MULTI-MODE MATERIAL MOVING ATTACHMENT

Abstract

A multi-mode material moving attachment for a vehicle includes a box frame enclosing a first material collection space laterally and from behind, and a working panel pivotably mounted to the box frame. The box frame includes a rear wall having a rear face directed toward the vehicle and extending laterally between opposed side plates, the side plates projecting forward from, and fixed to, the rear wall. The working panel is pivotable about a lateral pivot axis between a bucket bottom position in which the working panel encloses the first material collection space from below, and a blade position for operating the attachment in a pusher mode for pushing material along the ground surface. The attachment optionally includes a back-drag assembly fixed to the box frame and including a back-drag blade for enclosing a second material collection space when operating the attachment in a back-drag mode.

Description

FIELD

The teachings disclosed herein relate to apparatuses and methods for moving material on a ground surface, and more particularly, to multi-mode material moving attachments.

Introduction

U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,604 (Foster) discloses a snowplow attachment for mounting to the front end of a vehicle that includes both a push blade operable during forward movement of vehicle and a pull blade operable during reverse movement of the vehicle. The pull blade drops down in front of the push blade such that pushed snow can then be pulled back. The snowplow can get up close to permanent structures such as buildings and remove snow therefrom. During the push mode, the pull blade is raised to avoid interference with pushed snow. The snowplow can include side plates located on the ends of the blades for containing the snow and prevent snow from escaping out the sides, thereby increasing the volume of snow moved by the plow during one sweep. According to one embodiment, the snowplow includes a push blade assembly that is adapted to mount directly on the vehicle and a movable pull blade carried by the push blade assembly. According to another embodiment, separate push blades and pull blades are arranged at separate locations on the attachment such that the entire attachment pivots to alternatively locate one of the blades close to the ground for selecting between pushing or pulling modes.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,106,942 (Roberge) discloses a plow blade system adapted for mounting to a vehicle, the blade system having a blade orientable transversally to a longitudinal orientation of movement of the vehicle and having two opposite ends, and two side wall assemblies. Each side wall assembly has a primary sidewall portion mounted to a corresponding end of the blade, the primary sidewall portion extending longitudinally from the corresponding end in a first longitudinal working direction; a sidewall extension slidably mounted to the primary sidewall portion; and a sidewall actuator mounted between the primary sidewall portion and the sidewall extension and operable to selectively slidingly extend the sidewall extension in a second longitudinal working direction opposite to the first longitudinal working direction and retract the sidewall extension within the primary sidewall portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,327 (Osgood) discloses a pusher/bucket having a back plate with wings pivotably mounted at either end, and a drop blade pivotably mounted thereto. The drop blade can be secured in a raised position where it is superimposed over the back plate; when in the raised position, the wings can be positioned relative to the back plate to provide a wing plow. The wings can be folded parallel to the back plate, with the raised drop blade residing therebetween. When the wings are normal to the back plate, the drop blade can be secured in a lowered, horizontal position; in this position, the drop blade acts as the bottom of a loading bucket, the sides being formed by the wings and the back plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,446 (Davis) discloses a construction bucket comprising a rear wall, two side walls, a bottom plate, and two side arms. Each side arm comprises a first hydraulic cylinder, a metal tube, and an extension. The extension fits into the metal tube, and each side arm is positioned directly on top of one of the two side walls. An elongated blade that is attached to the extension of each side arm, and the first hydraulic cylinders extend and retract the extension within the metal tube, thereby causing the elongated blade to extend and retract. Two second hydraulic cylinders cause the elongated blade to be raised or lowered in relation to the front edge of the bottom plate of the construction bucket.

SUMMARY

The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teaching, but not to define any invention.

According to some aspects, a multi-mode material moving attachment for a vehicle includes: (a) a box frame including a rear wall having a rear face directed toward the vehicle and a front face opposite the rear face and extending in a lateral direction between opposed box side plates. The box side plates are fixed to the rear wall, project forward of the front face, and have respective lower edges and inboard surfaces. The inboard surfaces are directed toward each other for laterally enclosing a first material collection space forward of the front face. The attachment further includes (b) a working panel pivotably mounted to the box frame for pivoting about a lateral pivot axis. The working panel has laterally spaced apart side edges proximate the inboard surfaces of the box side plates and spaced apart front and rear edges extending laterally between the side edges. The working panel is selectively pivotable about the pivot axis between: (i) a bucket bottom position for operating the attachment in a bucket mode, and in which the side edges of the working panel are aligned with and proximate the lower edges of the box side plates, the rear edge is directed toward the rear wall, the front edge is directed away from the rear wall, and the working panel encloses the material collection space from below to form a bucket bottom wall for supporting material received in the material collection space; and (ii) a blade position for operating the attachment in a pusher mode, and in which the side edges of the working panel are inclined relative to the lower edges of the box side plates with the lower edges alignable with a ground surface to be cleared, and the working panel serves as a pusher blade for pushing material along the ground surface with the rear edge of the working panel extending between the lower edges of the box side plates to serve as a pusher blade edge for engaging the ground surface.

