Abstract: A hydraulic system that allows pressurized fluid to be stolen from a master or lift cylinder and directed to a single acting cylinder to perform a function. The system utilizes a spring in the single acting cylinder to force the fluid to retract through the same single line that powered the single acting cylinder. The fluid is then routed to the unloaded side of the master cylinder. This system provides many cost efficiencies and may be utilized by work vehicles to perform secondary functions such as attaching and removing an implement and locking and unlocking a loader.

Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder assembly of the present invention provides an enlarged barrel and a compressible locking ring that secure a rod gland in the rod end of the cylinder. The tapered barrel prevents the rod gland from sliding into the cylinder and the locking ring seated in an annular groove prevents the rod gland from sliding out of the cylinder. A small hole in the cylinder barrel is provided through which the round ring may be punched out of the annular groove and easily removed with a screwdriver or pick. These features allow the hydraulic cylinder to be easily assembled and disassembled without compression tools and eliminate the need for threaded components, welds or bolts. The enlarged rod end of the cylinder barrel also provides a smooth cylinder barrel that is elegant in appearance and more easily manufactured, repaired and maintained.

Abstract: Hydraulic cylinders that are ported at one end are disclose.

Abstract: A loader/attachment assembly is provided. The loader/attachment assembly can be referred to as a loader/bucket assembly when the attachment is a bucket. The loader/attachment assembly can include a bucket and a loader assembly. The bucket includes a bucket attachment region and a bucket face opening. The loader assembly includes a left boom and a right boom. The left boom includes a left first boom end constructed for attachment to a left bracket assembly on a motor vehicle, a left second boom end attached to the bucket attachment region, a left lift cylinder, and a left attachment cylinder. The right boom includes a right first boom end constructed for attachment to a right bracket assembly on a motor vehicle, a right second boom end attached to the bucket attachment region, a right lift cylinder, and a right attachment cylinder.

Abstract: A grapple assembly for attachment to a boom assembly of a front end loader is provided. The grapple assembly includes a first pinching arm having a first end constructed for grappling an article and a second end constructed for attachment to the boom assembly at a first attachment arm connection, the first pinching arm having a first pinching arm connection. The grapple assembly also includes a second pinching arm having a first end constructed for grappling an article and a second end constructed for attachment to the boom assembly at a second attachment arm connection, the second pinching arm having a second pinching arm connection. A rotation arm constructed for attachment to the boom assembly at an attachment cylinder connection is provided, the rotation arm having a first rotation arm connection and a second rotation arm connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a canopy assembly for use on a tractor that can be conveniently installed and removed by a single operator. The canopy assembly includes, among other things, a sun shield, a bracket assembly, and attachment arms. Installing the sun shield includes the step of attaching a pair of attachment arms to a pair of bracket mounting arms that are mounted to a tractor.

Abstract: A loader assembly is provided having a left boom arm and a right boom arm. The left boom arm includes a left tower, a left loader arm, a left lift cylinder, and a left attachment cylinder. The left tower is constructed for attachment to a bracket on a motor vehicle. The left loader arm includes a first end rotatably attached to the left tower, a second end constructed for attaching to an attachment, and a left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin. The left lift cylinder includes a first end rotatably attached to the left tower, and a second end rotatably attached to the left loader arm at the left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin. The left attachment cylinder includes a first end rotatably attached to the left loader arm at the left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin, and a second end constructed for attaching to an attachment. The right boom arm includes a right tower, a right loader arm, a right lift cylinder, and a right attachment cylinder.

Abstract: A front end loader is provided according to the invention. The front end loader includes a forward bracket assembly and a rear bracket assembly, a tower that attaches to the rear bracket assembly, and a tower subframe that attaches to the forward bracket assembly. The tower has a first tower end and a second tower end. The second tower end includes a shoe area for attaching to a shoe-receiving region provided on the first bracket assembly. The tower subframe has a first tower subframe end and a second tower subframe end. The first tower subframe end is attached to the tower, and the second tower subframe end is constructed for attachment to the second bracket assembly. A spring can be provided as part of the rear bracket assembly to reduce rattling between the tower and the rear bracket assembly. The rear bracket assembly can be referred to as the first bracket assembly, and the forward bracket assembly can be referred to as the second bracket assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.

