EP4534760A1

EP4534760A1 - Front loader and working vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4534760A1
Application number: EP24204640.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shin Torii; Naotaka Fukaya
Original assignee: Kubota Corp
Current assignee: Kubota Corp
Priority date: 2023-10-06
Filing date: 2024-10-04
Publication date: 2025-04-09
Also published as: US20250116082A1; JP2025064597A

Abstract

Provided are: a stand provided, on a boom, rockably about a main body rocking shaft, the stand being movable between a support position where the stand is capable of supporting a front loader and a storage position where the stand is stored at a position closer to the boom than the support position; and a spring capable of biasing the stand in a direction approaching the boom, and further, provided is a regulation member provided, on the boom, rockably about a rocking shaft parallel to the main body rocking shaft, the regulation member being capable of regulating rocking of the stand in the direction approaching the boom by abutting on the stand.

Description

The disclosure relates to a technique of a front loader mounted on a working vehicle such as a tractor.

Background

Conventionally, a technique related to a front loader mounted on a working vehicle such as a tractor has been known. For example, JP 2011-12456 A discloses such a technique.
JP 2011-12456 A describes a stand for making a front loader stand by itself when the front loader is removed from a working vehicle. The stand is rotatably connected to a boom, and can be switched between a support position where the stand can support the boom and a storage position where the stand is stored in the boom.
However, when the position of the stand described in JP 2011-12456 A is switched, it is necessary to continuously support the stand with the hand of an operator so that the stand does not rotate by its own weight. For this reason, the burden on the operator at the time of using the stand is increased, and the workability may be deteriorated.

Summary of invention

One aspect of the present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a front loader capable of improving workability when a stand is used, and a working vehicle.
The problem to be solved by one aspect of the present disclosure is as described above, and units for solving the problem will be described below.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there are provided a stand provided, on a boom, rockably about a first rocking shaft, the stand being movable between a support position where the stand is capable of supporting the front loader and a storage position where the stand is stored at a position closer to the boom than the support position, and a biasing member capable of biasing the stand in a direction approaching the boom. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, workability when a stand is used can be improved.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is further provided a regulation member provided, on the boom, rockably about a second rocking shaft parallel to the first rocking shaft, the regulation member being capable of regulating rocking of the stand in the direction approaching the boom by abutting on the stand.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the stand can be held at a predetermined position with a simple configuration.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, the regulation member includes a distal end portion formed in an arc shape as viewed in an axial direction of the second rocking shaft, and the stand includes a recess capable of abutting on the distal end portion of the regulation member and formed in an arc shape along the distal end portion of the regulation member as viewed in an axial direction of the first rocking shaft.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, since a relatively large contact area between the regulation member and the stand can be secured, a surface pressure between both members can be suppressed, and deformation and breakage can be prevented.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, the stand includes a plurality of the recesses.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the position of the stand can be adjusted by making the regulation member abut on an arbitrary recess.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, the boom includes an attachment portion capable of attaching the second rocking shaft to a plurality of attachment positions.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the position of the stand can be adjusted by changing the attachment positions of the second rocking shaft.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, the stand includes a plurality of recesses capable of abutting on a distal end portion of the regulation member, and the boom includes an attachment portion capable of attaching the second rocking shaft to a plurality of attachment positions.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the position of the stand can be finely adjusted by a plurality of adjustment mechanisms.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, the biasing member does not bias the stand until the stand rocks from the storage position toward the support position by a predetermined angle.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, fatigue of the biasing member can be suppressed.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a working vehicle includes the front loader.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, workability when a stand is used can be improved.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, workability when a stand is used can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1: is a side view illustrating an overall configuration of a tractor including a front loader according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 2: is a front perspective view illustrating the front loader;
FIG. 3: is a side view of the same;
FIG. 4: is a rear perspective view illustrating a boom, a stand, a regulation member, and a spring;
FIG. 5: is a side view of the same;
FIG. 6: is a rear view of the same;
FIG. 7: is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1 -A1;
FIG. 8: is a side view illustrating the stand located at a storage position;
FIG. 9: is a side cross-sectional view of the same;
FIG. 10: is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state in which a left end portion of the spring and a pin abut on each other;
FIG. 11: is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the stand is further rocked downward from the state of Fig. 10;
FIG. 12: is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the stand is further rocked downward from the state of Fig. 11; and
FIG. 13: is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a position of a rocking shaft of the regulation member is changed from the state in Fig. 7.