In some examples, when the working panel is in the bucket bottom position, the front edge is spaced forward of the pivot axis and serves as a bucket edge for the bucket mode, and the rear edge is spaced rearward of the pivot axis toward the rear wall.

In some examples, the front edge of the working panel is formed of hardened steel, and the rear edge of the working panel is formed of a polymeric material.

In some examples, the rear wall has a rear wall bottom edge extending laterally between the box side plates, and the box frame has a bottom wall segment projecting forward from the rear wall bottom edge to the rear edge of the working panel in the bucket bottom position.

In some examples, when the working panel is in the blade position, the front edge is at an elevation above the pivot axis and the rear edge is at an elevation below the pivot axis.

In some examples, the pivot axis is proximate the rear edge of the working panel and at an elevation above and proximate the lower edges of the box side plates.

In some examples, when the working panel is in the blade position, the front edge is spaced rearward of the pivot axis and adjacent the rear wall, and the rear edge is spaced forward of the pivot axis away from the rear wall.

In some examples, when in the blade position, the working panel defines a blade working face directed away from the front face, the blade working face extending upwardly and sloping rearwardly from the rear edge to the front edge to provide the first material collection space with a moldboard profile for the pusher mode.

In some examples, the attachment includes a spring-loaded trip mechanism coupled between the working panel and the box frame. The trip mechanism permits limited pivoting of the working panel from the blade position toward the bucket bottom position upon impact of the rear edge of the working panel with an obstacle on the ground surface being cleared.

In some examples, the attachment further includes at least one actuator operable independent of the trip mechanism to urge pivoting of the working panel between the bucket bottom position and the blade position.

In some examples, the at least one actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a rod slidable in a cylinder housing between a first position corresponding to the bucket bottom position and a second position corresponding to the blade position, and the rod remains in the second position during activation of the trip mechanism.

In some examples, the attachment includes (c) a back-drag assembly including a back-drag frame projecting forward from an upper end of the box frame. The back-drag frame includes a back-drag blade having a rear face directed toward and spaced apart from the box frame and enclosing a second material collection space between the rear face and the vehicle when the box frame is tilted to a back-drag position, in which the lower edges of the side plates are inclined relative to the ground surface and a back-drag blade edge of the back-drag blade engages the ground surface to back-drag material along the ground surface when the attachment is moved in a direction toward the vehicle for operating the attachment in a back-drag mode.

In some examples, the rear face of the back-drag blade extends in the lateral direction between opposed back-drag side plates. The back-drag side plates project rearward of the rear face and have inboard surfaces directed toward each other for laterally enclosing the second material collection space.

In some examples, the back-drag assembly includes a spring-loaded float mechanism coupled between the box frame and the back-drag frame. The spring-loaded float mechanism permits limited deflection of the back-drag blade away from the box frame to provide float reaction when the back-drag blade is used over irregular terrain in the back-drag mode.

In some examples, the working panel is pivotable into the blade position for operating the attachment in the back-drag mode.

In some examples, the attachment includes at least one actuator energizable for urging pivoting of the working panel between the bucket bottom position and the blade position.

In some examples, when in the bucket bottom position, a panel extension is mountable to the front edge of the working panel to form an extended working panel projecting forward of the box side plates. The extended working panel is pivotable from the bucket bottom position toward the blade position by the at least one actuator for grasping material between the panel extension and the box frame to operate the attachment in a grapple mode.

According to some aspects, a multi-mode material moving attachment for a vehicle includes: (a) a box frame enclosing a first material collection space laterally and from behind; and (b) a working panel movably mounted to the box frame and selectively movable between: (i) a bucket bottom position for operating the attachment in a bucket mode, and in which the working panel encloses the material collection space from below when the box frame is in an upright position to support material received in the material collection space, and (ii) a blade position for operating the attachment in a pusher mode, and in which the working panel encloses the material collection space from behind when the box frame is in the upright position to serve as a pusher blade for pushing material received in the material collection space along a ground surface in a direction away from the vehicle. The attachment further includes (c) a back-drag assembly projecting forward from an upper end of the box frame for operating the attachment in a back-drag mode. The back-drag assembly includes a back-drag blade spaced apart from the box frame for engagement with the ground surface through tilting of the box frame from the upright position to a back-drag position to back-drag material along the ground surface with the back-drag blade in a direction toward the vehicle.

