Abstract: An improved pipe-moving apparatus is disclosed having a pipe-insertable elongate member which is articulated for ease of use, particularly for pipe laying near trench ends. In a preferred form, the elongate member has a series of at least two carrier members pivotably interconnected end-to-end, with the proximal end of such series of carrier members attached to the controlling mechanism, and structure supporting the carrier members in alignment when the carrier member series is suspended by its proximal end. A highly preferred embodiment accommodates the removable insertion of one or more additional carrier members in the series to extend the length of the elongate member.

Abstract: An auxiliary device to be mounted on a backhoe to allow gripping and lifting of objects. The device requires no additional power or operation control devices to function. The device is comprised of an opposing structure, along with appropriate linkages, which along with the bucket on the equipment is used as a gripping, crushing, or holding device.

Abstract: A quadflex bucket apparatus operable to grasp and lift loose piles of material. The quadflex bucket apparatus comprises a lower jaw assembly with at least one finger member pivotally secured thereto. An upper jaw assembly is pivotally secured to the middle jaw assembly. A pair of first hydraulic cylinders is pivotally secured to the lower jaw assembly and to the middle jaw assembly. A pair of second hydraulic cylinders is pivotally secured to the middle jaw assembly and to the upper jaw assembly.

Abstract: The invention enables owners of backhoes and similar equipment to use their machines either as a backhoe or as a crane with only minor modifications. The invention provides an attachment for a backhoe that takes advantage of existing hydraulic pistons on the backhoe as the lift implement for the crane.

Abstract: The posture of a front loader attached to a vechicle body is controllable by an apparatus which comprises an engaging portion provided on a control lever, an engageable member pivoted to a fixed member on the vehicle body and releasably engageable with the engaging portion when the control lever is positioned for lowering the boom of the loader and for moving the work implement of the loader for scooping, an implement sensor for detecting whether the angle between the implement and the boom is an angle which provides contact of a work implement bottom surface parallel with horizontal ground, and a release interlocking mechanism operatively connected to the sensor and to the engageable member for moving the engageable member to a released position where the member is not engageable with the engaging portion upon the sensor detecting that the work implement is at the angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing trees, bushes, and other plants for transplantation and other purposes consisting of an elongated, concave scoop mounted on a rigid frame. This apparatus may be adapted for attachment to any standard hydraulically-operated loader. Providing support to the scoop and increasing the rearward carrying capacity of the scoop are gussets which are affixed at the point at which the scoop attaches to the frame.

Abstract: An excavation bucket having a closed top and an open front and comprising two opposed sidewalls each with a flat and an outwardly extending flanged portion, which bucket digs an excavation which has a combination of a vertical wall area with an adjacent and contiguous sloped wall area. Teeth are mounted outwardly from the flanged portions of the sidewalls producing a terracing effect in the sloped sidewall area of the excavation.

Abstract: An extension arm assembly for mounting on the forward ends of the boom arms of a tractor loader is described which enables the effective length of the boom arms to be extended thereby enabling the tractor loader to raise materials to a height greater than that otherwise possible. The extension arm assembly may be quickly and easily mounted on the forward ends of the boom arms without modification thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an excavating bucket including two scoops (13) mounted movably, with respect to a frame (1), from an open terrain-engaging position to a closed position in which they enclose a certain quantity of cuttings. It comprises a central bucket body (5), integral with said frame and including at least two lateral walls (6), the scoops being arranged so that, in closed position, they come toward the central body from both directions with their lateral walls extending from the lateral walls of the central body.

Abstract: A material handling attachment such as a bucket or the like is pivotally secured to the three-point hitch assembly of the tractor. The hitch assembly is movable between a lower position and an upper position by means of standard equipment on the tractor, A mechanical linkage interconnects the bucket, hitch assembly and the tractor so that the bucket will be in a substantially level position when the hitch assembly is in its lowermost position. As the hitch assembly is moved upwardly relative to the tractor, the linkage maintains the bucket in a level position. When the hitch assembly reaches its uppermost position, the linkage causes the bucket to be moved to a dumping position. After the material in the bucket has been dumped therefrom, the three-point hitch assembly is lowered with the bucket being automatically re-set to its operative or working position.

