Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
  • E02F9/08—Superstructures; Supports for superstructures
  • E02F9/0841—Articulated frame, i.e. having at least one pivot point between two travelling gear units
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
  • E02F9/08—Superstructures; Supports for superstructures
  • E02F9/10—Supports for movable superstructures mounted on travelling or walking gears or on other superstructures
  • E02F9/12—Slewing or traversing gears
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
  • E02F9/16—Cabins, platforms, or the like, for drivers
  • E02F9/166—Cabins, platforms, or the like, for drivers movable, tiltable or pivoting, e.g. movable seats, dampening arrangements of cabins

Definitions

• This invention relates to material handling machines such as earthmoving machines, material carrying machines and in particular, machines which carry or use elongate attachments. Most known machines are designed for single work functions using a variety of associated tools, implements or end attachments.
• the backhoe loader has a combined work function and uses a backhoe attachment fitted to the rear of the tractor for excavating and a loader attachment fitted to the front of the tractor for loading.
• the backhoe loader machine only slews approximately 180 degrees from a slew post positioned beyond the wheelbase, thus destabilising the tractor during transverse excavation or lifting, whereas the working attachment of a single work function machine, , such as a wheeled excavator, is designed to slew 360 degrees from a central pivot position within the wheelbase or track base, to use the weight (including counterweight) of the machine to greater advantage, and thereby is more efficient.
• the operator's cab slews with the excavator working attachment so that the operator can always see the excava ⁇ ing bucket.
• This invention provides, in one configuration, a machine with a combined work function which converts from a loader machine to a
• Fig. 1 shows a side view of a machine according to the invention, in a loader and excavartor configuration, in the loader mode;
• Fig. 2 is the same view as in Fig. 1 with the engine compartment and counterweight removed;
• Fig. 3 shows a front view to Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 shows a rear view to Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5 shows a plan view to Fig. 1;
• Fig. 6 shows the machine of Fig. 1 in an excavator mode;
• Fig. 7 shows the working height, reach and depth of the machine in Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 shows a cross-section of a slew assembly
• Fig. 9 shows a dumptruck and excavator configuration
• Fig. 10 shows a dumper and excavator configuration
• Fig. 11 shows a compactor and excavator configuration
• Fig. 12 shows a grader and excavator configuration
• Fig. 13 shows a tractor and telescopic forklift configuration
• Fig. 14 shows a transporter and crane configuration.
• Figs. 1 to 7 show a machine 1, according to the invention, having a chassis 3 to which is, via a pivot-steer assembly 4, connected an outer attachment in the form of a front-end loader attachment 2.
• the loader attachment 2 and chassis 3 each have axle carrying wheels 5 and 6 which are hydraulically driven by respective wheel motors 7 and are steerable by two rams 8 in the conventional manner.
• Stabilisers 9 with ram-operated retractable feet are fitted to the chassis 3.
• the chassis 3 includes a slew mounting 11, which carries a platform 12 which is thereby rotatable through 360 degrees.
• the platform 12 comprises two spaced apart upper and lower plates 1 2A and 123 of which the upper plate 12A forms the base of a central longitudinal upwardly open, open-ended channel 13 (Figs. 3-5) delimited by sidewalls 13A and 13B which is formed in the illustrated example by plates but may be formed e.g. by elongate sections.
• the sidewalls 13A, 13B are carried by the platform 12 and extend substantially along a central portion, preferably the longitudinal axis of the platform 12 which forms the bottom of the channel 13.
• first slew assembly 14 In the channel 13 is mounted at one end (position X) a first slew assembly 14 and at the other end (position Y) a second slew assembly 14A.
• the first slew assembly 14 carries an inner attachment comprising rotatably mounted excavator arms, generally indicated at 30, and shown in Figs. 1 to 5 folded and situated partly in and partly over the channel 13.
• the second slew assembly 14A is provided for alternative fixing of an elongate attachment (used in Fig. 14).