In some examples, the attachment includes at least one actuator energizable for urging pivoting of the working panel between the bucket bottom position and the blade position

In some examples, the attachment further includes a panel extension mountable to the working panel to form an extended working panel projecting forward of the box frame in the upright position. The extended working panel pivotable from the bucket bottom position upwardly toward the blade position by the at least one actuator for grasping material between the panel extension and the box frame to operate the attachment in a grapple mode.

According to some aspects, a method of operating a multi-mode material moving attachment for a vehicle includes: (a) operating the attachment in a bucket mode for collecting material from a ground surface in a material collection space of the attachment, and during which the material collection space is bounded laterally and from behind by a box frame of the attachment and from below by a working panel of the attachment, the working panel serving as a bucket bottom wall for the bucket mode; (b) operating the material moving attachment in a pusher mode for pushing material received in the material collection space along the ground surface with the working panel in a direction away from the vehicle, and during which the material collection space is open from below and bounded from behind by the working panel, the working panel serving as a pusher blade for the pusher mode; and (c) operating the material moving attachment in a back-drag mode, in which the attachment is tilted to bring a blade of a back-drag assembly projecting forward from an upper end of the box frame into engagement with a ground surface for back-dragging the material with the blade along the ground surface in a direction toward the vehicle.

In some examples, the working panel is in a first position for the bucket mode, and in a second position spaced apart from the first position for both the pusher and back-drag modes.

In some examples, the method further includes operating the attachment in a grapple mode, in which a panel extension is mounted to the working panel and projects forward from the box frame, and in which an actuator is energized to move the working panel in a direction towards the box frame for grasping material between the panel extension and the box frame.

DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the described examples and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example multi-mode material moving attachment in an upright position, showing a working panel of the attachment in a bucket bottom position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation schematic showing the attachment of FIG. 1 mounted to an example vehicle and used in a bucket mode;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the attachment of FIG. 1, with side plate and actuator casing portions removed to show working panel and actuator details for the bucket bottom position of the working panel;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 1, but showing the working panel in a blade position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation schematic showing the attachment of FIG. 6 mounted to the vehicle and used in a pusher mode;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the attachment of FIG. 6, with side plate and actuator casing portions removed to show working panel and actuator details for the blade position of the working panel;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view like that of FIG. 8, but showing a trip mechanism activated to move the working panel toward the bucket bottom position;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the attachment of FIG. 1, but showing the attachment in a back-drag position;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation schematic showing the attachment of FIG. 10 mounted to the vehicle and used in a back-drag mode;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 1, showing a panel extension mounted to the working panel; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevation schematic showing the attachment of FIG. 13 mounted to the vehicle and used in a grapple mode.

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of apparatuses and methods of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EXAMPLES

Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed invention. No example described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an example of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors, or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Material moving attachments for vehicles (e.g. tractors, skid steers, compact loaders, etc.) play an important role in many industries, such as construction, agriculture, landscaping, waste management, etc. Various types of material moving attachments are commonly used for different tasks and requirements. Examples include a bucket for scooping, lifting, or carrying loose materials (e.g. soil, gravel, sand, debris, snow, etc.); a pusher for pushing material in a direction away from the vehicle to clear a ground surface; a back-dragger for back-dragging material along the ground surface in a direction toward the vehicle; and a grapple for gripping and lifting irregularly shaped objects (e.g. branches, logs, scrap, rocks, etc.). Typically, a different material moving attachment is used for each type of task, often requiring the purchase of multiple specialized material moving attachments, and switching between different attachments to accommodate different tasks.

Providing a single material moving attachment capable of performing multiple different tasks can be desirable from both a manufacturing and customer perspective, for example, by not requiring manufacture, purchase, and storage of a different attachment for each task, and by not requiring operators to switch between attachments for different tasks.