Abstract: An earthmoving attachment to be mounted on the front end of a tractor. The attachment includes a frame secured to the tractor, arms pivoted to the frame and extending forwardly and mounting a combination bucket and blade. Hydraulic cylinders individually extend telescoping sections in the arms to effect a skewing of the blade. Another hydraulic cylinder mounting a slider adjacent one end of the blade is operable to tilt the blade or bucket. Other sets of hydraulic cylinders tip the bucket and lift the arms conventionally. Simple adjustments are operable to convert the attachment from the configuration of a front-end-loader to that of a dozer, and to skew, tilt and tip the blade and bucket in various configurations.

Abstract: A triple-purpose attachment for articulated back-hoes and the like comprises an earth-working bucket having a clamping/scarifying arm mounted to pivot in an arc about the same axis as the bucket, or about another axis passing through the bucket normal to the longitudinal axis of the dipper stick. The arc is fixed relative to the bucket. The lower end of the arm includes forward and rear teeth, and the arm is pivotably moved by hydraulic motive means to be useful by itself or in combination with the bucket in excavation, ripping, lifting, moving and turning objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the posture of the work implement of a loader comprises a boom supported by a boom pivot on a mast secured to a vehicle body and movable upward and downward by a boom cylinder, first and second arms supported by an intermediate portion of the boom and pivotally movable relative to each other, a pivotal member pivoted to the boom by the boom pivot, a first connecting member operatively connecting a point on the pivotal member away from the pivoted point thereof to the first arm, a second connecting member connecting the second arm to the work implement at the forward boom end, an engaging portion for engaging the second arm with the first arm when the implement is moved by an implement cylinder in the scooping direction approximately into a specified posture, and an interlocking member operatively connecting the pivotal member to an implement control valve for the implement cylinder so that the valve is operated in the dumping direction by the movement of the pivotal member with th

Abstract: An articulated four-wheel drive loader has a forward vertically swingable boom that is controlled by a pair of hydraulic cylinders acting between the main frame of the loader and a pair of parallel, transversely spaced boom arms that are interconnected by a transverse tube. A pair of tabs are respectively welded to the tube a short distance from the opposite ends of the tube, and the piston ends of the cylinders are respectively connected to the boom arms by a transverse pin extending through aligned bores in the tabs, eye members attached to the ends of the hydraulic cylinder piston rods, and the boom arms.

Abstract: An excavator for use in tunneling operations wherein there is minimal head room, comprising a boom mounted to a mobile carriage for rectilinear movement in a horizontal plane and angular movement in a vertical plane. A rigid arm is pivotally mounted at one end to the distal end of the boom for angular movement relative thereto and a slide is supported by the arm for rectilinear movement thereon. The backhoe is fixed to the slide and there is linkage for manipulating the backhoe.

Abstract: An improved boom-supportable device for lifting large rocks, broken concrete or asphalt pieces, and the like from the ground without particulates. The invention includes a generally upright frame member having a lower edge, a shelf-like member extending laterally from the frame lower edge to a distal end and defining substantial voids, and devices removably attaching the shelf-like member to the frame lower edge selectively in either a forward position or a rearward position. The shelf-like member preferably has a plurality of elongated parallel teeth spaced along the lower edge. The teeth are most preferably separate, each individually attached to the lower edge.

Abstract: An excavation bucket having a closed top and an open front and comprising two opposed sidewalls each with a flat and an outwardly extending flanged portion, which bucket digs an excavation which has a combination of a vertical wall area with an adjacent and contiguous sloped wall area. Teeth are mounted outwardly from the flanged portions of the sidewalls producing a terracing effect in the sloped sidewall area of the excavation.

Abstract: A device for grade leveling having a lower member with a flat bottom surface terminating in an upwardly-beveled leading edge, upright members secured above the lower member, and first and second pivot-mounts on the uprights. One of said first and second pivot-mounts defines a fixed pivot axis on the uprights and the other defines a pivot location which is variable along an arc centered around said fixed pivot axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a beach trash remover which includes a motorized vehicle having a conventional construction type shovel attached to the front thereof. An opening covered by a screen is provided in the center of shovel to allow the beach sand, containing the trash, to drop back onto the beach thereby leaving the trash within the screened opening portion of the shovel. The screen is held on a frame which is coupled to the shovel through shock absorbers and means are provided to provide a vibrating motion to the screened frame to further aid in returning the sand to the beach. A grader may be attached to the back end of the beach trash remover to cover any tire tracks or otherwise smooth the beach.

