The present invention relates generally to a configuration for a loader assembly for a utility vehicle, and a method for detaching and storing the loader assembly, that allows for the loader assembly to be easily and safely detached from the utility vehicle and stored on a bucket or other implement in a cantilevered position.
Tractors are a common utility vehicle in the farming, construction and landscaping industries. The key benefit of these vehicles is their great versatility. Unlike vehicles dedicated to a specific task, a wide variety of implements and equipment can be attached to and operated by a tractor including loaders, plows, snow throwers, mowers, grappling claws, post hole diggers, forks, bale spears, trenchers, hay balers, cultivators, spreaders and graters, to name a few. In order to efficiently use this wide variety of implements and equipment with a single tractor, however, such implements and equipment must be capable of quick attachment and removal from the tractor, and safe storage when other equipment or implements are being used with the tractor. Accordingly, owners and operators of tractors are constantly seeking new and improved methods and configurations for implements that allow for their quick and safe removal, attachment and storage.
The front end loader is a common implement found on most utility tractors, and its removal, attachment and storage presents specific challenges. The front end loader includes a bucket or scoop that is attached to the end of two lift arms that extend from the front of the tractor, and hydraulic cylinders that connect to the hydraulic system of the tractor to raise and lower the lift arms and rotate the bucket. The front end loader is primarily used to lift, load and transport all types of material including dirt, rocks, feed, sand, gravel, wood and snow. The bucket may also typically be detached from the lift arms so that other implements, such as grappling claws, forks or bale spears, may be attached in place of the bucket and operated by the tractor. Alternatively, secondary implements such as chains, rope, or detachable teeth may be secured to bucket.
Although useful in many applications, it is often desirable for the operator of a tractor to remove the front end loader from the tractor. When operating an implement or equipment attached to the rear of the tractor, for example, the front end loader may reduce the maneuverability of the vehicle, add unnecessary weight to the vehicle and impair the visibility of the operator. Accordingly, an operator may frequently wish to remove the front end loader from the tractor and, later, reinstall the front end loader on the tractor. Because of the size, weight and configuration of the front end loader, this process presents significant challenges.
Unlike many types of equipment that are pulled behind the tractor, the front end loader is inherently unstable due to the long and heavy lift arms that connect at their rear end to the tractor. These arms are necessarily very heavy to provide the necessary structure and support for lifting heavy loads at the end of the front ends of the arms. The arms also include heavy duty hydraulic cylinders that also add significant weight to the arms. When removed from the tractor, the rear ends of the lift arms must be supported to prevent the front end loader from toppling over from the weight of the lift arms and cylinders, which is a significant safety issue. In addition to the safety considerations, the front end loader must be stored in a position that allows for it to be quickly reattached to the tractor.
Many configurations and methods have been developed for removing a front end loader from a tractor and storing the front end loader for later reattachment. In early removable front end loader models, a heavy duty bracket was provided at the rear of the of the lift arms that was used for both attaching the front end loader to the tractor and, upon removal, supporting the rear end of the lift arms when the front end loader was stored. These configurations added significant weight to the front end loader, were complicated to operate and typically required that the bracket be bolted to the tractor when in operation and unbolted when the front end loader was removed. Although useful for earlier tractor models, earlier front end loader configurations were difficult and complicated to remove and reattach to the tractor.
Modern tractor and front end loader configurations allow for much quicker attachment and removal of the front end loader, but the front end loader must still be supported during attachment, removal and storage. In modern configurations, the front end loader is typically installed on a heavy duty bracket assembly bolted to and extending up both sides of the tractor. The rear end of the lift arms are attached to the bracket assembly, typically by mating a tower at the rear end of the lift arms with the bracket assembly and placing heavy duty pins through the towers and brackets on each side of the tractor. To support the front end loader during attachment, removal and storage, prior art front end loader configurations have often utilized a stand that lowers from the lift arms of the front end loader.
Various configurations for stands that lower from the lift arms have been utilized. Stands have been utilized that attach to and lower from the rear of the lift arms, but, when the front loader is operated, attach to and provide support for the lift arms. A simple and common stand used on modern front end loaders is secured to the support between the lift arms when the front end loader is in operation. When the front end loader is removed and stored, the stand is lowered from its storage position and pinned or bolted in place to extend below the lift arms. In this position, the stand supports the lift arms and prevents them from toppling over when stored. When the front end loader is reattached to the tractor, the stand must by raised and secured back in its storage position.