Description of Embodiments

In the following description, directions indicated by arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R in the drawings are defined as an upward direction, a downward direction, a forward direction, a backward direction, a left direction, and a right direction, respectively.
Hereinafter, the entire configuration of a tractor 1 including a front loader 10 according to one embodiment of the disclosure will be described.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the tractor 1 mainly includes a machine body frame 2, an engine 3, a transmission case 4, front wheels 5, rear wheels 6, a bonnet 7, a cabin 8, a steering wheel 9, and a front loader 10.
The machine body frame 2 is a frame-shaped member formed by appropriately combining a plurality of panel members. The machine body frame 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The machine body frame 2 is disposed with its longitudinal direction oriented in a front-back direction. The engine 3 is fixed to a rear portion of the machine body frame 2. The transmission case 4 is fixed to a rear portion of the engine 3. A front portion of the machine body frame 2 is supported by the pair of left and right front wheels 5 through a front axle mechanism (not illustrated). A rear portion of the transmission case 4 is supported by the pair of left and right rear wheels 6 through a rear axle mechanism (not illustrated). The engine 3 is covered with the bonnet 7.
Power of the engine 3 can be transmitted to the front wheels 5 through the front axle mechanism and can be transmitted to the rear wheels 6 through the rear axle mechanism after being shifted by a transmission device (not illustrated) accommodated in the transmission case 4. The front wheels 5 and the rear wheels 6 are rotationally driven by the power of the engine 3, and the tractor 1 can travel.
The cabin 8 is provided behind the engine 3. Inside the cabin 8, a living space on which an operator board is formed. In the living space, the steering wheel 9 for adjusting a turning angle of the front wheels 5, various operation tools, a seat on which the operator sits, and the like are disposed.
The front loader 10 is mounted on a front portion of the tractor 1. Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the front loader 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 7. The front loader 10 illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4 includes a side frame 20, a boom 30, a bucket 40, a stand 50, a spring 60, and a regulation member 70.
The side frame 20 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is detachably attached to a vehicle body (the machine body frame 2 and the transmission case 4) of the tractor 1. The side frames 20 are provided on the left and right of the vehicle body.
The booms 30 are rockably supported by the left and right side frames 20, respectively. The boom 30 is disposed so as to extend forward and downward from an upper portion of the side frame 20. The boom 30 is provided with a boom cylinder 31. The boom 30 can rock with respect to the side frame 20 by extension and contraction of the boom cylinder 31.
Furthermore, the boom 30 is provided with a member for supporting the stand 50 and the regulation member 70 described later. Specifically, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the boom 30 is provided with an engagement pin 32, an upper support portion 33, and a lower support portion 34.
The engagement pin 32 is a portion for engaging with the stand 50. The engagement pin 32 is formed in a columnar shape. The engagement pin 32 is fixed to a bottom surface of the boom 30 and is formed to extend rearward and downward from the boom 30. A tip portion of the engagement pin 32 is formed so that a snap pin 32a (see Fig. 4) can be attached. Note that, for convenience of description, the snap pin 32a is omitted in the drawings except for Fig. 4.
The upper support portion 33 illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is a portion for supporting the regulation member 70. The upper support portion 33 is formed in a substantially inverted U shape including a bottom portion along the bottom surface of the boom 30 and a pair of side portions extending downward from both left and right end portions of the bottom portion. The upper support portion 33 is fixed to the bottom surface of the boom 30 and is disposed in front of and below the engagement pin 32. As illustrated in Fig. 5, a through hole 33a penetrating in a left-right direction is formed in the upper support portion 33. A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) the through holes 33a are formed along a longitudinal direction of the boom 30. Note that the number of the through holes 33a is not limited to that in the present embodiment.
The lower support portion 34 is a portion for supporting the stand 50. The lower support portion 34 is formed in a substantially inverted U shape including a bottom portion of the boom 30 and a pair of side portions extending downward from both left and right end portions of the bottom portion (see Fig. 4). The lower support portion 34 is fixed to the bottom surface of the boom 30 and is disposed in front of and below the upper support portion 33. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7, a pin 34a whose axial direction is oriented in the left-right direction is inserted into the lower support portion 34.
The bucket 40 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is formed to open forward. The bucket 40 is rockably coupled to a front end portion of the boom 30. Furthermore, the bucket 40 is coupled to a bucket cylinder 42 through a link mechanism 41. The bucket 40 can rock with respect to the boom 30 by extension and contraction of the bucket cylinder 42.
