US3851780A

US3851780A - Rear end loader

Info

Publication number: US3851780A
Application number: US00426919A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-12-20
Filing date: 1973-12-20
Publication date: 1974-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-03

Abstract

A loader is adapted for connection to the regular 3-point rear end hitch of a tractor including two lifting bars pivoted underneath the differential housing and an upper link pivoted above the differential housing. Such loader comprises a tractor attachment including two posts adapted to be pivotally connected to the free ends of the lifting bars and extending upwardly and rearwardly from such free ends to a point substantially above and adjacent to the differential housing, and a third post extending substantially vertically from the lower ends of the first two posts and provided at its upper end with a pivotal connection for the free end of the upper link of the 3-point hitch. Lift arms are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the first two posts and hydraulic cylinders interconnect the lift arms and the first two posts for swinging the lift arms about a first transverse axis passing through the upper ends of the first two posts. A bucket is pivotally connected to the free ends of the lift arms and means are provided for pivoting such bucket about a second transverse axis passing through the free ends of the lift arms.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Martin REAR END LOADER [76] Inventor: Claude R. Martin, RR. 2, Garthby,

Co. Frontenac, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 426,919

Primary Examiner-Robert J. Spar Assistant ExaminerRoss Weaver Attorney, Agent, or FirmRoland L. Morneau [57] ABSTRACT A loader is adapted for connection to the regular 3- Dec. 3, 1974 point rear end hitch of a tractor including two lifting bars pivoted underneath the differential housing and an upper link pivoted above the differential housing. Such loader comprises a tractor attachment including two posts adapted to be pivotally connected to the free ends of the lifting bars and extending upwardly and rearwardly from such free ends to a point substantially above and adjacent to the differential housing, and a third post extending substantially vertically from the lower ends of the first two posts and provided at its upper end with a pivotal connection for the free end of the upper link of the 3-point hitch. Lift arms are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the first two posts and hydraulic cylinders interconnect the lift arms and the first two posts for swinging the lift arms about a first transverse axis passing through the upper ends of the first two posts. A bucket is pivotally connected to the free ends of the lift arms and means are provided for pivoting such bucket about a second transverse axis passing through the free ends of the lift arms.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SHEET 10? 2 PATENTLL 74 PATENTEL BEE 3mm sum 2 or 2 REAR END LOADER This invention relates to a loader adapted for connection to the regular 3-point rear end hitch of a tractor which includes two lifting bars pivoted underneath the differential housing and an upper link pivoted above the differential housing.

A loader of the above type has been disclosed in Canadian Pat. No. 798,710 issued Nov. 12, 1968 to Laurent Fortier. However it has been experienced that this loader does not have a sufficient lift height and, furthermore, may not be used to lift heavy loads because it tilts the tractor.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a tractor rear-end loader which has a higher lift and which may be used to lift heavy loads without tilting the tractor.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a loader having a greater bucket dump angle and roll back angle than the ones presently on the market. This is particularly useful] with manure buckets because it permits to more easily introduce the forks of the bucket into the manure to pick it up.

The loader in accordance with the invention comprises a tractor attachment including first two posts adapted to be pivotally connected to the free ends of the lifting bars and extending upwardly and rearwardly from such free ends to a point substantially above and adjacent to the differential housing of the tractor, and a third post extending substantially vertically from the lifting bars 16 pivoted underneath the differential housing 18 of the tractor and an upper link 20 pivotally mounted above the differential housing. The lifting bars 16 are operated by conventional power arms (not shown) to which are connected rods 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Stabilizing bars 26 are also associated with lifting bars 16 and pivotally mounted on the drive shaft of the tractor.

