Abstract: A local fluid power system is provided on a attachment for a skid steer loader or other commercial work vehicle. The local fluid power system can supplement the existing hydraulic power system provided by the commercial work vehicle or skid steer loader. The local fluid power system may comprise a hydraulic reservoir and a hydraulic pump fluidically connected to the hydraulic reservoir for providing a hydraulic power source. The local fluid power system may drive a first hydraulic actuator that acts upon the work attachment tool. The attachment may include a second actuator that is not driven by the local fluid power system, but instead by the existing hydraulic system provided by the commercial work vehicle.

Abstract: Hydraulic actuators and/or other parameters on a work attachment for a skid steer loader are controlled with a wireless remote control kit. The kit includes a manual input device and transmitter mounted to the skid steer loader and a receiver on the work attachment that communicates with the transmitter. The receiver directly couples the manual input from the vehicle operator to the solenoid valves that control hydraulic flow to the hydraulic actuators on the work attachment, without processing by an electronic controller. The response of hydraulic actuators directly corresponds to the manual input provided by the vehicle's operator. The manual input device, transmitter module and the independent power source may be self-contained in a module that is attachable and detachable to skid steer loader. The module can be removed and transferred along with the attachment such that the attachment is usable with different skid steer loaders.

Abstract: A snowplow attachment for mounting to the front end of a vehicle that includes both a push blade operable during forward movement of vehicle and a pull blade operable during reverse movement of the vehicle. The pull blade drops down in front of the push blade such that pushed snow can then be pulled back. The snowplow can get up close to permanent structures such as buildings and remove snow therefrom. During the push mode, the pull blade is raised to avoid interference with pushed snow. The snowplow can include side plates located on the ends of the blades for containing the snow and prevent snow from escaping out the sides, thereby increasing the volume of snow moved by the plow during one sweep. According to one embodiment, the snowplow includes a push blade assembly that is adapted to mount directly on the vehicle and a movable pull blade carried by the push blade assembly.

Abstract: A skid-steer loader implement or bucket having a hydraulically actuated grapple component. The skid steer loader includes a hydraulic cushioning mechanism at one or both ends of the hydraulic cylinder such that the grapple component does not come to a hard stop when it impacts against the implement bucket. The cushioning mechanism comprises a fluid restriction that diminishes return fluid flow as piston nears the end of its stroke thereby slowing the movement. The skid-steer also includes a cylinder guard secured to the end of the actuation rod of the hydraulic cylinder to protect the actuation rod from damage. A widened pivot shaft is provided at the pivot structure between the grapple component and bucket implement for filling the gap therebetween and acting as a barrier to objects that would otherwise be forced therethrough.

Abstract: A rake attachment and a bucket attachment incorporating the same, the rake attachment generally comprising a plate, a plurality of apertures in the plate and a plurality of teeth. The elongate plate has a plurality of mounting holes extending therethrough and a plurality of integrally formed teeth projecting therefrom. The entire rake attachment is formed from a unitary plate of material to provide strength and durability. The rake attachment is designed to be fixed to the bucket attachment of a loader. Different bucket attachments are produced by various manufacturers and each have differently spaced apertures extending through a lower lip of the bucket. The rake attachment features a plurality of holes that can be combined into many different sets, each set corresponding with the spaced apertures of a specific manufacturer's bucket attachment. As such, one rake attachment can be used with a variety of different bucket attachments for loaders.

Abstract: A skid-steer loader implement having a hydraulically actuated grapple component that includes an implement having first and second spaced apart pivot support structures and a hydraulically actuated grapple component pivotally secured to the second pivot support structure. A hydraulically actuated cylinder has one end of the cylinder pivotally secured to the first pivot support structure of the implement and is provided with a moveable piston integrally coupled to an output actuation rod that is pivotally secured at an end remote from the piston to the grapple component. The hydraulically actuated cylinder has supply/return ports adjacent the ends of the cylinder adapted to be alternately coupled to a high pressure hydraulic fluid supply or low pressure hydraulic fluid return.

Abstract: A work attachment for a commercial work vehicle such as a skid steer loader has a unique hydraulic circuit that splits hydraulic working flow between two hydraulic functions without the need for electronic solenoids. The commercial work vehicle has hydraulic flow through two hydraulic hoses to the work attachment which can be reversed by the operator of the vehicle to provide two different hydraulic signals. During normal operation, hydraulic working output flow is directed toward a first function, such as the rotary motor of a rotary broom or rotary snow blower. To provide for the second function, the circuit includes a diversion valve that may take the form of a check valve that diverts the flow in response to one of the hydraulic signals (e.g. when flow is reversed). The diversion valve directs flow toward the second hydraulic function such as a hydraulic cylinder for positioning a portion of the attachment (e.g. to effect a selected engaging angle of a rotary broom).

Abstract: The apparatus is adapted to be attached to a self-propelled vehicle and includes a rock raking unit with a toothed rotor and a rock collector bucket connected to one end of the raking unit by double articulated pivot bars to swing between open and closed positions relative to the raking unit. Rocks are raked into the bucket during rotation of the rotor in one direction and, by reversing the rotor when the apparatus is raised to a dump position, the raking unit may be pivoted to an open position relative to the bucket. The apparatus includes an easy-to-fabricate rotor, a power-rotated brush for clearing rocks from the rotor, and a bucket with a perforated bottom.

Abstract: Rear view mirrors for a tractor are mounted on elongated arms which may be adjusted laterally to change the lateral spacing between the mirrors and the tractor, which automatically swing rearwardly or forwardly upon striking an obstruction, and which may be quickly and easily folded to and held in a compact storage position extending longitudinally of the tractor.