Mechanism for supporting an earthworking etc. tool

A vehicle provided with a mechanism for supporting an earthworking tool which mechanism comprises:

• (i) a primary support structure adapted to be pivotally attached, in a readily releasable manner, about a generally upright, slewing axis, to an elevating linkage mechanism of a vehicle;
• (ii) power means for controlled slewing of the primary support structure about its slewing axis;
• (iii) a secondary support structure rotatably mounted about a generally forwardly directed axis on the primary support structure;
• (iv) power means to effect controlled rotation of the secondary support structure with respect to the primary support structure;
• (v) tool support means pivotally mounted on the secondary support structure;
• and
• (vi) means to pivot the tool support means with respect to the secondary support structure.

A mechanism (22) for fitting as an attachment to a conventional front end loader (21), characterised in that, the mechanism (22) comprises, in combination;

• (i) a pair of parallel link arms (25) to replace the link arms of the conventional front end loader and with rear ends of the arms being adapted to be pivotable about the same pivot axes (25b) on the loader, as the replaced conventional arms;
• (ii) a pair of primary, parallel rams (25c) pivotably connected at their rear ends (25d) to the front end loader (21) and at their front ends to one of the parallel link arms (25), so as to be capable of elevating and lowering the link arms (25) about their pivots (25b) in a generally vertical plane to provide a primary elevating and lowering facility;
• (iii) a slewing axis (24) provided, by a king post structure (24a) carried, commonly, by the front ends of the arms, and
• (iv) tool support structure (28) pivotally attached to the king post structure (24a), and
• (v) a pair of secondary parallel rams (34,35) pivotally connected between the king post structure (24a) and the tool support structure (28), to provide a secondary elevating structure to provide a secondary elevating and lowering facility.