Abstract: A material handling attachment such as a bucket or the like is pivotally secured to the three-point hitch assembly of the tractor. The hitch assembly is movable between a lower position and an upper position by means of standard equipment on the tractor. A mechanical linkage interconnects the bucket, hitch assembly and the tractor so that the bucket will be in a substantially level position when the hitch assembly is in its lowermost position. As the hitch assembly is moved upwardly relative to the tractor, the linkage maintains the bucket in a level position. When the hitch assembly reaches its uppermost position, the linkage causes the bucket to be moved to a dumping position. After the material in the bucket has been dumped therefrom, the three-point hitch assembly is lowered with the bucket being automatically re-set to its operative or working position.

Abstract: A material handling attachment for small vehicles such as a garden tractor, riding lawn mowers, all terrain vehicles, etc. wherein the material handling attachment may be vertically moved by an electrically operated screw ram which may be controlled by either the electrical system on the vehicle or by a storage battery.

Abstract: An extension arm assembly for mounting on the forward ends of the boom arms of a tractor loader is described which enables the effective length of the boom arms to be extended thereby enabling the tractor loader to raise materials to a height greater than that otherwise possible. The extension arm assembly may be quickly and easily mounted on the forward ends of the boom arms without modification thereof.

Abstract: A material handling attachment such as a bucket or the like is pivotally secured to the three-point hitch assembly of the tractor. The hitch assembly is movable between a lower position and an upper position by means of standard equipment on the tractor, A mechanical linkage interconnects the bucket, hitch assembly and the tractor so that the bucket will be in a substantially level position when the hitch assembly is in its lowermost position. As the hitch assembly is moved upwardly relative to the tractor, the linkage maintains the bucket in a level position. When the hitch assembly reaches its uppermost position, the linkage causes the bucket to be moved to a dumping position. After the material in the bucket has been dumped therefrom, the three-point hitch assembly is lowered with the bucket being automatically re-set to its operative or working position.

Abstract: A loader device is described comprising a bracket assembly mounted on the tractor adapted to removably receive a tower assembly having a pair of boom arms pivotally secured thereto. The bracket assembly includes a pair of horizontally disposed support members which are positioned substantially above and rearwardly of the front wheels of the tractor. A pivot pin is provided on the forward end of each of the support members. The tower assembly includes a pair of spaced-apart side frames having uprights mounted at the rearward ends thereof. The side frames pivotally engage the pivot pins during the mounting and dismounting operations to provide the necessary clearance between the loader and the front wheels of the tractor. The rearward ends of the side frames rest upon the upper ends of the support members when the loader is mounted on the tractor.

Abstract: A quick attach means for a tractor loader is described comprising a pair of arcuate brackets pivotally secured to the forward ends of the loader boom arms. Each of the brackets has upper and lower horizontally extending pipes secured thereto which are adapted to be received by pockets at the rearward side of the loader bucket. A locking assembly is provided on the bracket for maintaining the pipes in their respective pockets.

Abstract: A material handling attachment for small vehicles such as a garden tractor, riding lawn mowers, all terrain vehicles, etc. wherein the material handling attachment may be vertically moved by an electrically operated screw ram which may be controlled by either the electrical system on the vehicle or by a storage battery.

Abstract: A material handling attachment such as a bucket or the like is pivotally secured to the three-point hitch assembly of the tractor. The hitch assembly is movable between a lower position and an upper position by means of standard equipment on the tractor. A mechanical linkage interconnects the bucket, hitch assembly and the tractor so that the bucket will be in a substantially level position when the hitch assembly is in its lowermost position. As the hitch assembly is moved upwardly relative to the tractor, the linkage maintains the bucket in a level position. When the hitch assembly reaches its uppermost position, the linkage causes the bucket to be moved to a dumping position. After the material in the bucket has been dumped therefrom, the three-point hitch assembly is lowered with the bucket being automatically re-set to its operative or working position.

Abstract: A material handling bucket or the like is mounted on a high-lift mechanism which is secured to the three-point hitch assembly of a tractor. The bucket is pivotally secured to the high-lift mechanism. The high-lift mechanism includes a pair of pivotal arms which are movable between upper and lower positions by means of a hydraulic cylinder. When the pivotal arms are moved to their uppermost position, the bucket is moved above the position normally possible in conventional mechanisms and the bucket is moved to its dumping position.

Abstract: A loader bucket comprising a bucket support frame which is connected to the three-point hitch assembly located at the rear of a conventional tractor. The bucket support frame comprises a pair of side frame members which are pivotally connected to the rearward ends of the lower links arms of the hitch assembly. The frame also includes a vertically disposed post which has a bracket pivotally mounted at the upper end thereof. The forward end of the bracket is pivotally secured to the rearward end of the upper link arm of the hitch assembly. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected at one end thereof to the rearward end of the bracket and have their other ends operatively connected to a horizontally disposed shaft which is rotatably mounted on the bucket support frame.

Abstract: A tractor loader is described which has multi-adjustment mounting features provided thereon to enable the loader to be mounted on a wide variety of tractor makes and models. First and second mounting brackets are adjustably mounted at opposite sides of the tractor and are adapted to have the tower assembly of the loader selectively mounted thereon. The tower assembly includes a pair of towers having side frame members extending forwardly therefrom. The lower ends of the towers have a shoe adjustably secured thereto which is secured to the first and second mounting brackets. A slide block is selectively longitudinally mounted on each of the side frames of the tower assembly which is also adjustably secured to the first and second mounting brackets.

