Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6386821
-
Patent Number
6,386,821
-
Date Filed
Thursday, December 16, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 14, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Cook, Alex, McFarron, Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 414 686
- 414 680
- 414 685
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A mounting system is provided by which front end loaders of the mid-mount type are rapidly attached and detached from a tractor or other piece of motive equipment. A procedure for latching and unlatching is also provided, as well as mid-mount front end loaders having a quick attach and quick detach mounting system. A universal mounting bracket assembly is included which can be used on either the right side or the left side and can be used with a variety of front end loader models. A clamp secures together a support, a pedestal pin of the support, and the universal mounting bracket assembly in order to achieve the quick connect of the mid-mount loader onto the tractor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to front end loaders and especially to mounting systems by which front end loaders are secured to tractors or other suitable equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to front end loaders of the type which are designed to be mounted well into the length the tractor or other motive equipment. These are so-called mid-mount front end loaders, which typically mount at a location to the rear of the front wheels of the equipment. The front end loader has a latch assembly which mates with a mounting bracket assembly secured to the tractor, motive equipment or the like. Securement components are provided which attach the latch assembly and thus the front end loader to the mounting bracket assembly and thus the tractor and the like. Certain of the securement components are assigned respective storage positions when the front end loader is not in use and not secured to the tractor or the like. These attachment components quickly and easily are reoriented and used to securely attach the front end loader to the tractor or the like. This can be accomplished without requiring separate tools to work the transformation between the storage position and the working position of the loader.
Agricultural tractors and other motive type equipment are at times used to perform so-called front end loading tasks which typically involve moving or lifting bulk, heavy and/or oddly shaped items, as well as tasks such as clearing access areas, roads and the like of debris, snow or other obstacles. Typically, it is preferred to avoid having to dedicate a tractor and the like to only front end loader uses. When used herein, the terms tractor or tractor and the like are used to denote equipment which will accept and provide mobility and operability to a front end loader.
It is accordingly important that loader attachments be rapidly and readily connected and disconnected to the tractor which is to provide the operational power and transport capabilities to the front end loader. In this way, the tractor can be used for functions other than front end loading during a portion of the day (or other time period) and for front end loading tasks at other times. It is therefore beneficial for a front end loader to be easily attached and detached from the tractor, vehicle or other suitable equipment.
Loaders with quick or rapid coupling features are generally known. These devices are not always capable of withstanding heavy use and rough handling. Another disadvantage which is encountered for some of these units is the need to use separate tools during the assembly and disassembly operations, which tools are not a part of the loader system. For some prior loader systems, all components are not readily stored on the units themselves when not attached to the tractor and the like.
Front end loaders come in various different sizes and styles, often necessitating quick attachment assemblies which are especially designed in order to accommodate a particular loader make and model. This requires the manufacturing of a variety of assemblies intended for the same purpose but having different size or shape requirements. Such necessitates the manufacture of different assemblies for performing the same function but for different loader makes and models, creating inefficiencies in the use of manufacturing facilities, time, labor and materials.
Accordingly, there is a need for a front end loader mounting system which allows for a mid-mount front end loader to be attached and detached in a matter of minutes. Such an assembly should also be self-contained, very durable, and not require specific tools to effect the attachment and detachment of the loader. It also would be advantageous to have this type of loader attachment system require a minimum of parts which are specifically designed and made for a particular loader type, size or model.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a mounting system is provided for a mid-mount front end loader. The system includes a universal mounting bracket assembly for securing to a mid-mount location of a tractor or other piece of motive equipment, which universal mounting bracket assembly accepts a latch assembly of any number of a variety of front end loader models and sizes. When attached, pedestal pins from the latch assembly rest within respective pedestals of the mounting bracket assembly, and a clamp component secures the latch assembly and thus the front end loader to the universal mounting bracket assembly and thus the motive equipment. Securement components lock the clamp in place in order to maintain its clamping function so that the latch assembly and mounting bracket assembly remain firmly secured together, even during rugged operation of the front end loader.
It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide an improved mounting system for front end loaders, front end loaders employing such a system, and a procedure for rapidly and easily engaging and disengaging the front end loader from a motive piece of equipment such as a tractor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved mounting system for mid-mount front end loaders, as well as procedures for attaching and detaching the front end loaders from motive equipment, which system and procedures incorporate a universal mounting bracket assembly to thereby reduce the number of components which must be manufactured, assembled and warehoused.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved front end loader mounting system and procedure which allow for mounting and dismounting easily within reasonable manufacturing tolerances without sacrificing versatility and durability.
