Support for collapsible drag reducer

Abstract

A support mechanism for moving a roof top pivotally mounted air deflector panel between raised and lowered positions includes a collapsible toggle linkage having a support link and a pivot link. The pivot link is pivotally mounted on the cab rear wall and has a handle by which an operator standing on the tractor at the rear of the cab pivots the pivot link between vertically upright extending and downward extending positions. A support link has an upper end pivotally connected to the deflector panel and a lower end pivotally connected to the pivot link so that rearward pivotal movement of the pivot link swings the lower end of the support link rearwardly and downwardly to withdraw the support link from support of the air deflector panel. The collapsible toggle linkage stores adjacent the cab rear wall for ready handle access by the operator for subsequent raising of the deflector panel. A telescoping spring device acts between the cab roof and the deflector panel to assist upward pivotal movement of the pivot link and extension of the collapsible toggle linkage to raise the deflector panel. A releasable latch is provided to retain the collapsible toggle linkage in both the extended and collapsed positions. A pair of such collapsible linkages are preferably provided in laterally spaced relation and connected by a handle extending therebetween to enable simultaneous pivotal movement of the collapsible toggle linkages between the extended position raising the collector panel and collapsed position lowering the deflector panel.