Object loading and unloading apparatus

Apparatus for loading and unloading objects comprising:

• a framework rigidly attached to a prime mover;
• a frame having a pair of fork members connected thereto adjacent one end thereof, said fork members being disposed at a right angle with respect to said frame, said frame being pivotally mounted on said framework;
• track means rigidly connected to said framework, said track means including a first section which is substantially horizontally disposed and a second section which is inclined at an angle between vertical and horizontal whereby one end of said track means is lower than the other end thereof;
• a first wheel rotatably mounted along a first axis to one side of said frame intermediate the ends of the frame, said first wheel being disposed on the second section of the track means;
• means for preventing said first wheel from moving out of said second section;
• first means for selectively adjusting the position of said first wheel with respect to said frame, said first adjusting means comprising a first bracket member slideably received on a first frame member, one of said first bracket member and said first frame member having a first opening therein and the other of said first bracket member and said first frame member having a first plurality of holes therein, and first pin means for selectively being received in said first opening and in one of said first plurality of holes;
• a second wheel rotatably mounted along said first axis to the other side of said frame intermediate the ends of the frame, said second wheel being disposed on the second section of the track means;
• means for preventing said second wheel from moving out of said second section;
• second means for selectively adjusting the position of said second wheel with respect to said frame, said second adjusting means comprising a second bracket member slideably received on a second frame member, one of said second bracket member and said second frame member having a second opening therein and the other of said second bracket member and said second frame member having a second plurality of holes therein, and second pin means for selectively being received in said second opening and in one of said second plurality of holes;
• a third wheel rotatably mounted along a second axis to said one side of the frame, said third wheel being receivable on the first section of said track means;
• a fourth wheel rotatably mounted along said second axis to said other side of the frame, said fourth wheel being receivable on the first section of said track means;
• and
• actuating means for selectively moving said frame with respect to said framework, said actuating means including a winch connected to said framework, a pulley connected to the other end of said frame, and a cable connected to said winch at one end thereof and to said framework at the other end thereof, said cable being disposed around one side of said pulley.