Abstract: An improved forklift linkage device of the type engageable with the forwardly-extending forklift tines. The linkage device includes a horizontal frame having a front tool-supporting portion and a rear securing portion extending rearwardly therefrom at a lower level to a rear edge. Tine-receiving channels extend forwardly from a position forward of the rear edge, and the securing portion has portions designed to interlock with the vertical standard of the forklift when the linkage device is raised on the fork.

Abstract: An excavating shovel having pivotally interconnected back and front sections and wherein the front section has a torque tube supported by bushing means on the back section and wherein the torque tube is equipped with radially extending moment arm means for pivotal actuation of the front section toward and away from the back section.

Abstract: A joint for connecting together two frame members of a machine for relative movement wherein one of the frame members has flexible portions which during assembly of the joint are flexed to enable the joint to be assembled without shims and without exceeding predetermined maximum stresses on the parts of the joint.

Abstract: A mounting step is fixed to a rear side location of a loader bucket. The step is spaced forwardly of one drive track when the bucket is in a lowered position resting on the ground and permits an operator to step to or from the top of the drive track with the aid of a grab handle on an engine enclosure.

Abstract: A mobile material handling machine includes a material handling element and an operator's control cab. A plate is pivotally attached to the material handling element in line with the operator's line of sight from the cab towards the element. The plate has first indicia on the edges thereof; second indicia on the top surface thereof; and third indicia on the bottom surface thereof. The first indicia is in line with the operator's line of sight when the material handling element is positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the operator's cab.

Abstract: A shovel dipper bail assembly including a bail having a central cylindrical portion and a lifting hitch rotatably connected to the cylindrical portion, the hitch assembly extending only slightly above the cylindrical portion and having lift cable connection means on opposite sides of the bail.

Abstract: In a material working (e.g. penetrating, loading, compacting) machine the power and machine weight needed to achieve a given performance can be reduced by making one (50) of two pivots (34, 50) at which a working implement such as a bucket 14 is supported an eccentric pivot and driving it by means of a motor (36). The circular vibration of the bucket at pivot (50) combined with arcuate vibration which results and is permitted at pivot (34) by means of link (30), causes the working portion namely bucket teeth (56), to vibrate on a closed elongate curved path 58. This improves penetration and loading performance of the bucket without requiring excessive power to generate the vibrations.

Abstract: A power loader arrangement comprises spaced-apart boom arms supported on a sub-frame assembly for connection to tractors and the like. The boom arms are connected at their forward portions by one or two cross-members to withstand the loads applied to the boom arms during use of the loader. The sub-frame assembly and the cross-member are mechanically interconnected to provide for a compact disassembled construction of a loader to facilitate manufacture and shipping thereof.

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: The bale carrier is of elongated character for three-point hitch mounting on a tractor. It is a double bale carrier and comprises a unitary elongated mainframe having a rectangular perimeter the longer sides of which are formed by a lower horizontal base bar and an upper header bar and shorter sides of which are formed by end plates lying perpendicularly to the base and header bars. An interior frame structure consists essentially of two spaced apart interior plates and X braces in cooperative relationship between the interior plates and end plates. Three-point means for hitch mounting is provided. Carried on the mainframe are two pairs of bale-supporting teeth pivotally mounted underneath the bas bar and extending perpendicularly outward. Each tooth preferably extends outward from a base bar location proximate to a plate of the mainframe.

Abstract: A stabilization system to prevent movement of tractor equipment in response to digging action of a digging bucket disposed from one end of the tractor, in which the system has a friction surface and a bracket adapted to attach the friction surface to a loader-bucket/arm unit disposed from the end of the tractor opposite the digging bucket, and the bracket includes means for disposing the surface in a horizontal, downward attitude below the loader-bucket/arm unit, to support the tractor equipment.

Abstract: To mount rotatably supporting members such as a rotary shaft to an arm body of an industrial robot arm, the former and the latter are solidly secured to each other by fastening members such as rivets after a bonding agent is applied to spaces formed between the arm body and the rotatably supporting members, whereby necessity for the stage of assembling work by the welding is eliminated, shearing forces are supported by the bonding agent and tensile forces are supported by the fastening members, so that the robot arm being high in precision and mechanical strength can be obtained.

