Boom locking device for a skid steer loader

A boom locking device for a skid steer loader having a vehicle body, a boom pivotally mounted to the body and a boom cylinder connected to swing the boom up and down, said boom cylinder including a cylinder housing and a piston rod, the cylinder housing having a distal end and a proximal end pivoted to the body, the piston rod having a distal end extendibly fitted to the cylinder housing and a proximal end pivoted to the boom, said boom locking device comprising:

• a prop arm hingeable to the boom for swinging movement between a rest position out of engagement with the piston rod and a propping position wherein the prop arm is in a bearing engagement with the distal end of the cylinder housing to prevent retraction of the piston rod;
• and
• a release lever having a tip end and pivotally attached to a free end of the prop arm, the release level adapted for pivotal movement between an idle position in which the release lever is folded back onto the prop arm, an unfolded position in which the tip end of the release lever is rideable on the cylinder housing and an arm lifting position in which the release lever can bear against the piston rod at the tip end thereof to lift up the prop arm out of engagement with the distal end of the cylinder housing.