Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle maneuverable in an underground mine includes a low profile mobile body with a forwardly extending boom. Piston cylinder assemblies extending between the boom and the mobile body are operable to both laterally and vertically pivot the boom relative to the mobile body. A bracket extends forwardly from the outer end of the boom. The bracket is releasably engageable with a bracket receiver of a multi-purpose bucket by a pair of quick release pins. The bucket includes a movable portion connected by a pivot mechanism to a carrier portion. Piston cylinder assemblies extending between the movable and carrier portions are operable to generate pivotal movement of the movable portion toward and away from the carrier portion to locate the movable portion in a preselected operating position relative to the carrier portion for conducting selected material handling operations.

Abstract: This invention is an attachment to heavy equipment blades and has a set of ripping teeth projecting downwardly from a pivoting support frame. The frame ordinarily extends downwardly from the pivotal hanger along the front of the blade, with the teeth projecting beyond the lower edge of the blade. As the vehicle, such as a bulldozer, moves forward, the teeth rip, as would teeth which were rigidly secured to the blade. However, as the vehicle moves backward, the teeth and frames swing forward in a floating motion, preventing the teeth from fracturing while allowing the blade to scrape. In a preferred embodiment, the frame includes two end members, each having an ear which curves rearwardly toward the blade. Each bracket releasably receives a forwardly projecting hanger mounted on the upper surface of the blade. The hanger and brackets contain aligned apertures through which a pin is releasably inserted to secure the frame to the blade. With gussets, the frame may be wider than the blade.

Abstract: A conventional earth moving bucket is provided with hooks and an elongated support member extending across the top edge of the bucket on which a load bearing surface of an attachment may rest so that the weight of the attachment and any associated load carried by the attachment is borne primarily by the elongated member while the hooks function to align the attachment with the elongated member and to prevent accidental release of the attachment. In a preferred form, the load bearing surfaces of the attachment comprise relatively short horizontally extending portions of fork lift elements near the upper extremities of those fork lift elements.

Abstract: An improved boom grapple assembly which enables a skidder operator to easily transform the boom grapple assembly from a grapple skidder mode of operation to a cable skidder mode of operation and back again.

Abstract: Apparatus for use on a front-end loader bucket including a telescopically-extendable clamp arm operating in conjunction with a solid link.

Abstract: A brush clearing apparatus for a bulldozer blade having a rake pivotally mounted on the blade for movement about an axis along the upper edge of the blade between an operational position in which the rake engages the bulldozing face of the blade and a retracted position above the blade, a clamp pivotally mounted on the blade for movement about the axis between a lowered position engaging the rake oppositely of the blade when the rake is in the operational position, teeth individual to the rake and to the clamp and extended in intermeshing relation adjacent to the lower edge of the blade when the clamp is in the lowered position; and a hydraulic ram mounted on the blade for moving the rake between its positions, the apparatus including an element for connecting the rake and the clamp so that raising the clamp to its upper position carries the rake into its retracted position and the blade is usable as if the apparatus were not mounted.

Abstract: This invention relates to a combined vehicle-mounted carrier and dispenser for a cylindrical hay bale of substantial size and weight. An elongated finger-support member is pivotally mounted on the bed of a pick-up truck, a tractor hitch or other vehicle. The finger support member is T-shaped to retain a plurality of movable support fingers in cantilevered relation to penetrate and engage the bale. The finger support member is pivotally attached to a base member which is mounted on the truck bed. A power winch is located on said base member having a cable connected to the free end of the central arm member of the T-shaped finger support member. Tensioning means comprising a pair of aligned leaf springs is mounted between said pivotal finger support member and said fixed base member to maintain continuous tension on the cable and thus prevent any loose unwinding or unraveling of the cable on the power winch.

Abstract: A front end loader having a vertically moveable forwardly concave implement such as a bucket or log grapple, is provided with a snow plough accessory which is readily attachable to and detachable from the implement, the accessory having a blade which can be swung from side to side.

Abstract: A material handling implement includes a frame member with coupling members for connecting a first end of the frame to a prime mover, such as by way of a standard three-point connection on a tractor. Pivotally mounted on the other end of the frame is a yoke, such that the arms of the yoke extend laterally to each side of the frame. A hook is secured to each arm on one face of the yoke for use in transporting other implements, for example a round hay bale feeder. An elongated spear is mounted on another face of the yoke for spearing and transporting materials, such as round hay bales. Hydraulic piston and cylinder means are provided for pivoting the yoke to alternately position the hooks and the spear for use.

Abstract: An extension beam is provided to convert a hydraulic excavator to a crane-type hoisting vehicle or to extend the length of a boom.

