A MDA-BASED TESTING - A Comparative Study

A push arm control assembly (30, 30a) for use with bulldozer (10) having blade (12) removably mounted to a pair of laterally displaceable push arms (14) on opposite sides of the bulldozer. The push arm control assembly includes at least one elongated, relatively lightweight, control member (32, 56, 59) having a length dimension substantially spanning the distance between push arms (14) and having a strength sufficient to enable lifting of push arms (14) as a unit. A pair of arm coupling assemblies (33) are provided on control member (30, 30a) and are adapted for coupling to each of push arms (14) for manipulation of the push arms (14) as a unit. In the preferred form, the control arm assembly (30, 30a) positions the push arms (14) a distance less than the lateral distance between push arms (14) when push arms (14) are coupled to blade (12). Thus, upon removal of blade (12) from push arms (14) and displacement of push arms (14) inwardly toward each other, control member (30, 30a) can be coupled to push arms (14) by arm coupling assemblies (33) for lifting and controlled positioning of push arms (14) for transport of the bulldozer. A method of enabling transport of bulldozer (10) also is disclosed.