Abstract: An improvement of a loader work machine is disclosed. A machine body frame includes a frame body having a bottom wall and a pair or right/left side walls, and a pair of right/left support frame members connected to a rear end of the frame body. A cabin is mounted on the machine body frame. A transverse connecting member is disposed rearwardly of the cabin for connecting the pair of right/left support frame members to right/left sides thereof, respectively. A pair of right/left arms are disposed on right/left sides of the machine body frame, with base portions thereof being vertically pivotally supported to the pair of right/left support frame members, respectively. A pair of right/left arm cylinders are provided between the base portions of the arms and the rear portions of the machine body frame for lifting up/down the arms. A hood is provided at the rear end of the frame body and downwardly of the transverse connecting member between the pair of right/left support frame members, for housing an engine.

Abstract: An angle formed on a side of a bucket by a first line segment that connects a first pivot region of a bell crank relative to a boom and a second pivot region of the bell crank relative of a connecting link and a second line segment that connects the first pivot region and third a pivot region of the bell crank relative to a tilt cylinder is no more than 206.5°. An angle formed by the second line segment and a line segment that connects the third pivot region and fourth a pivot region of the tilt cylinder relative to a structural body is, in a fork-attached state, no more than 72.3°. When a pivot region of the fork relative to the boom is substantially 1.5 m from the ground, a lower end of the bell crank is located higher than a lower end of the fork.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the position for work devices (41) of mobile machines (40). The inventive device comprises a measuring device (1,2) for measuring an angle (?) which is formed between a level (42) that is determined by the position of the work device (41) and the direction of the gravitational force (g). The inventive device also comprises an angle transmitter (5) for predetermining an angle (??) which is formed between a level (42) that is determined by the position of the work device (41) and the direction of the gravitational force (g). The inventive device further comprises a controller (3, 4, 6–16) for controlling the angle (?) between the level (42) of the work device (41) and the direction of the gravitational force (g) in such a way that the measured angle (?) matches the predetermined angle (??).

Abstract: A Z-bar loader linkage having a floating bell crank. A boom is pivotally mounted to a loader frame at one end and an attachment at the other end. The bell crank is pivotally mounted on leveling links extending forwardly from the loader frame. The drive end of the bell crank is provided with an attachment link that extends from the bell crank to the attachment for controlling the angular position of the attachment. A guide link extends between the attachment link and the boom.

Abstract: A tiltable bucket assembly includes a bucket and an interface member. The bucket has a front loading portion, a rear connecting portion with a front surface adjacent the front loading portion and a rear surface opposite therefrom, and a pair of spaced guide members connected to the rear surface. The bucket defines a substantially enclosed chamber that extends from the front surface and terminates within the front loading portion. The interface member is rotatably mounted with the bucket. The interface member has opposed side portions supported within the guide members. A hydraulic cylinder is located within the chamber and has a rod end portion connected to the bucket and a head end portion connected to the interface member. The hydraulic cylinder is adapted to provide rotational movement of the bucket about the interface member upon actuation.

Abstract: In the case of a mobile loading machine with front-end loading equipment, in particular a construction machine, having a lifting frame (1) which is rotatably mounted by the rear end on a front frame part (13) of the loading machine (L) in a lifting-frame pivot point (14) and which can be raised and lowered by means of at least one lifting cylinder (2), a working shovel (5), fork (5′) or the like being coupled to the front end of the lifting frame (1) in a shovel pivot point (6), and a tipping lever (3) being coupled in a central region of the lifting frame (1) in a tipping-lever pivot point (15), the lower end of which lever is connected in a tipping-cylinder coupling point (8) in an articulated manner to a tipping cylinder (7) which is coupled at the other end in a tipping-cylinder pivot point (18) to the frame part (13) and whose upper end is coupled in a tipping-rod pivot point (17) to a tipping rod (4) which is coupled by its other end to the working shovel (5) in a tipping-rod coupling point (21) a

Abstract: The invention provides a working unit control apparatus of an excavating and loading machine which can always judge a start of an excavation control at a proper timing. The working unit control apparatus has excavating state detecting means (43, 44) detecting an excavating state of a vehicle, and a controller (25) has a load judging portion (48) judging on the basis of a detecting amount, and automatic excavation control means (51) setting and outputting an automatic excavation command value to each of control valves on the basis of the judgement of said load judging portion, and an automatic excavation control is started when a boom lever is operated and it is judged that a vehicle is under excavation.