• a cab 15 Positioned along the sidewall 13A are parts, such as a cab 15, hydraulic and fuel tanks 16 and a counterweight 17. Positioned along the sidewall 13B are parts, such as an engine compartment 18 for the engine, pumps, control valves, oil cooler, radiator, exhaust and silencer, batteries and associated parts, and a counterweight 19. None of these parts projects beyond the inner face of the sidewalls 13A, 13B into the channel 13. In spite of the provision of the free space (channel 13) the whole machine 1 is not wider than comparable single function machines.
• the front loader attachment 2 includes two lift arms 2A which may be raised by two lift rams 2B to the height indicated in Fig. 2.
• the arcuate movement of the loader bucket 2C is controlled by a centrally mounted tilt ram 2D and associated linkage known per se..
• the cab 15 includes a swivel seat 20 which faces towards the steering wheel 21 and driver's screen 22 to carry out the loader work functions in the conventional manner as for pivot-steer loaders. Because the cab 15 is carried by the platform 12, the main slew mounting 11 is preferably locked to prevent rotation of the cab 15 during the loader work functions.
• the platform 12 has a tapered transverse edge 12C . This also increases articulation for greater manoeuvrability.
• Thes e hydraulic means provide the power means for operating the loader rams 2B and 2D, steering rams 8, wheel motors 7, and rams of the stabilisers 9.
• the machine 1 is provided with an inner attachment in the form of excavator arms 30 comprising a boom arm mounting 31 with pivot pins 31 A and 31B for connecting to boom arm 32 and boom ram 33 respectively, dipperstick 34, dipper ram 35, bucket ram 36, linkage 37 and tool carrier 38.
• the excavator arms 30 are in the folded position and are situated partly within and partly directly above the channel 13.
• the advantage of the tool carri er 38 is that wide tools, such as ditching buckets, can be disconnected from t he dipper sti ck 34 t o enab le the excavator arm 30 t o be folded in the channel 13.
• the pipes 54 (Fig.
• the machine 1 as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 represents a pivot-steer wheeled loader with the excavator arms 30 s ituated substantially between the wheels 5 and 6 to provide stability for efficient loader operation, the weight being proportionally spread over the four wheels 5 and 6.
• the backhoe attachment is always situated beyond the rear wheels.
• Fig. 6 shows the machine generally indicated at 1 converted to the excavator mode and
• Fig. 7 shows the excavator's height, reach and depth drawn in a one metre grid.
• the machine 1 shows the cab 15 facing rearwardly and the excavator arms 30 with a backhoe bucket 40 extending beyond the wheels 6.
• the feet of stabilisers 9 and loader bucket 2C rest on the ground level indicated in Fig. 7 by gridline 41.
• the cab door 25 is now visible.
• the platform 12 which is carried by the main slew mounting 11, has been rotated through 180 degrees and the excavator arms 30 which are carried by the slew assembly 14, (14A), have been unfolded and rotated through 180 degrees in a clockwise direction, ready for conventional excavator work functions.
• the combination of the pivot-steer 4, longitudinal channel 13, main slew mounting 11, and slew assembly 14, (14A), which provides means for the excavator arms 30 to be rotatable and thereby operable, provides a machine convertible to either the excavator or loader mode with each way operational stability, which is comparable to a single function excavator or a single function loader.
• the machine 1 in both configurations matches typical specifications for known equivalent single function machines in the same weight class as shown by the metre scale grid in Fig. 7. As is apparent from ⁇ he description of Figs. 1 and 6, the machine 1 can both travel and operate in either direction by,rotation (orientation) of the platform 12 such that the counterweights 17, 19 are situated at the best counterweighing position for working stability.
• the illustrated excavator has a working height of approximately 7.7 metres from ground level 41, the excavator working reach is 7.7 metres from the centre of the main slew 11 indicated by grid line 42, and the excavator working depth is 4.7 metres from the ground level 41.