Abstract: An earthmoving bucket for use with various types of wheel and track-type earthworking and construction machines is constructed to provide great strength and rigidity while at the same time not being unduly bulky or heavy. The bucket is further characterized by simplified manufacturability and cost advantages. Previous earthmoving buckets, which required considerable strength and durability, were quite heavy and bulky, with respect to bucket size, and required complicated, costly, and time-consuming assembly procedures. The earthmoving bucket of the present invention utilizes a pair of unitary cast lift hinge brackets which incorporates the pin bores for the lift linkage, the rack-back stops, and the bucket dump stops.

Abstract: Improvement in a bucket-equipped loading machine, particularly a so-called wheel loader, having at one end of the machine a loading bucket which is supported for raising and lowering movements by a pair of lift arms, journalled in the machine, and which is pivotally connected with the free ends of said arms and lockable in position relative thereto.

Abstract: A claw/rake tool attachment for use with a powered digging or material moving machine. The attachment is for clearing undergrowth and timber and consists of spaced parallel tines mounted onto a support means that is affixed to the work arm of a machine. The undergrowth and timer are held by the tines while unwanted material such as soil and the like passes through the space between the tines and is not carried with the undergrowth and timber being cleared.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for removing concrete or blacktop paving and curbing and loading the same for hauling. The novel apparatus is adapted to be fitted onto a standard backhoe and operated off the hydraulic system. It is comprised of a rigid immobile member secured to the inboard surface of the forward arm of the backhoe and a blade attached to the lower extremity of said forward arm. The blade is oriented in the direction of the backhoe and adapted to be pivoted by operation of the said hydraulic system so as to clamp slabs of paving between the blade and the rigid stationary member for lifting and loading.

Abstract: A pivot pin assembly is disclosed which eliminates the need for a high pre-load torque to be applied in order to fix a friction-reducing element relative to the pivot pin. The pivot pin assembly includes a pivot pin having a shoulder formed on a central cylindrical portion thereof which is received in the bores of a forked member and in the bore of an intermediate member located therebetween. The pivot pin, has a conical surface at one end and is held fast in the bore of the other forked member by a collet which also has a tapered surface. The tapered surfaces of both the pin and the collet are mateable with the surfaces of the bores in the forked members as the collet is physically bolted to the pivot pin.

Abstract: A spill sheet structure mounted to extend upwardly and forwardly from the rear wall of a loader bucket which is composed of a main single plate member with a central section that extends substantially the transverse width of the bucket and which is formed in a U-shaped configuration having front and rear spaced-apart walls with the front wall being in general continuation of the rear wall of the bucket and the rear wall of the central section extending behind the rear wall of the bucket and being formed so that its lower edge engages and is welded to the rear surface of the rear bucket wall. End sections of the main plate forming the spill sheet are at a level lower than the central section of the bucket so as to give visibility to an operator of the loader to determine whether the bucket is fully loaded.

Abstract: A bucket design is disclosed having side walls including forward leading portions which are forward of a strike plane defined by the bottom edge of the bucket and its rotation axis. The forward leading portions can contact the soil and provide a greater break out force than that available at the bottom edge. An improved wear strip design is also disclosed.

Abstract: A unitary urethane snubber is provided to snub opening and closing movements of a dipper door. The snubber has an elongated working section that is stretched to snub door closing and bent to snub door opening. A pair of integral end lugs pivotally attach the snubber to the dipper and to the door. The snubber is unstressed in an intermediate position to facilitate installation.

Abstract: An earth-working vehicle with a pair of articulated booms mounted side-by-side adjacent the forward end of a turntable in the vehicle. The booms pivot in parallel vertical planes that parallel the longitudinal axis of the turntable. An operator's station is located at the forward end of the turntable, on the opposite side of the turntable from the booms.

