# US 10,480,156 B2 · Work vehicle

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,480,156 B2
- Document ID: US10480156B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/371,621
- Filed: 2016-12-07
- Published: 2017-06-15
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-14
- Assignees: Kubota Corporation
- Applicants: Kubota Corporation
- Inventors: Hiroki Nagai; Tomohisa Yamamoto; Masayuki Akita; Shoichiro Nagaishi; Koichiro Matsumoto; Nobuyuki Yamashita; Ryo Matsumoto; Azusa Furihata; Masahiro Izumi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480156B2

## CPC

- E02F 9/2004: {Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers (control levers per se G05G)}
- B60R 3/00: Arrangements of steps {or ladders facilitating access to or on the vehicle}, e.g. running-boards ({construction of steps for railway vehicles B61D23/00} ; ladders E06C)
- E02F 3/3417: {Buckets emptying by tilting (E02F3/342, E02F3/345 take precedence)}
- E02F 9/0833: {Improving access, e.g. for maintenance, steps for improving driver's access, handrails}
- E02F 9/0875: {Arrangement of valve arrangements on superstructures (arrangement of hydraulic hoses E02F9/2275 takes precedence; valves per se E02F9/2267)}
- A01D 34/661: {Mounting means}
- A01D 34/74: Cutting-height adjustment
- A01D 34/76: Driving mechanisms for the cutters
- B62D 49/06: adapted for multi-purpose use
- E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00)
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)

## Abstract

A work vehicle includes a riding-type traveling vehicle body and a hydraulically operable front loader coupled to a front of the traveling vehicle body. The traveling vehicle body includes left and right rear wheels disposed to the left and right of a driver seat, left and right rear fenders covering the left and right rear wheels, a valve unit for the front loader and an operating lever for the front loader. The valve unit is disposed in a space between the rear wheel and the rear fender on one of left and right sides, and the operating lever extends from the space, upward of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A work vehicle comprising:
a riding-type traveling vehicle body; and
a hydraulically operable front loader coupled to a front of the traveling vehicle body,
wherein the traveling vehicle body comprises:
left and right rear wheels disposed to the left and right of a driver seat;
left and right rear fenders covering the left and right rear wheels;
a valve unit for the front loader;
an operating lever for the front loader;
a vehicle body frame;
a boarding step provided on one of the left and right sides of the vehicle body frame; and
a support unit for supporting the valve unit, wherein the valve unit is disposed in a space between the rear wheel and the rear fender on one of the left and right sides;
wherein the operating lever extends from the space, upward of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides,
wherein the support unit comprises:
a first support member that extends laterally outward from the vehicle body frame to support a rear portion of the boarding step;
a second support member that extends laterally outward from the vehicle body frame to support an upper rear end of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides;
a third support member that extends forward from the second support member to support an upper front end of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides, and
a fourth support member detachably spanning the first support member and the third support member, and
wherein the valve unit and the operating lever are supported by the fourth support member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever comprises:
a first link member that pivots longitudinally about a lateral first support shaft in the space; and
a second link member that pivots laterally about a longitudinal second support shaft in the space,
wherein the valve unit comprises:
a first spool for operating booms, and
a second spool for operating a bucket,
wherein one of the first link member and the second link member is operably linked to the first spool via a first link rod, and
wherein the other of the first link member and the second link member is operably linked to the second spool via a second link rod.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the traveling vehicle body further comprises a lock mechanism for securing the operating lever in a neutral position,
wherein the lock mechanism comprises:
a pivot member that pivots integrally with the operating lever in longitudinal and lateral directions;
a lock pin insertable into a through hole formed in the pivot member; and
a lock lever for operating the lock pin;
wherein the lock pin and the lock lever are supported by the fourth support member, and
wherein the lock lever extends from the space in a location adjacent to the operating lever, upward of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the traveling vehicle body further comprises:
a lock mechanism for securing the operating lever in a neutral position;
wherein the lock mechanism comprises:
a pivot member that pivots integrally with the operating lever in longitudinal and lateral directions;
a lock pin insertable into a through hole formed in the pivot member; and
a lock lever for operating the lock pin;
wherein the pivot member and the lock pin are disposed in the space,
wherein the lock lever extends from the space in a location adjacent to the operating lever, upward of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit is tilted forwardly downward in a front portion of the space.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the support unit comprises a first portion extending above a vehicle body frame of the traveling vehicle body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the support unit comprises a second portion that supports the upper portion of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the support unit comprises a third portion tilted forwardly downward along a front portion of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The work vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the third portion comprises
a first valve support portion extending along and facing the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides in the space, the first valve support portion supporting the valve unit, and
a second valve support portion extending along and facing the rear wheel on the one of the left and right sides in the space, the second valve support portion supporting the first valve support portion, and
wherein the first valve support portion is formed in an inverted L-shape in a side view.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a guide member for the operating lever is provided on the opposite side of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides to the valve unit.

### Claim 11

A work vehicle comprising:
a riding-type traveling vehicle body; and
a hydraulically operable front loader coupled to a front of the traveling vehicle body,
wherein the traveling vehicle body comprises:
left and right rear wheels disposed to the left and right of a driver seat;
left and right rear fenders covering the left and right rear wheels;
a valve unit for the front loader;
an operating lever for the front loader;
an auxiliary gear shift lever for gear shifting between a high vehicle speed and a low vehicle speed;
a selector lever for switching a traveling mode between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive; and
an elevation lever for elevating and lowering work equipment detachably attached to the traveling vehicle body,
wherein the valve unit is disposed in a space between the rear wheel and the rear fender on one of the left and right sides;
wherein the operating lever extends from the space, upward of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides;
wherein the auxiliary gear shift lever and the selector lever are arranged side by side in the lower front portion of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides between the driver seat and the operating lever, and
wherein the elevation lever is disposed in an upper portion of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides between the driver seat and the operating lever.

### Claim 12

A work vehicle comprising:
a riding-type traveling vehicle body; and
a hydraulically operable front loader coupled to a front of the traveling vehicle body,
wherein the traveling vehicle body comprises:
left and right rear wheels disposed to the left and right of a driver seat;
left and right rear fenders covering the left and right rear wheels;
a valve unit for the front loader;
an operating lever for the front loader; and
a support unit for supporting the valve unit, wherein the valve unit is disposed in a space between the rear wheel and the rear fender on one of the left and right sides;
wherein the operating lever extends from the space, upward of the rear fender on the one of the left and right sides,
wherein the support unit comprises a first portion extending above a vehicle body frame of the traveling vehicle body,
wherein an inverted U-shaped protective frame is erected on the vehicle body frame, and
wherein the first portion spans the left and right legs of the protective frame.