Walk behind apparatus for operating working attachments
AssigneeClark Equipment Company
InventorJames H. Page
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A walk behind powered apparatus for operating working attachments includes a ground engaging carriage with two endless tracks on opposite sides of the frame. A support frame attached to the carriage includes a pair of rearwardly and upwardly extending side plate members with upper end portions that pivotably support a boom and a controller. The boom is arcuately-shaped and has a working attachment at a forward end. The controller includes linkages which are connected to two drive units which enable independent operation of each endless track. The apparatus also includes at least one selectively positionable counterweight that may be moved relative to the vertical traverse plane passing through the center of gravity of the apparatus to increase the operational parameters of the apparatus.
Claims15
A loader for operating working attachments, the loader comprising:
- a support frame including a pair of side members adjacent a rear of the loader;
- a ground drive comprising supports on opposite sides of the loader for propelling the loader;
- a boom having first and second ends, the first end of the boom pivotally attached to the side members of the support frame and positioned so that it extends forwardly relative to the side members, the second end of the boom configured to receive a working attachment at a forward end of the support frame;
- an actuator, the actuator being operatively connected between the boom and the support frame to pivot the boom with respect to the support frame;
- a power source for providing power to the actuator;
- and
- at least one selectively positionable counterweight pivotably mounted on the support frame about an upright pivot axis along a side of the support frame, the upright pivot axis being positioned with respect to a center of gravity of the loader, the counterweight having first and second positions about the upright pivot axis, a major portion of the counterweight being positioned on a forward side of a vertical plane passing through the center of gravity in a first pivoted position and being positioned on a rearward side of the vertical plane in a second pivoted position.
An apparatus for operating working attachments, the apparatus comprising:
- a ground engaging wheeled carriage comprising powered first and second endless tracks on sides of the carriage;
- a power source for providing power to the wheeled carriage;
- and,
- a controller, the controller operatively controlling the power source to selectively drive the endless track of the wheeled carriage, the controller including first linkages and second linkages, the first and second linkages being connected to control power to the first and second tracks, respectively;
- whereby the first and second tracks may be independently operated;
- the power source including a first drive unit and a second drive unit, with the first and second drive units operatively connected to the first and second tracks, and wherein the first and second linkages are operatively connected to the first and second drive units, respectively, the first and second linkages being urged into and maintained in a predetermined position in which the drive units are effectively disengaged from the tracks, the first and second linkages including first and second brackets, and wherein the controller further comprises first and second centering cam members, the first and second centering cam members being configured to urge and maintain the first and second brackets in predetermined positions;
- a support frame attached to the wheeled carriage, the support frame including a pair of laterally spaced rearwardly and upwardly extending side members;
- and,
- a boom having two ends, one end of the boom pivotally attached to the rearwardly and upwardly extending side members of the support frame and positioned between the side members so that the boom extends forwardly relative to the side members, the other end of the boom configured to receive a working attachment.
A self propelled loader for operating working attachments, the loader comprising:
- a ground engaging drive carriage;
- a support frame attached to the driver carriage, the support frame including a pair of rearwardly and upwardly extending side members;
- a loader boom movably attached to the side members of the support frame and positioned so that the loader boom extends forwardly relative to the side members, a forward end of the loader boom configured to releasably retain and operate a working attachment, the loader having a predetermined center of gravity;
- and
- at least one selectively positionable counterweight movably mounted on the support frame, the counterweight being movable with respect to a laterally extending vertical plane passing through the center of gravity of the loader to opposite sides of the plane for modifying the effect of the counterweight on the loading capabilities of the forward end of the loader boom.
A method of extending the operational parameters of a walk behind apparatus for operating working attachments comprising:
- a walk behind apparatus including:
- a ground engaging drive carriage;
- a support frame attached to the drive carriage, the support frame including a pair of rearwardly and upwardly extending side members;
- and,
- a boom having two ends, one end of the boom pivotally attached to the rearwardly and upwardly extending side members of the support frame and positioned so that it extends forwardly relative to the side members, the other end of the boom configured to receive a working attachment;
- the method comprising:
- attaching a movable counterweight to the support frame of the apparatus about an upright pivot adjacent a center of gravity of the apparatus, and
- selectively positioning the counterweight in a first position forwardly of the upright pivot and in a second position rearwardly of the pivot to position the counterweight selectively forwardly of and rearwardly of the center of gravity of the apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.