The stand 50 allows the front loader 10 detached from the vehicle body of the tractor 1 to stand by itself. One stand 50 (a pair of right and left stands) is provided at each lower front portion of the right and left booms 30. The stand 50 can be switched between a support position where the stand is in contact with the ground and capable of supporting the front loader 10, and a storage position where the stand is stored at a position closer to the boom 30 than the support position.
Note that Figs. 2 to 7 illustrate the stand 50 switched to the support position. Furthermore, Figs. 1, 8, and 9 illustrate the stand 50 switched to the storage position. Hereinafter, the configuration of the stand 50 will be described with reference to a state where the stand 50 is at the support position. Note that, since the stand 50 has the same left and right configuration, the stand 50 on the left side will be described below as an example of the configuration of the stand 50.
As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the stand 50 includes a stand main body 51, a main body rocking shaft 52, a grounding portion 53, a grounding portion rocking shaft 54, a retaining portion 55, and an engagement portion 56.
The stand main body 51 is provided to be rockable with respect to the boom 30. The stand main body 51 is formed in a longitudinal shape extending long in one direction (in a case where the stand 50 is in the support position, a rear downward direction from the boom 30). The stand main body 51 is formed in a substantially U shape with an opening facing upward in a longitudinal cross-sectional view. Furthermore, the stand main body 51 has a U-shaped cross section slightly larger than the upper support portion 33 and the lower support portion 34. A front end portion of the stand main body 51 is disposed so as to overlap the lower support portion 34 as viewed in a side view. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7, the stand main body 51 includes a cutout portion 51a.
The cutout portion 51a is a portion for hooking the spring 60 described later. The cutout portion 51a is formed in a front portion of the stand main body 51. The cutout portion 51a is formed from a bottom surface to a right side surface of the stand main body 51.
The main body rocking shaft 52 rockably couples the stand main body 51 to the boom 30. The main body rocking shaft 52 is formed in a substantially columnar shape with an axis oriented to the left and right. The main body rocking shaft 52 is inserted through a front end portion of the stand main body 51 and the lower support portion 34. This enables the stand main body 51 to rock vertically with respect to the boom 30. The main body rocking shaft 52 is disposed behind the pin 34a of the lower support portion 34.
The grounding portion 53 illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is a portion that comes into contact with the ground when the front loader 10 is supported by the stand 50. The grounding portion 53 is formed in a groove steel shape opened upward by bending both left and right end portions of a steel plate upward. The grounding portion 53 is disposed so as to overlap with a rear end portion of the stand main body 51 in a side view. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the grounding portion 53 includes a hole 53a.
The hole 53a is formed so as to penetrate a bottom surface of the grounding portion 53. The hole 53a is formed such that the engagement pin 32 of the boom 30 can be inserted therethrough.
The grounding portion rocking shaft 54 illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 rockably couples the grounding portion 53 to the stand main body 51. The grounding portion rocking shaft 54 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with an axis oriented to the left and right. The grounding portion rocking shaft 54 is inserted through the stand main body 51 and the grounding portion 53.
The retaining portion 55 illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6 is provided for preventing the regulation member 70 from coming off from the stand main body 51. The retaining portion 55 is formed in a flat plate shape. The retaining portion 55 is fixed to the stand main body 51 and is disposed so as to cover a rear portion of the stand main body 51 from above. An extension portion 55a extending forward and upward is formed on a left portion of the retaining portion 55.
The engagement portion 56 illustrated in Fig. 7 is a portion that engages with the regulation member 70 in a case where the stand 50 is at the support position. The engagement portion 56 is provided at a middle portion in the front-back direction of the bottom surface of the stand main body 51. The engagement portion 56 includes a guide portion 56a and a recess 56b.
The guide portion 56a is a portion that guides the regulation member 70 to the recess 56b in accordance with the rocking of the stand 50. The guide portion 56a is formed in a planar shape facing rearward. A plurality (four in the present embodiment) of the guide portions 56a are formed along the longitudinal direction of the stand main body 51.
The recess 56b is a portion that can abut on the regulation member 70. The recess 56b is formed in a substantially arc shape (curved surface shape) in side view. A plurality (four in the present embodiment) of the recesses 56b are formed along the longitudinal direction of the stand main body 51. Furthermore, the recesses 56b are formed so as to be alternately continuous with the guide portions 56a. Note that the number of the guide portions 56a and the number of the recesses 56b are not limited to the present embodiment.
The spring 60 illustrated in Figs. 4, 6, and 7 biases the stand 50 upward (in a direction approaching the boom 30). The spring 60 is constituted by a winding spring externally fitted to the main body rocking shaft 52 inside the stand main body 51. A right end portion (one end portion) 61 of the spring 60 is formed so as to extend backward and downward, and is hooked on the cutout portion 51a of the stand main body 51. Furthermore, a left end portion (the other end portion) 62 of the spring 60 is formed so as to extend forward and upward, and protrudes from the stand main body 51. The left end portion 62 can abut on the pin 34a of the lower support portion 34 (see Fig. 7).