Abstract: A tool assembly mountable on the handle of a material working machine generally including a link mountable on the machine handle for pivotal movement about a first axis and connectable to a fluid actuated assembly connected to the machine handle, operable for displacing the link about such first axis, an implement connected to the link for pivotal movement about a second axis, a first fluid actuated assembly operatively interconnecting the link and the implement, a second fluid actuated assembly operatively interconnecting the link and the implement, a first fluid line intercommunicating a base end of the cylinder of the first fluid actuated assembly and one of the base and rod ends of the cylinder of the second fluid actuated assembly, a second fluid line intercommunicating a rod end of the cylinder of the first fluid actuated assembly and the other of the base and rod ends of the cylinder of the second fluid actuated assembly and a valve disposed in one of the fluid lines, operable to be selectively dispose

Abstract: A grapple assembly that is particularly suited for use as an attachment to a skid steer loader comprises jaws that are no wider than the wheels of the loader and are lightweight and rigid. The grapple is operated by a single hydraulic drive cylinder that is inexpensive and easily replaceable. The lower jaw is L-shaped and formed of spaced vertical ribs having a bar extending across the tips of the ribs. The upper jaw of the grapple also has vertically spaced ribs which are interconnected by a bar adjacent the tips of the ribs. An intermediate bar reinforces the upper jaw and provides an attachment point for the drive cylinder at the center thereof.

Abstract: A skid steer loader has at least one or a pair of implement lift arm assemblies pivotally connected with a body of the loader. The lift arms, their associated lift actuators, and the connections between the various components of the lift arm assemblies and the machine implement are configured to provide increased dump reach without negatively impacting structural life, to increase machine productivity by reduced cycle times, and to improve visibility of the implement from the operator's station.

Abstract: In the operation of a wheel loader, the linkage arrangement that mounts the bucket to the machine must provide components with adequate loading capabilities while maintaining good visibility to the bucket for an operator. The present linkage arrangement includes a tilt lever with a pair of spaced side walls and a tilt link with a pair of spaced side rails. Each spaced side rail of the tilt link has a pair of legs, respectively, which straddle one of the pair of spaced side walls of the tilt lever in a connection which improves visibility while possessing superior strength capabilities.

Abstract: The box boom lift arm assembly of the present invention includes a single plate steel top wall and a bottom wall connected with a substantially non-transverse weld to a pair of single plate steel inner side walls and a pair of single plate steel outer side walls to define a closed box section having a rectangular cross section along the entire length, varying only in height and width. The unique configuration and shape of the plates and the use of non-transverse weld during manufacturing improve the fatigue characteristics, load distribution and strength of the box boom lift arm assembly without increasing the weight of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention includes a box boom loader mechanism utilizing a box boom lift arm assembly with a single plate steel top wall and a bottom wall connected with a non-transverse weld to a pair of single plate steel inner side walls to define a rectangular cross section therealong. The connection of the top and bottom walls and the inner side walls defines a bifurcated second end portion straddling a central portion of a frame and being connected therewith. A tilt linkage means is connected to the box boom lift arm assembly and includes a tilt lever, tilt link and tilt cylinder. The connection of the components of the tilt linkage means achieves high visibility and optimal linkage performance. The connection of the bifurcated second end portion to the frame and the non-transverse weld improves strength and fatigue characteristics of the box boom loader mechanism without increasing the weight of the machine.

Abstract: An off-highway loading vehicle having a frame, a cab, and a linkage arrangement for operably attaching a work implement to the frame is disclosed. The loading vehicle includes a pair of spaced apart lift arms having a rear end portion pivotally connected to the frame and a forward end portion pivotally connected to the work implement. A lowermost edge of a forward section of the lift arms angles downwardly from a lowermost edge of a rearward section thereof. Thus, the lift arms avoid contact with the frame when in a lowered position to place the work implement adjacent a front end of the frame. In addition, a lifting device acts between the frame and the lift arms to move the lift arms between the lowered position and a raised position.

