Abstract: A clam bucket attachment designed to cooperate with the crowd and the bucket curl or crowd hydraulic cylinder of a conventional backhoe, which attachment includes a bucket support pivotally and rotatably carried by the backhoe crowd and having a cable which operates to open and close a clam bucket suspended from the bucket support. A cable boom is removably, but rigidly attached to the crowd, and includes a forward and rear sheave which receive the cable, one end of which is connected to the crowd hydraulic cylinder, and the opposite end to the clam bucket. The clam bucket is opened and closed by extending and retracting the crowd hydraulic cylinder and is raised and lowered by operation of the backhoe crowd and boom, in conventional fashion.

Abstract: A means for pivotally mounting the bellcrank of a bucket linkage between the boom arms of a loader, including pivot castings secured to each of the boom arms, a shaft extending through said pivot castings and the bellcrank, a plate secured to one end of the shaft and bolted to the adjacent pivot casting to prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the boom arms, and a second plate bolted to the other end of said shaft to limit inward axial movement of the shaft relative to the adjacent pivot casting.

Abstract: An improved clamping arm assembly for a backhoe or similar excavator includes an arm link adapted to be fixedly mounted beneath the lower surface of the dipper arm of the excavator. A clamping arm is pivotally connected with the arm link, and is movable into and out of engagement with the bucket of the excavator by a fluid actuator in order to provide a claw-like working action. The clamping arm assembly includes a pair of mounting plates respectively disposed on opposite sides of the dipper arm which are adapted to engage support pins on the arm, and a lock bolt arrangement for detachably fixing the assembly to the dipper arm of the excavator.

Abstract: A bulldozer and backhoe locking device for prevention of theft of heavy equipment having hydraulic pistons and cylinders by locking the blade or bucket against the ground by placement of an elongated sleeve pivoted together along one edge over the extended piston rod for engagement against the end of the piston and cylinder assembly and the boom of the backhoe or the blade of the bulldozer.

Abstract: A lock for holding a boom in a storage position on a boom support is disclosed herein. The lock consists of a first member or vertical pin that is carried by the boom support, a second member or locking ring that is pivoted on the boom about a horizontal axis and that has an opening for receiving the first member, and a deformable biasing element or spring interconnecting the first and second members. The second member is biased to a first position by the spring and engages the vertical pin when the boom is moved to its storage position. When the opening in the locking ring and the vertical pin are axially aligned, the spring returns the second member to the first position latching the first and second members together.

Abstract: A backhoe arrangement is described wherein overcenter forward movement of the boom and boom cylinder provides a transport configuration for the backhoe, and the backhoe operator's view of the bucket is enhanced. A swing tower is attached to the rear of the machine and serves as a support that embraces an asymmetrically mounted or offset boom assembly wherein the longitudinal axis of the boom and the longitudinal axis of the hydraulic actuator operating the boom are offset from the vertical axis of rotation of the swing tower. The boom hydraulic actuator flanks the boom in a clearance relationship that permits the boom to assume a substantially vertically directed neutral intermediate position. An offset boom and actuator improves the center of gravity of the backhoe and allows the boom actuator to be protected by the boom.

Abstract: A working machine which is intended for demolishing and excavating work comprises a chassis, an upper part carried by said chassis and arranged for rotational movement relative thereto about a vertical axis, and an arm arrangement carried by the upper part and including a jib structure which is connected at one end thereof to the upper part and the other end of which carries, via an intermediate arm, a fitting for a tool, such as an excavator bucket, a chiseling device or like tool. The jib structure and the intermediate arm are connected to the upper part and to each other respectively via pivots and can be pivoted in a vertical plane by means of first and second pressure piston-cylinder devices active between the upper part and the jib structure and between the jib structure and the intermediate arm respectively. The jib structure is divided into a first, short jib section which is pivotally connected to the upper part, and a second, longer jib section which is pivotally connected to the first jib section.