According to some aspects of the present teachings, a multi-mode material moving attachment usable for a plurality of different material moving tasks is disclosed. In some examples, the multi-mode material moving attachment of the present disclosure is operable in, for example, a pusher mode for pushing material along a ground surface, as well as a bucket mode for scooping or lifting the material. In some examples, the multi-mode material moving attachment is further operable in a back-drag mode for back-dragging material along the ground surface, and/or in a grapple mode for gripping and lifting irregularly shaped objects.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example multi-mode material moving attachment 100 for a vehicle 10 is shown. In the example illustrated, the attachment 100 includes a box frame 102. The box frame 102 includes a rear wall 104 having a rear face 106 directed toward the vehicle 10. In the example illustrated, the rear face 106 has a vehicle mounting structure 108 (FIG. 3) directed toward the vehicle 10 for securing the attachment 100 to the vehicle 10 (e.g. to a loader arm, mounting frame, etc.).

In the example illustrated, the rear wall 104 has a front face 110 opposite the rear face 106 and extending in a lateral direction between opposed box side plates 112. The box side plates 112 are fixed to the rear wall 104, project forward of the front face 110, and have respective lower edges 114 and inboard surfaces 116. The inboard surfaces 116 are directed toward each other for laterally enclosing a first material collection space 118 forward of the front face 110. The first material collection space 118 is enclosed from behind by the front face 110 when the box frame 102 is in an upright position (shown in FIG. 1). In the example illustrated, the box side plates 112 are immovably fixed relative to the rear wall 104.

In the example illustrated, the attachment 100 further includes a working panel 120 movably mounted to the box frame 102. In the example illustrated, the working panel 120 is selectively movable relative to the box frame 102 between a first, bucket bottom position (shown in FIG. 1) for operating the attachment 100 in a bucket mode, and a second, blade position (shown in FIG. 6) for operating the attachment 100 in a pusher mode. In the example illustrated, the working panel 120 is pivotably mounted to the box frame 102 for pivoting about a lateral first pivot axis 122 between the bucket bottom position and the blade position.

In the example illustrated, when the working panel 120 is in the bucket bottom position with the box frame 102 in the upright position, the working panel 120 encloses the material collection space 118 from below to support material 12 received in the material collection space 118. In the example illustrated, the working panel 120 has laterally spaced apart side edges 124 proximate the inboard surfaces 116 of the box side plates 112 and spaced apart front and rear edges 126, 128 (FIG. 5) extending laterally between the side edges 124. In the bucket bottom position, the side edges 124 of the working panel 120 are aligned with and proximate the lower edges 114 of the box side plates 112, the rear edge 128 (FIG. 5) is directed toward the rear wall 104, and the front edge 126 is directed away from the rear wall 104 and positioned adjacent a front of the box frame 102.

In the example illustrated, when the working panel 120 is in the bucket bottom position, the front edge 126 of the working panel 120 is spaced forward of the pivot axis 122 and serves as a bucket edge for the bucket mode. The front edge 126 of the working panel 120 is optionally formed of hardened steel, which can help reduce wear during use of the front edge 126 as the bucket edge. Referring to FIG. 5, in the example illustrated, the rear edge 128 of the working panel 120 is spaced rearward of the pivot axis 122 toward the rear wall 104. In the example illustrated, the rear wall 104 has a rear wall bottom edge 130 extending laterally between the box side plates 112. The box frame 102 has a bottom wall segment 132 projecting forward from the rear wall bottom edge 130 to the rear edge 128 of the working panel 120 in the bucket bottom position. In the example illustrated, the bottom wall segment 132 overlies the rear edge 128 of the working panel 120 in the bucket bottom position.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the working panel 120 is in the blade position with the box frame 102 in the upright position, the material collection space 118 is enclosed from behind by the working panel 120 and open from below. When in the blade position, the working panel 120 serves as a pusher blade for pushing material received in the material collection space 118 along a ground surface 14 in a direction away from the vehicle 10. In the blade position, the side edges 124 of the working panel 120 are inclined relative to the lower edges 114 of the box side plates 112, with the lower edges 114 alignable with the ground surface 14 to be cleared. In the blade position, the rear edge 128 of the working panel 120 extends between the lower edges 114 of the box side plates 112 to serve as a pusher blade edge for engaging the ground surface 14.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the example illustrated, in the blade position, the front edge 126 of the working panel 120 is at an elevation above the pivot axis 122 and the rear edge 128 is at an elevation below the pivot axis 122 to serve as the pusher blade edge. In the example illustrated, the pivot axis 122 is proximate the rear edge 128 of the working panel 120 and at an elevation above and proximate the lower edges 114 of the box side plates 112. In the example illustrated, when the working panel 120 is in the blade position, the front edge 126 is spaced rearward of the pivot axis 122 and adjacent the rear wall 104, and the rear edge 128 is spaced forward of the pivot axis 122 away from the rear wall 104. The rear edge 128 of the working panel 120 is optionally formed of a polymeric material (e.g. to help prevent damage to the ground surface being cleared). When in the blade position, the working panel 120 defines a blade working face 134 directed away from the front face 110. The blade working face 134 extends upwardly and slopes rearwardly from the rear edge 128 to the front edge 126 and cooperates with an upper portion of the front face 110 (above edge 126 of the working panel 120) that slopes forwardly to approximate the profile of a curved moldboard for the pusher mode.