Another object of this invention is to provide improved mid-mount front end loader mounting system apparatus and procedure wherein a plurality of securement components are safely and securely stored on the front end loader when unattached to a tractor and are easily and conveniently transformed into working positions at which attachment is accomplished, this being achieved without requiring any devices or tools separate from the apparatus itself.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from and clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the course of this description, reference will be made to the attached drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view showing a mid-mount loader secured to a tractor;
FIG. 2
is a side elevational view of a front end loader and the mounting system in accordance with the invention, shown in a parked orientation, with a tractor being shown schematically moving toward the parked loader;
FIG. 3
is a view similar to
FIG. 2
, with the lift cylinder retracted for alignment of the loader latch assembly with the mounting bracket assembly on the tractor;
FIG. 4
is a side elevational view along the lines of
FIG. 2
, showing the loader fully installed and parking stands in their storage position;
FIG. 4A
is a plan view of a detail of a preferred component of the latch assembly;
FIG. 5
is an enlarged, detail view of the assembled attachment components as generally shown in
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the universal mounting bracket assembly according to the invention;
FIG. 7
is an exploded perspective view showing the universal mounting bracket assembly of
FIG. 6
in association with mounting kit components by which the universal mounting bracket assembly is secured to a tractor;
FIG. 8
is a perspective view illustrating a typical relationship of two as-mounted universal mounting bracket assembles in association with tractor securement brackets;
FIGS. 9
a
,
9
b
,
9
c
and
9
d
are side elevational views providing examples of tractor mounting kits for different types of tractors;
FIG. 10
is a perspective view, somewhat exploded, of a mid-mount loader frame having latch assemblies according to the invention;
FIG. 11
is a perspective view, partially exploded, particularly illustrating a preferred clamp assembly;
FIG. 12
is an enlarged, detail side elevational view showing a preferred combination of securement components mounted in storage position onto the illustrated latch assembly;
FIG. 13
is a side elevational view similar to FIG.
12
and illustrating positions of various components intermediate of the storage and working positions; and
FIG. 14
is a perspective view showing the embodiment of
FIGS. 12 and 13
, with the various components being in their respective working positions for full attachment of the loader onto the tractor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is generally illustrated in
FIG. 1
, which shows a front end loader generally designed as
21
. Also shown is a front portion of a tractor as an illustration of a suitable piece of motive equipment. A mounting system is generally shown at
23
. Loader
21
is a mid-mount front end loader having a frame assembly
24
, attachment control cylinders
25
, a bucket
26
, a bucket control cylinder
27
and parking stands
28
. It will be noted that the mounting system
23
is rearward of tractor wheels
29
.
FIG. 2
shows the front end loader
21
in its parked condition, the parking stands
28
and the bucket
26
resting upon generally level ground. An embodiment of the latch assembly is generally designated at
31
. A mounting bracket assembly is generally designated at
32
. It will be appreciated that in
FIG. 2
, the tractor is signified by wheel
29
. Included is a pedestal
33
. A second pedestal
34
also is shown. Each pedestal is positioned, sized and shaped to receive, in generally nesting fashion, pedestal pins
35
and
36
, respectively.
In
FIG. 3
, attachment control cylinder or lift cylinder
25
is shown retracted until the respective pedestal pins
35
,
36
are positioned in general horizontal and lateral alignment with and for entry into respective pedestals
33
,
34
. In this regard, a guide projection
37
is provided to facilitate proper seating of the pedestal pins within the pedestals. More particularly, the operator will move the motive equipment into the parked front end loader
21
generally and raise lower pedestal pin
35
by adjusting the bucket control cylinder
FIG. 1
) until pedestal pin
35
is engaged by the guide projection
37
. At that stage, minor adjustment of the lift cylinder
25
can be carried out, if necessary, in order to complete the nesting function.
Mounting bracket assembly
32
includes a universal mounting bracket assembly
38
, together with a tractor mounting bracket
39
. Assembly
32
can be considered to be a mounting kit which can be substantially permanently secured to a tractor or other piece of motive equipment. Even if the tractor mounting bracket
39
is specifically designed for a particular tractor, for example, the universal mounting bracket assembly
38
itself need not be modified to accommodate that particular tractor.
After the nesting of the pedestal pins into the pedestals is completed, a clamp assembly
41
is secured as described in greater detail herein. During movement of the mounting bracket assembly
32
into the latch assembly
31
, further alignment guidance is preferably provided by an internal guide plate
42
having tapered access ramps
43
opening into a receptor slot
44
, as generally shown in FIG.