Abstract: A locking member is disclosed that is selectively operable to secure the loader boom arms in a raised position for service or repair. The locking member is pivotally connected to a boom arm for movement to an operative position between the boom arm and its respective lift cylinder where it is restrained in compression between the boom arm and lift cylinder to latch the boom arm in a raised position against collapsing movement. The locking member includes a pair of spaced apart, parallel, and aligned mounting plates, each being generally in the form of a right triangle and a generally U-shaped yoke fixed between the mounting plates and extending along opposed corresponding sides of the mounting plates for a part of their length.

Abstract: In a hydraulic dredger/excavator wherein it is desired to guide the bucket parallel to itself there is provided a control apparatus for positively controlling the necessary changes of angle between the dipper boom (4) and the bucket (5) in dependence on the change of the angle between the boom (2) and the dipper boom (4). The control apparatus has a cam disc (11) on the end of the boom (2) against which the piston rod (13) of a first control cylinder (12) arranged on the dipper boom engages under the effect of a spring (15). Both cylinder spaces or chambers of the double-acting first control cylinder (12) are connected with the corresponding cylinder spaces or chambers of a double-acting second control cylinder (16) via lines or ducts (17, 18). The second control cylinder is arranged to be parallel with the operating cylinder (10) that serves for changing the angle between the dipper boom (4) and the bucket (5).

Abstract: A linkage system is described for increasing the moment arm of the hydraulic actuator or motor used to raise the lift arm of a material handling machine as the lift arm is rotated between its lowered and its raised position. The linkage includes a generally vertically disposed connecting link and a generally V-shaped lever arm. The connecting link translates the rotation of the lift arm into a vertical displacement. The lever arm converts the vertical displacement of the connecting link to rotate the lower end of the lift arm actuator forwardly and downwardly so that its position relative to the pivot point of the left arm increases as the lift arm is rotated to its raised position. Thus, a generally greater moment arm is produced to raise the lift arm in contradistinction to the lifting linkages of the prior art where the lifting moment arm generally decreased as the lift arm was rotated upwardly.

Abstract: A bucket assembly and operating system for a conventional front end loader that increases the dump height for a given boom length. The bucket assembly includes a cradle pivotally attached to the end of a boom and a bucket rotatably supported by the cradle. Rotative movement in the cradle and bucket between rollback and dump positions is accomplished by fluid pressure operated actuators controlled by a fluid pressure control system. Sequence valves forming part of the control system are utilized to delay the application of fluid pressure to certain actuators so that sequential motion in the cradle and bucket is achieved without the necessity of additional operator controls. A bucket latching mechanism mechanically locks the bucket in its rollback position until the bucket dump sequence is initiated.

Abstract: A material handling element or bucket is formed from two sidewalls and a backwall. The backwall has one or more apertures postioned in such a manner that the operator manipulating the bucket can see a portion of the leading edge of the bucket. In one embodiment, the apertures are positioned in such a manner that the leading edge can be viewed directly or in combination with one or more mirrors. In another embodiment, the apertures are positioned in such a manner so that the operator can sight one or more of the sidewalls of the bucket using those sidewalls as a guide for positioning the leading edge of the bucket.

Abstract: A load handling vehicle includes a bucket side tilt mechanism with a supporting H-framework comprised of first and second side frame members and a cross-frame member. The side frame members are each coupled at a first end to the body of the vehicle and at a second end to the bucket, while the cross-frame member is pivoted at each end to a respective one of the side frame members so that the cross-frame member pivots during tilting of the bucket and relieves stress on the framework. A pair of dump cylinders coupled between the framework and bucket are provided for emptying the bucket. In addition, a hoist cylinder extends between the framework and the body of the vehicle, at each side of the vehicle, for raising and lowering the framework and thereby the bucket. A tilt cylinder is tandem with one of these hoist cylinders is extended and retracted to tip the framework and in turn tilt the bucket relative to horizontal as desired.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator comprising a vehicle, a boom pivotally connected at one end to the vehicle, a stick pivotally connected at one end to the other end of the boom, a bucket pivotally connected to the other end of the stick. A bucket attitude maintaining arrangement is provided to maintain a substantially fixed preselected attitude of the bucket with respect to the ground upon movement of the stick about its pivotal connection to the boom. The bucket attitude maintaining arrangement includes a lever pivotally mounted at one end to the stick and a compensating cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the stick and at the other end to the lever.