In the example illustrated, the attachment 100 includes an actuator system 136 having at least one actuator assembly 138 for pivoting the working panel 120 between the bucket bottom position and the blade position. Referring to FIG. 3, in the example illustrated, the actuator system 136 includes a pair of the actuator assemblies 138, one on each side of the attachment 100 laterally outboard of the working panel 120 (and the box side plates 112, in the example illustrated).

Referring to FIG. 5, in the example illustrated, each actuator assembly 138 has at least one actuator 140 energizable to urge pivoting of the working panel 120 between the bucket bottom position and the blade position. In the example illustrated, each actuator 140 comprises a linear actuator in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 142 (a double acting hydraulic cylinder, in the example illustrated). Each hydraulic cylinder 142 comprises a cylinder housing 144 having a cap end 146 coupled to the box frame 102, and a rod 148 slidable within the cylinder housing 144. The rod 148 has a rod end 150 opposite the cap end 146 and coupled to the working panel 120 at a pivot joint spaced transversely apart from the pivot axis 122. The hydraulic cylinder 142 is energizable to slide the rod 148 between a first position (shown in FIG. 5) corresponding to the bucket bottom position and a second position (shown in FIG. 8) corresponding to the blade position. In the example illustrated, the rod 148 is extended from the cylinder housing 144 when in the first position to push the working panel 120 into the bucket bottom position. Referring to FIG. 8, when in the second position, the rod 148 is retracted into the cylinder housing 144 relative to the first position to pull the working panel 120 into the blade position.

Referring still to FIG. 8, in the example illustrated, the attachment 100 includes a spring-loaded trip mechanism 154 coupled between the working panel 120 and the box frame 102. When the working panel 120 is in the blade position, the trip mechanism 154 permits limited pivoting of the working panel 120 from the blade position toward the bucket bottom position upon impact of the rear edge 128 of the working panel 120 with an obstacle on the ground surface being cleared. In the example illustrated, the trip mechanism 154 includes at least one return spring 156. When the working panel 120 is in the blade position, the return spring 156 biases the working panel 120 toward the blade position. Referring to FIG. 9, the return spring 156 permits limited deflection of the working panel 120 from the blade position toward the bucket bottom position to accommodate impact of the rear edge 128 with the obstacle, and urges the working panel 120 back toward the blade position when the obstacle is cleared. In the example illustrated, the trip mechanism includes a pair of the return springs 156. Each return spring 156 is integrated into a respective actuator assembly 138 and coupled to a respective hydraulic cylinder 142 through a linkage assembly 158 configured to permit the rod 148 of each hydraulic cylinder 142 to remain in the second (retracted) position (corresponding to the blade position) during activation of the trip mechanism 154.

In the example illustrated, the actuators 140 are remotely operable, for example, from within a cab 16 (FIG. 2) of the vehicle 10. In the example illustrated, the actuators 140 are operable through an actuator control unit for controlling a power unit (e.g. a hydraulic and/or electrical power unit) to energize the actuators 140. In the example illustrated, the vehicle 10 comprises the actuator control unit and the power unit. Referring to FIG. 3, the attachment 100 includes one or more service connectors 152 (e.g. hydraulic and/or electrical connectors) connectable to the power unit when the attachment 100 is mounted to the vehicle 10 to facilitate remote, coordinated operation of the actuators 140 (and/or one or more other components of the attachment 100) through the actuator control unit.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the example illustrated, the box frame 102 has a pair of bucket position stop members 160 projecting laterally inwardly from respective inboard surfaces 116 of the box side plates 112 and positioned to limit pivoting of the working panel 120 to the bucket bottom position. Referring to FIG. 1, in the example illustrated, the stop members 160 are positioned forward of the pivot axis 122 and support a front of the working panel 120 in the bucket bottom position. This can help transfer lifting loads from the working panel 120 directly to the box frame 102 and isolate the actuator assemblies 138 of the lifting loads.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the example illustrated, the box frame 102 has a pair of blade position bumpers 162 projecting forward from the front face 110 adjacent respective side plates 112. Referring to FIG. 8, the working panel 120 is brought into engagement with the bumpers 162 when moved into the blade position to help reduce impact forces of the working panel 120 with the rear wall 104, and the bumpers 162 can serve as a stop for, and support the working panel 120 in, the blade position.