Abstract: An improved blade tilt assembly is provided for adjusting the lateral tilt of a scoop or bucket mounted on a front end loader. The front end loader normally includes frame arms supporting the scoop at the front of the vehicle, in combination with at least one hydraulic lift unit and an hydraulic fore-aft pitch control unit. The blade tilt assembly includes a pair of hydraulic tilt units of reinforced construction, and connected between the frame arms and the scoop respectively at laterally opposite ends thereof. The tilt units are operated in tandem to respectively raise and lower the opposite ends of the scoop in substantially equal increments, thereby adjusting the lateral tilt angel of the scoop.

Abstract: In a hydraulic drive system for a construction machine, first flow control mechanism includes first and second flow control valves (11a, 11b) and first interlock mechanism (54, 55) for interlocking the first and second flow control valves with first directional control mechanism (7), and second flow control mechanism includes third and fourth flow control valves (12a, 12b) and second interlock mechanism (56, 57) for interlocking the third and fourth flow control valves with second directional control mechanism (9). First pressure control mechanism includes at least first pressure control valve (13a) operated in response to a pressure signal in a valve-closing direction, and second pressure control mechanism includes only second pressure control valve (15b) operated in response to the pressure signal in a valve-closing direction.

Abstract: A loader has arms which are each provided with a linkage connection bushing located rearwardly of a connection bushing used for attaching the arms to a lower location of a bucket attaching bracket about which the bucket is pivotable by bucket cylinders respectively coupled between the bucket arms and upper locations of the bucket attaching brackets. An optional linkage is provided for coupling each bucket cylinder to the upper location of an adjacent bucket mounting bracket and includes a first link adapted for having one end coupled to the linkage connection bushing and a second link having one end adapted for connection to the upper location of the bucket attaching bracket and a second end adapted for connection to a second end of the first link and to the bucket cylinder.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk materials, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. The system includes a forklift with an articulated frame actuated by hydraulics which engages channels formed in the box or in the lid. Lock bars on the box are clamped by locking members carried on the forklift to hold the box on the forks during an over the-side dumping movement. The forklift empties the box with a roll-out motion combining a forward rotation of a lifted box with a backward movement of the box. A reinforced flatbed railcar receives up to four 21 foot long boxes and lids with a total carrying capacity of up to 100 tons. Each car contains upright corners that guide the boxes onto the railroad car and then restrain it. The containers are flush with the upper surface of the railroad car when engaged in the corners. A tractor trailer with a tilt up roller bed and winch hauls the boxes on highways.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk materials, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. The system includes a forklift with an articulated frame actuated by hydraulics which engages channels formed in the box or in the lid. Lock bars on the box are clamped by locking members carried on the forklift to hold the box on the forks during an over-the-side dumping movement. The forklift empties the box with a roll-out motion combining a forward rotation of a lifted box with a backward movement of the box. A reinforced flatbed railcar receives up to four 21 foot long boxes and lids with a total carrying capacity of up to 100 tons. Each car contains upright corners that guide the boxes onto the railroad car and then restrain it. The containers are flush with the upper surface of the railroad car when engaged in the corners. A tractor trailer with a tilt-up roller bed and winch hauls the boxes on highways.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an attachment for use in attaching liftable implements onto transporting tractors equipped with a hydraulic driven power source. The attachment includes a pivotally mounted barrel, and a supportive carriage member which slideably reciprocates along the barrel. The elevational pitch of the barrel is controlled by the reciprocating movement of the carriage member. The carriage member includes mounting sites for axially mounting stabilizing braces and the hydraulic source onto the carriage member for stabilizing it against lateral movement while also permitting it to supportively reciprocate along the barrel. Three point hitch implements may be attached and carried by the attachment.

Abstract: A skid steer loader has a main frame and a pair of lift arms pivotally mounted to the main frame. The lift arms extend forwardly from their pivots and are joined by a cross member which is positioned ahead of a front wall of the main frame and which serves as an operator's access step. The cross member is constructed to be reduced in size to increase visibility, and when reduced in size, it remains spaced from the front wall of the main frame to form a gap when the lift arms are lowered. A flexible, self-cleaning spacer member is mounted onto the front wall of the main frame and extends at least partially across the gap to serve as an additional support if an operator's foot is placed in the gap. The spacer member is flexible when loaded in fore and aft direction and is rigid in vertical loading direction to support loads which may be applied to its upper edge.