Abstract: A mounting frame for attaching a bucket or other implement to a three-point tractor hitch. The frame is formed by two beams connected by a plate and by front and back cross braces. Each beam is made from a single piece of steel plate bent to provide a side plate, an inclined triangular top plate and a tapered rib. The side plates are pinned to the two draft links of the hitch and the ribs are reinforced and pinned to the upper hitch arm. The beams taper from front to back and terminate in spaced apart arms which carry the bucket. A trunnion mounted hydraulic cylinder for manipulating the bucket is mounted on the back cross brace and connected at its rod end to the bucket.

Abstract: A loader vehicle boom arm assembly incorporates a pair of box section boom arms in which the top plate of each box section boom arm has a cross sectional shape such that the upper surface is provided with an arcuate surface that directs foreign objects encountering the arcuate top surface off the boom arm.

Abstract: A rod device for use as an arm of an excavator, so as to be pivotally supported by a boom and inclined relative to the boom by an actuator, including a plurality of tubular elements assembled in a telescoping manner, means for restricting relative axial movement of each two mutually telescoping tubular elements, and a means for drivingly connecting the outermost and the innermost of the plurality of telescoping tubular elements, wherein a clamshell bucket or a rock breaker is directly mounted to the tip end of the rod device so that the rod device serves both as an arm and a cable for suspending the clamshell bucket or the rock breaker.

Abstract: A load carrying structure (10) is, for example, the stick (12) of an excavator or another work element having at least three load input locations (70,72,74). In operating the excavator, for example, failure of the stick can occur owing to side, torsional, bending and columnar loading through bucket (16), boom (14), and control element connections (18,20,76) at associated load input locations. A method for making the structure (10) includes connecting top and bottom plates (22,24) and side plates (30,32) which extend outwardly to define respective load input locations (70,74). Other load input locations (72,74,144) are on a box structure (82) formed with the side and top and bottom plates (30,32; 22,24). The structure (10) has a more uniform construction, particularly without weld discontinuities, and resists input forces more effectively owing to the relationship of the load input locations to substantially overcome failures associated with such structures.

Abstract: A grapple operating mechanism (12) is attached to a vehicle (10), such as a front end loader, and includes a boom (26) rotatably attached to the vehicle (10) and a pipe and pole type grapple (11) attached to the other end of the boom (25). A boom actuating mechanism (29) is connected between the vehicle (10) and the boom (25) for moving the boom (25) relative to the vehicle (10) and a grapple actuating mechanism (33,35,36,37,38,40) is connected between the vehicle (10) and grapple to rotate the grapple (11) on the boom (25). The grapple actuating mechanism has one or more actuating cylinders (33) connected to a first set of arms (36) attached to the boom (25).

Abstract: A high-lead yarder rake is capable of clearing brush, timber, and other debris at a logging site when hauled just above the surface along a main line with a main line yarder. The rake has a generally rectangular frame having a top, a bottom, two sides, a vertical, central cross-member extending between the top and bottom, and a horizontal tine support extending between the sides. A plurality of tines are mounted on the tine support to extend downwardly to rest against the frame's bottom and to project downwardly from the bottom as teeth. Additional support members may be used to strengthen the tine support. A riser extension may be added above the top to further increase the volume which the rake may hold. A method for using the rake to clear a site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gripping device to be attached to a boom of a backhoe. The device has a rigid beam to attach to the boom. A gripping member is formed on the rigid beam and positioned to be opposed to the reciprocable member of the backhoe when the gripping device is in position on the boom. There is an anchor point on the rigid beam. A support arm extends from the anchor point to attach to the boom. The device provides a solid removable attachment to the boom, against which an object can be gripped by movement of the reciprocable member of the backhoe.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator, with a boom lower part, a boom upper part and a stick, for conversion to operation using a gripper with large ranges of action and lifting heights. A connecting piece which rigidly connects the boom upper part and the boom lower part is fastened to the boom upper part, and is formed with an eye. A hydraulic cylinder which serves to actuate the stick is swingably mounted on the eye by means of a bolt.

Abstract: A stress distributing plate member for a bucket tilting hinge bracket attached to the exterior wall of a material handling bucket.

Abstract: A sealed pivotal connection includes a bore member having a chamfered end stub shaft, a pivoting member journalled on the stub shaft and having inner and outer grease seals, and an end retainer cap attached to the stub shaft end having a recess receiving the entire chamfered end of the stub shaft to assure location of the outer grease seal on the cylindrical portion of the stub shaft.