GB2165522A

GB2165522A - Loading handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2165522A
Application number: GB08525057A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Woof
Original assignee: TRUKSPEC DEVELOPMENTS Ltd
Current assignee: TRUKSPEC DEVELOPMENTS Ltd
Priority date: 1984-10-10
Filing date: 1985-10-10
Publication date: 1986-04-16
Also published as: GB8425656D0; GB8525057D0; GB2165522B

Abstract

Apparatus includes a main frame 12 adapted for connection to a three-point linkage 16, 18, 19 of an agricultural tractor and carries a subframe 25 with lift forks 27 movable up and down by a ram 30 between a lower position for receipt of a load 31 e.g. a bag of fertilizer and a higher position. A hopper 20 is pivoted to the frame and can be swung beneath the lifted bag to receive its contents. The hopper may be attached to a frame pivoted to the main frame. The hopper has rotating discs (not shown) to disperse the contents. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Load handling apparatus This invention relates to load handling apparatus.

According to this invention load handling apparatus comprises a frame, a hopper connected to the frame, a lift device carried by the frame and movable between a lower position at which it may receive a load and a higher position above the hopper for discharge of the load into the hopper.

The lift device may be movable up and down and the hopper may be movable from a position beneath the lift device in the higher position to a lateral position.

The lift device may be slidable on the frame and have lifting forks extending away from the frame.

The apparatus may include a ram connected between the frame and the lift device for moving the lift device.

The frame may be adapted for connection to the three-point linkage of an agricultural tractor.

The hopper may be pivoted to the frame.

Alternatively the hopper may have attachments for connection to a three-point linkage and be connectable to formations on a further frame itself pivoted to the frame.

The invention may be performed in various ways and three specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural tractor with load handling apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the apparatus in another condition; Figure 3 is a side view of part of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of another arrangement; Figure 5 is a plan view of another arrangement; Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a view from right of Figure 6 with parts omitted.

The load handling apparatus 10 is intended for handling large, e.g. up to 1 tonne, bags 31 of, for example, fertilizer and is adapted to be carried by a tractor 3-point linkage. The apparatus 10 comprises a sturdy main frame 12 including upright side members 13, 14 and cross members 15. An intermediate cross member 15a is adapted to be detachably pivotally carried by the upper arm 16 of the 3-point linkage and connections 17 (only one shown) near the lower ends of side members 13, 14 are respectively pivotally detachably carried by the two lower links 18, 19.An open-topped hopper 20 is pivoted at 21 to one side member 14 for movement about an upright axis between a nonworking lateral position shown in Figure 1 in which the hopper is clear of the region to the rear of the frame 12 and a working position shown in Figure 2 in which a handle 22, which can be used to pivot the hopper, is releasably engaged in catch 23 to hold the hopper close to the frame 12.

A sub-frame 25 is slidable up and down in confronting channels 26 in side members 13, 14 and carries two laterally spaced tines or forks 27 which extend rearwardly away from the frame. A hydraulic ram 30, adapted to be connected to the hydraulic take-off coupling of the tractor, extends between the top of the frame 12 and the top of the sub-frame 25 for moving the sub-frame from a bottom position shown in Figure 1 and a raised positioned (Figure 2).In the bottom position with the hopper swung aside and the frame lowered by the 3-point linkage (Figure 1) the tractor can be reversed to bring the forks 27 into a conventional wood pallet supporting a bag 31 of fertilizer; the ram is then energized to raise the pallet and bag to a level above the top of the hopper (Figure 2), the hopper is then swung back into the working position and releasably locked in place, the base of the bag is then opened, e.g. by cutting, to allow the contents to fall into the hopper, the frame, subframe and hopper are then raised by the 3-point linkage and the fertilizer can then be discharged (Figure 3) from the hopper in the usual way using a rotating disc which flings the fertilizer over an area as the tractor moves forwards.

With this arrangement no separate lifting device is required.

In a modification the lowermost cross member 15c is omitted and, with the frame 12 in a raised hopper-working position (Figure 3) the sub-frame can be lowered as shown at 50 to bring the tines 27 to ground level (with the hopper swung aside) to engage beneath a pallet.

In a preferred arrangement shown in Figure 4 the hopper 60 is a conventional hopper having attachments 61 by which it can be lifted by a 3-point linkage. However in this case the frame 12 has pivoted to it a further frame 62 carrying formations 63 engageable with the attachments 61 so that when the tractor is reversed the attachments 61 and formations 63 engage together to hold the hopper to the frame 62. The frame engages the three point linkage as above.

The frame 62 is pivoted at 21 to the frame 12 so that the hopper can be swung aside. Preferably the hopper is swung by a ram 65 extending between the frame 12 and the frame 62 for moving the frame 62 about pivot 21. The ram 65 is coupled to the tractor hydraulic coupling so that the hopper can be pivoted and the bag lifted without the tractor driver leaving his cab.

Preferably a ram-operated bag cutting device is provided to cut the bag.

Instead of tines a hook can be carried by subframe 25 so that a bag 31 can if necessary be lifted from above by engaging the hook with a grip device on the top of the bag.

Further a ram-operated stripper device can be provided to strip a pallet and empty bag from the forks 27 and discharge same, away from the hopper.

In a further modification the ram 30 is replaced by a ram in the frame 12 and operating the subframe 25 through one or more chains and pulleys.

In the arrangement of Figures 5 to 7, the hopper 20 includes a hopper frame 70 and is pivoted at 21 under the control of a double acting ram 71 serv ing to drive a chain and sprocket link 72 operatively connected to the hinge pin to rotate the hinge to swing the hopper. The hopper has rotating discs (not shown) to disperse the contents and is provided with part 73 of a coupling which in the operative position couples to the power take off shaft of the tractor to drive the discs but on swinging of the hopper to the lateral position automatically disengages, and reengages when the hopper is swung inwardly again. The forks 27 are raised and lowered by a hydraulic vertical lift cylinder 74 mounted in the frame and operating on the forks through a chain and pulley system 75 shown schematically to increase the movement of the forks compared with the movement of the cylinder ram, the ram moving a pulley up and down. The forks include channels 76 sliding on guides 77. The subframe 25 has formations 80 which engage formations on the hopper which themselves are normally engaged by the three point linkage of the tractor. The hopper frame can be detached at 21 if it is desired to use the forklift 12, 27 alone.

Claims

1. Load handling apparatus comprising a frame, a hopper connected to the frame, a lift device carried by the frame and movable between a lower position at which it may receive a load and a higher position above the hopper for discharge of the load into the hopper.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the lift device is movable up and down and the hopper is movable from a position beneath the lift device in the higher position to a lateral position.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, in which the lift device is slidable on the frame and has lifting forks extending away from the frame.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a ram connected between the frame and the lift device for moving the lift device.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the frame is adapted to be connected to the three-point linkage of an agricultural tractor.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the hopper is pivoted to the frame.

7. Apparatus as Claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, in which the hopper has attachments for connection to a three-point linkage of an agricultural tractor and is connectable to a further frame itself pivoted to said frame.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, including means connectable to the power take off of a tractor for driving discharge means of the hopper.

9. Load handling apparatus comprising a frame adapted for connection to a three-point linkage of an agricultural tractor, a lift device carried by the frame and movable between lower and higher positions, a hopper movable between a first position, beneath the lift device in the higher position, and a second lateral position clear of the lift device.

10. Load handling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, or Figure 4, or Figures 5 to 7, of the accompanying drawings.