension roller.

Pre-tensioned spring track tensioning system

A control system for a small work vehicle such as a compact track propelled loader has a control handle that is mounted onto a swinging support plate. The support plate swings about a vertical axis positioned forwardly of the control handle, and the control handle is mounted on the support plate about a horizontal axis. Linkages are provided between the control handle and the pivotal mounting about the upright axis to respective motor control levers for operating motors on opposite sides of the vehicle for steering and propelling the vehicle. Moving the control handle about the horizontal axis causes a drive selectively in forward and reverse direction, and moving the support plate and the control handle about the vertical axis provides differential movement for steering control.

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Gwinner, ND, United States of America

William A Wright