Abstract: A unique and improved loader design is disclosed incorporating straight lift arms and channeled front wheels. The front wheels define a channel or groove through which the lift arms are allowed to intercept unobstructed. The lift arms pivotally join a bucket positioned at the front of the loader with a pair of uprights positioned at the rear end of the loader. The channeled front wheels may be formed from two ordinary tires joined in tandem and separated by a spacer or by using molded, grooved, elastomeric tires. The design eliminates the highly stressed joint found in ordinary two-piece lift arm loaders. Fabrication is simplified and manufacturing costs are reduced.

Abstract: The vehicle of this invention is a skid-steer type having a pair of boom arms pivotally mounted thereon and extending forwardly therefrom. An animal carcass handling bucket is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the lift arms and is adapted to receive a pair of beef quarters or the like therein and to support the same in an upright position. The vehicle includes a propane tank at the upper rearward end thereof which has a guard extending therearound to prevent the propane tank from coming into contact with hanging meat. A rollover protection structure is also provided on the vehicle and a guard is secured to the upper end thereof for preventing the structure from coming into contact with hanging meat. The vehicle is ideally suited to handle two quarters of beef or the like at one time, transporting them from meat rails and loading them into refrigerated trailers or the like.

Abstract: A device for locking a boom to a boom support structure as used in earthworking implements is described. A lug having a camming surface is provided on the boom or on the boom support structure as the case may be. The opposite structure is provided with a pivoted arm joined to a lock pin. Motion of the boom toward the boom support structure engages the lock pin and camming surface. Continued movement boom toward the boom support structure forces the lock pin over the lug. Subsequent movement of the boom away from the boom support structure so as to separate the two is prevented by virtue of the lock pin engaging the back side of the lug. A pull cable actuated by the equipment operator disengages the lock pin from the cam thereby permitting free movement of the boom and boom support structure. A bias spring maintains the pivot arm and lock pin in one position unless the lock pin engages the camming surface of the lug.

Abstract: A hay bale handling device adapted for use in connection with an ordinary front end loader attachment of a farm tractor, and consisting of a generally forwardly directed prong, or "spear" fixed to the scoop of the loader, so that the spear can be driven into a bale by driving the tractor forwardly, and can use the usual scoop controls for lifting, transporting and depositing the bale. The structure for mounting the spear on the scoop is quickly detachable to permit normal use of the loader, and is easily adjustable to permit mounting of the spear on loader scoops of various sizes and shapes.

Abstract: An excavator with articulated arms has a self propelled truck which rotatably supports a platform. The first arm is articulated by a lateral pivot pin near a peripheral edge of the platform, its pivotal movement about the lateral pivot pin being controlled by a jack itself articulated at one end to the platform near the lateral pivot pin. The opposite end of the jack is articulated to one end of each of a pair of levers, the outer end of one lever being articulated by a common pivot to a central portion of the first arm while the outer end of the second lever is articulated to the platform near the lateral pivot pin. When the platform is substantially horizontal and the first arm is fully raised, the vertical projections of both levers lie within the platform. At the free end of the first arm is articulated one end of the second arm, an excavating member such as a bucket scoop being articulated to the opposite end of the second arm.

Abstract: The vertically swingable boom of the apparatus is articulated to present a joint that is spaced outwardly from the horizontal swinging axis of the lift cylinder for the boom. A rigid link transversely and pivotally interconnects the lift cylinder and the inner section of the boom to control articulation of the latter about the joint during swinging of the boom. Consequently, the moment between the line of action of the lift cylinder and the boom remains favorably high at all locations on the path of swinging travel of the boom and the lift cylinder can swing through an arc approaching 180.degree. during its operation of the boom.

