Patent Grant
8360707
This invention relates to a detachable implement handling apparatus for tractors and more particularly to such an apparatus which is adapted to be mounted on the push frame of a tractor. The invention further contemplates such an apparatus provided with means for lifting an implement detached therefrom.
In the construction industry and other related industries such as the logging industry and the like, it has been a common practice to utilize tractors equipped with various tools to perform a variety of work functions such as clearing, grading, raking, tree shearing, trunk splitting and the like. Typically, such implements are mounted on the front end of a push frame of a tractor which is pivotal about a transverse axis for lifting and lowering a tool mounted thereon. In performing such work functions, it further has been a common practice to mount couplers on such push frames and correspondingly detachably mount different types of implements on such couplers to provide greater versatility and improve productivity. A problem in the use of such a variety of implements detachably connectable to a single coupler is in the handling of such implements when they are detached from a coupler and require to be moved. Such implements are considerably heavy and require mechanically powered means for lifting them off of the ground and loading them onto the bed of a truck. Accordingly, it has been found to be particularly useful to provide an economical and efficient means and method for handling detached implements commonly mountable on the coupler of a tractor and used to perform various work functions in the field.
The principal object of the present invention is achieved by providing an apparatus generally comprising a base member mountable on a component of a prime mover which may be pivoted about a transverse axis, a carrier mounted on the base member displaceable along a transverse line of travel between first and second positions and a boom mounted on the carrier, disposable in an inoperative position disposed along the line of travel when the carrier is in its first position and pivotal to an operative position disposed at an angle relative to the line of travel when the carrier is in the second position. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the base member comprises a coupler mountable on the push frame of a tractor, an implement is detachably connectable to the coupler, the coupler is provided with a recess in a front side thereof, the carrier is disposed within such recess and disposable along such line of travel within such recess and such boom includes means for detachably connecting the implement thereto for lifting the implement when detached from the coupler. The boom may consist of a single member or a base section and an extendable section. Such sections further may be telescopically connected together. It further is preferred that means be provided for locking the carrier in the first position with the boom disposed along the line of travel of the carrier, locking the carrier in the second position, locking the boom in the operative position disposed at an angle relative to such line of travel and locking the extendable section of the boom in the extended position relative to the base section in embodiments providing an extendable boom section, particularly in embodiments where the boom comprises base and extendable sections telescopically connected together.
Shown in
Mounted on transverse member 16 is a coupler 19 on which there is adapted to be detachably connected an implement 20. The coupler is connected to the center of the push frame and further is adapted to pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the push frame. A pair of hydraulically actuated cylinder assemblies 21, 21 operatively interconnect side sections 15, 15 of the push frame and coupler 19 so that upon operation of such assemblies the coupler may be angled.
As best seen in
Depending from flange portion 22a of channel-shaped member 22, at a point between end walls 27 and 28, is depending bracket 30. Disposed in the upper end of compartment 26, adjacent flange portion 22a is a transversely disposed guide rail 31 supported at its ends on depending bracket 30 and end wall 28. Mounted on rail 31 and displaceable between a first position disposed adjacent end wall 28 and a second position as shown in
Pivotally mounted at one end thereof to support pin 33 is a boom 37 having a length and cross-sectional configuration adequate to permit the boom to be received within compartment 29 when carrier 32 is displaced in a first position at one end of the compartment, and further to permit the boom to be pivoted outwardly from compartment 29 thought opening 26 when the carrier is moved from its far end position to its second position in the center of the coupler, in engagement with depending bracket 30. As best shown in
Boom 37 is adapted to be moved between an inoperative position stored within compartment 29 of the coupler and an operative position extending outwardly through opening 26 in the center of the coupler, supported at its rear end on carrier 32 and further supported at its intermediate portion by arm member 38. With the boom in the inoperative position, carrier 32 will be disposed adjacent an end plate of the coupler, locked in place, and boom 37 will be pivoted about support shaft 33 to lie along the line of travel of the carrier. Under such conditions, opening 26 may be closed by a cover panel or closed simply by the mounting of implement 20 on front of the coupler. In the operative position, carrier 32 will be moved to the center of the coupler and secured in such position by latch 34, and boom 37 will be pivoted out through opening 26 about support shaft 33 to a position disposed substantially perpendicular to the front face of the coupler.
In the operative position, the boom is secured to preclude any pivotal movement thereof by means of arm member 38. A line 42 either provided on the free end of boom 37 or independently provided may be used to connect the implement 20 to the free end of the boom in suspended relation.
With an implement detached from the free end of the boom, it may be retracted from the extended, operative position as shown in
Under normal operating conditions for perhaps grading a site, implement 20 will be detachably mounted on the front face of the coupler, and the tractor will be operated in the normal manner to perform conventional grading operations. During such use of the tractor with implement 20 mounted on the coupler thereof, boom 37 will be securely nested in compartment 29 within the coupler and will not displace to interfere with the work being performed. When it is desired to mount a different implement on the coupler or simply remove the implement at the close of the work being performed, the coupling mechanism on the coupler is manipulated to free the implement from the coupler and permit it to rest on the ground. Cylinder assemblies 18, 18 are operative to lift and lower the suspended implement, and the crawler assemblies of the tractor are operated to transport the implement to the desired site. Small movements of the boom from side to side further may be effected by operation of cylinders 21, 21.
Boom 37 may consist of a single member or may consist of a base member 37a and an extendable member 37b, telescopically connected together. In such embodiments, the coupler is constructed in the manner as previously described and compartment 29 and opening 26 are formed large enough to accommodate the retracted boom within compartment 29, and permit it to be swung from its inoperative to operative positions through opening 26. In the extended position, the extended section of the boom would be pinned to the base section 37a as at 37c to provide a rigid boom construction. It is contemplated that an extendable boom construction would employed in applications requiring a longer reach of the boom. It is contemplated that the displacement of the carrier along the guide rail from its storage position to its support position, the movement of the boom from the inoperative to the operative positions and the extension and retraction of any extended section of the boom, be performed manually. However, it further is contemplated that such movements can be effected by powered means such as hydraulic cylinder assemblies. Furthermore, although the invention has been described in terms of handling an implement detached from a coupler mounted on a tractor, it further is within the contemplation of the invention to utilize the boom as described for handling any type of article which it is desired to lift, transport and lower. The coupler and boom may be constructed of conventional steel plate in flat or other configurations. The guide rail may be formed of a steel shaft and the carrier may be formed of either a casting or fabricated steel. Removable pins or other means may be utilized to secure the carrier and the boom or boom sections in their operative and inoperative positions. It further is preferred yet not essential that the boom be confined within the envelope of the coupler. From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention, which come within the province of those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the aforementioned invention pertains. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20070274816 A1 | Nov 2007 | US |