Abstract: A sweeper vehicle having an improved hopper lift mechanism which provides a relatively high lift for dumping the hopper at ground level as well as into relatively high containers, while at the same time positioning the driver at a much lower and hence, safer position than normally found in currently available sweeper vehicles. The vehicle also eliminates the use of overlapping lifting arms to increase safety and provides superior driver visibility at all times.

Abstract: A control mechanism for operably controlling three functions of the loader mechanism on a tractor-loader is disclosed wherein a longitudinal, fore and aft movement of the control lever effects operation of one function, while a transverse movement of the control lever effects operation of a second function, and a rotational movement of the control lever about the axis thereof controls the third function of the loader mechanism. The control lever includes an elongated inner member affixed to a plate being supported from the frame by a universal joint permitting pivotal movement of the plate in the transverse and longitudinal directions in response to a corresponding manipulation of the control lever. The control lever also includes an elongated tubular member rotatably mounted on the inner member and connected to an additional linkage to translate rotational movement of the elongated tubular member into linear motion for controlling operation of an auxiliary device on the loader mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the posture of a front loader has booms attachable to a vehicle body which are pivotally movably upward and downward and has a work implement attached to the forward ends of the booms and pivotally movable in a scooping direction and a dumping direction. Each of the booms and the implement are pivotally movable by a single control lever independently of each other or movable simultaneously. The apparatus includes an actuating member for shifting the control lever from a boom raising position to a boom raising and dumping position when the booms are not positioned lower than a specified level. This eliminates the likelihood of the implement tilting rearwardly downward even if the booms are raised, precluding the implement from spilling the earth or sand scooped up.

Abstract: A versatile connector assembly for various types of attachments is provided for use with hydraulic shovel type excavators. The connector permits a rotational movement of the attachment and comprises a connector head connected to a stick arm or dipper stick of the excavator for controlled pivotal movement and a rotating member disposed for rotation relative to the connector head and including a swivel joint fitted in the rotating member. A fitting plate member having firmly secured thereto a mounting structure for the attachment is removably secured to the rotating member. A hydraulic drive motor may be located on the connector head in driving relationship to the rotating member.

Abstract: Planting mounds for afforestation purposes and the like are formed by an apparatus wherein a device having at least one mound-forming and compacting body is provided on a movable support arm or boom of a carrier vehicle adapted to be driven along the ground. The body has an elongate, longitudinally concave soil-pushing front surface of shape and dimensions suitable to define the upper surface of a planting mound, and preferably has digging teeth or the like at its lower forward edge. The body is supported for pivotal movement relative to the arm or boom and may be pivoted by a piston-cylinder assembly or the like. For mound formation, the body is placed in a digging position with the soil-pushing surface facing in a first direction substantially parallel to the ground.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted loader has a loading apparatus disposed centrally at the front end of the vehicle frame and including a raising cylinder supported on the front end, a dumping beam and quick-change device. The quick-change device is pivotally connected by a dumping rod to the dumping beam which can be actuated by a dumping cylinder. To reduce tipping torque about a transverse axis of the vehicle, the vehicle end of the raising arm is accommodated in a channel-like, forwardly open recess in the front end of the frame. The dumping cylinder is also articulated to the front end of the frame. The raising arm is constructed as a narrow component so that when the arm together with the quick-change device is in a completely lowered position it will be accommodated between the front wheels of the vehicle while, as seen from the side, only the quick-change device will slightly downwardly project out of the space between the front wheels.

Abstract: A rotatable, vertically positioned boom support attached to a flat-bed truck. The boom support is rotatable through the use of meshed gearing powered by a reversible hydraulic motor. The boom support pivotally retains a hydraulically repositionable boom. The boom is affixed to, and supports a vertically positionable digging arm with a telescopically attached hydraulically powered digging bucket. The digging arm is structured with two slidable sections allowing the digging arm with attached digging bucket to be extended for greater reach. The slidable sections of the digging arm are repositionable through the use of hydraulic rams. One hydraulic ram is used to raise and lower the digging arm relative to the boom. The other hydraulic ram is used to raise and lower the telescopically attached digging bucket. An operator's seat and hydraulic control levers are positioned adjacent the boom support.

