Abstract: A material handling bucket or the like is mounted on a high-lift mechanism which is secured to the three-point hitch assembly of a tractor. The bucket is pivotally secured to the high-lift mechanism. The high-lift mechanism includes a pair of pivotal arms which are movable between upper and lower positions by means of a hydraulic cylinder. When the pivotal arms are moved to their uppermost position, the bucket is moved above the position normally possible in conventional mechanisms and the bucket is moved to its dumping position.

Abstract: A loader bucket comprising a bucket support frame which is connected to the three-point hitch assembly located at the rear of a conventional tractor. The bucket support frame comprises a pair of side frame members which are pivotally connected to the rearward ends of the lower links arms of the hitch assembly. The frame also includes a vertically disposed post which has a bracket pivotally mounted at the upper end thereof. The forward end of the bracket is pivotally secured to the rearward end of the upper link arm of the hitch assembly. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected at one end thereof to the rearward end of the bracket and have their other ends operatively connected to a horizontally disposed shaft which is rotatably mounted on the bucket support frame.

Abstract: A tractor loader is described which has multi-adjustment mounting features provided thereon to enable the loader to be mounted on a wide variety of tractor makes and models. First and second mounting brackets are adjustably mounted at opposite sides of the tractor and are adapted to have the tower assembly of the loader selectively mounted thereon. The tower assembly includes a pair of towers having side frame members extending forwardly therefrom. The lower ends of the towers have a shoe adjustably secured thereto which is secured to the first and second mounting brackets. A slide block is selectively longitudinally mounted on each of the side frames of the tower assembly which is also adjustably secured to the first and second mounting brackets.

Abstract: A materials handling apparatus for a tractor comprising a U-shaped frame which is quickly mounted and dismounted. The frame comprises a front frame portion having a pair of side frame portions extending upwardly and rearwardly from the lower opposite sides thereof. Boom arms are pivotally secured to the upper rearward ends of the side frame portions and are raised and lowered relative thereto by hydraulic cylinders which are positioned forwardly of the front wheels of the tractor. Releasable connectors are provided between the U-shaped frame and the tractor to enable the apparatus to be quickly and easily mounted and dismounted.

Abstract: A loader device for a tractor or the like comprising a frame which is adapted to be removably secured to the tractor or the like and which includes first and second uprights with the upper ends thereof being spaced laterally outwardly from the lower ends. Boom arms are secured to the uprights and extend forwardly therefrom. Hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the uprights and to the boom arms for raising and lowering the boom arms relative to the uprights. Hydraulic cylinders are connected to the upper ends of the boom arms and extend forwardly therefrom outwardly of the boom arms. A linkage pivotally connects the lower ends of the second pair of hydraulic cylinders and a loader bucket is pivotally mounted on the forward ends of the boom arms. The linkage connecting the second pair of hydraulic cylinders is positioned outwardly of the boom arms.

Abstract: An adjustable tower for front end tractors comprising first and second tower members adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the tractors. Side frame members extend forwardly from each of the tower members and have downwardly extending cylindrical front end portions provided thereon. A length-adjustable cross member is secured to the forward ends of the side frame members and extends therebetween for connection to the forward end of a tractor. A pair of booms are secured at their rearward ends to the upper ends of the first and second tower members and are adapted to receive a materials-handling attachement thereon.

Abstract: An automatic hitch device for use on a tractor with a three-point hitch is disclosed. The device allows a tractor operator to engage or disengage a tow vehicle without leaving the tractor. Two fail-safe mechanisms are disclosed which prevent inadvertent disengagement of the tow vehicle. Structure for transmitting the towing load to the tractor drawbar is described. A hydraulic cylinder is used to operate a hitch pin. An alignment spring which helps direct the hitch pin into the tow vehicle hitch also relieves lateral force on the hydraulic cylinder. Co-operation between the fail-safe mechanisms and manual disengagement of the fail-safe mechanisms are also described.