In a case where the stand 50 is in the support position, the spring 60 is deformed between the stand main body 51 and the pin 34a to bias the stand 50 upward (in a counterclockwise direction in a left side view about the main body rocking shaft 52).
The regulation member 70 illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 is for regulating upward rocking of the stand 50. The regulation member 70 includes a main body 71, a rocking shaft 72, and a pin 73 (see Fig. 6).
The main body 71 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape extending long in one direction (a rear downward direction from the boom 30). A horizontal width of the main body 71 is smaller than a horizontal width of the stand main body 51. Furthermore, a length of the main body 71 is shorter than a length of the stand main body 51. In this way, the main body 71 is formed so as to be storable in the stand main body 51.
As illustrated in Fig. 7, a proximal end portion (upper end portion) and a distal end portion 71a (lower end portion) of the main body 71 are formed in a substantially arc shape in a side view. The recess 56b of the stand 50 described above is formed in a substantially arc shape in a side view along the distal end portion 71a. As a result, a contact area between the distal end portion 71a and the recess 56b can be increased. Note that the shapes of the distal end portion 71a and the recess 56b are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed.
As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the proximal end portion of the main body 71 is disposed in the upper support portion 33. A middle portion of the main body 71 is disposed so as to overlap with a left and right central portion of the stand main body 51 in rear view. On the other hand, the middle portion of the main body 71 is disposed on the right side of the extension portion 55a so as not to overlap with the extension portion 55a of the retaining portion 55 in rear view. As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the distal end portion 71a of the main body 71 is disposed in the stand main body 51. The distal end portion 71a abuts on the recess 56b (the third recess 56b from the rear in Fig. 7) of the engagement portion 56.
The rocking shaft 72 is for rockably supporting the main body 71 with respect to the boom 30. The rocking shaft 72 is formed in a columnar shape with its axis oriented to the left and right (direction parallel to the main body rocking shaft 52). The rocking shaft 72 is inserted through the upper support portion 33 and the main body 71. More specifically, the rocking shaft 72 is inserted into any one of the plurality of through holes 33a formed in the upper support portion 33 (the most front through hole 33a in Fig. 7) and the proximal end portion of the main body 71.
The pin 73 is a portion that can abut on the extension portion 55a of the retaining portion 55. The pin 73 is formed in a columnar shape with its axis oriented to the left and right. The pin 73 is fixed to the distal end portion 71a of the main body 71 and protrudes leftward from the main body 71. The pin 73 is disposed so as to overlap with the extension portion 55a in rear view.
Hereinafter, a state of the stand 50 disposed at the storage position (mainly a difference from the case of the support position) will be described. The stand 50 is rocked upward from the support position illustrated in Fig. 5 to be switched to the storage position illustrated in Fig. 8.
In a case where the stand 50 is at the storage position, the stand main body 51 is inclined rearward and upward along the boom 30. Furthermore, the engagement pin 32 is inserted into the grounding portion 53 (hole 53a illustrated in Fig. 4). When the snap pin 32a (see Fig. 4) is attached to the engagement pin 32 in this state, the grounding portion 53 is fixed to the engagement pin 32, and the stand 50 is held by the boom 30 at the storage position.
Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 9, in a case where the stand 50 is at the storage position, the regulation member 70 is stored in the stand main body 51 in a posture inclined rearward and upward. The distal end portion 71a of the regulation member 70 does not abut on the recess 56b and is located above the recess 56b.
In a case where the stand 50 is in the storage position, the right end portion 61 of the spring 60 is hooked on the cutout portion 51a of the stand main body 51 similarly to the case of the support position (see Fig. 7). Unlike the case of the support position, the left end portion 62 of the spring 60 does not abut on the pin 34a of the lower support portion 34 and is located below the pin 34a. As described above, unlike the case of the support position, the spring 60 is not deformed between the stand main body 51 and the pin 34a, and does not bias the stand 50.
A procedure for switching the stand 50 from the storage position to the support position will be described below. For example, the operator switches the stand 50 from the storage position to the support position in order to make the front loader 10 removed from the tractor 1 (vehicle body) stand by itself. The position of the stand 50 is switched before the front loader 10 is removed from the tractor 1.
First, the operator removes the snap pin 32a (see Fig. 4) from the engagement pin 32 to release the engagement between the grounding portion 53 and the engagement pin 32 illustrated in Fig. 8. Next, the operator gradually rocks the stand main body 51 downward while supporting the stand main body 51. At this time, the main body 71 of the regulation member 70 illustrated in Fig. 9 rocks downward by its own weight. By the rotation, the distal end portion 71a of the main body 71 approaches the engagement portion 56. Furthermore, the spring 60 rotates in the clockwise direction in the left side view as the stand main body 51 rocks. The left end portion 62 of the spring 60 moves upward by the rotation and approaches the pin 34a.