Abstract: The posture of a front loader attached to a vechicle body is controllable by an apparatus which comprises an engaging portion provided on a control lever, an engageable member pivoted to a fixed member on the vehicle body and releasably engageable with the engaging portion when the control lever is positioned for lowering the boom of the loader and for moving the work implement of the loader for scooping, an implement sensor for detecting whether the angle between the implement and the boom is an angle which provides contact of a work implement bottom surface parallel with horizontal ground, and a release interlocking mechanism operatively connected to the sensor and to the engageable member for moving the engageable member to a released position where the member is not engageable with the engaging portion upon the sensor detecting that the work implement is at the angle.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in moving a bucket on an earth-working machine that includes a hydraulic cylinder and power piston with the piston being operably connected to the bucket. A change-over valve connects a source of pressure fluid and the reservoir to the opposite axial sides of the piston to move the piston in a selected direction and pivot the bucket either clockwise or counterclockwise. When the bucket is being moved in its clockwise position to dump the bucket, gravity assists its movement, and the bucket begins to actually move the power piston. When this happens, the piston may move so quickly that the hydraulic pump cannot supply adequate hydraulic fluid to the chamber in the cylinder. To supplement the hydraulic pump and ensure that the hydraulic chamber has sufficient fluid in it, a regeneration valve is disposed in a line returning fluid to the reservoir.

Abstract: A backhoe machine is disclosed wherein the entire articulated boom is mounted to a carriage for movement relative thereto about two normally generally horizontal pivot axes. The entire carriage is rotatable about a generally vertical axis to permit operation of the backhoe assembly laterally of the machine with the operator's station constantly facing the operation of the backhoe assembly. The first pivot axis for the articulated boom extends outwardly from the carriage and permits the entire boom to be canted relative to the carriage upon which it is mounted. The second pivot axis for the articulated boom is carried by a mounting frame and is rotatable about the first horizontal pivot axis to permit an extension of the articulated boom while being tilted relative to the carriage.

Abstract: An improved forklift device for unloading palletized articles from the bed of a flatbed truck may be removably carried in "piggyback" fashion on the rear end of the truck. The device has a fork structure adapted to liftingly engage one of the pallets, a wheeled, ground-supportable frame, and an articulated linkage structure which interconnects the frame and the fork structure and is movable between a fully lowered and rearwardly retracted position and a fully raised and forwardly extended position. The forklife may be propelled along the ground by an engine-driven hydraulic drive system, and is also provided with a hydraulic actuating system for pivoting gantry and boom portions of the linkage, and pivoting the fork structure relative to the linkage. In unloading the articles the fork structure may be moved a substantial distance laterally across the truck bed to liftingly engage the pallet of an article on the far side of the bed.

Abstract: An articulated four-wheel drive loader has a forward vertically swingable boom that is controlled by a pair of hydraulic cylinders acting between the main frame of the loader and a pair of parallel, transversely spaced boom arms that are interconnected by a transverse tube. A pair of tabs are respectively welded to the tube a short distance from the opposite ends of the tube, and the piston ends of the cylinders are respectively connected to the boom arms by a transverse pin extending through aligned bores in the tabs, eye members attached to the ends of the hydraulic cylinder piston rods, and the boom arms.

Abstract: An extendable material handling arm which is particularly suitable for use as a dipper stick of a back hoe digger. The arm has an outer member with a slot extending along its length, and an inner member provided with a digging bucket pivotally mounted adjacent one end. The inner member is encircled by the outer member for sliding therein to vary the effective length of the arm. A first support structure carried by the inner member adjacent the end remote from the bucket includes a support plate with a support surface for sliding contact with longitudinally extending portions of the outer surface of the outer member adjacent the slot.

