Abstract: A scraper blade assembly having a moldboard combined with a plurality of surface engaging assemblies. Each surface engaging assembly includes a cutting-edge section configured to contact the ground during operation and a linkage assembly configured to allow the surface engaging assembly to move between its various positions. Each surface engaging assembly is movable around a pivot axis between an operational position and a tripped position wherein obstacles are allowed to pass underneath the cutting-edge section. In addition, each cutting-edge section is linearly movable between an extended position and a retracted position wherein the cutting-edge section floats linearly (generally upward) to contour to the ground. The linkage assembly is operatively combined with a biasing member. The biasing member urges the surface engaging assembly toward the operational position and the cutting-edge section toward the extended position.

Abstract: A mechanical grapple attachment configured to be combined with a prime mover vehicle. The mechanical grapple attachment comprises a grapple assembly having a first tine pivotally combined with a second tine. As the prime mover's arms are tilted forward, the first tine moves toward the second tine. The second tine pivots in the same direction until it contacts the arm of the prime mover vehicle and is prevented from pivoting further. The first tine continues to pivot toward the second tine causing the grapple assembly to compressively grasp a load between the tines. The second tine includes a roller configured to contact the arm of the prime mover vehicle as the first tine is tilted toward the second tine. The roller helps ensure a smooth engagement between the lower tine and the arm with limited friction as the roller contacts and travels along a portion of the arm.

Abstract: A brush cutter device having a latch assembly for securing a movable cutter guard in a closed position when the brush cutter is tilted beyond a predetermined angle. The guard is combined with a side of the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. A latch is combined with a portion of the housing and is capable of moving between a retracted position wherein the guard is able to move freely between its open position and its closed position and an engaged position wherein the latch prevents the guard from moving to its open position. Upon tilting the brush cutter beyond a certain angle, gravity acts on the latch causing it to move from its retracted position to its engaged position. The guard would move from its closed position to its open position upon tilting the brush cutter beyond a certain angle, however, the latch is moved beyond its pivot point before the guard moves beyond its pivot point to lock the guard in its closed position.

Abstract: A brush cutter device having a latch assembly for securing a movable cutter guard in a closed position when the brush cutter is tilted beyond a predetermined angle. The guard is combined with a side of the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. A latch is combined with a portion of the housing and is capable of moving between a retracted position wherein the guard is able to move freely between its open position and its closed position and an engaged position wherein the latch prevents the guard from moving to its open position. Upon tilting the brush cutter beyond a certain angle, gravity acts on the latch causing it to move from its retracted position to its engaged position. The guard would move from its closed position to its open position upon tilting the brush cutter beyond a certain angle, however, the latch is moved beyond its pivot point before the guard moves beyond its pivot point to lock the guard in its closed position.

Abstract: A work implement frame having a top support and a bottom support. The top support and bottom support are tied together structurally by end plates and/or vertical ribs. One or more fork tines may be combined with the top or bottom support of the frame and are adapted to carry pallets or other loads as is know in the art. The frame includes a load rest to help support the load. The load rest is typically positioned near the top of the frame. A gate in the load rest is movable between an open position and a closed position. In its open position an operator may pass through the gate to enter the cab. The gate may be pivotally or slidably combined with the load rest.

Abstract: A loader coupler includes left and right spaced-apart inner rib mounts including inner mount pins connected to a body, and left and right inner locking regions aligned with the left and right inner rib mounts. The coupler includes left and right spaced-apart outer rib mounts including outer mount pins connected to the body, and left and right outer locking regions aligned with the left and right outer rib mounts. The coupler includes a lock system including: (i) left and right first lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right inner locking regions, respectively; and, (ii) left and right second lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right outer locking regions, respectively. The left and right outer mount pins and/or the left and right inner mount pins are removable from the body.

Abstract: A thumb for an excavator includes a base with an inner end adapted to be connected to an excavator arm and an outer end, wherein the outer end of the base includes a body mount structure. A thumb body is releasably connected to the base. The body includes an outer working portion, an inner tail portion, and a coupling or pivot portion located between the working portion and the tail portion. The coupling portion of the body is engaged with the body mount structure of the base, and the tail portion of the body is releasably secured or captured to the base so that the body is located in an operative position for use of its working portion. The tail portion of the body includes first and second spaced-apart tail members.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a mobile attached device. The assembly comprises a hydraulic motor, a torsional coupling, and a mobile attachment device having a housing and plurality of teeth combined with a rotor shaft. The torsional coupling is combined with the assembly between the hydraulic motor and the mobile attachment device.

Abstract: A thumb body is pivotally connected to a first mount, and a stiff-arm anchor is connected to and extends between the first mount and a second mount. The stiff-arm anchor is selectively removable from the first and second mounts. A stiff-arm support link includes a first end connected to the thumb body and a second end connected to the stiff-arm anchor. The thumb can be converted from a hydraulic mode to a stiff-arm or fixed mode by disconnecting the first end of a hydraulic cylinder actuator from the thumb body and disconnecting the second end of the hydraulic cylinder actuator from the second mount, and by installing the stiff-arm anchor and stiff-arm support link.