Abstract: A variable width tool attachment for use with a vehicle is herein described as generally comprising a complete tool which is split vertically and in the direction of vehicle travel to form two half tools. The two half tools are slidably mounted for mutual relative movement in the direction normal to the direction of vehicle travel, i.e, in the direction of tool width. A hydraulic ram cylinder or the like is operable to move the two half tools to form the desired width.In one form of the invention, a horizontal cutting header is provided with a chain cutter and a chain drive having at least one moveable idler sprocket to take-up and let-out chain in the width direction whenever the width of the tool is varied.

Abstract: An apparatus for excavating or cleaning out sumps and drainage pits includes a mobile, towable chassis rotatably supporting a platform thereon. A standard extends upwardly from the platform and an elongate, rigid boom structure and guide is mounted upon the standard for upward and downward swinging movement and for forward and rearward reciprocal movement relative to the platform. A material engaging member such as a bucket is mounted to a forward end of the boom structure and has a cover therewith whereby the bucket closes and traps mud or loose materials for removal from the sump or drainage pit. An engine mounted upon the platform powers a hydraulic pump for routing fluid under pressure to motors and rams controlling operation of the platform, boom structure and material engaging member.

Abstract: A backhoe swing frame has a latch member fulcrumed to the top thereof. When the backhoe boom is in a raised transport position and the swing frame is in a centered position, the latch member may be pivoted to a lock position wherein a pin at one end thereof is received in a downwardly opening hook fixed to the backhoe boom and a block at the other end thereof is received in an upwardly opening channel at the top of the support frame for the swing frame.

Abstract: A universal lifting fork assembly, for lifting a load of product and having tine members, mounted in spaced apart location, for insertion under a load, side frame means with the tine members mounted on the frame means, and being movable to provide different spacings between the tine members, a column member extending upwardly from the frame and being extendible and rectractable to vary its length, fastening means in the column to secure the same at a predetermined adjusted length, a balance bar connected to the upper end of the column means, and extending outwardly to one side, and, adjustable hoist attachment means on the balance bar having locking means, whereby it may be locked in a predetermined adjusted position to center over a load.

Abstract: A gripping tool, particularly intended to be fitted on the jib of a crane. The tool comprises a support member and gripping jaws arranged to pivot towards and away from one another relative to said support member. By means of connecting rods 25 the gripping jaws are removably secured in pairs to the ends of two tubular shafts and are arranged to pivot jointly in opposite directions about coaxial shaft journals on the support member. Each gripping jaw is provided with a laterally directed hub sleeve having a non-round cross-sectional shape. The hub sleeves are arranged for insertion into the ends of the tubular shafts.

Abstract: A surface finishing tool for a backhoe comprising a pair of arms which are pivoted on the brackets which extend along the back of the bucket so as to depend therefrom. A scraper of approximately the width of the bracket is welded across the ends of the arms and a stop bar on the arms engages the brackets when the bucket is in its load-carrying position whereby the bucket may be pulled to drag the scraper along the surface. When in the raking or digging positions the arms merely hang down along the back of the bucket with the scraper blade free of engagement with ground.

Abstract: A releasable boom lock located between a swing tower that pivotally supports a boom consists of a latch pivoted on the swing tower and a pin located on the boom. The pin and latch are designed to automatically interlock the boom and swing tower when the boom is moved to a transport position and are separable from each other by manipulation of a tool fluid ram pivotally supported on the boom. The tool fluid ram has an extension held in a fixed position so that operation of the fluid ram, which causes it to pivot on the boom, will move the extension into engagement with the pivotable latch and release the boom from the swing tower. The extension can be released to be pivotable on the ram to allow operation of the ram without releasing the latch.

