GB2222138A - Detachable tractor-mounted front hoe; luffing and slewing of bucket - Google Patents

Abstract

For detachable mounting onto vehicle (12), front loading apparatus (10) includes a support assembly (14) mountable onto the vehicle for rotation about a first axis and defining tool engagement apparatus (60) defining a second axis of rotation (56) and apparatus (36, 39, 50) for rotating the tool engagement apparatus thereabout, front hoe apparatus (80) comprising a bucket (82) with cutting edge (83); apparatus (86, 110) for detachably mounting the bucket onto apparatus (60) such that in a digging mode the front hoe apparatus is rotated by the apparatus (36, 39, 50) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation (56) such that the cutting edge (83) of the bucket (82) is substantially parallel this axis; and piston and lever apparatus associated with the bucket (82) and the mounting apparatus (86, 110) for moving the bucket member between the above-described orientation and a second orientation (Fig 5B) in which the cutting edge (83) lies transverse to the digging mode position. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to agricultural and industrial apparatus in general and, in particular, to multifunctional front loaders attachable to tractors and to tools useful therewith.

The use of front loading apparatus, designed for easy and safe attachment to tractors, is an essential part of modern agricultural practice.

Various tes of front loader are knows in the art. A typical conventional front loader comprises a detachable framework mounted onto a front portion of a tractor. Each of two parallel cranked metal beams is attached at one end to the detachable framework and supports at another end a tool such as a bucket or forklift. There is also provided hydraulic means for raising the cranked beams and for tilting the tool mounted thereon.

The c^,.;entional front loader is characterized by its sy-etrical placement on a tractor, and by the fact that its use widens the range of tasks to which a tractor may be applied, thus cb:lating the necessity of purchase or hire of specialized machinery by a user.

The ccnventional front loader is further characterized by a nuber of limitations, arong which are included a high production cost and the inability to attach a telescopic arm thereto, which in some cases may be desirable.

A further refinement to the conventional front loader, an independently operable telescopic handling machine, has also been developed. This machine utilizes a single telescopic arm and supersedes, to a large extent, the more cumbersome equipment as exemplified by a conventional front loader used in conjunction with a tractor.

The telescopic handler has certain operating advantages when compared with a conventional front loader. However, it is also characterized by its relatively high cost due to its constituting part of a specialized machine and not as a detachable additional assembly of a multi-functional machine such as a tractor.

Among tools used widely in agriculture and industry is a small-scale mechanical digger or hoe. The small-scale hoe is particularly useful for digging ditches, such as for drainage or for laying pipework. The hoe normally forms a rear-mounted permanent feature of specialized digging apparatus and, although differently-sized buckets may be used, the buckets are built to be used solely with the specializec apparatus rather than as an accessory to multi-functional removable front loaders.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided front hoe apparatus for detachable mounting onto vehicle front loading apparatus including a support assembly mounted onto the vehicle for rotation about a first axis and defining tool engagement apparatus defining a second axis of rotation and apparatus for rotating the tool engagement apparatus about the second axis of rotation, said front hoe apparatus comprising a bucket member defining a cutting edge; apparatus for detachably mounting the bucket member onto the tool engagement apparatus such that in a digging mode the front hoe apparatus is operable to be rotated by the rotation apparatus in a plane substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation such that the cutting edge of the bucket member is substantially parallel to the second axis of rotation; and selectable apparatus associated with the bucket member and the mounting apparatus for moving the bucket member between first and second orientations, in the first orientation the cutting edge of the bucket being in the digging mode position and in the second orientation the cutting edge lying transverse to the digging mode position.