Referring still to FIG. 8, in the example illustrated, the attachment 100 further includes a back-drag assembly 170 for operating the attachment in a back-drag mode. In the example illustrated, the back-drag assembly 170 includes a back drag frame 172 projecting forward from an upper end of the box frame 102 (when in the upright position) to a back-drag blade 174 spaced apart from the box frame 102. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the back-drag blade 174 is for engagement with the ground surface 14 through tilting of the box frame 102 from the upright position (shown in FIG. 8) to a back-drag position (shown in FIG. 10), to back-drag material along the ground surface 14 with the back-drag blade 174 in a direction toward the vehicle 10 for operating the attachment in the back-drag mode. In the example illustrated, for the back-drag mode, the working panel 120 is positioned in the blade position to open the material collection space 118 toward the vehicle 10.

Referring to FIG. 12, in the example illustrated, the back-drag blade 174 has a rear face 176 directed toward and spaced apart from the box frame 102 and enclosing a second material collection space 178 between the rear face 176 and the vehicle when the box frame 102 is tilted to the back-drag position. In the example illustrated, the rear face 176 of the back-drag blade 174 extends in the lateral direction between opposed back-drag side plates 180. The back-drag side plates 180 project rearward of the rear face 176 and have respective inboard surfaces 182 directed toward each other for laterally enclosing the second material collection space 178. In the back-drag position, the lower edges 114 of the box side plates 112 are inclined relative to the ground surface 14, and a blade edge 184 of the back-drag blade 174 engages the ground surface to back-drag the material in the second material collection space 178 along the ground surface when the attachment 100 is moved in the direction toward the vehicle 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, in the example illustrated, the back-drag assembly 170 includes a spring-loaded float mechanism 186 coupled between the box frame 102 and the back-drag frame 172. The float mechanism 186 permits limited deflection of the back-drag blade 174 away from the box frame 102 to provide float reaction when the back-drag blade 174 is used over irregular terrain in the back-drag mode. Providing a spring-loaded float mechanism can, for example, provide for improved responsiveness relative to, for example, a hydraulic float system.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the example illustrated, the back-drag frame 172 extends between a proximal end 188 adjacent the box frame 102 and a distal end 190 spaced apart from the box frame 102 and comprising the back-drag blade 174. In the example illustrated, the back-drag frame 172 is pivotably coupled to the upper end of the box frame 102 for pivoting about a lateral second pivot axis 192 positioned between the proximal and distal ends 188, 190 of the back-drag frame 172. In the example illustrated, the float mechanism 186 comprises at least one float spring 194 coupled to the proximal end 188 of the back-drag frame 172 for biasing the back-drag frame to an initial position. The float spring 194 permits limited pivoting of the back-drag frame 172 away from the initial position to deflect the back-drag blade 174 away from the box frame 102, and urges the back-drag frame 172 back toward the initial position. Referring to FIG. 12, in the example illustrated, the float mechanism 186 includes a pair of the float springs 194, one on each side of the back-drag frame 172 (adjacent respective box side plates 112 of the box frame 102).

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, in the example illustrated, when the working panel 120 is in the bucket bottom position, a panel extension 196 is mountable to the front edge 126 of the working panel 120 to form an extended working panel 120a projecting forward of the box side plates 112. The extended working panel 120a is pivotable from the bucket bottom position toward the blade position through operation of the actuators 140 for grasping material between the panel extension 196 and the box frame 102 to operate the attachment 100 in a grapple mode. In the example illustrated, the panel extension 120a comprises a plurality of laterally spaced apart projections 198 (e.g. tines) projecting forward from the working panel 120.

In the example illustrated, the attachment 100 includes a plurality of visual markers 200 projecting upwardly and rearwardly from an upper end of the box frame 102 to act as visual indicators of the position of the rear, sides, and back-drag assembly 170 of the attachment 100. This can assist the operator in positioning the attachment 100 and determining clearance during operation (e.g. to avoid contacting or damaging structures in the operating area being cleared during a back-drag operation).