As illustrated in Fig. 10, the left end portion 62 of the spring 60 abuts on the pin 34a when the stand main body 51 is rocked downward by a predetermined angle. When the stand main body 51 is further rocked downward from this state, the right end portion 61 moves relative to the left end portion 62 in the clockwise direction in the left side view, and the spring 60 is deformed. The spring 60 thus biases the stand main body 51 upward from the middle of the stand 50 moving toward the support position. The operator further rocks the stand main body 51 downward while continuously supporting the stand main body 51.
Note that, as the stand main body 51 is rocked downward from the state of Fig. 10, a deformation amount of the spring 60 increases, and a biasing force of the spring 60 increases.
Fig. 11 illustrates an example of a state in which the stand main body 51 is rocked downward from the state of Fig. 10, and the biasing force of the spring 60 and the weight of the stand 50 are balanced. In the state illustrated in Fig. 11, the distal end portion 71a of the regulation member 70 is not engaged with the recess 56b of the engagement portion 56 and is located behind the recess 56b.
As illustrated in Fig. 11, when the stand main body 51 is rocked downward until the biasing force of the spring 60 and the weight of the stand 50 are balanced, even if the operator releases his/her hand from the stand main body 51, the stand main body 51 is held by the spring 60.
The operator further rocks the stand main body 51 downward from the state of Fig. 11. For example, the operator steps on the rear portion of the stand 50 or pushes the rear portion by hand to further rock the stand 50 downward against the biasing force of the spring 60. At this time, the main body 71 of the regulation member 70 rocks downward by its own weight. As a result, the distal end portion 71a of the main body 71 comes into contact with the engagement portion 56 and slides over the guide portion 56a of the engagement portion 56. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 12, the distal end portion 71a abuts on the recess 56b of the engagement portion 56.
In this state, the biasing force of the spring 60 is larger than the weight of the stand 50, so that the stand main body 51 tends to rock upward. In contrast, the regulation member 70 is stretched between itself and the boom 30 to regulate upward rocking of the stand main body 51. In this way, the stand 50 is held at the support position.
In the present embodiment, in a case where the stand 50 is at the support position, not only the recess 56b but also the guide portion 56a abuts on the regulation member 70, so that the contact area between the stand 50 and the regulation member 70 can be increased. As a result, the surface pressures of the stand 50 and the regulation member 70 can be suppressed (reduced), and deformation and breakage of the stand 50 and the regulation member 70 can be suppressed.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the guide portion 56a and the recess 56b are alternately and continuously formed. Therefore, when the stand main body 51 rocks downward from the state of Fig. 12, the distal end portion 71a of the regulation member 70 gets over the guide portion 56a and abuts on the recess 56b located in front of the guide portion.
As described above, since the stand 50 of the present embodiment is allowed to rock downward in a case where the stand is in the support position, the operator can easily change the recess 56b on which the distal end portion 71a abuts only by further rocking the stand main body 51 in the state illustrated in Fig. 12 downward. By changing the recess 56b in this way, the rocking angle of the stand main body 51 can be changed to adjust the grounding portion 53 to an appropriate height position. Hereinafter, an example of adjustment contents of the height position will be described.
In a case where the front loader 10 is removed on an uneven ground, it is assumed that there is a height difference between a ground contact surface G1 of the bucket 40 illustrated in Fig. 3 and a surface G2 on the rear side (stand 50 side) of the ground contact surface G1. For example, it is assumed that the surface G2 on the rear side is at a low position with respect to the ground contact surface G1. In this case, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the distal end portion 71a of the regulation member 70 abuts on the front recess 56b among the plurality of recesses 56b. As a result, the rocking angle of the stand main body 51 can be increased, and the height position of the grounding portion 53 can be set to a relatively low position. Accordingly, since the height position of the grounding portion 53 is appropriately adjusted according to the shape of the uneven ground, when the front loader 10 is removed from the tractor 1, it is possible to suppress the front loader 10 from tilting back and forth.