Preferably, the apparatus for detachably mounting comprises a mounting plate disposed substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation and defining mounts engageable by the tool engagement apparatus and a base with which is associated the selectable apparatus for moving; and in some embodiments there may be a pair of said mounting plates, Preferably, the bucket member further defines an integrally formed support arm and the apparatus for moving comprises a first elongate support member defining first and second ends and mounted thereby onto the base and the support arm, respectively, for movement in a predetermined plane; a second elongate support member defining first and second ends and mounted thereby onto the base and the support arm, respectively, for movement in the predetermined plane; and selectable apparatus for applying a moment to the support arm so as to cause movement thereof in the predetermined plane between the first and the second orientations.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided combined front loading apparatus and front hoe apparatus for detachable mounting onto a vehicle comprising front hoe apparatus; support apparatus associable with the vehicle and defining a first axis of rotation transverse to a travel direction of the vehicle; a cranked member having first and second ends and a cranked portion, the first end being mounted onto the support apparatus for rotation about the first axis and the second end defining first front hoe engagement apparatus defining a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis; a first extensible assembly having first and second ends, the first end being rotationally mounted onto the support apparatus and the second end being rotationally mounted onto the cranked portion of the cranked member. actuation of the first extensible assembly being operative to cause rotation of the cranked member about the first rotation axis; and a second extensible assembly having first and second ends, the first end being rotationally associated with the cranked portion of the cranked beam and the second end defining second front hoe er ge2ent apparatus cozplimentary to the first front hoe engagement apparatus, actuation of the second extensible assembly be-r.g operative to cause rotation of the first and second front hoe e..gagement apparatus about the second rotation axis.

Preferably, the support apparatus comprises a mounting framework and a support member securable to the vehicle and for receiving and supporting the mounting framework, the first axis of rotation being defined by the mounting framework and the first end of the extensible assembly being rotationally mounted onto the mounting framework.

There may also be provided a quick change assembly mounted in association ssith the first and the second front hoe engaging apparatus. the assembly defining first and second mounts for detachable mounting thereon of the front hoe apparatus.

Preferably, the front hoe apparatus comprises a bucket member defining a cutting edge; apparatus for detachably mounting the bucket member onto the first and second front hoe engagement apparatus such that in a digging mode the front hoe apparatus is operable to be rotated by the second extensible assembly in a plane substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation such that the cutting edge cf the bucket member is substantially parallel to the second axis of rotation: : and selectable apparatus associated with the bucket member and the mounting apparatus for Loving the bucket member between first and second orientations, in the first orientation the cutting edge of the bucket being in the digging mode position and .n the second orientation the cutting edge lying transverse to the digging mode position.

It will of course be appreciated that it is also within the scope of the invention to use other tools in combination with the front loading apparatus instead of the front hoe apparatus.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A shows a side elevational view of detachable front loading apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, mounted onto a tractor; Fig. 1B shows a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1A; Fig. 1C is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1A and lB; Fig. 2 is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C, showing use of a quick change frame; Fig. 3 is & side view illustration of the apparatus of Figs. 1A, 1E and 1C, any also exploying a telescopic ar;; Fig. 4 is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C, showing engagement of the apparatus by 2 tractor; Fig. 5A is a side view illustration of the apparatus of Fgs. 1A, 1B and 1C, wherein 2 detachable front hoe constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in a first operational stage; Fig. 5B is a plan view of the detachable front hoe of Fig. 5A in a first lateral mode of operation, taken in the direction of arrow B therein; Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5A, but showing the front hoe in a second operational stage; Fig. 7 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig.

5A, showing the front hoe in a third operational stage; Fig. 8 is a side view of the apparatus shorn in Fig.

5A, showing the front hoe in a fourth operational stage; Fig. 9A is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig.

5A, showing the front hoe in a fifth operational stage; and Fig. 9B is a plan view of the detachable front hoe of Fig. 5A in a second lateral mode of operation, taken in the direction of arrow B therein; Reference is made to Figs. lA, 1B and 1C, in which there is shown front loading apparatus 10, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Apparatus 10 is mounted onto a tractor 12, which typically is any conventional tractor, by means of a tractormounted support beam 15, shown more clearly in Fig. 4. Apparatus 10 comprises a mounting framework 14 which is constructed for placement over support beam 15 and is typically held in place by means of a holding pin 16 which passes through both framework 14 and beam 15, thus serving to lock them together.

Supported by framework 14 is a cranked beam 18, which is connected to the framework at a hinge location 20 (Fig. 1A) for rotation about an axis 28 (Fig. 1B), passing therethrough. A distal end 22 of beam 18 is constructed so as to be able to receive any conventional tool as knokn in the art. such as a bucket, fcrklift or a rotating fork. The tool shorn is a st & .darc s zed bucket 24.

A first hydraulic assembly 30 is provided between a first hinge location 32, associated with framework 14 and a second hinge location 34, defined by a pair of plates 26, mounted cnto a cranked portion 25 of beam 18. As hydraulic assembly 30 is pressurized so as to become extended, beam 18 becomes rotated abort a > :lS such that end 22 of the beam and, therefore, bucket 24, are also rotated thereabout, so as to be raised.