Although common, front end loader stands suffer from many disadvantages. First, all stands add unnecessary weight to the front end loader, thereby decreasing the load that can be lifted and transported by the loader. Second, a stand may become detached from the front end loader during operation and unfold from its storage position, which can result in damage to the stand, front end loader or tractor, or worse, injury to the operator. Third, if the operator forgets to return the stand to its storage position after the front end loader is attached to the tractor, the stand and the tractor can be easily damaged when the front end loader is raised, a problem that is not uncommon when a front end loader is frequently removed and reattached to a tractor. Fourth, most stands must be manually deployed and stored, which requires the operator to dismount from the tractor to deploy the stand, and typically requires pins or other attachment devices that can be lost. Finally, due to the heavy weight of the lift arms bearing down on the stand, the stand may easily sink into soft or wet ground, making it difficult to reattach the front end loader to the tractor. Thus, although front end loader stands have been widely adopted, owners and operators have sought improved configurations and methods to provide for the removal, reattachment and storage of front end loaders that eliminate the need for a stand to support the front end loader.
Configurations that have eliminated the need for a front end loader stand are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,172,384 and 5,895,199. These configurations utilize the bucket of the front end loader as a base for storing the lift arms when the front end loader is removed from the tractor. As disclosed in these patents, the bucket is hyper-extended forward so that it is fully beneath the lift arms and the open portion of the bucket is face down on the ground. In this position, the center of gravity of the lift arms is above the bucket so that the lift arms may be removed from the tractor without the assembly toppling over and the need for a stand is eliminated. This configuration, however, requires a specialized attachment and linkage system for the bucket to attach to the lift arms, as well as hydraulic cylinders capable of rotating the bucket farther forward than in conventional front end loaders. This specialized attachment and hydraulic system can significantly increase the cost of the front end loader, and also limit the number and types of other implements that can be utilized with the lift arms.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that allows the front end loader to be quickly and simply removed from a utility tractor and safely stored in a position that allows for it to be quickly and simply reattached to the tractor.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that does not require the use of tools to attach and remove the front end loader from the tractor, or pins or other attachment devices that can be lost.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that does not add weight to the front end loader.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that utilizes existing front end loader features for a secondary use.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that does not add components to the front end loader that can be damaged, or that could damage the tractor or injure an operator.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that does not require the operator to dismount from the tractor when attaching and/or removing the front end loader.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that will not allow the front end loader to sink into soft or wet ground so that it can be easily and quickly reattached to a tractor.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that can be easily adapted to conventional front end loader configurations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that allows for the front end loader lift arms to be stored on a static object or fixed emplacement without complicated or expensive attachment mechanisms.
An additional object of the present invention is that it be adaptable for all types of front end loaders, including self-leveling front end loaders, and that it be adaptable for past, present and future models of front end loaders.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a front end loader configuration and method for attachment, removal and storage that is economical to manufacture and simple in operation and deployment.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a configuration for a front end loader, and a method for detaching and storing the front end loader, that allows for the lift arms of the front end loader to be safely and securely stored in a cantilevered position on an implement removed from the lift arms.
The front end loader and method of the present invention includes a bucket or other implement that is attached to lift arms at operational connections on the rear of the bucket when the front end loader is in use. In this operational position, the lift arms extend from the rear of the bucket. The lift arms may be removed from the rear of the bucket and secured to separate storage connections on the bucket or other implement. In this storage position, the lift arms extend over the front of the bucket or other implement in a cantilevered position so that the center of gravity of the lift arms is over the bucket or other implement. The lift arms may alternatively be secured to the interior scoop surface of the bucket and positioned such that the center of gravity is over the bucket or other implement. In the storage position, the lift arms may be safely detached from a tractor and left in the cantilevered position for storage. Alternatively, the lift arms may be secured for storage on any heavy static object or fixed emplacement in a similar manner.
A method for storing a front end loader is also disclosed herein. The front end loader is initially attached to a utility vehicle such as a tractor at the back end of the lift arms of the front end loader, with an implement, such as a bucket, attached to the front end of the lift arms. The method of the present invention is employed by detaching the front end of the lift arms from the implement. The utility vehicle is then moved to locate the lift arms over a stationary object, preferably the implement that was just removed from the lift arms. The lift arms are positioned so that the front end of the lift arms extends over a first side of the stationary object and the back end of the lift arms extends over a second side of the stationary object. Alternatively, the front end of the lift arms are connected to both an interior first side and a second side of the stationary object while the back end extends outward from the stationary object. The stationary object has one or more connectors located on its first side.
The lift arms are then lowered to interconnect the front end of the lift arms with the connectors on the first side of the stationary object. The lift arms are then lowered further to place the lift arms in contact with the first side of the stationary object. The back end of the lift arms is then detached from the utility vehicle and the vehicle is moved to leave the lift arms interconnected with the stationary object in a stable position for storage.
