Ride on platform for small loader

A self-propelled loader comprising:

• a loader frame supported for movement over the ground, the loader frame having front and rear ends and opposite sides;
• a lift arm assembly mounted on the loader frame for supporting a bucket or other accessory for movement relative to the loader frame;
• operator controls located adjacent the rear end of the loader frame, the controls being mounted on a control panel extending between the opposite sides and spaced upwardly from the ground such that the operator controls are accessible by an operator standing upright adjacent the rear end of the loader frame;
• and
• a ride-on operator platform connected to the loader frame adjacent the rear end thereof, the platform normally being generally horizontal for supporting a standing operator, and the platform including a platform frame and a surface engaging support, and the platform having connectors pivotally connected to the loader frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal pivot axis extending in a direction from side to side and adjacent the rear end of the loader frame, the platform being pivotable relative to a normal position in which the platform is located when the loader frame and the platform are on a generally horizontal surface, and the platform having at least one stop arm extending away from the connectors and the generally horizontal axis, the at least one stop arm engaging a lower stop fixed on the loader frame which is spaced from and independent of the connectors such that downward pivotal movement of the platform about the axis is limited to a lowermost position, the lowermost position being such that the platform is at an angle of not greater than approximately seventy degrees below the normal position.

A self-propelled loader comprising:

• a loader frame supported for movement over the ground, the loader frame having front and rear ends and opposite sides, the loader frame including, adjacent the rear end of the loader frame, first and second openings spaced apart in the direction between the sides, and the loader frame including first and second upper stops and first and second lower stops;
• a lift arm assembly mounted on the loader frame for supporting a bucket or other accessory for movement relative to the loader frame;
• operator controls located adjacent the rear end of the loader frame, the controls being accessible by an operator adjacent the rear end of the loader frame;
• and
• a ride-on operator platform connected to the loader frame adjacent the rear end thereof, the platform normally being generally horizontal for supporting a standing operator, and the platform including a platform frame, a surface engaging support, and first and second arms laterally spaced apart from each other and rigidly affixed to the platform frame, the arms each extending forwardly from the platform frame and each being connected to the loader frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis extending in the direction from side to side and adjacent the rear end of the loader frame, such that the platform is pivotable relative to the loader frame about an axis between uppermost and lowermost positions, the first and second arms respectively extending through the first and second openings and respectively engaging the first and second upper stops to prevent upward pivotal movement of the platform beyond the uppermost position, and the first and second arms respectively engaging the first and second lower stops to prevent downward pivotal movement of the platform beyond the lowermost position.