Self-propelled loader carrier

A self-propelled loading apparatus, comprising:

• a carriage, including independently controllable first and second drive wheels having a common axis, first and second hydraulic drive motors for independently powering the first and second drive wheels, respectively, and a free-turning nose wheel mounted on a pivotable caster spaced from a common axis;
• a turntable mount, affixed to the carriage;
• a rotatable, hydraulic knuckle boom loader supported by the carriage on the turntable mount, including hydraulic power means for supplying hydraulic power, rotation means for rotating the knuckle boom loader on the turntable mount, a plurality of movable outrigger means for stabilizing the carriage during operation of the loader, an extensible hydraulic boom having grasping means at a free end, and hydraulic control means connected to the hydraulic power means for selectably directing hydraulic power to each of the first and second drive motors and to the boom;
• a towing arrangement, including a tow hitch at an end of the carriage distal from the drive wheels for removably connecting the carriage to a mating tow hitch on a tow vehicle, hub lock means on each of the first and second drive wheels for reconnectably disengaging the first and second drive wheels from the first and second drive motors respectively, whereby each of the first and second drive wheels can freewheel when the carriage is trailered by the tow vehicle, and brake means operable from the tow vehicle for braking the carriage when the carriage is trailered by the tow vehicle;
• and
• a grapple mount on the carriage for grasping with the grasping means whereby the boom can be maintained at a fixed position.