Furthermore, in a case where the front loader 10 is removed on an uneven ground, it is also assumed that there is a height difference between the left and right of the front loader 10. For example, it is assumed that the right side is at a higher position than the left side of the front loader 10. In this case, the height position of the grounding portion 53 of the stand 50 on the left side is set higher than that on the right side. Specifically, the regulation member 70 on the left side abuts on the recess 56b on the relatively rear side (see Fig. 12), and the regulation member 70 on the right side abuts on the recess 56b on the relatively front side (see Fig. 7). Accordingly, when the front loader 10 is removed from the tractor 1, it is possible to prevent the front loader 10 from being inclined to the left and right. In this way, the front loader 10 can be easily remounted on the tractor 1 by suppressing the front-back and right-left inclinations of the front loader 10.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, not only the recesses 56b but also the plurality of through holes 33a through which the rocking shaft 72 of the regulation member 70 can be inserted are formed. The worker can also change the height position of the grounding portion 53 by changing the through holes 33a through which the rocking shaft 72 is inserted.
For example, when the rocking shaft 72 is pulled out from the front through hole 33a illustrated in Fig. 7 and inserted into the through hole 33a behind the front through hole, the rocking angle of the stand main body 51 can be reduced as illustrated in Fig. 13. As a result, the height position of the grounding portion 53 is adjusted without changing the recess 56b on which the distal end portion 71a abuts. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the height position of the grounding portion 53 is more finely adjusted in a case where the through holes 33a are changed than a case where the recesses 56b are changed.
Furthermore, during this operation, since the stand 50 is biased upward by the spring 60, the operator can change the position of the rocking shaft 72 (through holes 33a) only by supporting the stand 50 with a light force. Furthermore, since each of the recesses 56b is formed in an arc shape in side view, even if the position of the rocking shaft 72 is changed, the contact area between the distal end portion 71a and the recess 56b does not greatly change. As a result, it is possible to suppress a change in surface pressure between the stand 50 and the regulation member 70 according to the position of the rocking shaft 72.
As described above, in the present embodiment, two types of adjustment mechanisms (recesses 56b, through holes 33a) for adjusting the height of the grounding portion 53 are provided. According to this configuration, the height position of the grounding portion 53 can be finely adjusted by combining the position adjustments by the two types of adjustment mechanisms.
Here, for example, when the height position of the grounding portion 53 is finely adjusted only by the recesses 56b, it is necessary to dispose a large number of recesses 56b in a narrow range, and the contact area between each of the recesses 56b and the distal end portion 71a is reduced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the adjustment in the recesses 56b is made relatively rough to suppress a decrease in the contact area, and the height position of the grounding portion 53 can be finely adjusted in combination with the through holes 33a. As a result, the surface pressure between the stand 50 and the regulation member 70 can be suppressed, and the grounding portion 53 can be adjusted to a more appropriate height position.
Next, a procedure for switching from the support position to the storage position illustrated in Fig. 7 will be described. The operator switches the stand 50 from the support position to the storage position in a case where the front loader 10 does not need to stand by itself (for example, after the front loader 10 is mounted on the tractor 1).
First, the operator rocks the stand main body 51 downward while supporting the regulation member 70. As a result, the stand main body 51 is rocked downward with respect to the regulation member 70 to release the engagement between the recess 56b and the distal end portion 71a.
Next, the operator lifts (rocks upward) the regulation member 70 and the stand main body 51. The biasing force of the spring 60 acts on the stand 50 halfway from the support position to the storage position (See Fig. 10 until the spring 60 returns to its original shape.), so that the operator can lift the stand 50 with a relatively light force.
When the operator lifts the stand 50 to the storage position illustrated in Fig. 8, the stand 50 is fixed to the boom 30 by the snap pin 32a (see Fig. 4). As a result, the stand 50 can be switched from the support position to the storage position.
In the present embodiment, the stand 50 can be supported by the spring 60 when the stand 50 is used (when the support position and the storage position are switched). Thus, the operator can rock the stand 50 with a light force. Furthermore, the work can be performed in a reasonable posture. For example, the work can be performed without holding the stand 50 at a relatively low position while squatting down. As a result, the burden on the operator when using the stand 50 can be reduced, and workability can be improved.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the retaining portion 55 is provided in the stand main body 51, for example, even if the stand main body 51 largely rocks with respect to the regulation member 70, the pin 73 and the main body 71 of the regulation member 70 are caught by the retaining portion 55. By thus preventing the regulation member 70 from coming off from the stand main body 51, the stand main body 51 and the regulation member 70 can be easily rocked, and switching between the support position and the storage position can be easily performed.
As described above, the front loader 10 according to the present embodiment includes the stand 50 that is provided, on the boom 30, rockably about the main body rocking shaft 52 (first rocking shaft) and is movable between a support position (positions illustrated in Figs. 2 to 7) where the front loader 10 can be supported and a storage position (positions illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9) where the stand is stored at a position closer to the boom 30 than the support position, and the spring 60 (biasing member) capable of biasing the stand 50 in a direction (upward) approaching the boom 30.
