IMPLEMENT MOUNTING DEVICE AT THE FRONT OF UTILITY VEHICLES

Abstract

An implement mounting device for the front of a utility vehicle such as an agricultural tractor, the device having the two transversely spaced lift arms (2,3) having coupling hooks (6) at their outer ends and being connected at their inner ends to a cross shaft (1a) which is pivotally mounted on a frame of the vehicle. The liftarms are rotatable vertically relative to the frame by a piston and cylinder assembly (4). The coupling hook of each lift arm is laterally offset relative to the inner end of the lift arm and the lateral spacing between the coupling hooks is variable for holding implement of various size categories, by arranging the lift arms (2,3) to be interchangeable mounted on the cross shaft so that each lift arm can be moved from a first position (2′,3′) adjacent one end of the cross shaft in which it is mounted with its coupling hook offset axially inward of its inner end to a second position (2″,3″) adjacent the other end of the cross shaft with its coupling hook offset axially outwardly of its inner end, thus providing two different axial distances (C,D) between the coupling hooks to accommodate two different sizes of implement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described below with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the implement mounting device from above; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the implement mounting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The implement mounting device according to the invention comprises a piston and cylinder unit 1, as well as two liftarms 2, 3, pivotably mounted on the front frame of a tractor—not illustrated.

The piston and cylinder unit 1 consists of a lifting cross shaft 1a extending transversely to the vehicle lengthwise direction L on which two pivot bearings 1b are secured by split pins 1c.

The unit 1 is pivotally mounted on the vehicle via bearings 1b. At both ends regions of the cross shaft 1a a double-armed end piece 1d is permanently attached. A lifting cylinder 4 mounted on the vehicle frame is attached to each upwardly extending arm 1e of the end piece 1d for pivoting the mounting device in a vertical sense about bearing 1b.

An arm 1f of each end piece 1d extends to the front in the vehicle lengthwise direction L and is provided with an inner attachment point 1g and, at the distance A therefrom, with an outer attachment point 1h for the associated liftarm 2, 3. The distance A in this case corresponds to the width of the end pieces 1d. Furthermore, the end pieces id are drilled with a hole running transversely to the vehicle lengthwise direction L, which seats a locking pin 5 for detachably securing the liftarms 2, 3 to the end pieces 1d.

The liftarms 2, 3 are laterally offset in the known way and at their front ends are provided 30 with coupling hooks 6, which serve to hold implements. For attachment to the end pieces 1d each liftarm 2, 3 has a drilled hole, which seats the locking pin 5 near the vehicle-side end region. Depending on whether the implement mounting device is to be used to hold apparatus of a larger category or a smaller category, the liftarms 2, 3 are attached and secured either to the inner 1h and/or the outer 1g attachment point of the end pieces 1d. For this purpose, the liftarm 2, 3 is mounted on the locking pin 5 and, by means not shown, is laterally fixed in such a manner that it can still be pivoted in a vertical plane. Extensions 2a, 3a of the liftarms 2, 3 thereby pass under the lifting shaft 1a, where under the load of an attached implement they lie against its lower side and prevent the liftarms 2, 3 from falling downwards. A further removable locking pin 7 is present, which prevents uncontrolled swaying during driving over uneven surfaces when the apparatus is in the working position, however after its removal for driving without attachments permits the liftarms 2, 3 to be pivoted upwards on the pins 5 to a non-use stored position.

For adjusting the coupling hooks 6 to a lateral distance, which corresponds to the smaller apparatus category, the liftarm 2 with the offset pointing inwards is secured in position 2′, shown in FIG. 1 to the outer attachment point 1h of the right vehicle side (viewed pointing forwardly) and the liftarm 3 with the hook offset pointing inwards is secured to the outer attachment point 1h of the left vehicle side in position 3'. Accordingly, in order to adjust the coupling hooks 6 to a lateral distance, which corresponds to the larger apparatus category the liftarms are interchanged, the liftarm 2 with the hook offset pointing outwards is secured to the inner attachment point 1g of the left vehicle side and the liftarm 3 with offset pointing outwards is secured to the inner attachment point 1g of the right vehicle side as shown in positions 2″ and 3″ in FIG. 1.

So that the coupling hooks 6, after the implement mounting device has been adjusted to one of the apparatus categories, take up the prescribed lateral distances, both the inner attachment point 1g and the outer attachment point 1h for the liftarms 2, 3 on the left vehicle side are at a distance A/2 from a first crossover plane 8 and the inner attachment point 1g and the outer attachment point 1h for the liftarms 2, 3 on the right vehicle side are at a distance A/2 from a second crossover plane 9, whereby the distance B between the crossover planes 8, 9 corresponds to the middle distance between the coupling hooks 6 for the various apparatus categories.

The distance A of the attachment points 1g, 1h and thereby the width of the end pieces 1d are dependent on the amount of the offset of the liftarms 2, 3 and are to be selected so that the coupling member 6 of the liftarm 2, 3 cooperating with the inner attachment point 1g and the coupling member 6 of the liftarm 2, 3 cooperating with the outer attachment point 1h are positioned at a distance E apart, which corresponds to a quarter of the difference of the distances D and C of the coupling hooks 6 of both apparatus categories.

On the basis of an implement mounting device, whose coupling member 6 is adjusted to the larger apparatus category at a distance D apart, in order to adjust the implement mounting device to the smaller category, whereby the coupling hooks 6 have a distance C apart, both liftarms 2, 3 are transposed, that is to say the previously right liftarm 3 is moved onto the left outer attachment point 1h and the previously left liftarm 2 is moved onto the right outer attachment point 1h. For releasing the liftarms 2, 3 to be transposed the locking pins 5 are removed at both ends and re-fitted after their position has been changed.

Claims

1. An implement mounting device for the front of a utility vehicle such as an agricultural tractor, the device having the two transversely spaced lift arms having coupling hooks at their outer ends and being connected at their inner ends to a cross shaft which is pivotally mounted on a frame of the vehicle and is rotatable vertically relative to the frame by a piston and cylinder assembly, the coupling hook of each lift arm being laterally offset relative to the inner end of the lift arm at the lateral spacing between the coupling hooks being variable for holding implement of various size categories, the lift arms being interchangeably mounted on the cross shaft so that each lift arm can be moved from a first position adjacent one end of the cross shaft in which it is mounted with its coupling hook offset axially inward of its inner end to a second position adjacent the other end of the cross shaft with its coupling hook offset axially outwardly of its inner end, thus providing two different axial distances between the coupling hooks to accommodate two different sizes of implement.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the cross shaft has axially outer and axially inner (1g) attachment points adjacent each end thereof, the lift arms being attached to the axially outer mounting points wherein their first positions and to the axially inner mounting points when in their second positions.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which the distance between the outer and inner mounting points at each end of the cross shaft is selected as a function of the amount of the off set of the hooks on the lift arms.

4. A device according to claim 2 in which that axially outer and axially inner attachment points adjacent each end of the cross shaft are provided on opposite sides of end pieces attached to the cross shaft.

5. A device according to claim 4 in which each end piece has a first arm to which the associated lift arm is connected by a locking pin, the inner end of the liftarm having an extension which bears against the underside of the cross shaft.

6. A device according to claim 5 in which each lift arm is connected with the arm of the associated end piece by a second pin which prevents pivoting of the lift arm about the first pin when the device is in use, the lift arm being pivotable about the first pin to a raised stored position.

7. A device according to claim 4 in which the piston and cylinder assembly is connected to a further arm on each end pieces.