4
A.
Greater detail of the latch assembly
31
and mounting bracket assembly
32
, as secured together, are found in
FIG. 5. A
first securement component
45
and a second securement component
46
are shown in place so as to lock down the latch assembly
31
onto the mounting bracket assembly
32
. The primary function of these securement components is to maintain proper placement of the clamp assembly
41
in a manner which will remain secure even during rough use typically associated with equipment and implements of this general type. For ease of operation and convenience, it is preferred that these securement components are easily stored on the front end loader itself when the front end loader is not attached to motive equipment such as a tractor. A particular embodiment is primarily shown herein, but it will understood that other specific structures are possible.
In this illustrated embodiment, the first securement component
45
is in the form of an elongated pin which is generally horizontally extending. Illustrated second securement component
46
is generally T-shaped. A generally transverse portion
47
of securement component
46
is shown to be generally parallel to the pin securement component
45
. A longitudinal portion
48
of the securement component
46
connects the transverse portion
47
to clamp member
49
when the loader is attached to the tractor.
Further details of the mounting bracket assembly
32
are provided in
FIGS. 6
,
7
,
8
,
9
a
,
9
b
,
9
c
and
9
d
. For example, in
FIG. 7
, assembly components of a typical tractor mounting bracket assembly are shown. The illustrated assembly includes a mounting rail
51
, as well as a front member
52
, a rear member
53
, a bottom member
54
and a top cap
55
. These members provide rigid, stable and secure upwardly extending mounting of the universal bracket assembly
38
, which structure is enhanced by the plurality of gussets such as those shown at
56
,
57
and
58
.
FIG. 8
shows completed construction of a pair of mounting bracket assemblies
32
,
32
a
. It will be appreciated that, in each of the mounting bracket assemblies
32
and
32
a
, the universal mounting bracket assembly
38
is identical, irrespective of whether same is positioned on the left or the right. Accordingly, during manufacture of the mounting bracket assembly, identical universal mounting bracket assemblies
38
are manufactured and assembled into any one of a number of attachment assemblies
59
,
59
a
(FIG.
8
),
61
(
FIG. 9
a
),
62
(
FIG. 9
b
),
63
(
FIG. 9
c
) or
64
(
FIG. 9
d
).
Additional details of the latch assemblies
31
and of the loader frame
24
are shown in FIG.
10
. Each latch assembly
31
is rotatably mounted to frame assembly
24
by any suitable structure, included the illustrated rod
65
received within sleeve
66
. A similar pivotal mount can be provided for the lift cylinder
25
, this mounting being generally represented in
FIG. 10
by the sleeve
67
. Certain aspects of a preferred embodiment of the first securement component
45
also are shown in FIG.
10
. Included is a so-called quick pin having a shaft
68
and a handle
69
. Also shown in this view as a component of the mounting bracket assembly is a handle wrench
71
, fashioned for reception within projecting shelf member
72
of the latch assembly. Shelf member can take the form of generally parallel projections as shown in
FIG. 10
or as a single projection, such as one which is generally C-shaped.
FIG. 11
provides specific details of a preferred embodiment of the second securement component, this being particularly efficient and cost effective to manufacture. In this illustrated embodiment, a clamp member or assembly
73
is provided with an internal or engaging surface
74
which is configured and sized so as to engage one of the pedestal pins, with the objective of clamping same between the latch assembly
31
and the mounting bracket assembly
32
. In this illustrated embodiment, clamp
73
clamps lower pedestal pin
36
up against lower pedestal
34
. By virtue of its being securely attached to both the latch assembly
31
and to the mounting bracket assembly
32
, clamp
73
secures together each of latch assembly
31
, mounting bracket assembly
32
and pedestal pin
36
.
Turning now to the specific clamp securing arrangements which are shown in this embodiment, the first securement component
45
takes the form of a so-called quick pin, composed of shaft
68
and handle
69
(FIG.
10
). When the system is in its attached or working position, shaft
68
rests within openings
75
through each support plate
76
and
77
. Shaft
68
also passes through hole
78
of the clamp
73
, two such holes being shown in FIG.
11
. As is perhaps best seen in
FIG. 14
, the handle
69
of this illustrated quick pin is positioned for engagement with one of the support plates
76
, thereby preventing passage of the shaft
68
through opening
75
. Prevention of any substantial movement of the shaft
68
out of opening
75
is preferably prevented by another component of the assembly, as discussed elsewhere herein.