Abstract: A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, a spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to the loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to the loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear having a first end for penetrating a bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the spear member to rotate relative to the back frame. A front end loader having a bale lift device and a method for transporting a bale are provided. A method of assisting the removal of a bale lifting device from a bale without additional levers or hydraulic controls or hydraulic cylinders is provided. The method can utilize the controls already existing in the operational functions of the loader.

Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.

Abstract: A front end loader is provided according to the invention. The front end loader includes a forward bracket assembly and a rear bracket assembly, a tower that attaches to the rear bracket assembly, and a tower subframe that attaches to the forward bracket assembly. The tower has a first tower end and a second tower end. The second tower end includes a shoe area for attaching to a shoe-receiving region provided on the first bracket assembly. The tower subframe has a first tower subframe end and a second tower subframe end. The first tower subframe end is attached to the tower, and the second tower subframe end is constructed for attachment to the second bracket assembly. A spring can be provided as part of the rear bracket assembly to reduce rattling between the tower and the rear bracket assembly. The rear bracket assembly can be referred to as the first bracket assembly, and the forward bracket assembly can be referred to as the second bracket assembly.

Abstract: A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, a spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to the loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to the loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear having a first end for penetrating a bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the spear member to rotate relative to the back frame. A front end loader having a bale lift device and a method for transporting a bale are provided. A method of assisting the removal of a bale lifting device from a bale without additional levers or hydraulic controls or hydraulic cylinders is provided. The method can utilize the controls already existing in the operational functions of the loader.

Abstract: A loader assembly is provided according to the invention. The loader assembly includes a boom arm and a bracket assembly. The boom arm includes a tower that includes a plurality of first hydraulic fluid coupler members, a lift arm that rotates relative to the tower about a tower/lift arm rotating pin, and at least one hydraulic cylinder. The bracket assembly includes a stationary bracket that includes a plurality of second hydraulic fluid coupler members. The stationary bracket is constructed for attachment to a motor vehicle and attachment to the tower to provide a fluid connection between the first coupler members and the second coupler members. The rotating bracket rotates relative to the stationary bracket about a bracket rotation pin. The rotating bracket is constructed to receive the tower and rotate the tower for attachment to the stationary bracket. A combination motor vehicle and loader assembly, and methods for operating a loader assembly are provided.

Abstract: A loader assembly is provided having a left boom arm and a right boom arm. The left boom arm includes a left tower, a left loader arm, a left lift cylinder, and a left attachment cylinder. The left tower is constructed for attachment to a bracket on a motor vehicle. The left loader arm includes a first end rotatably attached to the left tower, a second end constructed for attaching to an attachment, and a left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin. The left lift cylinder includes a first end rotatably attached to the left tower, and a second end rotatably attached to the left loader arm at the left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin. The left attachment cylinder includes a first end rotatably attached to the left loader arm at the left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin, and a second end constructed for attaching to an attachment. The right boom arm includes a right tower, a right loader arm, a right lift cylinder, and a right attachment cylinder.

Abstract: A loader/attachment assembly is provided. The loader/attachment assembly can be referred to as a loader/bucket assembly when the attachment is a bucket. The loader/attachment assembly can include a bucket and a loader assembly. The bucket includes a bucket attachment region and a bucket face opening. The loader assembly includes a left boom and a right boom. The left boom includes a left first boom end constructed for attachment to a left bracket assembly on a motor vehicle, a left second boom end attached to the bucket attachment region, a left lift cylinder, and a left attachment cylinder. The right boom includes a right first boom end constructed for attachment to a right bracket assembly on a motor vehicle, a right second boom end attached to the bucket attachment region, a right lift cylinder, and a right attachment cylinder.

Abstract: A loader assembly is provided according to the invention. The loader assembly includes a boom arm and a bracket assembly. The boom arm includes a tower that includes a plurality of first hydraulic fluid coupler members, a lift arm that rotates relative to the tower about a tower/lift arm rotating pin, and at least one hydraulic cylinder. The bracket assembly includes a stationary bracket that includes a plurality of second hydraulic fluid coupler members. The stationary bracket is constructed for attachment to a motor vehicle and attachment to the tower to provide a fluid connection between the first coupler members and the second coupler members. The rotating bracket rotates relative to the stationary bracket about a bracket rotation pin. The rotating bracket is constructed to receive the tower and rotate the tower for attachment to the stationary bracket. A combination motor vehicle and loader assembly, and methods for operating a loader assembly are provided.