In operation, when material pushing is desired, the attachment 100 is operated in the pusher mode as shown in FIG. 7. For the pusher mode, the working panel 120 is in the blade position and the vehicle 10 is driven forward to push material 12 along the ground surface 14 with the working panel 120 in a direction away from the vehicle 10.

When back-dragging is desired (e.g. to move material adjacent a structure), the attachment 100 is operated in the back-drag mode as shown in FIG. 11. For the back-drag mode, the attachment 100 is tilted from the upright position to the back-drag position to bring the back-drag blade 174 into engagement with the ground surface 14 for back-dragging the material 12 with the back-drag blade 174 along the ground surface 14 in a direction toward the vehicle 10. The working panel 120 is in the blade position for the back-drag mode.

When scooping or lifting material is desired, the attachment 100 is operated in the bucket mode as shown in FIG. 2. For the bucket mode, the working panel 120 is in the bucket bottom position, and the material 12 is collected from the ground surface 14 in the material collection space 118 of the attachment 100.

When grasping objects is desired (e.g. long objects that may not otherwise fit in the material collection space 118), the attachment 100 is operated in the grapple mode as shown in FIG. 14. For the grapple mode, the panel extension 196 is mounted to the working panel 120, and the actuators 140 are energized to move the working panel 120 from the bucket bottom position towards the blade position for grasping material between the panel extension 196 and the box frame 102.

What has been described above is intended to be illustrative of examples of the teaching disclosed herein, without limiting the scope of patent claims granted herefrom. The scope of such claims should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A multi-mode material moving attachment for a vehicle, comprising: a) a box frame including a rear wall having a rear face directed toward the vehicle and a front face opposite the rear face and extending in a lateral direction between opposed box side plates, the box side plates fixed to the rear wall, projecting forward of the front face, and having respective lower edges and inboard surfaces, the inboard surfaces directed toward each other for laterally enclosing a first material collection space forward of the front face;b) a working panel pivotably mounted to the box frame for pivoting about a lateral pivot axis, the working panel having laterally spaced apart side edges proximate the inboard surfaces of the box side plates and spaced apart front and rear edges extending laterally between the side edges, and the working panel selectively pivotable about the pivot axis between: i) a bucket bottom position for operating the attachment in a bucket mode, and in which the side edges of the working panel are aligned with and proximate the lower edges of the box side plates, the rear edge is directed toward the rear wall, the front edge is directed away from the rear wall, and the working panel encloses the first material collection space from below to form a bucket bottom wall for supporting material received in the material collection space; andii) a blade position for operating the attachment in a pusher mode, and in which the side edges of the working panel are inclined relative to the lower edges of the box side plates, the lower edges alignable with a ground surface to be cleared, and wherein the working panel serves as a pusher blade for pushing material along the ground surface with the rear edge of the working panel extending between the lower edges of the box side plates to serve as a pusher blade edge for engaging the ground surface.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein when the working panel is in the bucket bottom position, the front edge is spaced forward of the pivot axis and serves as a bucket edge for the bucket mode, and the rear edge is spaced rearward of the pivot axis toward the rear wall.

3. The attachment of claim 2, wherein the front edge of the working panel is formed of hardened steel, and the rear edge of the working panel is formed of a polymeric material.

4. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the rear wall has a rear wall bottom edge extending laterally between the box side plates, and the box frame has a bottom wall segment projecting forward from the rear wall bottom edge to the rear edge of the working panel in the bucket bottom position.

5. The attachment of claim 1, wherein when the working panel is in the blade position, the front edge is at an elevation above the pivot axis and the rear edge is at an elevation below the pivot axis.

6. The attachment of claim 5, wherein the pivot axis is proximate the rear edge of the working panel and at an elevation above and proximate the lower edges of the box side plates.

7. The attachment of claim 5, wherein when the working panel is in the blade position, the front edge is spaced rearward of the pivot axis and adjacent the rear wall, and the rear edge is spaced forward of the pivot axis away from the rear wall.

8. The attachment of claim 7, wherein when in the blade position, the working panel defines a blade working face directed away from the front face, the blade working face extending upwardly and sloping rearwardly from the rear edge to the front edge to provide the first material collection space with a moldboard profile for the pusher mode.

9. The attachment of claim 1, further comprising a spring-loaded trip mechanism coupled between the working panel and the box frame, the trip mechanism permitting limited pivoting of the working panel from the blade position toward the bucket bottom position upon impact of the rear edge of the working panel with an obstacle on the ground surface being cleared.