Abstract: A power shovel comprising a support unit: a stiffleg operatively connected to the support unit for pivotal movement about a stiffleg pivot axis, the stiffleg comprising a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed side beams each having an I-shaped cross-sectional configuration including upper and lower flange portions and an interconnecting web portion, a cross-piece section interconnecting the side beam sections and a web section interconnecting the web portions of the side beam sections; a handle operatively connected to the stiffleg for pivotal movement about a handle pivot axis; a dipper mounted on the handle; a crowd system operatively connected to the handle for crowding and retracting the dipper; and a hoist system for hoisting and lowering the dipper comprising at least one upper fluid actuated rod and cylinder assembly operatively connected at a lower end thereof to the stiffleg and operatively connected at an upper end thereof to the handle on one side of the handle pivot axis, at least o

Abstract: A releasable lock for locking a boom that is pivoted on a horizontal pivot axis on a frame disclosed herein. The releasable lock includes a pin or first member on the frame and a second member pivotally supported on the boom about a common pivot axis with one end of a unit fluid ram that has its opposite end connected to a material handling unit which is pivoted on the outer end of the boom. A releasable linkage includes linkage between the unit fluid ram and the second member with the linkage having a portion pivotally supported on the boom and arranged so that pivotal movement of the unit fluid ram away from the boom during actuation thereof will automatically release the lock.

Abstract: A boom assembly for a loader that is pivotally mounted on a tractor. The assembly includes a pair of boom arms which are pivotally connected at one end of the tractor. The arms are fabricated from two C-channels which are welded together. The arms have aligned inside apertures sized to accept a cross tie member which is rigidly connected to both channels.

Abstract: A truss boom attachment for mounting on a fork assembly operatively mounted on a material handling truck. The fork assembly includes a rigid upright frame which receives a pair of load carrying forks. The truss boom attachment comprises a generally longitudinally elongated rigid truss frame which has an upright rigid rear end and a front end. Detachable hooks are defined on the rear end of the truss frame for detachably securing the truss boom on the rigid fork assembly of the material handling truck. A cable assembly, including a load carrying drop block, is operatively carried on the material handling truck and the cable is guidably carried on the truss boom with the drop block passing downwardly from the front end of the truss boom so the material or load being handled by the truck can be readily moved from one location to another.

Abstract: A screening bucket characterized by a rear portion, and a front portion supported for pivotal displacement toward and away from the rear portion, a pair of hydraulic slave cylinders connected to the front portion for displacing it relative to the rear portion for establishing therebetween a closeable discharge opening, a deployable flexible screen for forming a perforated occlusion for the discharge opening comprising a web formed of a plurality of links defining a myriad of discharge openings through which contents of less than a selected screen size is discharged from the bucket, and a power driven reel for alternately taking-up and paying-out the web as the front portion of the bucket is displaced relative to the rear portion thereof.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus, including a bucket and a clamp arm mounted on the bucket, the clamp arm being movable from an operative position, where it cooperates with the operative edge of the bucket in handling material, to a storage position where it is located outside of the bucket.

Abstract: A tractor is provided with a main frame, a blade, and a C-frame which has a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart legs joined together at one end portion thereof, each leg of the C-frame has a curved portion extending upwardly and away from said leg. Each curved portion of the C-frame is pivotally mounted to the main frame of the tractor. The C-frame is operatively connected to said blade whereby forces engaging said blade are transmitted through the C-frame directly to the main frame of the tractor.

Abstract: A versatile mobile high lift loader characterized by an extendible telescopic boom carried by a longitudinally extendible transfer carriage. The transfer carriage travels on stepped fore and aft longitudinal transfer rails for greater operator visibility. The transfer rails are stepped laterally to provide for maximum width of the operator compartment and to permit the use of dual front wheels. The transfer carriage and boom extension travel on cam roller non-friction bearings for cycling demands of the fork lift transferring boom. The transfer rails include readily replaceable hardened wear surfaces on a unitized frame. The loader includes modular drive train fabrication for less expensive manufacturing cost and easier servicing. It is provided with drive line disc brakes and locking differential for easy servicing, non-power assist and positive braking with and without load. The telescoping boom includes a novel hose reel assembly for transfer of internal hosing within the boom.