Securement of the clamp
73
to the mounting bracket assembly
32
takes the form, in the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 11
, of a generally T-shaped securement component. This overall configuration allows for the longitudinal portion
48
of this securement component to remain permanently attached to the mounting bracket assembly
32
. In
FIG. 11
, this takes the form of a simple hex bolt
79
, which is secured in place in any customary or suitable manner, such as by the illustrated hex nut
81
and washer
82
.
The longitudinal portion is permanently secured to the transverse portion in any suitable or customary manner. In the embodiment which is illustrated in
FIG. 11
, the manner by which the longitudinal portion is secured to the transverse portion is an arrangement which can provide for some limited rotation of the longitudinal portion with respect to the transverse portion, to the extent such might be necessary to facilitate attachment and disattachment action. In
FIG. 11
, an eye bolt
83
is a primary component of the longitudinal portion of the second securement component
46
. Bolt
79
passes through its eye
84
, which effectively secures this longitudinal portion of the T-shaped assembly to its transverse portion. Continuing further with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 11
, an extension nut
85
, in combination with lock washer
86
, secures the clamp
73
to the mounting bracket assembly
32
.
Further details regarding the operation of the specific embodiment that is illustrated in FIG.
10
and
FIG. 11
are found in
FIGS. 12
,
13
and
14
. These figures illustrate generally the sequence of operations by which the respective locations of various components are transformed or used to move from a storage position as shown in
FIG. 12 through a
working position as shown in FIG.
14
. At the storage positions shown in
FIG. 12
, the extension nut
85
and the lock washer
86
are positioned along the handle wrench
71
which is stowed on a projecting shelf
72
. The storage position of illustrated quick pin
87
is within storage openings
88
,
89
(FIG.
14
). T-shaped securement component comprising transverse bolt
79
and longitudinal eye bolt
83
are shown at rest on the universal mounting bracket assembly
38
, which is not as yet secured to the latch assembly
31
. Clamp
73
is shown still in its storage position on the latch assembly
31
.
Reorientation of the various members from this storage position to the working position begins with removal steps. Each of the handle wrench
71
, the quick attach nut or extension nut
85
, and the lock washer
86
are removed from the projecting shelf
72
. In addition, the quick pin
87
and the clamp
73
are removed from their storage positions as shown in
FIG. 12
to their working positions as shown in FIG.
13
. More specifically, quick pin
87
is passed through opening
91
at shelf member
72
and through a clamp mounting hole
92
(
FIG. 11
) of the universal mounting bracket assembly
38
(after same had been moved into general alignment with opening
91
), thereby permitting continued passage of quick pin
87
through and into an opening (not shown) through the other plate of the latch assembly
31
, this opening being generally similar to opening
91
. This working position of the quick pin
87
is one in which quick pin handle
69
prevents further passage of the quick pin through the opening
91
. With this alignment completed, the clamp
73
readily swings over eye bolt
83
, which passes through hole
93
of the clamp
73
.
Next, as generally visible in
FIG. 13
, the lock washer
86
and extension nut
85
are installed over the eye bolt
83
. This installation is easily facilitated by use of the handle wrench
71
which readily fits through slots
94
of the extension nut, as is generally illustrated in FIG.
13
. Spacing of these holes and slots
94
along the periphery of the extension nut
85
allows the handle wrench to be inserted at multiple locations so that the operator's hand can easily clear surrounding components when loosening or tightening the extension nut
85
.
Thereafter, as evident in
FIG. 14
, the handle wrench
71
is returned to its storage position. At this location, the handle wrench
71
prevents any substantial outward movement of the quick pin
87
out of the opening
91
. If desired, appropriate measures may be taken to secure handle wrench
71
in its
FIG. 14
position, such as by having force fit engagement between the shaft of the handle wrench
71
and the installed quick pin
87
. Alternatively or additionally, threading of one or more components can be provided.
It will be appreciated that an important advantage of the present invention is that the front end loader and the latch assembly depending therefrom are not directly attached to the frame of the motive equipment or tractor. Instead, the attachment is to the mounting bracket assembly
32
. When the assembly components are clamped together, a clearance hole permits one to get the quick pin in and out. When it is desired to take the quick pin out and remove the lock, this is readily accomplished. The quick pin is, in effect, a secondary latch. One needs to pull the pin out of its working position before it is possible to have the front end loader removed from the tractor or the like.