Abstract: A crowd control system for a hydraulic loader having three hydraulic pressure sensing switches that are electrically coupled to an electronic controller for overriding the operators commands and decreasing forward driving force when excessive crowding force is detected. The first switch is fluidically coupled to the output side of the hydraulic lifting pump. The second switch is fluidically coupled to the output side of the hydraulic lifting pump. The third switch is fluidically coupled to the extension input side of the boom-lift hydraulic actuator. When hydraulic fluid pressure exceeds the preset levels of each switch, the switches signal the electronic controller which overrides the operators controls and decreases the fluid output of the driving pump reducing the forward drive of the loader and decreasing crowd. The controller will maintain this decreased fluid output of the driving pump until either the second or third pressure sensing switch senses a decrease in fluid pressure below its preset level.

Abstract: A boom mechanism including a linkage which interconnects the frame of a loader with the boom arm and the loader bucket. The linkage includes a cross-shaped member having arms extending forwardly, rearwardly and laterally. The rearward arm is pivotally connected to a hydraulic cylinder which is pivotally connected to the frame. The forward arm is pivotally connected to the bucket. The two lateral arms are pivotally connected to a pair of push rods which are pivotally connected to the sides of the boom arm.

Abstract: Earthmoving vehicles are often provided with a linkage arrangement on one end that is utilized to manipulate a work implement, such as a loader bucket. The linkage typically includes a tilting arrangment for the bucket that incorporates a tilt lever that is mounted to a lift arm that supports the bucket. The mounting between the tilt lever and the lift arm is normally of a complex nature requiring multiple bearing surfaces and lubrication means. Others may have a structure that requires exact positioning between the relative components or a failure will occur due to improper loading. The linkage arrangement of the present invention provides a mounting member that is attached to only one of the tilt levers. It also includes an axial motion limiter that is attached to the other tilt lever. In doing so, a very simple and economical mounting device is provided. The mounting device also allows the tilt levers to rotate with respect to each other so that each of the levers function to bear a portion of the loading.

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: A device for raising and lowering a heavy object between selected heights and positions includes two pairs of spaced, parallel lift arms which are pivotally coupled at one end. One end of one of the pairs of lift arms is pivotally coupled to a base member. A shaft extends between the lever arms and a handle is provided to rotate the shaft to simultaneously rotate the lift arms with respect to the base member. Linkages couple the other lift arms to the shaft at pivot points which are offset from the pivot points of the lift arms and from the shaft. Accordingly, the two pairs of lever arms simultaneously move with respect to one another upon the actuation of the connecting shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and conveying a heap of debris includes a continuous conveyor supported by a frame and having a charging end and a discharging end; two cantilever arms having outer free ends and having inner ends pivotally supported on the frame for swinging movement about a horizontal transverse arm pivot axis between lowered and raised positions; a transverse crossbeam extending between the outer free ends of the arms and pivoted thereto for swinging movement about a horizontal beam axis; a loading shovel having an open front for shoveling up debris and a back wall which has an upper edge, the shovel being pivoted to the crossbeam for swinging movement about a horizontal shovel pivot axis which is located near the upper edge of the back wall, the arrangement of shovel, crossbeam and arms being such that in the lowered position of the arms, the shovel pivot axis is above the beam pivot axis and the shovel is swingable to a lowered, loading position in engagement with the beam for shoveling in debris a

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for civil engineering and construction machinery in which at least first and second hydraulic circuits having at least first and second hydraulic pumps, respectively, are provided for driving a plurality of actuators such as left and right travelling actuators, a boom actuator and an arm actuator. The first circuit includes a first travelling directional control valve for one of the left and right travelling actuators located downstream of a first boom directional control valve for the boom actuator and a first arm directional control valve for the arm actuator that the latter to receive a hydraulic fluid supply from the first pump by taking priority over the first travelling valve.

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: A linkage system for a loader vehicle of the type comprising a pair of parallel lift arms having a first upper end pivotally connected to upper end portions of a vertical bracket member secured to the frame of the vehicle and a second lower end pivoted to an associated lower back portion of a bucket, a pair of bellcrank levers, the central portions of which are pivotally connected to corresponding upper end portions of the lift arms, a pair of connecting links having one or a first end pivotally connected to a lower end of the bellcrank levers and its other end pivotally connected to associated intermediate portions of the bracket members secured to the frame and a pair of bucket cylinders for control of rotation of the bucket about its lower end portion, having a head end pivotally connected to a corresponding upper end of the bellcrank levers and a rod end pivotally connected to an associated upper back end portion of the bucket.