The tractor attachment comprises two bent tubular posts 28 interconnected at their lower ends by a transverse tubular member 30. A plate 32 is welded to each end of the transverse member and a pivot pin 34 is secured to such plate. Pivot pins 34 are inserted into the free ends of lifting bars 16 and stabilizing bars 26. The upper ends of tubular posts 28 are interconnected by a transverse angle member 36 which, in the present embodiment, is slightly curved so as to give way to link 20 when the tractor attachment is lowered to its lowest position. A rectangular post 38 is welded transversely to transverse member 30 and supportedby a pyramidal structure including bars 40 and angle members 42 welded at one end to the upper end of post 38 and at their other ends to transverse

members

30 and 36. Two parallel plates 44 are welded edgewise on the post 38, a predetermined distance apart, and holes are provided through such plates for providing a pivotal'connection for the free end of link 20.

Two parallel plates 46 are also welded to each upper end of posts 28 and each set of plates is provided with lower ends of the first two posts and provided at its upper end with a pivotal connection for the free end of the upper link of the 3-point hitch. Lift arms are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the first two posts and hydraulic cylinders interconnect the lift arms and the first two posts for swinging the lift arms about a first transverse axis passing through the upper ends of the first two posts. A bucket is pivotally connected to the free ends of the lift arms and means are provided for pivoting such bucket about a second transverse axis passing through the free ends of the lift arms.

The means for pivoting the bucket includes at least one lever pivotally mounted on the lift arms about a third transverse axis, at least one rod interconnecting the free end of such lever to the bucket at a point remote from the second transverse axis, and an hydraulic cylinder interconnecting the lift arms and the free end of the lever whereby operation of the cylinder pivots the bucket. I

The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example, with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the loader in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the tractor attachment of the loader, and

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate perspective views of the bucket operating mechanism of the loader.

Referring to FIG. 1, thereis shown an overall assembly of the tractor attachment designated generally by the reference character 10, the lift arms 12 pivotally mounted on the upper end of the tractor attachment, and a manure bucket 14 pivotally mounted on the end of the lift arms.

As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 2, the tractor attachment is adapted to be mounted on the conventional 3-point hitch of the tractor which includes two aligned holes through which a pivot pin may be inserted for pivotally mounting the lift arms 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The lift arms are operated by two hydraulic jacks, each including a cylinder 48 pivotally connected to a plate 50 secured in the bent portion of the posts 28 and a piston 52 connected to a pivotal connection 54 of the lift arms 12 and more particularly near the apex of these lift arms which have angular shape.

It is to be understood that the cross-sectional shape of the various posts, cross-members and of the elements of the pyramidal structure may vary and that the one disclosed and shown in the drawings is by way of example only. Similarly, the shape of the attachment may also vary, the most important feature being that the attachment permits to raise the pivotal connection of the lift arms so as to increase the lift height of the loader and also to move such pivotal connection as close as possible to the rear axle of the tractor so as to permit to lift a heavier load without tilting the tractor. It is also to be understood that the posts 28 need not be angular in shape as illustrated in the drawings and could be curved or even straight in cases where an hydraulic jack of shorter length can be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown the mechanism for pivoting the manure bucket 14 which is mounted on the lift arms 12 constituted essentially of elbow-shaped beams. Such mechanism includes a lever 56 having one end pivotally connected to crossmember 58 of the lift arms 12, and a pair of rods 60 pivotally connected at one end to a pivotal connection 61 located at the other end of the lever 56 and at their other end to the bucket l4 through another pivotal connection including a pair of parallel plates 62 welded edgewise to the back plate of the bucket and a pivot pin 63 passing through aligned holes in the plates. The bucket is pivoted by means of a hydraulic jack including a cylinder 64 pivotally connected to cross-member 66 of the lift arms 12 and a piston68 pivotally connected to the pivotal connection 61 of lever 56. The rods 60 are connected to the plates 62 at a distance from the pivotal point 70 of the bucket. It will be understood that such distance may be adjusted so as to provide a dump angle and a roll back angle of approximately 80 each. For this purpose, additional hole may be provided through plates 62. A dump angle of 80 is particularly advantageous when loading manure because it permits to more easily put the forks through it.

It is to be understood that the bucket 14 may be operated by two cylinders one for each rod 60.