Abstract: A materials handling apparatus for a tractor comprising a U-shaped frame which is quickly mounted and dismounted. The frame comprises a front frame portion having a pair of side frame portions extending upwardly and rearwardly from the lower opposite sides thereof. Boom arms are pivotally secured to the upper rearward ends of the side frame portions and are raised and lowered relative thereto by hydraulic cylinders which are positioned forwardly of the front wheels of the tractor. Releasable connectors are provided between the U-shaped frame and the tractor to enable the apparatus to be quickly and easily mounted and dismounted.

Abstract: A loader device for a tractor or the like comprising a frame which is adapted to be removably secured to the tractor or the like and which includes first and second uprights with the upper ends thereof being spaced laterally outwardly from the lower ends. Boom arms are secured to the uprights and extend forwardly therefrom. Hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the uprights and to the boom arms for raising and lowering the boom arms relative to the uprights. Hydraulic cylinders are connected to the upper ends of the boom arms and extend forwardly therefrom outwardly of the boom arms. A linkage pivotally connects the lower ends of the second pair of hydraulic cylinders and a loader bucket is pivotally mounted on the forward ends of the boom arms. The linkage connecting the second pair of hydraulic cylinders is positioned outwardly of the boom arms.

Abstract: An adjustable tower for front end tractors comprising first and second tower members adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the tractors. Side frame members extend forwardly from each of the tower members and have downwardly extending cylindrical front end portions provided thereon. A length-adjustable cross member is secured to the forward ends of the side frame members and extends therebetween for connection to the forward end of a tractor. A pair of booms are secured at their rearward ends to the upper ends of the first and second tower members and are adapted to receive a materials-handling attachement thereon.

Abstract: An automatic hitch device for use on a tractor with a three-point hitch is disclosed. The device allows a tractor operator to engage or disengage a tow vehicle without leaving the tractor. Two fail-safe mechanisms are disclosed which prevent inadvertent disengagement of the tow vehicle. Structure for transmitting the towing load to the tractor drawbar is described. A hydraulic cylinder is used to operate a hitch pin. An alignment spring which helps direct the hitch pin into the tow vehicle hitch also relieves lateral force on the hydraulic cylinder. Co-operation between the fail-safe mechanisms and manual disengagement of the fail-safe mechanisms are also described.

Abstract: An auger wagon of a type used in the transport of grain wherein the wagon has a grain box with inwardly sloping sides supported on a wheel mounted frame. A vertical auger is pivotally mounted at the center of the box floor and may be pivoted into a position for dispensing grain from any side of the grain box. A rotating head chute at the top of the auger allows grain to be directed toward the interior of the box. A grain cover operated by an external handle controls the inflow of grain at the auger base. A sliding door positioned on the lower portion of one of the grain box walls allows the auger wagon to function as a gravity box with or without the auger. The auger wagon functions as a gravity flow box, an auger wagon and a mixer wagon.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydraulic self-leveling of a loader bucket or the like is described wherein the loader upon which the bucket is mounted comprises a pair of spaced-apart boom arms pivotally mounted on a sub-frame attached to the tractor. The loader bucket is pivotally connected to the forward ends of the boom arms and may be pivotally moved from a level position to an extreme dump position or an extreme roll-back position by means of hydraulic cylinders extending between the loader bucket and the boom arms. A first leveling cylinder is connected to one of the boom arms and one of the sub-frame towers so that upward movement of the boom arms causes the cylinder rod of the actuator cylinder to be extended therefrom and so that downward movement of the boom arms causes the cylinder rod of the actuator cylinder to be moved inwardly into the cylinder.

Abstract: A materials handling device or tractor loader is described as well as the method of mounting the same on a tractor. The loader device comprises a U-shaped sub-frame comprising a transversely extending forward end which is received by a pocket or channel mounted on the forward end of the tractor. The sub-frame also comprises side frame members which extend upwardly and rearwardly from the transversely extending forward end. The rearward ends of the side frame members are secured to upright towers adjacent the upper end thereof. A boom assembly is secured to the upper ends of the towers and extends forwardly therefrom and has a materials handling implement mounted on the forward end thereof. A hydraulic cylinder extends between the towers and the boom assembly for pivotally moving the boom assembly relative to the sub-frame and the towers.

Abstract: A method and means for power mounting and dismounting a materials handling apparatus on a tractor. The apparatus comprises a first U-shaped frame which is adapted to be connected adjacent the rearward end thereof to the tractor rearwardly of the forward end thereof. The forward end of the U-shaped frame is adapted to be secured to the tractor adjacent the forward end thereof. A second U-shaped frame is pivotally secured adjacent its rearward end to the first frame and has a third frame pivotally secured to the forward end thereof. In one embodiment, a dozer blade is pivotally secured about a horizontal axis to the third frame. Power cylinders are provided for: (1) raising and lowering the dozer blade; (2) angling the dozer blade in two directions; and (3) raising one end of the dozer blade with respect to the other end.