Patent Application
20050169738
This invention relates to a compact utility loader that is convertible to an excavator and vice versa. More particularly, this invention relates to a tracked machine adapted for use in outdoor construction environments.
A multi-purpose convertible skid loader and excavator is disclosed. An operator can convert the machine from a skid loader to an excavator without leaving the cab, through manipulation of hydraulic controls.
A loader excavator is described that is operable in an excavation mode or in a loader mode. The loader excavator comprises a main boom and a dipper boom, wherein a loader bucket or an excavator bucket can be selectively utilized in accordance with user preference.
In the excavation mode, a main boom and a dipper boom are operable through hydraulic controls to raise and lower the excavator bucket. Excavation is generally characterized by the excavator bucket facing toward the operator, excavation of material accomplished by digging or drawing the material toward the operator and then lifted.
In a loader mode, the dipper boom is operable through hydraulic controls to raise and lower the loader bucket. Loading is generally characterized by the loader bucket facing away the operator, loading of material accomplished by digging or pushing the material away from the operator and then lifted.
The main boom operable in an excavation mode when said dipper boom is coupled with the excavator bucket; the dipper boom is operable in the excavation mode and a loader mode when said dipper boom is coupled with the loader bucket.
a-c are top views of a preferred embodiment of operator control configuration.
a are detail views of bucket detachment.
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
The dipper boom 20 is operable through hydraulic controls (described later) to raise and lower the loader bucket 70. The loader bucket is also rotatable from a digging position (not shown) to a carrying position as shown, in which the front edge of the loader bucket 70 is slightly elevated with respect to the remainder of the bottom edge of the loader bucket 70.
Loading is generally characterized by the loader bucket 70 facing away the operator, loading of material accomplished by digging or pushing the material away from the operator and then lifted.
In loader mode, three hydraulic rams are utilized. First, dipper boom hydraulic ram 40, is operable to manipulate dipper boom 20 toward or away from main boom 10. Dipper boom hydraulic ram 40 rotates dipper boom 20 when the ram 40 is extended. At full extension of dipper boom hydraulic ram 40, dipper boom 20 will be in the position shown in phantom.
Second, bucket ram 50 operates to rotate the loader bucket 70 by extension of a bucket ram 50, which in turn causes ram joints 55 to pivot about ram pin 53, resulting in rotation of the bucket 70.
Third, dipper extension hydraulic ram 90 is operable to manipulate dipper boom extension 60 toward or away from dipper boom 20.
The operator can move the loader/excavator forward or backward using the track sub-assembly 110, preferably containing an elevated drive sprocket as shown. Further, the operator can rotate the excavator/loader by engagement of a slew ring 130.
Main structure and engine compartment 100 houses the engine and other necessary peripherals (not shown) sufficient to drive the slew ring 130, track sub-assembly 110, and hydraulic controls operating the booms.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Excavation is generally characterized by the excavator bucket 80 facing toward the operator, excavation of material accomplished by digging or drawing the material toward the operator and then lifted.
In the excavation mode, the main boom 10 and the dipper boom 20 are operable through hydraulic controls to raise and lower the excavator bucket 80. In a preferred embodiment, the main boom 10 and the dipper boom 20 operate in the excavation mode, in contrast to the loader mode, when only the dipper boom 20 is preferably used.
In order to provide extension of the excavator bucket 80 away from the operator, as emphasized between the phantom and solid views of the dipper boom 20 and main boom 10, the main boom 10 is hydraulically extended by operation of the main boom hydraulic ram 30, which in turn causes bucket ram joints 32 to rotate about bucket pins 35.
Dipper boom hydraulic ram 40 is extended to rotate the dipper boom 20 as previously described. Additionally, a dipper extension hydraulic ram 90 causes further extension of dipper boom extension 60, shown in
Referring now to
In order to move the main boom 10 by extension of main boom hydraulic ram 30, the user moves the Boom 30 Down or Up controls shown in
In order to move the dipper boom 20 by extension of dipper boom hydraulic ram 40, the user moves the Boom 40 Down or Up controls shown in
To rotate about slew ring 130, the operator moves the Slew Left or Right controls shown in
To rotate either the excavator bucket 80 or the loader bucket 70, the operator moves the Bucket down or up control on
Last, to extend or retract the dipper extension hydraulic ram 90, thereby raising or lowering the dipper boom extension 60, the operator engages the boom extend and retract switch shown on
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