• the loader bucket 2C may be lifted to a height of 3.0 metres (grid line
• Fig. 8 shows a slew assembly 14, (14A) for the excavator arms 30 comprising a rotatable slew carrier 55 for carrying the boom arm mounting 31.
• the slew carrier 55 is fixed to an inner gear ring 56 which is supported by bearings 57 in an outer bearing ring 58 which is positioned over an access hole 23 (23A) and fixed to the upper plate 12A of platform 12.
• the inner gear ring 56 has internal gear teeth engaging with a pinion 59 driven by a motor 60.
• the motor 60 is also fixed to the upper plate 12A.
• the slew assembly 14, (14A) includes a centrally mounted rotary joint 51 of which the lower part 52 is fixed to the upper plate 12A and the upper part 53 is fixed to the slew carrier 55 to enable pipes 54 to be routed to the engine compartment 18 between the upper plate 12A and the lower plate 12B of the platform 12.
• This arrangement allows the hydraulic oil to flow through pipes 54 connected to the rotary joint 51 to the rams 33, 35 and 36 for either position X or Y.
• the excavator arms 30 may be rotated by the slew assembly 14, (14A) to a position for folding into channel 13 as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 or for working as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.
• the means for actuating the slew assembly 14, (14A) and the excavator arms 30 are controlled separately by, for example, a valve which diverts part of the oil flow from a common hydraulic pump or by a valve which controls oil flow from an independent hydraulic pump.
• the boom arm mounting 31 is disconnectable from the slew assembly 14, (14A) bj using a slew carrier 55 with displaceable connection means (not shown) and thereby hydraulic pipe check valve connectors are used to prevent oil escaping upon disconnection.
• the operator firstly, operates the valve for the boom ram 33 to raise the boom arm 32 such that the dipperstick 34 is above the height of the engine compartment 18 in readiness for the excavator arms 30 to swing over the engine compartment 18 when the slew assembly 14, (14A) is rotated.
• the ideal attitude is for the boom ram 33 to be vertical in order not to collide with the sidewall 13B of the channel 13, when rotated.
• a safety lock (not shown) is provided in the slew assembly 14, (14A) to restrict rotation in this direction.
• the operator operates the slew motor valve for rotating the slew ring of the slew mounting 11 through 180 degrees so that the cab 15 carried by platform 12 faces towards the rear of the machine 1, i.e away from the front loader attachment 2.
• the operator thirdly, operates the slew motor valve for rotating the inner gear ring 56 of slew assembly 14 in Fig. 8, through 180 degrees in a clockwise direction , that i s to say , over the engine compartment 18, so that the excavator arms 30 carried by the slew carrier 55 of slew assembly 14 in Fig. 8, are now in the excavator mode.
• the operator fourthly, operates the valves for controlling the rams 33, 35 and 36 for the excavator work functions in the conventional manner. Because the tool carrier 38, controlled by linkage 37, is fitted to the dipperstick 34, the backhoe bucket 40 may be remotely coupled without the operator having to leave the cab 15. To convert the machine 1 to the loader mode, the described sequence is reversed which can be achieved within about 30 seconds by an automatic controlled sequence, if required.
• Conversion of the machine 1 from a loader to an excavator is not limited to the method described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8.
• the boom arm mounting 31 or boom arm 32 and boom ram 33 may be fixed directly to the inner gear ring 56.
• the boom arm 32 may be fixed to an outer gear ring which is driven externally and supported by an inner ring fixed to the platform 12.
• the sidewalls 13A, 13B are formed each by a section, such as a tub e of rectangular cross-section, running substantially along the whole length of the platform 12, the sections being parallel to each other. On the sections are preferably positioned uprights supporting an elongate section whereby the sidewalls 13A, 13B have the form of a frame.
