Abstract: A tractor-mounted front loader includes a parking stand mounted to each of a pair of downwardly and forwardly inclined arm sections coupled to an implement resting on the ground. Each parking stand includes a support leg and a brace, the latter having a rear end pivotally mounted to a location approximately halfway between opposite ends of the support leg and an forward end pivotally mounted to a lower region of an associated loader arm section. The support leg and brace may be stored on the loader arm section by folding them together with a catch carried by the brace becoming releasably engaged with the support leg. The folded support leg and brace are then pivoted against the loader arm section and secured to it by a releasable latch which secures the top of the support leg to the arm section to establish a stored position.

Abstract: A carrier is provided for releasably attaching a tool to the lift arms of a work machine. The carrier comprises a lift arm attachment point for attachment to the lift arm, a tool attachment point for releasable attachment of the tool to the carrier, and a contact pad, for contacting the tool in use. In use, the lift arm and contact pad lie in the same vertical plane. Providing a contact pad between the carrier and tool in line with the lift arm removes any transverse bending forces on the carrier.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted front loader includes a parking stand mounted to each of a pair of downwardly and forwardly inclined arm sections coupled to an implement resting on the ground. Each parking stand includes a support leg and a brace, the latter having a rear end pivotally mounted to a location approximately halfway between opposite ends of the support leg and an forward end pivotally mounted to a lower region of an associated loader arm section. The support leg and brace may be stored on the loader arm section by folding them together with a catch carried by the brace becoming releasably engaged with the support leg. The folded support leg and brace are then pivoted against the loader arm section and secured to it by a releasable latch which secures the top of the support leg to the arm section to establish a stored position.

Abstract: A remotely operable latching system for securing an implement to a carrier mounted to a forward end of a lifting arm for pivoting about a horizontal tilt axis. The latching system is mounted to the carrier and includes a latching rod arrangement operated by an extensible and retractable linear electric motor between a retracted latching position and an extended unlatching position. A secondary latch arrangement is provided for rotating the latching rod arrangement to an arrested position preventing movement of the rod arrangement to its latching position once the latching rod is extended to its unlatching position. Movement of the rod arrangement to its arrested position is aided by a spring and by the electric motor. A microprocessor based control unit is coupled to the electric motor and acts in response to a boom height input signals to prevent operation of the motor when the boom is above a preset height.

Abstract: A remotely operable latching system is provided for securing an implement to a carrier mounted to a forward end of a lifting arm for pivoting about a horizontal tilt axis. The latching system is mounted to the carrier and includes a latching rod arrangement operated by an extensible and retractable linear electric motor between a retracted latching position and an extended unlatching position. A secondary latch arrangement is provided for rotating the latching rod arrangement to an arrested position preventing movement of the rod arrangement to its latching position once the latching rod is extended to its unlatching position. Movement of the rod arrangement to its arrested position is aided by a spring and by the electric motor. Release of the rod arrangement from the arrested position is done by rolling the carrier back towards the lifting arms bringing the latching rod arrangement into contact with the arm so as to pivot the rod arrangement out of its arrested position.

Abstract: A carrier is provided for releasably attaching a tool to the lift arms of a work machine. The carrier comprises a lift arm attachment point for attachment to the lift arm, a tool attachment point for releasable attachment of the tool to the carrier, and a contact pad, for contacting the tool in use. In use, the lift arm and contact pad lie in the same vertical plane. Providing a contact pad between the carrier and tool in line with the lift arm removes any transverse bending forces on the carrier.

Abstract: A remote controlled latching system includes a latch device configured for mating engagement with a connection member to secure an attachment to a carrier; a latching cylinder coupled to the latch device, the latching cylinder having a latched position and an unlatched position; a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the latching cylinder, the valve assembly being configured to selectively drive the latching cylinder into the latched position and the unlatched position; a latching control switch operatively connected to the valve assembly for operating the valve assembly; and a height sensing switch operatively connected to valve assembly for operating the valve assembly.

Abstract: A remote controlled latching system includes a latch device configured for mating engagement with a connection member to secure an attachment to a carrier; a latching cylinder coupled to the latch device, the latching cylinder having a latched position and an unlatched position; a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the latching cylinder, the valve assembly being configured to selectively drive the latching cylinder into the latched position and the unlatched position; a latching control switch operatively connected to the valve assembly for operating the valve assembly; and a height sensing switch operatively connected to valve assembly for operating the valve assembly.

Abstract: A valve for controlling flow of a fluid exerting a fluid pressure. The valve has a body including a fluid passage for the fluid, and a valve seat positioned adjacent to the fluid passage at an orifice coaxial with the fluid passage. The valve seat includes a sealing gland defining a cavity therein, and the sealing gland has a support surface adjacent to the cavity and a resilient valve seat member within the cavity. The valve seat member includes a first pressure responsive surface adjacent to the orifice and a second pressure responsive surface substantially opposed to the first pressure responsive surface. The support surface includes a notch for positioning a portion of the support surface a distance apart from the second pressure responsive surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve comprising a body including a fluid passage, a valve seat, defining an orifice, and including a sealing gland including a support surface, the support surface including a notch, and a resilient valve seat member disposed within the sealing gland, and a valve sealing member disposed within the fluid passage and configured to seat against the valve seat member to effect sealing of the valve sealing member to the valve seat and thereby close the orifice, wherein the notch is configured to facilitate application of a fluid pressure on the valve seat member to prevent leakage through the orifice when the valve sealing member is seated against the valve seat member. In one embodiment, the notch is provided in the valve seat member and not the sealing gland support surface.