Abstract: A self-leveling linkage assembly for maintaining a bucket in a level condition and for preventing the bucket from being rolled rearwardly beyond a predetermined maximum rollback position as the lift arm for the bucket is moved to an extreme raised position. The self-leveling linkage assembly includes a control arm rotatably mounted to a tractor frame at a location forwardly of the lift arm pivot, a position link connected between the control arm and bucket, a control valve for actuating a bucket cylinder, and a linkage connected between the control valve and a manually operable control handle. If the bucket rolls back beyond a predetermined position, the position link causes the control arm to rotate which in turn actuates the control valve for the bucket cylinder thereby rolling the bucket to a level position.

Abstract: A grapple operating mechanism (12) is attached to a vehicle (10), such as a front end loader, and includes a boom (26) rotatably attached to the vehicle (10) and a pipe and pole type grapple (11) attached to the other end of the boom (25). A boom actuating mechanism (29) is connected between the vehicle (10) and the boom (25) for moving the boom (25) relative to the vehicle (10) and a grapple actuating mechanism (33,35,36,37,38,40) is connected between the vehicle (10) and grapple to rotate the grapple (11) on the boom (25). The grapple actuating mechanism has one or more actuating cylinders (33) connected to a first set of arms (36) attached to the boom (25).

Abstract: First and second excavator bucket linkage embodiments each include first, second, third and fourth links. Each embodiment includes first and second links pivotally interconnected to each other and to the rod end of an extensible and retractable hydraulic actuator with the first link also being pivotally connected to the bucket. In the first embodiment, the third and fourth links are arranged in general parallelism with each other and have respective first ends pivotally connected to the second link and respective second ends pivotally connected to the dipper stick. In the second embodiment, the third link is pivotally connected between the dipper stick and the second link while the fourth link is pivotally interconnected between the third link and the bucket.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and carrying large cylindrical hay blades weighing up to 1500 pounds. The apparatus includes a support bar which connects to the conventional three-point hitch of a tractor by means of a flange on the end of said support bar and two support members which are attached to flange near the center of said support bar. The other end of the support bar is connected to a bale-carrying assembly, which includes a vertical member, a horizontal member attached perpendicularly to the bottom of the vertical member, and fork portions connected one to each end of the horizontal member. The angle of the bale-carrying assembly with respect to the support bar is controlled by means of a hydraulic cylinder connected between the two, and controlled from the tractor.

Abstract: A load handling vehicle includes a bucket side tilt mechanism with a supporting H-framework comprised of first and second side frame members and a cross-frame member. The side frame members are each coupled at a first end to the body of the vehicle and at a second end to the bucket, while the cross-frame member is pivoted at each end to a respective one of the side frame members so that the cross-frame member pivots during tilting of the bucket and relieves stress on the framework. A pair of dump cylinders coupled between the framework and bucket are provided for emptying the bucket. In addition, a hoist cylinder extends between the framework and the body of the vehicle, at each side of the vehicle, for raising and lowering the framework and thereby the bucket. A tilt cylinder is tandem with one of these hoist cylinders is extended and retracted to tip the framework and in turn tilt the bucket relative to horizontal as desired.

Abstract: A unique and improved loader design is disclosed incorporating straight lift arms and channeled front wheels. The front wheels define a channel or groove through which the lift arms are allowed to intercept unobstructed. The lift arms pivotally join a bucket positioned at the front of the loader with a pair of uprights positioned at the rear end of the loader. The channeled front wheels may be formed from two ordinary tires joined in tandem and separated by a spacer or by using molded, grooved, elastomeric tires. The design eliminates the highly stressed joint found in ordinary two-piece lift arm loaders. Fabrication is simplified and manufacturing costs are reduced.

Abstract: A pedestal crane of compact construction having a small turning radius is provided for use on board ships and/or off-shore drilling platforms. The crane has a dynamic load compensator so that it may absorb shock loads due to waves on the surrounding body of water. The crane mast includes upright walls supporting a fuel tank and hydraulic tank with the prime mover being between said walls.