The operation of the loader, in accordance with the invention, is as follows:

The lift arms 12 are lifted or lowered by operating cylinders 48 which are double action cylinders energized from the regular hydraulic circuit of the tractor. If additional height is required the regular power arms of the tractor are actuated to raise the rods 24 and the attachment 10. The bucket 14 is rotated by energizing cylinder 64 which is a double action cylinder energized from the regular hydraulic circuit of the tractor.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that various embodiments are envisaged and that the scope of the invention is to be limited by the claims only. For example, the shape and cross-section of the various elements of the attachment may vary as mentioned previously. The shape and cross-section of the lift arms may also vary and they may be operated by one or more cylinders depending on the size of loads that the loader is adapted to carry. The bucket operating mechanism may also take various forms and may be operated by one or more cylinders also depending on the load.

What I claim is:

l. A loader adapted for connection to the regular 3- point rear end hitch of a tractor including two lifting bars pivoted underneath the differential housing and an upper link pivoted above the differential housing, said loader comprising:

a. a tractor attachment including first two posts adapted to be pivotally connected to the free ends of the lifting bars and extending upwardly and rearsaid first two posts to swing relative thereto about a first transverse axis;

0. hydraulic cylinder means interconnecting said first two posts and said lift arms for swinging said lift arms about said first transverse axis;

d. a bucket pivotally connected to the free end of said liftarms to pivot about asecond transverse axis; and

e. means for pivoting said bucket about said second transverse axis.

2. A loader as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for pivoting said bucket includes at least one lever pivotally mounted on said lift arms about a third transverse axis, at least one rod interconnecting the free end of said lever to said bucket at a point remote from said second transverse axis, and an additional hydraulic cylinder interconnecting said lift arms and the free end of said lever whereby operation of said cylinder will pivot the bucket.

3. A loader as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower ends of said first two posts are joined by cross-members and wherein said third post is welded to the center portion of the lower cross-member.

4. A loader as defined in claim 3, further comprising a pyramidal structure secured at its apex to the upper end of said third post and at its other ends to said crossmembers.

5. A loader as defined in claim 2, wherein said lift arms essentially comprise two beams, each beam being pivotally connected to one of said first two posts and of two cross-members interconnecting said beams.

6. A loader as defined in claim 5, wherein said lever is pivotally connected to one of said cross-members, and wherein said additional cylinder is pivotally connected to the other cross-member.

7. A loader as defined in claim 2, wherein said hydraulic cylinders are double acting cylinders.

8. A loader as defined in claim 1, wherein the said posts comprises two main angular portions, a first main portion being substantially horizontal and the other portion being substantially vertical.

9. A loader as defined in claim 5, wherein the said beams have an angular shape, the said hydraulic means being connected at the apex of said beams and said posts.

10. A loader as defined in claim 9, wherein one of said cross-members is adjacent the apex of the beams and the other is located between the latter and the said second transverse axis, the said lever being pivotally connected to said one cross-member, and the said additional hydraulic cylinder being connected to said other cross-member.

Claims

1. A loader adapted for connection to the regular 3-point rear end hitch of a tractor including two lifting bars pivoted underneath the differential housing and an upper link pivoted above the differential housing, said loader comprising: a. a tractor attachment including first two posts adapted to be pivotally connected to the free ends of the lifting bars and extending upwardly and rearwardly from said free ends to a point substantially above and adjacent to the differential housing of the tractor, and a third post extending substantially vertically from a cross bar connected between the lower ends of said first two posts and provided at its upper end with a pivotal connection for the free end of the upper link of the 3-point hitch of the tractor; b. lift arms pivotally connected to the upper ends of said first two posts to swing relative thereto about a first transverse axis; c. hydraulic cylinder means interconnecting said first two posts and said lift arms for swinging said lift arms about said first transverse axis; d. a bucket pivotally connected to the free end of said lift arms to pivot about a second transverse axis; and e. means for pivoting said bucket about said second transverse axis.

4. A loader as defined in claim 3, further comprising a pyramidal structure secured at its apex to the upper end of said third post and at its other ends to said cross-members.