With such a configuration, it is possible to improve workability when the stand 50 is used.
Furthermore, further included is the regulation member 70 that is provided, on the boom 30, rockably about the rocking shaft 72 (second rocking shaft) parallel to the main body rocking shaft 52, and is capable of regulating rocking of the stand 50 in the direction (upward) approaching the boom 30 by abutting on the stand 50.
With such a configuration, since the stand 50 can be held at a predetermined position with a simple configuration, maintainability can be improved, and cost can be reduced.
Furthermore, the regulation member 70 includes the distal end portion 71a formed in an arc shape as viewed in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the rocking shaft 72, and the stand 50 includes the recess 56b capable of abutting on the distal end portion 71a of the regulation member 70 and formed in an arc shape along the distal end portion 71a of the regulation member 70 as viewed in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the main body rocking shaft 52 (see Fig. 7).
With such a configuration, a relatively large contact area between the regulation member 70 and the stand 50 can be secured, so that a surface pressure between both members can be suppressed, and deformation and breakage can be prevented.
Furthermore, the stand 50 includes a plurality of the recesses 56b.
With such a configuration, the position of the stand 50 can be adjusted by making the regulation member 70 abut on the arbitrary recess 56b.
Furthermore, the boom 30 includes the upper support portion 33 (attachment portion) capable of attaching the rocking shaft 72 to a plurality of attachment positions (see Fig. 13).
With this configuration, the position of the stand 50 can be adjusted by changing the attachment positions of the rocking shaft 72.
Furthermore, the stand 50 includes the plurality of recesses 56b capable of abutting on the distal end portion 71a of the regulation member 70, and the boom 30 includes the upper support portion 33 (attachment portion) capable of attaching the rocking shaft 72 to a plurality of attachment positions.
With this configuration, the position of the stand 50 can be finely adjusted by the plurality of adjustment mechanisms.
Furthermore, the spring 60 does not bias the stand 50 until the stand 50 rocks from the storage position toward the support position by a predetermined angle (see Figs. 9 and 10).
With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress fatigue of the spring 60. For example, in the configuration in which the deformation amount of the spring 60 increases as the rocking angle of the stand 50 increases as in the present embodiment, the stand 50 is not biased until the stand 50 rocks by a predetermined angle, so that it is possible to suppress the deformation amount of the spring 60 from becoming excessively large. As a result, fatigue of the spring 60 can be suppressed.
Furthermore, as described above, the tractor 1 (working vehicle) according to the present embodiment includes the front loader 10.
With such a configuration, it is possible to improve workability when the stand 50 is used.
Note that the main body rocking shaft 52 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of the first rocking shaft according to the disclosure.
Furthermore, the spring 60 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of the biasing member according to the disclosure.
Furthermore, the rocking shaft 72 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of the second rocking shaft according to the disclosure.
Furthermore, the upper support portion 33 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of the attachment portion according to the disclosure.
Furthermore, the tractor 1 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of the working vehicle according to the disclosure.
Although the embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, the disclosure is not limited to the above configurations, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.
For example, the working vehicle according to the present embodiment is the tractor 1, but the type of the working vehicle is not limited thereto. The working vehicle may be another agricultural vehicle, a construction vehicle, an industrial vehicle, or the like.
Furthermore, although the bucket 40 is coupled to the boom 30, the work tool coupled to the boom 30 is not limited to the bucket 40 and can be arbitrarily changed. For example, a snow blower, a snow blade, a sweeper, and the like may be coupled to the boom 30.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the two stands 50 (the pair of right and left stands) are provided, but the number of the stands 50 is not limited.
Furthermore, although the spring 60 is configured by a winding spring, the type of the spring 60 is not limited to the winding spring.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the recess 56b abuts on the distal end portion 71a of the regulation member 70, but the distal end portion 71a may abut on a portion different from the recess 56b. For example, a through hole may be formed in the bottom surface of the stand main body 51, and the distal end portion 71a may abut on (be inserted into) the through hole. As described above, the portion that can abut on the distal end portion 71a is not limited to the recess 56b, and can be arbitrarily changed.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the height position of the grounding portion 53 is adjusted by the two types of adjustment mechanisms (the recesses 56b and the through holes 33a), but the number of adjustment mechanisms is not particularly limited. For example, the height position of the grounding portion 53 can be adjusted by one adjustment mechanism.