Abstract: A scraper or dozer blade mounting for earth and snow moving equipment of the type having a pair of forwardly projecting parallel boom arms and a pair of hydraulic cylinders to control positioning of a bucket or blade carried by the boom arm. The mounting consists of a cross-member adapted to be secured to the forward ends of the boom arms, and a scraper blade centrally pivoted to the cross-member. Articulated link arms extend from each hydraulic cylinder and are pivotally secured to the blade on opposite sides of the central pivot, and means for actuating the hydraulic cylinders in reverse orders thereby enabling control of the inclination of the blade with respect to the path of travel of the machine. Such a mounting assembly enables known earth and snow moving equipment to be converted to highly maneuverable earth and snow plowing equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up, carrying and depositing loads is made as an attachment for a machine such as a backhoe having an articulated boom provided with a hydraulic ram normally used to operate a digging bucket. The attachment includes co-operating frames pivotally connected together as a grapple assembly readily mountable on an outer end of the articulated boom. One frame is supported to swing about a transverse axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the boom. The other frame has an end releasably secured to the boom. The swingable frame is pivotally connected to the ram through linkage originally intended to operate the bucket and the grapple assembly is then operable by the same hydraulic controls and power units of the backhoe.

Abstract: A rubber tired self powered mine vehicle utilizing a low profile fork lift assembly for handling palletized materials underground. The fork lift assembly consists of a fork lift plate and a parallel spaced apart base plate. The base plate is attached to the front of a mining vehicle by bucket mounting hole. The position of the base plate relative to the mine vehicle may be adjustable. The upper part of the fork lift plate is attached to the upper part of the base plate by set of horizontally spaced apart pivot links. The lower part of the fork lift plate is attached to the lower part of the base plate by a set of spaced apart pitmans. The long arm of each pitman extends between the base plate and the fork lift plate, while the short arm extends upward from the connection to the base plate. The short arm of the pitmans are engaged by hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering forks which extend from the fork lift plate.

Abstract: A quick connect and disconnect device for releasably attaching an implement such as a front end loader to a tractor in which the implement includes side frame members adapted for positioning on opposite sides of the tractor. The device includes a side support bracket on each side of the tractor, a connection means having an opening and means for securing and releasing the same relative to the side support bracket, a foot portion connected with the side frame members with a second opening for alignment with the first opening of the connection member, and a pin member for extension through the aligned first and second openings.

Abstract: A set of ripping teeth secured to a bulldozer blade in either a deployed or undeployed position. The teeth project from a pair of integrally formed support frames with the upper edge of each frame terminating in respective tubular mounting sleeves. Mounting pin project from the outer ends of the mounting sleeves, and a mounting shaft extends between the inner ends of the mounting sleeves. The mounting pins and the mounting shaft are fixedly received by the mounting sleeves, and they are slidably received by spaced apart hangers which are releasably secured to the blade through blade mounted brackets. In its deployed position, the frames extend downwardly along the front of the blade with the teeth projecting beyond the lower edge thereof. As the bulldozer moves forwardly with the blade lowered, the teeth perform a ripping function in the same manner as teeth which are rigidly secured to the blade.

Abstract: A loader bucket for a front end loader has an elongated flat digging blade portion and an upwardly extending curved scoop portion. Apparatus for converting such a loader bucket into a pallet loader includes two identical tine harnesses. Each such harness includes a flat tine and a chain attached to the rear of the tine. A jam cleat is integral with the top side of an intermediate portion of the tine, and includes a cleat arm adapted to overlie a leading edge of the flat digging blade portion of the bucket when the upper surface of the tine from the intermediate portion to the rear thereof is in contact with the underside of the flat blade portion. A load binder is connected between the chain and the intermediate portion of the tine when the load binder is in elongated open position. The load binder can be closed to shorten it to firmly clamp the tine to the underside of the flat digging blade portion of the loader bucket while clamping firmly around the scoop portion thereof.

Abstract: A snow plow attachment includes a first part for engagement with a bumper of a stalled vehicle and detachably attachable to the blade of the snow plow and a rearwardly disposed second part engageable with the central portion of the blade, vertically considered, to brace the first part in its bumper-engaging position. In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment is secured to the upper portion of the plow blade and in another, the attachment is secured to both upper and lower portions thereof.

Abstract: A grader attachment for a bucket, which includes a scoop panel having a cutting edge and a pair of oppositely disposed side panels which define an interior volume, includes a bifurcated frame member, including a first leg and a second leg cooperatively defining an elongated slot therebetween receiving the cutting edge and a substantial portion of the scoop panel of the bucket. The outboard end portion of the first leg is located within the interior volume defined by the bucket. Longitudinally adjustable jackscrews frictionally engage the side panels and laterally adjustable jackscrews frictionally engage the scoop panel. A grader blade is attached to the frame member.