Loader with improved arm path
AssigneeGreat Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsJason Carlson, John M. Relph, Matthew Shobe, Jeff Welsh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, a first track and a second track positioned on either side of the frame, and a pair of loader arms. The loader arms are configured to couple with an attachment via a hitch plate and a hitch pin. The compact utility loader is configured such that as the loader arms are raised and lowered, the hitch pin follows a path approximately defined by a curve ƒ(x)=4.641e0.34x. The value “x” represents a horizontal direction and the function f(x) represents a vertical direction.
Claims20
A compact utility loader configured to operate a variety of attachments, the compact utility loader comprising:
- a frame;
- a loader arm;
- an actuator configured to raise and lower the loader arm between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the actuator is not simultaneously secured to both the frame and the loader arm;
- a hitch plate configured for connection to the variety of attachments;
- and
- a hitch pin configured to secure the hitch plate to the loader arm,
- wherein the hitch pin follows a curved travel path that extends from a base position to a maximum height position when the loader arm is raised from the lowered position to the raised position,
- wherein the maximum height position is horizontally forward of the base position,
- wherein the curved travel path has an inflection point at an intermediate height between the base position and the maximum height position,
- wherein, at the inflection point, the curved travel path transitions from moving horizontally away from the base position as the loader arm is raised toward the intermediate height to moving horizontally closer to the base position as the loader arm is raised above the intermediate height.
A stand-on compact utility loader (CUL) configured for connection to and operation of a variety of attachments, the CUL comprising:
- a frame;
- a control station positioned at a rear of the frame and including a control panel and a platform coupled to the frame, wherein the platform is configured to support a standing user while operating the CUL;
- a pair of tracks positioned on opposite sides of the frame;
- a pair of loader arms coupled to opposite sides of the frame and shiftable relative to the frame between a lowered position and a raised position;
- a pair of front and a pair of rear links, wherein the front and rear links support the loader arms relative to the frame, wherein each front and rear link is pivotally coupled to the frame and to one of the loader arms;
- a pair of hydraulic cylinders each associated with one of the loader arms and configured to shift the loader arms between the lowered and raised positions, wherein each of the hydraulic cylinders includes a first end pivotably coupled to the frame and a second end pivotably coupled to one of the front links or rear links;
- a hitch plate configured for connection to the variety of attachments;
- and
- a pair of hitch pins for pivotably attaching the hitch plate to the loader arms,
- wherein the hitch pins follow a curved travel path from a base position to a maximum height position when the loader arms are shifted from the lowered position to the raised position,
- wherein the maximum height position is horizontally forward of the base position,
- wherein the curved travel path has an inflection point at an intermediate height between the base position and the maximum height position,
- wherein, at the inflection point, the curved travel path transitions from moving horizontally away from the base position as the loader arms are raised toward the intermediate height to moving horizontally closer to the base position as the loader arms are raised above the intermediate height.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.