Abstract: An auger wagon of a type used in the transport of grain wherein the wagon has a grain box with inwardly sloping sides supported on a wheel mounted frame. A vertical auger is pivotally mounted at the center of the box floor and may be pivoted into a position for dispensing grain from any side of the grain box. A rotating head chute at the top of the auger allows grain to be directed toward the interior of the box. A grain cover operated by an external handle controls the inflow of grain at the auger base. A sliding door positioned on the lower portion of one of the grain box walls allows the auger wagon to function as a gravity box with or without the auger. The auger wagon functions as a gravity flow box, an auger wagon and a mixer wagon.

Abstract: A materials handling device or tractor loader is described as well as the method of mounting the same on a tractor. The loader device comprises a U-shaped sub-frame comprising a transversely extending forward end which is received by a pocket or channel mounted on the forward end of the tractor. The sub-frame also comprises side frame members which extend upwardly and rearwardly from the transversely extending forward end. The rearward ends of the side frame members are secured to upright towers adjacent the upper end thereof. A boom assembly is secured to the upper ends of the towers and extends forwardly therefrom and has a materials handling implement mounted on the forward end thereof. A hydraulic cylinder extends between the towers and the boom assembly for pivotally moving the boom assembly relative to the sub-frame and the towers.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydraulic self-leveling of a loader bucket or the like is described wherein the loader upon which the bucket is mounted comprises a pair of spaced-apart boom arms pivotally mounted on a sub-frame attached to the tractor. The loader bucket is pivotally connected to the forward ends of the boom arms and may be pivotally moved from a level position to an extreme dump position or an extreme roll-back position by means of hydraulic cylinders extending between the loader bucket and the boom arms. A first leveling cylinder is connected to one of the boom arms and one of the sub-frame towers so that upward movement of the boom arms causes the cylinder rod of the actuator cylinder to be extended therefrom and so that downward movement of the boom arms causes the cylinder rod of the actuator cylinder to be moved inwardly into the cylinder.

Abstract: A method and means for power mounting and dismounting a materials handling apparatus on a tractor. The apparatus comprises a first U-shaped frame which is adapted to be connected adjacent the rearward end thereof to the tractor rearwardly of the forward end thereof. The forward end of the U-shaped frame is adapted to be secured to the tractor adjacent the forward end thereof. A second U-shaped frame is pivotally secured adjacent its rearward end to the first frame and has a third frame pivotally secured to the forward end thereof. In one embodiment, a dozer blade is pivotally secured about a horizontal axis to the third frame. Power cylinders are provided for: (1) raising and lowering the dozer blade; (2) angling the dozer blade in two directions; and (3) raising one end of the dozer blade with respect to the other end.

Abstract: A quick attach apparatus for end loaders or the like such as tractor loaders or the like. The tractor loader includes a pair of booms operatively pivotally secured at one end thereof to the tractor. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively pivotally secured to each of the booms and is positioned over the other end thereof. A hook-up bracket is pivotally secured to the said other end of each boom and the hydraulic cylinder and includes a channel-shaped portion extending forwardly therefrom. Each of the various attachments for the loader such as buckets, forks, blades, etc. have a pair of channel-shaped pockets secured to the rearward end thereof which are adapted to receive a hook-up bracket therein. A locking apparatus is provided on each of the brackets to detachably maintain the hook-up brackets in their respective pockets.

Abstract: A loader device is described for use on a tractor which has a substantially horizontally disposed tubular member extending laterally from each side thereof adjacent the forward end thereof. The tractor is also provided with a connector element provided at each side thereof rearwardly of the forward end thereof. The loader device comprises a sub-frame having longitudinally extending side frame member. A boom structure is pivotally connected to a tower secured to the side frame members and has a material handling implement connected to the forward end thereof. Each of the side frame members has a forwardly extending slot formed therein adapted to receive the laterally extending tubular members therein at times. A lock element is pivotally secured to each of the side frame members and locks the tubular member in the slot when in its locked position.