A first member 50 is hingedly mounted between a first hinge 52 defined by beam 18 and a second hinge 40, defined at a connection between a first end of a second member 39 and a piston 38 of a second hydraulic assembly 36. Second hydraulic assembly 36 is further mounted at a hinge location 42 defined by plates 26. A rigid 'parallel linkage' member 44 is mounted between location 46 defined by framework 14 and an end 48 of second hydraulic assembly 36.

It will be appreciated that the presence of member 44 ensures that as beam 18 is rotated by first hydraulic assembly 30 so as to raise assembly 39, it retains an orientation parallel to its orientation at rest. Thus, for example, when bucket 24 is lifted from a ground position to a raised position, its angle relative to the ground does not change substantially and, therefore, the contents contained thereby do not spill out.

Bucket 24 is mounted hingedly onto beam 18 at a second mounting 56 defined thereby and is further connected to a second end of second member 39 at a first mounting 54. It will thus be appreciated that second hydraulic assembly is operative, when pressurized so as to become extended, to tip bucket 24, or any other tool mounted onto be 18, tout an axis 58 passing through second mounting 56.

Referring additionally to Fig. 2, there is shown an embodiment of the present invention wherein a quick change assembly 60, as known in the art, is hingedly attached to piston 38 at first mounting 54 and to cranked beam 18 at second mounting 56. Use of quick change assembly 60 enables simple and quick attachment or detachment of agricultural attachments such as bucket 24 by means of a hooked section 62, configured to cooperate with assembly 60.

Referring additionally to Fig. 3, there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention wherein cranked beam 18 employs a telescopic arm 64, as known to those skilled in the art, and which is shown more clearly in a raised and extended position, generally indicated 66. In this embodiment, parallel linkage member is extensible and may comprise a hydraulic assembly, a linear actuator or any other knokn extensible system suitable for this purpose.

Fig. 4 shows front loading apparatus 10, which is initially supported by a leg 68, being engaged by tractor 12.

Supporting leg 68 is placed at a location 61 such that when a tool, such as bucket 24, is resting on the ground. mounting framework 14 is substantially parallel to a ground surface 70.

Therefore, when tractor 12 is driven towards Apparatus 10, support beam 15 is brought into engage-r.t with framei;.rk 14 so as to bring hclding pin 16 into alignment with an aperture 72 defined by support beam 15, thus facilitating locking of apparatus 10 onto tractor 12. Once apparatus 10 has been mounted onto tractor 12 es described, support leg 68 may be re-oved.

Apparatus 10 may be constructed to lift loads typically in a range of half of one tonne to two tonnes although, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the range uay also depend upon the size of tractor 12 upon which apparatus 10 is installed. For example, when a relatively powerful tractor is used, loads of up to five tonnes may be lifted.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5A, in which there is shown, in a first operational stage, a detachable front hoe, referenced generally 80 and constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention mounted on front loading apparatus 10 of the present invention. The front hoe 80 is typically useful for digging small ditches such as drainage channels or for laying pipework systems, and typically for ditches of less than 1 m in depth.

It is an important feature of the present embodiment that, although front hoe 80 is shown for use with the single arm front loading apparatus 10 of the present invention, this is for exemplary purposes only and, according to an alternative embodiment, the front hoe may be modified for use with conventional two arm loaders as known in the art. Furthermore, although the front hoe is shorn to be mounted by means of quick change assembly 60, this is not intended to exclude the use of the front hoe of the present invention from being mounted by more conventional securing apparatus.

Referring also to Fig. 5B, front hoe 80 comprises a bucket member 82 including a mounting arm 84, which is movably secured to a base 86 by means of respective first and second support members 88 and 90 and a third hydraulic assembly 92 (Fig.

9B), aligned along an axis 93. First and second members 88 and 90 are hingedly secured between respective first end locations 94 and 96 and respective second end locations 98 and 100. Third hydraulic assembly 92 is hingedly secured between location 94 and a further location 104, defined by mounting arm 84. Preferably, locations 100, 98 and 104 are aligned along a common axis 106.