It will be understand that the embodiments of the present invention which have been described are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A mounting system for a mid-mount front end loader, comprising:a latch assembly adapted to be secured to a frame of a front end loader for mounting the loader in mid-mount fashion to a piece of motive equipment, said latch assembly including a support, a first pedestal pin, a second pedestal pin, and a clamp component; a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be secured to a mid-mount location of a piece of motive equipment, said mounting bracket assembly including: a bracket assembly support, a first pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said first pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said first pedestal pin, and a second pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said second pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said second pedestal pin; a first securement component which attaches said support of the latch assembly to one portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; said first securement component is a pin, said bracket assembly support has a receptor hole, and said pin is within said receptor hole when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together; a second securement component which is secured to said support of the mounting bracket assembly when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together, and said second securement component attaches said support of the mounting bracket assembly to another portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; and said second securement component which is secured to said support of the mounting bracket assembly has a generally longitudinal portion which projects from said support of the mounting bracket assembly and toward which said clamp component swings and to which said clamp component is secured when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together.
- 2. A mounting system for a mid-mount front end loader, comprising:a latch assembly adapted to be secured to a frame of a front end loader for mounting the loader in mid-mount fashion to a piece of motive equipment, said latch assembly including a support, a first pedestal pin, a second pedestal pin, and a clamp component; a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be secured to a mid-mount location of a piece of motive equipment, said mounting bracket assembly including: a bracket assembly support having a receptor hole, a first pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said first pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said first pedestal pin, and a second pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said second pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said second pedestal pin; a pin which attaches said support of the latch assembly to one portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly, and said pin is within said receptor hole when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together; said pin is a quick pin having a shaft and a handle, said shaft is within said receptor hole when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together, and said handle engages said support of the latch assembly to prevent inward movement of said quick pin; and a securement component which attaches said support of the mounting bracket assembly to another portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly.
- 3. A mounting system for a mid-mount front end loader, comprising:a latch assembly adapted to be secured to a frame of a front end loader for mounting the loader in mid-mount fashion to a piece of motive equipment, said latch assembly including a support, a first pedestal pin, a second pedestal pin, and a clamp component; a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be secured to a mid-mount location of a piece of motive equipment, said mounting bracket assembly including: a bracket assembly support, a first pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said first pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said first pedestal pin, and a second pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said second pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said second pedestal pin; a first securement component which attaches said support of the latch assembly to one portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; a second securement component which attaches said support of the mounting bracket assembly to another portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; said second securement component is generally T-shaped and has a generally transverse portion which is secured to said support of the mounting bracket assembly, and said generally T-shaped component has a generally longitudinal portion which is secured to said clamp component when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together; and said generally longitudinal portion includes an eye bolt having an eye through which the generally transverse portion is positioned.
- 4. The mounting system according to claim 3, wherein said generally longitudinal portion further includes an extension nut which secures said clamp onto said generally longitudinal portion.
- 5. The mounting system according to claim 2, further including a handle wrench supported from said support of the latch assembly, and said handle wrench is positioned for engagement of said quick pin to prevent outward movement of said quick pin.
- 6. The mounting system according to claim 5, wherein said handle wrench is supported from said support of the latch assembly by a projecting shelf member having at least one hole through which said handle wrench passes.
- 7. The mounting system according to claim 1, wherein said first securement component has a storage position on said support of the mounting bracket assembly when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are not assembled together.
- 8. A mounting system for a mid-mount front end loader, comprising:a latch assembly adapted to be secured to a frame of a front end loader for mounting the loader in mid-mount fashion to a piece of motive equipment, said latch assembly including a support, a first pedestal pin, a second pedestal pin, and a clamp component; a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be secured to a mid-mount location of a piece of motive equipment, said mounting bracket assembly including: a bracket assembly support, a first pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said first pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said first pedestal pin, and a second pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said second pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said second pedestal pin; a first securement component which attaches said support of the latch assembly to one portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; a second securement component which attaches said support of the mounting bracket assembly to another portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; and said latch assembly includes an internal guide which receives and engages said bracket assembly support when said latch assembly and mounting bracket assembly are assembled together, said internal guide including a receptor slot within which said bracket assembly support is received.
- 9. The mounting system according to claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket assembly further includes a mounting assembly to be secured to the piece of motive equipment.
