Patent Application
20060263190
The present invention relates to improvements in the general field of construction equipment and more particularly to an improved loader tractor for use in applications requiring material handling in tight quarters and or in areas of low traction such as setting pipe or loading trucks in new or green space projects.
No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application.
Not Applicable
This invention relates to new and useful improvements in self-propelled, front loading loaders. There are many varieties of loaders available in the art. Typically, a loader rides on either tracks or tires and wheels. The wheel loader has both strengths and weaknesses.
A wheel loader is typically very mobile and is best suited for hard, dry surfaces. If a wheeled loader is operated in a soft, wet surface, for example a new construction site right after a rain, it is very likely the wheel loader will get stuck and be inoperable. If the wheel loader does not get stuck during operation, it is very likely that the ground surface under the continuous contact of the wheels will be torn-up and rutted. At the least, this increases expense and inconvenience. At its worst, poor traction and damage to the ground can halt work and or increase the stress on the ground. Furthermore, a wheel loader is inherently limited by its turning radius as to where it can be used. The larger the loader, typically the larger the frame and the larger the turning radius required. Effectively, the larger the load to be lifted, the more space that must be available so that the wheel loader can be used.
An articulating wheel loader has a lower effective turning radius than a straight frame wheel frame loader which increases it usefulness in cramped quarters. An articulating wheel loader still suffers from traction problems in soft soil conditions and still requires more room to turn around than a tracked loader which typically has an effective turning radius of zero.
A tracked loader, however, is not as mobile as a wheel loader and is not well suited for paved surfaces since the tracks may damage the hard surface, especially with the zero radius turns that may be accomplished with a track loader. The track loader is, however, well suited for soft and or wet surfaces which may, for example, be found in a construction site right after a rain.
Because of the improved traction and flotation of a tracked loader, it unlikely the tracked loader will get stuck and become inoperable as with the wheel loader. A tracked loader even though it can be used in these conditions and will not get stuck, may still do great damage to these surfaces when it is turned around. At least, this increases expense and inconvenience. At its worst, poor traction and damage to the ground can halt work and or increase the stress on the ground.
There is therefore a need in the art for a loader that is better suited to work in adverse conditions including upon wet or soft ground while also allowing access to and turning with a load in tight quarters.
The invention as disclosed herein addresses the needs of the operator and the art for a loader that is better suited to work in adverse conditions while also allowing access to and turning with a load in tight quarters. The invention as described herein is particularly suited to use in muddy or adverse field conditions. If the operator is in muddy conditions, a track loader will have better traction and flotation than a wheel loader. For example, an operator using a loader tractor to set or lay pipe will often find himself in either muddy or adverse conditions.
Because the invention as described herein allows for a cab and loader assembly that rotates, the amount of turning using the tracks is minimized. This feature reduces the amount of ground torn up by the tracks and also reduces the ruts produced. Because turning the entire machine on the tracks is not required, there is less wear and tear on the actual undercarriage and tracks of the tracked loader tractor.
Furthermore, the operator can use the invention on hard or compact surfaces. Many times a careful operator must navigate these surfaces to properly access a job. This can be accomplished if the operator does not turn the entire machine, i.e. a minimal amount of damage is done to the surface as long as the operator does not turn on the surface. Because the invention described herein includes both tracks and a rotating cab and loader assembly, hard surfaces may be accessed for load manipulation without turning on the tracks. Another advantage found with the present invention is that even in soft or adverse conditions, the disruption produced by the loader tractor tracks is less than for a tracked loader with a non-rotating cab and loader assembly.
This improvement allows the operator to turn or rotate the cab and the loader, not the whole machine. Working in tight quarters the operator may drive the tractor straight into the area via a straight ahead vector, rotate the cab and loader assembly to accomplish a lifting or loading operation and then drive the unit straight out on the same path minimizing surface disruption. Another example wherein this invention may be used is with loading trucks with dirt or rock. An operator could drive up next to the truck, turn or rotate just the cab of the loader and not the whole machine. This feature reduces time to accomplish the dumping action and is faster because there is less wasted motion and energy because the entire unit does not need to turn.
Finally, an added advantage to this invention the features it provides is that there will be less strain on the machine itself by just rotating the cab and loader and not the whole machine. The improved apparatus disclosed herein reduces the wear and tear on both the engine and the undercarriage track assembly of the loader. A cab and loader assembly in combination with track mounted undercarriage that allows for rotation of the cab and loader assembly is described herein and allows for increased traction in adverse conditions, less impact on the environment and better turning in tight conditions. It is therefore an object of the present invention to combine a track mounted undercarriage with a rotating cab and loader assembly. There has long been a need to improve earth moving equipment. Prior art devices and methods include describe various apparatus for attaching blades to buckets of front end loaders and backhoes. A thorough review of this prior art is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,967 which is incorporated herein by reference. The present art is an improvement over the cited and referenced prior art found therein.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
As shown in
The second sub-assembly is composed of the parts or elements that support the upper cab assembly 13 including the loader frame 3 upon which the loader assembly is mounted. The upper cab assembly includes the operator cab 12 which houses the main controls and protects the operator. Lights are typically mounted on the front 10 and rear 11 sides of the operator cab assembly 13, respectively. As shown in
As shown in
Another version of this embodiment is shown in
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
The present application claims priority from provisional utility patent application No. 60,680,659 filed May 13, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60680659 | May 2005 | US |
