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 f(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 (CUL) configured for connection to and operation of a variety of attachments, the CUL comprising:
- a frame;
- a control station including a control interface, and a platform coupled to a rear of the frame and configured to support an operator of 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;
- wherein
- the control interface includes:
- a graphic display configured to display multi-colored information to the operator and positioned at a top center portion of the control interface;
- a plurality of user input buttons arranged adjacently to each other and below the graphic display;
- a drive joystick used to control motion of the CUL and positioned at a left side portion of the control interface;
- a loader arm and attachment joystick used to control actuation of the loader arms and positioned at a right side portion of the control interface;
- and
- an engine speed lever used to control engine speed of the CUL, and the engine speed lever is positioned between the drive joystick and the loader arm and attachment joystick.
A compact utility loader (CUL) configured for connection to and operation of a variety of attachments, the CUL comprising:
- a frame;
- a platform coupled to a rear of the frame and configured to support a user of 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;
- and
- a control interface including:
- a graphic display configured to display multi-colored information to the user and positioned at a top center portion of the control interface;
- a plurality of user input buttons arranged adjacently to each other and below the graphic display;
- a drive joystick used to control motion of the CUL and positioned at a left side portion of the control interface;
- and
- a loader arm and attachment joystick used to control actuation of the loader arms and positioned at a right side portion of the control interface;
- wherein
- a first base cover provided on a surface of the control interface completely surrounds the drive joystick;
- and
- a second base cover provided on the surface of the control interface completely surrounds the loader arm and attachment joystick.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.