• the sidewalls 13A and 13B may include elements such as radiators for oil and water cooling with vents or grills, recesses for exhaust, silencers and batteries, one side of cab 15, one side of tanks 16, and one side of counterweights 17 and 19.
• the sidewalls 13A and 13B may include horizontal pivotal means to arc the now pivotal excavator arms 30 from channel 13, between sidewalls 13A and 13B, in an up and over manner, i.e. from the folded position to the working position.
• the excavator arms 30 may be positioned anywhere within the channel 13, between the sidewalls 13A and 13B or outside the channel 13 but in-line with the channel 13 to enable the excavator arms 30 to be angled relative to the longitudinal centre line (axis) of the platform 12 to provide offset excavator work functions.
• the slew assembly 14 shown at position X allows for the boom arm 32 to be angled left or right, up to 80 degrees without touching the front of cab 15 or the engine compartment 18.
• means for the displacement of the excavator arms 30 in the channel 13 include sliding the boom arm mount ing 31 on linear slides between the sidewalls 13A and 13B from one end of the channel 13 to the other.
• the rotatable slew assembly 14, (14A) on the rotatable platform 12 need not be used for converting to the excavator mode.
• Such linear displacement means may be provided anywhere within or extending beyond the channel 13 utilising the platform 12 base or sidewalls 13A and 13B, which may be adapted as the pivotal mounting support for the boom arm 32 and boom ram 33 instead of boom arm mounting 31.
• the sidewalls 13A and 13B may be extended along each side of the slew assembly 14 to provide additional structural support for the platform 12 at position X and ensure that any reactive digging forces which may be transmitted to the slew assembly 14 and thereby the platform 12, are adequately catered for.
• the machine 1 may be adapted to provide single or combined work functions other than the described excavator loader example, as illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 in which each inner attachment is operable in the same manner as before described to provide diverse combined work functions for the machine 1.
• Fig. 9 shows a machine 1, according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a dumptruck and excavator.
• the outer attachment is a rear-end dumptruck 65 known per se and the inner attachment consists of excavator arms 30 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in channel 13 of machine 1.
• Fig. 10 shows a machine 1, according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a dumper and excavator.
• the outer attachment is a front-end dumper 70 known per se and the inner attachment consists of excavator arms 30 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in channel 13 of machine 1.
• Fig. 11 shows a machine 1, according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a compactor and excavator.
• the outer attachment is a front-end compaction roller 75 known per se and the inner attachment consists of excavator arms 30 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in the channel 13 of machine 1.
• Fig. 12 shows a machine 1, according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a grader and excavator.
• the outer attachment is a front-end grader 80 known per se and the inner attachment consists of excavator arms 30 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in the channel 13 of machine 1.
• Fig. 13 shows a machine 1, according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as an agricultural tractor and 360 degree forklift.
• the outer attachment is a rear-end tractor unit 85 known per se and instead of excavator arms 30, the inner attachment consists of a telescopic forklift arm 90 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in the channel 13 of machine 1.
• Fig. 14 shows a machine 1, according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a transporter and 360 degree crane.
• the outer attachment is a rear-end arti culated traile r 100 known per se and instead of excavator arms 30 or telescopic forklift arm 90, the inner attachment consists of a telescopic crane jib 110 mounted on the alternative slew assembly 14A at position Y in the channel 13 of machine 1.
• a machine 1 has a chassis 3 carried at one end by a pair of wheels 6, and at the other end provided with means (pivot-steer assembly 4) for articulated connection of either an outer attachment which includes at least one further pair of wheels 5, or a circular working tool such as a compact ion roller 75 which can fulfil a similar function.
• the wheels 6 and 5 are driven by separate motors 7 and steering is obtained by two rams 8.
• Stabilizers 9, preferably ram-operated, are provided on the chassis 3.
• the latter carries a slew mount ing 11 which carries a platform 12.