- 10. A front end loader for mounting to a piece of motive equipment, comprising:a front end loader frame having a working end location and an attachment end location; a bucket attached to said working end location of the frame; a latch assembly secured to said attachment end location of the frame for mounting the loader in mid-mount fashion to a piece of motive equipment, said latch assembly including a support, a first pedestal pin, a second pedestal pin, and a clamp component; a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be secured to a mid-mount location of a piece of motive equipment, said mounting bracket assembly including: a bracket assembly support, a first pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said first pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said first pedestal pin, and a second pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said second pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said second pedestal pin; a first securement component which attaches said support of the latch assembly to one portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; said first securement component is a pin, said bracket assembly support has a receptor hole, and said pin is within said receptor hole when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together; a second securement component which is secured to said support of the mounting bracket assembly when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together, and said second securement component attaches said support of the mounting bracket assembly to another portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; and said second securement component which is secured to said support of the mounting bracket assembly has a generally longitudinal portion which projects from said support of the mounting bracket assembly and toward which said clamp component swings and to which said clamp component is secured when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together.
- 11. A front end loader for mounting to a piece of motive equipment, comprising:a front end loader frame having a working end location and an attachment end location; a bucket attached to said working end location of the frame; a latch assembly secured to said attachment end location of the frame for mounting the loader in mid-mount fashion to a piece of motive equipment, said latch assembly including a support, a first pedestal pin, a second pedestal pin, and a clamp component; a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be secured to a mid-mount location of a piece of motive equipment, said mounting bracket assembly including: a bracket assembly support having a receptor hole, a first pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said first pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said first pedestal pin, and a second pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said second pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said second pedestal pin; a pin which attaches said support of the latch assembly to one portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly and said pin is within said receptor hole when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together; said pin is a quick pin having a shaft and a handle, said shaft is within said receptor hole when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together, and said handle engages said support of the latch assembly to prevent inward movement of said quick pin; and a securement component which attaches said support of the mounting bracket assembly to another portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly.
- 12. A front end loader for mounting to a piece of motive equipment, comprising:a front end loader frame having a working end location and an attachment end location; a bucket attached to said working end location of the frame; a latch assembly secured to said attachment end location of the frame for mounting the loader in mid-mount fashion to a piece of motive equipment, said latch assembly including a support, a first pedestal pin, a second pedestal pin, and a clamp component; a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be secured to a mid-mount location of a piece of motive equipment, said mounting bracket assembly including: a bracket assembly support, a first pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said first pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said first pedestal pin, and a second pedestal supported by said bracket assembly support, said second pedestal being sized and shaped to receive said second pedestal pin; a first securement component which attaches said support of the latch assembly to one portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; a second securement component which attaches said support of the mounting bracket assembly to another portion of said clamp component of the latch assembly; said second securement component is generally T-shaped and has a generally transverse portion which is secured to said support of the mounting bracket assembly, and said generally T-shaped component has a generally longitudinal portion which is secured to said clamp component when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are assembled together; and said generally longitudinal portion includes an eye bolt having an eye through which the generally transverse portion is positioned.
- 13. The front end loader according to claim 12, wherein said generally longitudinal portion further includes an extension nut which secures said clamp onto said generally longitudinal portion.
- 14. The front end loader according to claim 11, further including a handle wrench supported from said support of the latch assembly, and said handle wrench is positioned for engagement of said quick pin to prevent outward movement of said quick pin.
- 15. The front end loader according to claim 14, wherein said handle wrench is supported from said support of the latch assembly by a projecting shelf member having at least one hole through which said handle wrench passes.
- 16. The front end loader according to claim 10, wherein said first securement component has a storage position on said support of the mounting bracket assembly when said latch assembly and said mounting bracket assembly are not assembled together.
- 17. A procedure for mounting a mid-mount front end loader to a piece of motive equipment, the front end loader having a frame with a working end location and an attachment end location, a bucket attached to the working end location of the frame, and a latch assembly secured to the attachment end location of the frame, comprising:providing the latch assembly of the front end loader with a support having a first pedestal pin, a second pedestal pin and a clamp component; securing to the piece of motive equipment a mounting bracket assembly at a mid-mount location, the mounting bracket assembly including a bracket assembly support having a first pedestal and a second pedestal; effecting relative movement between the front end loader and the piece of motive equipment until said respective first and second pedestal pins locate within said respective first and second pedestals and until an opening through said support of the latch assembly is in general alignment with an opening through the mounting bracket assembly, and inserting a first securement component through these openings to thereby attach together the latch assembly and the mounting bracket assembly; engaging the clamp component of the latch assembly with a second securement component projecting from the mounting bracket assembly; and securing the clamp component to the mounting bracket assembly by means of the second securement component.
US Referenced Citations (18)