Rolling stabilizer lift attachment
AssigneeKaltec of Minnesota
InventorsBruce E. Kallevig, Brian Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An attachment for skid steer loaders and the like which combines a forklift mast with width adjustable rolling stabilizer outriggers. The ground engaging rolling stabilizer caster wheels are positioned to each side of the lifted load. The castering wheels bear a large fraction of the weight of the lifted load as well as stabilizing the load while it is in motion over varying terrain. The rolling stabilizer lift dramatically increases the weight lifting capacity and the height to which loads can be lifted beyond that of the loader alone.
Claims20
An attachment adapted for removable coupling with a mobile power unit, for lifting, transporting and placing loads comprising:
- a coupling member, adapted for removable, operable coupling of said attachment to said mobile power unit;
- a lifting assembly, operably coupled to said coupling member, said lifting assembly including a load engaging member extending generally outwardly and forwardly from a lifting mast, said load engaging member being shiftable between a lowered position and a raised position;
- a stabilizing assembly operably coupled to said lifting assembly including a pair of opposed, ground engaging, stabilizing arms extending generally forwardly, and laterally from said lifting assembly such that said load engaging member can be shifted between said raised and lowered positions clear of and laterally interposed between said arms;
- and
- said ground engaging stabilizing arms being adapted such that the lifted load is substantially centered between said ground engaging, stabilizing arms and substantially centered over a line defined between two points at which said arms engage the ground and in which locations of the two points are optimized by selecting the two points such that the summation of turning torque, tipping load and resistive torque is substantially minimized.
An attachment for a mobile power unit, having an available turning torque, adapted for lifting, transporting and placing loads, said attachment having a resistive torque and a tipping load, comprising:
- a coupling member, adapted for removable attachment to said mobile power unit;
- a lifting assembly;
- a load engaging member, operably connected to said lifting member;
- and
- a pair of opposed, ground engaging, stabilizing arms extending generally outwardly and laterally from said lifting assembly whereby said load engaging member can be shifted between said raised and lowered positions clear of and laterally interposed between said arms, each said stabilizing arm having an arm length, operably connected to said load engaging member in which said arm length is optimized by selecting it such that the summation of turning torque, tipping load and resistive torque is substantially minimized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.