10. The attachment of claim 9, further comprising at least one actuator operable independent of the trip mechanism to urge pivoting of the working panel between the bucket bottom position and the blade position.

11. The attachment of claim 10, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a rod slidable in a cylinder housing between a first position corresponding to the bucket bottom position and a second position corresponding to the blade position, and the rod remains in the second position during activation of the trip mechanism.

12. The attachment of claim 1, further comprising (c) a back-drag assembly including a back-drag frame projecting forward from an upper end of the box frame, the back-drag frame comprising a back-drag blade having a rear face directed toward and spaced apart from the box frame and enclosing a second material collection space between the rear face and the vehicle when the box frame is tilted to a back-drag position, in which the lower edges of the side plates are inclined relative to the ground surface and a back-drag blade edge of the back-drag blade engages the ground surface to back-drag material along the ground surface when the attachment is moved in a direction toward the vehicle for operating the attachment in a back-drag mode.

13. The attachment of claim 12, wherein the rear face of the back-drag blade extends in the lateral direction between opposed back-drag side plates, the back-drag side plates projecting rearward of the rear face and having inboard surfaces directed toward each other for laterally enclosing the second material collection space.

14. The attachment of claim 12, wherein the back-drag assembly includes a spring-loaded float mechanism coupled between the box frame and the back-drag frame, the spring-loaded float mechanism permitting limited deflection of the back-drag blade away from the box frame to provide float reaction when the back-drag blade is used over irregular terrain in the back-drag mode.

15. The attachment of claim 12, wherein the working panel is pivotable into the blade position for operating the attachment in the back-drag mode, and wherein the attachment further comprises at least one actuator energizable for urging pivoting of the working panel between the bucket bottom position and the blade position.

16. The attachment of claim 15, wherein when in the bucket bottom position, a panel extension is mountable to the front edge of the working panel to form an extended working panel projecting forward of the box side plates, the extended working panel pivotable from the bucket bottom position toward the blade position by the at least one actuator for grasping material between the panel extension and the box frame to operate the attachment in a grapple mode.

17. A multi-mode material moving attachment for a vehicle, comprising: a) a box frame enclosing a material collection space laterally and from behind;b) a working panel movably mounted to the box frame and selectively movable between: i) a bucket bottom position for operating the attachment in a bucket mode, and in which the working panel encloses the material collection space from below when the box frame is in an upright position to support material received in the material collection space, andii) a blade position for operating the attachment in a pusher mode, and in which the working panel encloses the material collection space from behind when the box frame is in the upright position to serve as a pusher blade for pushing material received in the material collection space along a ground surface in a direction away from the vehicle; andc) a back-drag assembly projecting forward from an upper end of the box frame for operating the attachment in a back-drag mode, the back-drag assembly comprising a back-drag blade spaced apart from the box frame for engagement with the ground surface through tilting of the box frame from the upright position to a back-drag position to back-drag material along the ground surface with the back-drag blade in a direction toward the vehicle.

18. The attachment of claim 17, further comprising at least one actuator energizable for urging pivoting of the working panel between the bucket bottom position and the blade position, and preferably further comprising a panel extension mountable to the working panel to form an extended working panel projecting forward of the box frame in the upright position, the extended working panel pivotable from the bucket bottom position upwardly toward the blade position by the at least one actuator for grasping material between the panel extension and the box frame to operate the attachment in a grapple mode.

19. A method of operating a multi-mode material moving attachment for a vehicle, comprising: a) operating the attachment in a bucket mode for collecting material from a ground surface in a material collection space of the attachment, and during which the material collection space is bounded laterally and from behind by a box frame of the attachment and from below by a working panel of the attachment, the working panel serving as a bucket bottom wall for the bucket mode;b) operating the material moving attachment in a pusher mode for pushing material received in the material collection space along the ground surface with the working panel in a direction away from the vehicle, and during which the material collection space is open from below and bounded from behind by the working panel, the working panel serving as a pusher blade for the pusher mode; andc) operating the material moving attachment in a back-drag mode, in which the attachment is tilted to bring a blade of a back-drag assembly projecting forward from an upper end of the box frame into engagement with a ground surface for back-dragging the material with the blade along the ground surface in a direction toward the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the working panel is in a first position for the bucket mode, and in a second position spaced apart from the first position for both the pusher and back-drag modes, and the method preferably further comprising: operating the attachment in a grapple mode, in which a panel extension is mounted to the working panel and projects forward from the box frame, and in which an actuator is energized to move the working panel in a direction towards the box frame for grasping material between the panel extension and the box frame.