Linkage arrangement

A linkage arrangement for connecting a work implement to a machine, comprising:

• a boom-type lift arm having a first, bifurcated end portion pivotally mountable to the work implement and a second end portion pivotally mountable to the machine at a point substantially along a centerline thereof, said lift arm being moveable with respect to the machine along a generally vertical plane;
• a tilt lever having a first, bifurcated end portion defining a pair of spaced-apart plates and a second end portion pivotally mountable to the work implement at a point positioned substantially along the vertical plane;
• a tilt link having a first, bifurcated end portion defining a pair of arms that are positioned on opposite sides of the lift arm and are pivotally connected thereto and a second end portion that is positioned between the plates defined by the first end portion of the tilt lever and being pivotally mounted thereto;
• and
• a tilt cylinder having a first end portion pivotally mountable to the machine and a second end portion positioned between the plates defined by the first end portion of the tilt lever and being pivotally mounted thereto at a location that is spaced from the connecting point between the tilt lever and tilt link, said tilt cylinder being actuatable to move the work implement with respect to the lift arm.

A tilt linkage arrangement for a bucket mounted to a wheel loader by a centrally disposed lift arm for movement in a generally vertical plane, comprising:

• a tilt lever having a first, bifurcated end portion defining a pair of spaced apart plates and a second end portion pivotally connectable to the work implement;
• a tilt link having a first, bifurcated end portion positioned to straddle the lift arm and being pivotally connected thereto, and a second end portion positioned between the spaced apart plates defined by the tilt lever and being pivotally connected thereto;
• and
• a tilt cylinder having a first end portion connectable to the machine and a second end portion positioned between and pivotally connected to the spaced apart plates defined by the tilt lever at a location spaced from the connection between the tilt link and the tilt lever, said tilt cylinder being moveable to cause pivoting of the work implement with respect to the lift arm.