Claims

A front loader (10) comprising:
- a stand (50) provided, on a boom (30), rockably about a first rocking shaft (52), the stand (50) being movable between a support position where the stand (50) is capable of supporting the front loader (10) and a storage position where the stand (50) is stored at a position closer to the boom (30) than the support position; and

- a biasing member (60) capable of biasing the stand (50) in a direction approaching the boom (30).
The front loader (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a regulation member (70) provided, on the boom (30), rockably about a second rocking shaft (72) parallel to the first rocking shaft (52), the regulation member (70) being capable of regulating rocking of the stand (50) in the direction approaching the boom (30) by abutting on the stand (50).
The front loader (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein
- the regulation member (70) includes a distal end portion formed in an arc shape as viewed in an axial direction of the second rocking shaft (72), and

- the stand (50) includes a recess (56b) capable of abutting on the distal end portion of the regulation member (70) and formed in an arc shape along the distal end portion of the regulation member (70) as viewed in an axial direction of the first rocking shaft (52).
The front loader (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stand (50) includes a plurality of the recesses (56b).
The front loader (10) as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the boom (30) includes an attachment portion (33) capable of attaching the second rocking shaft (72) to a plurality of attachment positions.
The front loader (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein
- the stand (50) includes a plurality of recesses (56b) capable of abutting on a distal end portion of the regulation member (70), and

- the boom (30) includes an attachment portion (33) capable of attaching the second rocking shaft (72) to a plurality of attachment positions.
The front loader (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the biasing member (60) does not bias the stand (50) until the stand (50) rocks from the storage position toward the support position by a predetermined angle.
A working vehicle comprising the front loader (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.