US 6,640,528 B1Granted

Tractor mounted boom system that is convertible between a backhoe and a rotary cutting system

OwnerScott Rowlandinventor

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Abstract

A tractor mounted boom structure is provided where the boom is adapted, in one mode, to connect a rotary cutter and in a second mode is adapted to connect to a bucket to form a backhoe. The system comprises a mainframe structure adapted to be mounted to a tractor such as by a three-point hitch associated with a tractor. Extending from the frame structure is a first or Primary boom. Connected to the end of the first boom is a second boom. An array of hydraulic cylinders is provided that enables the first boom to articulate with respect to the frame structure and permits the second boom to articulate with respect to the first boom. The second boom is provided with a connector assembly that enables the second boom to be connected to either a rotary cutter or to a bucket. When used to support a rotary cutter, the first boom is generally maintained in a locked position with respect to the mainframe structure of the system. On the other hand, when the system is converted to a backhoe, the first boom is unlocked with respect to the mainframe and in fact is provided with a hydraulic cylinder for articulating the second boom with respect to the frame structure about a generally vertical axis.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A tractor-mounted system that is convertible from a rotary cutting system to a backhoe, comprising:

a. a frame structure for mounting to the rear of a tractor;
b. a boom structure projecting from the frame structure;
c. in one mode of operation, a rotary cutter mounted to the boom structure for cutting grass and other vegetation;
d. the rotary cutter adapted to be disconnected from the boom structure;
e. in another mode of operation, a bucket mounted to the boom structure such that said system is converted to a backhoe;
f. a first hydraulic cylinder mounted to the boom structure for cooperating with the boom structure to connect either the rotary cutter or bucket to both the boom structure and the first hydraulic cylinder;
g. wherein in the one mode the rotary cutter is pivotally mounted at one Point to the boom structure and wherein the hydraulic cylinder extends from the boom structure and is operative to connect to the rotary cutter at another point spaced from the point where the rotary cutter is pivotally mounted to the boom structure such that the rotary cutter is suspended from the boom structure and wherein the rotary cutter while suspended from the boom structure may be articulated on the boom structure by the first hydraulic cylinder;
and
h. in the other mode the bucket is pivotally connected at one point to the boom structure and wherein the hydraulic cylinder extends from the boom structure and is operative to connect to the bucket at another point spaced from the point where the bucket is pivotally connected to the boom structure, and wherein the bucket can be articulated on the boom structure by the first hydraulic cylinder.

6 more elements

A method of converting a tractor-mounted system from a rotary cutting system to a backhoe, comprising:

mounting the system to the rear of a tractor;
connecting a rotary cutter to the end portion of a boom structure that forms a part of the tractor mounted system;
connecting a hydraulic system associated with the tractor-mounted system to the rotary cutter for driving the same;
moving the tractor along an area and cutting grass with the rotary cutter;
disconnecting the rotary cutter from the boom structure;
converting the tractor-mounted system to a backhoe by connecting a bucket to the boom structure and further operatively connecting a hydraulic cylinder that forms a part of the hydraulic system to the bucket;
controlling the boom structure and the bucket through the hydraulic system of the tractor-mounted system;
wherein the step of connecting the rotary cutter to the end portion of the boom structure comprises pivotally mounting the rotary cutter at one point to the boom structure and extending a first hydraulic cylinder from the boom structure to the rotary cutter and operatively connecting a rod end of the first hydraulic cylinder to the rotary cutter at a point spaced from the point where the rotary cutter is pivotally mounted to the boom;
and
wherein connecting the boom structure and the bucket comprises pivotally mounting the bucket at one point to the boom structure and extending the first hydraulic cylinder to the bucket and operatively connecting the rod end of the first hydraulic cylinder to the bucket at a point spaced from the point where the bucket is pivotally connected to the boom structure.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.