Referring additionally to Fig. 9B, as third hydraulic assembly 92 is pressurized so as to become extended, a moment is applied to support arm 84 so as to move it laterally in the direction shown by an arrow 108. The importance of this feature will become apparent from the ensuing description.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5A and 5B, base 86 is secured to, typically, a pair of mounting plates 110 extending transversely thereto, configured so as to define first and second mounting locations, respectively referenced 112 and 114, operative to cooperate with respective first and second mountings 54 and 56 defined by quick change assembly 60. Although according to the present embodiment, hoe 80 is used in conjunction with single arm front loading apparatus 10, the hoe may also be used in conjunction with a two arm front loader. Furthermore, although mounting of the hoe is typically, as described, by mounting plates 110 and quick change assembly 60, according to alternative embodiments, mounting of the hoe may be by an suitable means as knows in the art.

In operation, front hoe 80 is brought into engagement with ground surface 70 by contracting first hydraulic assembly 30 so as to lower cranked beam 18 and, therefore, hoe 80, towards the ground surface in a direction of rotation indicated schematically by an arrow 116.

Typically, the force at which the bucket member 82 is lowered to the ground surface is sufficient for a cutting edge 83 thereof to break through the ground surface, as shown. At this stage, and for subsequent digging operations to be described, it is important that in order to gain maximum digging power, bucket member 82 is aligned along an axis 118, which is parallel to a forward direction of travel of tractor 12.

Rigid flanges 120 (Fig. 5B) are fixed to base 86 so as to ensure that member 82 remains aligned along axis 118 while digging. However, when member 82 is tipped up in preparation for spilling excavated material, the flanges do not inhibit lateral movement of member 82 as it is lifted above them.

Referring now to Fig. 6, as second hydraulic assembly 36 is pressurized so as to become extended, hoe 80 is rotated about an axis passing through mounting 56 in the direction shown by an arrow 122 such that bucket member 82 excavates a volume of ground material. Hoe 80 is then withdrawn from engagement with the ground surface and, as shown in Fig. 7, first hydraulic assembly 30 is extended so as to raise hoe 80 above the ground to the position shown.

With reference to Figs. 8, 9A and 9B, third hydraulic assembly 92 (Fig. gB) is then pressurized so as to become extended, thereby cving bucket member 82 transversely out of alignment with axis 118 and, therefore, out of the line of the excavation. Once the bucket member has reached a position, such as shown schematically in Fig. 9B, second hydraulic assembly is contracted so as to tip hoe 80 such that the excavated material is spilled from bucket member 82. By a reverse sequence of the operations described, the bucket member may be returned to the position shown in Figs. 5A and 5B and further excavation may be carried out.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited by what has been described and shown above. The scope of the invention is limited, rather, solely by the claims which follow:

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS 1. Front hoe apparatus for detachable mounting onto vehicle front loading apparatus including a support assembly mounted onto the vehicle for rotation about a first axis and defining tool engagement apparatus defining a second axis of rotation and apparatus for rotating the tool engagement apparatus about the second axis of rotation, the front hoe apparatus comprising:: a bucket member defining a cutting edge; means for detachably mounting said bucket member onto the tool engagement apparatus such that in a digging mode said front hoe apparatus is operable to be rotated by the rotation apparatus in a plane substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation such that said cutting edge of said bucket member is substantially parallel to the second axis of rotation; and selectable means associated with said bucket member and said mounting means for moving said bucket member between first and second orientations, in said first orientation said cutting edge of said bucket being in said digging --ode position and in said second orientation said cutting edge lying trans'erse to said digging more position.
2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, and wherein said means for detachably mounting comprises: at least one mounting plate disposed substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation and refining vaunts engageable by the tool engagement apparatus and a base with which is associated said selectable means for moving.
3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, and wherein said bucket member further defines an integrally formed support arm and said means for moving comprises: a first elongate support member defining first and second ends and mounted thereby onto said base and said support arm, respectively, for movement in a predetermined plane; a second elongate support member defining first and second ends and mounted thereby onto said base and said support arm, respectively, for movement in said predetermined plane; and selectable means for applying a moment to said support arm so as to cause movement thereof in said predetermined plane between said first and said second orientations.
4. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, and wherein said selectable means comprises an extensible hydraulic assembly.
5. 5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, and wherein said at least one mounting plate is a pair of mounting plates and the front loading apparatus is two arm front loading apparatus.
6. 6. Combined front loading apparatus and front hoe apparatus for detachable mounting onto a vehicle comprising: front hoe apparatus; support means associable with the vehicle and defining a first axis of rotation transverse to a travel direction of the vehicle; a cranked member having first and second ends and a cranked portion, said first end being mounted onto said support means for rotation about said first axis and said second end defining first front hoe engagement means defining a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to said first axis;; a first extensible assembly having first and second ends, said first end being rotationally mounted onto said support means and said second end being rotationally mounted onto said cranked portion of said cranked member actuation of said first extensible assembly being operative to cause rotation of said cranked member about said first rotation axis; and a second extensible assembly having first and second ends, said first end being rotationally associated with said cranked portion of said cranked beam and said second end defining second front hoe engagement means complimentary to said first front hoe engagement means, actuation of said second extensible assembly being operative to cause rotation of said first and second front hoe engagement means about said second rotation axis.
7. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, and wherein said support leans comprises: a mounting framework and a support member securable to the vehicle and for receiving and supporting said mounting framework, said first axis of rotation being defined by said mounting framework and said first end of said extensible assembly being rotationally mounted onto said mounting framework.
8. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, and also including means for locking said mounting framework onto said support member.
9. 9. Apparatus according to either of claims 7 or 8, and also including a quick change assembly mounted in association with said first and said second front hoe engaging means, said assembly defining at least first and second mounts for detachable mounting thereon of said front hoe apparatus.
10. 10. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, and also including an elongate meter having first and second ends by which it is rotationally mounted in association with said support means and said first end cf said extesible means and lying generally parallel to a portion of said cranked member, said elongate member being operative to ensure that the oriertation of said front hoe apparatus engaged by said first and second tool engagement means remains similar to its orientation at rest when just said first extensible means is activated so as to cause rotation of said cranked member about said first rotation axis.
11. 11. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 10, and wherein said cranked member includes a telescopic extension member provided between said first end of said cranked member and said cranked portion.
12. 12. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 11, and wherein said front hoe apparatus comprises: a bucket member defining a cutting edge; means for detachably mounting said bucket member onto said first and second front hoe engagement means such that in a digging mode said front hoe apparatus is operable to be rotated by said second extensible assembly in a plane substantially perpendicular to said second axis of rotation such that said cutting edge of said bucket member is substantially parallel to said second axis of rotation; and selectable means associated with said bucket member and said mounting means for moving said bucket member between first and second orientations, in said first orientation said cutting edge of said bucket being in said digging mode position and in said second orientation said cutting edge lying transverse to said digging mode position.
13. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, and wherein said means for detachably mounting comprises: at least one mounting plate disposed substantially perpendicular to said first rotation axis and defining mounts engageable by said first and second front hoe engagement means and a base with which is associated said selectable means for moving.
14. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, and wherein said bucket member defines an integrally formed support arm and said means for moving comprises: a first elongate support member defining first and second ends and mounted thereby onto said base and said support arm, respectively, for movement in a predetermined plane; a second elongate support member defining first and second ends and mounted thereby onto said base and said support arm, respectively, for movement in said predetermined plane; and selectable means for applying a moment to said support arm so as to cause movement thereof in said predetermined plane between said first and said second orientations.
15. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, and wherein said selectable means comprises an e > :tensLle W raulic assert
16. 16. Apparatus according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to Figures 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
17. 17. Apparatus according to claim 6, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. 18. Front loading apparatus for detachable mounting onto a vehicle and adapted to carry a front hoe or other tool, the apparatus comprising: support means associable with the vehicle and defining a first axis of rotation transverse to a travel direction of the vehicle; a cranked member having first and second ends and a cranked portion, said first end being mounted onto said support means for rotation about said first axis and said second end defining first tool engagement means defining a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to said first axis; ; a first extensible assembly having first and second ends, said first end being rotationally mounted onto said support means and said second end being rotationally mounted onto said cranked portion of said cranked member, actuation of said first extensible assembly being operative to cause rotation of said cranked member about said first rotation axis; and a second extensible assembly having first and second ends, said first end being rotationally associated with said cranked portion of said cranked beam and said second end defining second tool engagement means complimentary to said first tool engagement means, actuation of said second extensible assembly being operative to cause rotation of said first and second tool engagement means about said second rotation axis.