Abstract: A loader coupling system includes an arm coupler and a link coupler. The arm coupler includes first and second plunger pins located respectfully at opposite first and second ends of the body. At least one plunger actuator is operatively connected to the first and second plunger pins, and the plunger actuator is selectively operative to move the first and second plunger pins between a retracted position and an extended position. The link coupler includes a tilt link with a first end adapted to be pivotally connected to a control link of the associated loader machine and a second end including a hook adapted to selectively engage and retain a cross-pin of the associated attachment. A lock system is connected to the tilt link and is adapted to selectively capture the cross-pin of the associated attachment in the hook.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a mobile attached device that isolates torsion impulse loads created during operation. The assembly comprises a hydraulic motor, a torsional coupling, and a mobile attachment device having a housing and plurality of teeth combined with a rotor shaft. The torsional coupling is combined with the assembly between the hydraulic motor and the mobile attachment device to help minimize and isolate unwanted torsion impact loads generated by the rotor shaft during operation.

Abstract: An improved blade guard for a land clearing device such as a lawn mower or brush cutter. The land clearing device generally comprises a blade assembly having a plurality of spinning cutters covered by a housing. A guard having a closed position and an open position is pivotally combined with the front of the housing. In its closed position, the guard covers a portion of the blade assembly. In its open position a portion of the blade assembly is exposed to allow the cutters to perform land clearing operations. The guard is pivoted from its closed position to its open position using a linkage assembly which moves the guard to its open position when the front of the guard is pushed against a solid object. The guard falls back to its closed position when force is no longer present between it and the solid object.

Abstract: A loader coupler includes a body with spaced-apart inner rib mounts for mating respectively with ribs of a first type of attachment. The body also includes inner locking regions that are aligned with the inner rib mounts. Spaced-apart outer rib mounts are also provided on the body and are adapted to mate respectively with a second type of attachment. Outer locking regions are aligned with the outer rib mounts. A lock system is connected to the body and includes: (i) a first actuator operatively connected to left and right first lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right first lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions; and, (ii) a second actuator operatively connected to left and right second lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right second lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A thumb for an excavator includes a base with an inner end adapted to be connected to an excavator arm and an outer end, wherein the outer end of the base includes a body mount structure. A thumb body is releasably connected to the base. The body includes an outer working portion, an inner tail portion, and a coupling or pivot portion located between the working portion and the tail portion. The coupling portion of the body is engaged with the body mount structure of the base, and the tail portion of the body is releasably secured or captured to the base so that the body is located in an operative position for use of its working portion. The tail portion of the body includes first and second spaced-apart tail members.

Abstract: A fork apparatus includes a body adapted to be operatively connected to an associated loader machine. First and second forks include respective first and second fork mounting portions connected to the body and respective first and second fork working portions that project outwardly away from the body. A first powered roller device is connected to the first fork and includes a first roller that rotates about a first working portion axis. A first roller actuator selectively rotates the first roller about the first working portion axis. A second powered roller device is connected to the second fork and includes a second roller that rotates about the second working portion axis that is parallel to the first working portion axis. A second roller actuator selectively rotates the second roller about the second working portion axis.

Abstract: A thumb for an excavator includes a base with an inner end adapted to be connected to an excavator arm and an outer end, wherein the outer end of the base includes a body mount structure. A thumb body is releasably connected to the base. The body includes an outer working portion, an inner tail portion, and a coupling or pivot portion located between the working portion and the tail portion. The coupling portion of the body is engaged with the body mount structure of the base, and the tail portion of the body is releasably secured or captured to the base so that the body is located in an operative position for use of its working portion. The tail portion of the body includes first and second spaced-apart tail members.

Abstract: A coupler for a backhoe or other excavator includes a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is adapted to be secured to an associated backhoe or excavator arm. The lower portion includes a first hook adapted to mate releasably with a first associated attachment pin and includes a second hook adapted to mate releasably with a second associated attachment pin. First and second safety locks are movably connected to the frame and move relative to the first hook between an engaged position for capturing the first associated attachment pin in the first hook and a disengaged position for releasing the first associated attachment pin from the first hook. An actuator is adapted to move the safety locks selectively between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: An attachment coupler includes a frame including a front hook and rear hook. A rear hook lock moves between an unlocked and a locked position relative to the rear hook. An actuator moves the rear hook lock to its unlocked and locked positions. A gravity lock moves between an engaged and a disengaged position and obstructs movement of the rear hook lock to its unlocked position when the gravity lock is engaged. A supplemental lock arm moves relative to the frame between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A secondary lock is located adjacent the front hook and includes a latch that moves between an extended and a retracted position. The latch obstructs the front hook when extended. The supplemental lock arm blocks movement of the latch from its extended position to its retracted position when the supplemental lock arm is in its engaged position. A spring urges the latch toward its extended position.

Abstract: A loader coupler includes a body with spaced-apart inner rib mounts for mating respectively with ribs of a first type of attachment. The body also includes inner locking regions that are aligned with the inner rib mounts. Spaced-apart outer rib mounts are also provided on the body and are adapted to mate respectively with a second type of attachment. Outer locking regions are aligned with the outer rib mounts. A lock system is connected to the body and includes: (i) a first actuator operatively connected to left and right first lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right first lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions; and, (ii) a second actuator operatively connected to left and right second lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right second lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A loader coupler includes a body with spaced-apart inner rib mounts for mating respectively with ribs of a first type of attachment. The body also includes inner locking regions that are aligned with the inner rib mounts. Spaced-apart outer rib mounts are also provided on the body and are adapted to mate respectively with a second type of attachment. Outer locking regions are aligned with the outer rib mounts. A lock system is connected to the body and includes: (i) a first actuator operatively connected to left and right first lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right first lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions; and, (ii) a second actuator operatively connected to left and right second lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right second lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions.