Abstract: A tube clamp includes a cylindrical resilient plastic body containing an axial mounting hole and having four tube receptacles arranged with a first pair on one side of the axis and with a second pair being respectively located in diametrically opposite locations from the first pair. Each receptacle includes an entryway leading to a tube-receiving portion defined by a cylindrical wall sized for snugly receiving a given tube and into which the tube may be snap-fit and retained without the use of fasteners. When shipping a tube bundle for use on equipment provided with hydraulic cylinders, as many clamps are used along the length of the bundle as are necessary to keep the tubes separated one from another, these same clamps being used to mount the clamps to structure of the equipment by inserting mounting bolts through the clamp mounting holes.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted loader includes a yoke member having legs joined by a bight member that carries a latch that is L-shaped in cross section and is pivotally mounted for movement between a closed position, wherein a first leg of the latch extends generally horizontally above and is engaged with a front-end weight bracket of the tractor carrying the loader, and an open position wherein the first leg is located in a generally upright position forwardly of the bracket. A control rod extends along one of the legs of the yoke member and has its forward end connected to the latch so that rearward and forward shifting of the rod respectively moves the latch to and from its closed position.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted loader has a quick coupler mounted to forward ends of the boom arms thereof. The quick coupler includes a pair of attachment holders having their lower ends respectively pivotally connected to the pair of arms and selectively pivotable by a pair of attachment tilt cylinders. An attachment in the form of a bucket includes a pair of connecting brackets including pins engageable by recesses in the upper ends of the holders and receptacles for receiving coupler elements carried by the holders. A pair of latch mechanisms are respectively carried by the pair of brackets and include spring-loaded latch pins which normally assume a latch position blocking passage of the coupler elements to or from the receptacles but which include ramp surfaces that cooperate with ramp surfaces of the coupler elements to cause the pins to be automatically moved from their latch positions to permit passage of the coupler elements into the receptacles during mounting of the attachment to the attachment holders.

Abstract: A loader mounting arrangement includes a pair of mounting frames secured to the opposite sides of the tractor frame for receiving the lower ends of the loader mast posts. Each bracket includes a transversely extending pin for receiving a C-shaped forwardly opening front portion of the mast post. The rear of the mounting frame opens upwardly to guide the aft portion of the mast post end as the mast post is rocked downwardly about the axis of the rod. Projecting pin-receiving bushings in the aft portion of the mast post end are received within mating upwardly opening pockets in the mounting frame. The bushings are positively forced into the pockets by operating the boom lift cylinders with the loader attachment on the ground to assure alignment of the mast post end and the bracket. With the bushings forced downwardly into the fully seated position within the pockets, hole in the bracket are aligned with the bushing bores, and a locking pin is easily inserted to secure the mast post to the tractor.

Abstract: Quick coupling structure which is selectively connectible to a loader attachment and includes a spring-loaded latching pin located on the attachment and easily viewed from the operator station. A pin-contacting member located on the loader boom arm automatically releases the pin allowing it to move to a locking position as the attachment is rocked about a pivotal axis by an attachment cylinder. An alternate interchangeable coupling structure is provided which may be utilized on the attachment when a quick coupler is not needed, and the pivot points for the attachment remain the same with either the quick coupler or the alternate coupling attached. An attachment holder utilized with the quick coupler may be eliminated when the alternate coupling structure is connected to the attachment.

Abstract: A quick attachment holder for connecting an attachment to the boom arms of a loader includes right-hand and left-hand end portions connected by a semi-rigid cross tube, without additional structural cross members. A pin connection of the holder end portions to the tube causes the left- and right-hand end portions to generally move together while permitting several degrees of relative rotational movement between end portions to aid in the reconnection of the attachment even when there is slight misalignment between the holder and the attachment. The cross tube is located on the pivot center of the holder so that only torque loads are applied to the tube. The pin connection will shear if the tube is accidentally over-torqued, and individual components of the holder are replaceable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quickly mounting a loader on a tractor which eliminates need for loose connecting pins or bolts and tools. A pair of slotted brackets include sliding wedge blocks which automatically secure the mast post pins in position during mounting. The mast post pins are moved into the slots, and then the forward portion of the loader frame is rotated upwardly about the axis of the pins to engage forward mounting structure. The tractor is then driven forward to slide the mast post pins into the respective slotted brackets. Thereafter, the boom cylinders are actuated to rock the loader frame about the forward mounting structure and move the mast post pins into vertically disposed portions of the slots and to permit the wedge blocks to slide into their latching positions. A handle operated cam arrangement moves the block away from the slot portion for dismounting the loader.