The present invention offers many advantages. Most notably, the front end loader may be quickly and simply removed from a utility tractor and safely stored in a position that allows for it to be quickly and simply reattached to the tractor. The configuration and method requires no tools or pins because the lift arms may be secured to the bucket or stationary object with simple hooks and pins. The weight of the lift arms secures the lift arms to the bucket without the need for additional pins or attachment mechanisms. The weight of the bucket also keeps the lift arms in a secure cantilevered position that will not tip over, beyond applicable industry standards, even with significant weight being placed at the free ends of the lift arms. This keeps the lift arms in the same position as when they were removed from the tractor, making it simple to reattach the lift arms to the tractor.
The front end loader and method of the present invention also adds no weight to the front end loader and does not require specialized linkages or hydraulic cylinders. The present invention may be easily adapted to conventional front end loaders and buckets by welding simple attachment mechanisms, such as hooks and pins, to existing front end loader lift arms, buckets and other implements. For example, the chain hooks on the upper edge of a bucket may be repurposed to interconnect and secure the vertical pins of lifting arm coupler mechanisms. The present invention is also adaptable for all types of front end loaders, including self-leveling front end loaders, all past, present and future models of front end loaders. In addition, the present invention eliminates any use of a stand to support the loader, and the potential for damage and other problems associated with the use of a stand.
When used with a quick attach mechanism for removing an implement from the lift arms, such as the quick attach mechanisms disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,665 issued to Westendorf and U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,856 issued to Westendorf, an operator can remove and store the front end loader without dismounting from the tractor, and without the aid of an additional operator or assistant. This is a significant benefit, and allows a lone operator to easily and quickly remove, store and reattach a front end loader, increasing the great versatility of a utility tractor through its use of other implements and equipment.
These and other advantages will become apparent as this specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain details unnecessary for an understanding of the present invention have been omitted. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
The present invention may be used with any type of implement lift arm assembly used with a vehicle for lifting and operating an implement. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, will be described herein for use with a front end loader. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the present invention may be used or adapted for use with any type of implement lift arm assembly. Further, although removable front end loaders are typically used with tractors, front end loaders are also used with other types of vehicles, including most notably skid steers, and the inventions disclosed herein may be used with these other types of vehicles. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the present invention is equally adaptable for use with other utility vehicles and construction machinery. Thus, the present invention is not limited to only front end loaders, nor is it limited to loaders used in connection with tractors, but is applicable to the removal and storage of any type of lift arm assembly used in connection with any type of vehicle.
The lift arms include connection towers 35 for connecting the assembly to machinery or a vehicle. The illustrated arms also include lift cylinders 40 for raising and lowering the lift arms and implement. Implement cylinders 45 are also connected to the lift arms for moving the implement relative to the lift arms. In the illustrated example, the lift arms have quick-connect connectors 50 to facilitate changing implements when the lift arms are secured to a vehicle. By keeping the lift arms cantilevered above the implement, substantially all of the arms and cylinders are kept off the ground so that the accumulation of dirt and debris on the hydraulic cylinders and moving portions of the arms is minimized when the assembly is stored. Additionally, the connection towers are kept at an elevation similar to a corresponding bracket on a vehicle to facilitate quick and easy connection of the lift arms to the vehicle.
As shown in the
As illustrated in
As seen in
In addition to the implement having multiple connectors, the lift arms may include multiple fasteners as well. As seen in
In
In
The vehicle is then disconnected form the lift arms such that the arms a positioned in a cantilevered configuration above the bucket. Finally, hydraulic lines extending between the lift arms and the vehicle may be disconnected.
The assembly may be returned to the operational configuration by performing the steps of
Although lift arms stored in a cantilevered configuration upon an implement bucket is an exemplary embodiment of the invention, other implements may also be utilized. As seen in
In the storage configuration shown in
Without the need to lower the lifting arms over the bucket, smaller loaders attached to large buckets, vehicles with lifting arms attached at a low, or lifting arms that lack a downward curvature may be utilized with the storage configuration. In facilitating the use of the storage system by more designs of loaders, the stored quick-connect coupler is located within bucket such that the amount of precipitation, dirt, and debris exposed to the coupler is reduced.
Other alterations, variations, and combinations are possible that fall within the scope of the present invention. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize other modifications that may be made that would nonetheless fall within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the apparatus and method described. Instead, the scope of the present invention should be consistent with the invention claimed below.
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Number | Date | Country |
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WO 2006100823 | Sep 2006 | WO |