• the platform 12 supports a cab 15, tanks 16 for fuel and hydraulic fluid, engine compartment 18 for the engine, pumps, control valves, batteries, oil cooler, radiators, exhausts and silencers and associated parts, and counterweights 17 and 19. All these parts 15 to 19 are so arranged that an elongate free space is left along the longitudinal axis of the platform 12.
• This space is in the illustrated examples laterally delimited by sidewalls 13A, 13B which together with the part of the platform 12 between them define an upwardly open, open-ended channel 13.
• a slew assembly 14, (14A) for an inner attachment.
• the illustrated outer attachments include a front-end loader attachment 2, a rear-end dumptruck attachment 65, a front-end dumper attachment 70, a front-end compaction roller attachment 75, a front-end grader attachment 80, a rear-end tractor attachment 85, and rear-end articulated trailer attachment 100.
• the illustrated inner attachments include excavator arms 30, telescopic forklift arm 90 and telescopic crane jib 110.
• the machine 1 may have a rigid chassis, include forward and rear axles connected to the chassis, have 2 or 4 wheel drive and be steered by Ackerman steering, rack and pinion or similar mechanical means. All the wheels may be driven by a common engine and gearbox like the wheels of a tractor. Wheel motors may be used to steer the machine 1 by varying the speed of the hydraulic motors each side of the machine 1. Alternatively, crawler tracks or half-tracks may be used instead of wheels or in combination using skid-steer systems.
• the chassis 3 of the machine 1 may be attached to a towing vehicle and in this form the machine 1 is not self-propelled.
• the wheels of the machine 1 may be adapted for travelling on guide rails, i.e. a railway track.
• the machine 1 may also be supported by four stabilisers 9 during a work function.
• the channel 13 which preferably extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the platform 12 may be formed by alternative, rearrangement of the parts 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
• the engine compartment 18 and tanks 16 may be subdivided to provide a second elongate free space, e.g. in the form of a transverse channel which intersects at 90 degrees the described longitudinal channel 13 to provide additional free space for elongate inner attachments, and provide for additional fitment of slew assemblies, thus forming four areas on platform 12 for the positioning of the parts 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
• an extra cab 15 may be positioned on the platform 12, particularly if the machine 1 requires to be left and right hand drive for transportation or to operate the selected elongate inner attachment, i.e. excavator arms 30.
• the machine 1 is adapted to work and travel in both directions by rotation of the platform 12, depending on the selection of the front-end or rear-end outer attachments.
• the machine 1 can therefore have more than one steering wheel with drive control means positioned within or outside cab 15, the cab door 25 may also be positioned on the front of cab 15 for front access.
• the cab 15 may be fitted to a front-end or rear-end outer attachment with hydraulic control means for operating the machine 1, routed to the engine compartment 18 on platform 12.
• the outer attachments are not limited by shape and size and may comprise among others, a front-end dozer attachment, a front-end surface planer, an elevating front-end forklift attachment, a self-propelled front-end tractor attachment, thus providing further diverse attachment applications of the machine 1 to provide a universal machine with attachment interchangeability.
• the inner attachments are limited to elongate shapes which are capable of being folded, closed up, collapsible or stored within or along channel 13. Examples of other typical elongate attachments may comprise among others, the following:-
• the front loader attachment 2 may include swivel unit (not shown) fitted to the pivot steer assembly 4 to enable the wheels 5 of the front loader attachment 2 to be tiltable relative to the wheels 6 of the chassis 3 to maintain grip when travelling over undulating ground.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Operation Control Of Excavators (AREA)

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• 1988
  • 1988-05-09 GB GB888810886A patent/GB8810886D0/en active Pending
• 1989
  • 1989-05-08 ZA ZA893361A patent/ZA893361B/xx unknown
  • 1989-05-09 WO PCT/GB1989/000490 patent/WO1989011006A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1989-05-09 AU AU35547/89A patent/AU3554789A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1989-05-09 EP EP89905439A patent/EP0413735A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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