NZ744265A - A dumper vehicle - Google Patents
A dumper vehicleInfo
- Publication number
- NZ744265A NZ744265A NZ744265A NZ74426518A NZ744265A NZ 744265 A NZ744265 A NZ 744265A NZ 744265 A NZ744265 A NZ 744265A NZ 74426518 A NZ74426518 A NZ 74426518A NZ 744265 A NZ744265 A NZ 744265A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- container
- frame
- dumper
- platform
- vehicle according
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000003028 elevating Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 230000001965 increased Effects 0.000 description 4
- 240000000800 Allium ursinum Species 0.000 description 3
- 230000037250 Clearance Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000000088 Lip Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 230000035512 clearance Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003014 reinforcing Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
Abstract
A dumper vehicle includes: a frame comprising a front end and a rear end; front and rear wheels mounted to the frame; an operator seat mounted to the frame; and an open topped container for carrying a load therein mounted to the frame between the front and rear wheels, wherein the container is moveable between a transport position for transporting a load and a discharge position for discharging of a load; wherein the container defines an upper extent thereof, and wherein said upper extent of the container decreases in height with respect to a lower extent of the wheels towards the front end of the frame, when the container is in the transport position. ble between a transport position for transporting a load and a discharge position for discharging of a load; wherein the container defines an upper extent thereof, and wherein said upper extent of the container decreases in height with respect to a lower extent of the wheels towards the front end of the frame, when the container is in the transport position.
Description
A DUMPER VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dumper vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dumper vehicles, often referred to as "site dumpers" are manufactured in various
different sizes to suit the needs of the application, ranging from those required for small
building sites to those required for large scale construction projects. A common dumper
vehicle used for small building sites typically has an operating capacity (i.e. fully loaded) in
the range of 6-9 metric tonnes.
A major problem faced when using dumper vehicles of this size is that as the skip of
the dumper vehicle is provided in front of an operator, the forwards visibility of the operator
is impaired. Further, due to height restrictions when the dumper vehicles are loaded onto
trucks for transport, the position of the operator cannot simply be raised in order to improve
visibility over the skip. A further problem encountered by dumper vehicles is that of stability
during manoeuvring of the vehicle if the vehicle is not operated in accordance with the
operator's manual, e.g. when travelling at excessive speed over uneven ground, braking or
steering abruptly. Furthermore, when the vehicle is configured for the skip to slew or rotate
(known as a “swivel tip” dumper vehicle), rotation of a heavy load may present further
challenges to stability.
The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate one or more problems
associated with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a dumper vehicle
comprising: a frame comprising a front end and a rear end; front and rear wheels mounted to
the frame; an operator seat mounted to the frame; a lifting assembly mounted to the frame,
wherein the lifting assembly comprises a platform; and an open topped container for
carrying a load therein that is mounted to the platform, wherein the container is moveable
between a transport position for transporting a load and a discharge position for discharging
of a load; wherein the lifting assembly is configured for elevating the platform relative to the
frame from a first position to a second position, and wherein the container is rotatably
mounted to the platform.
In standard swivel tip dumper vehicles, the lifting assembly is rotationally mounted
on the frame, typically via a slew ring. However, this arrangement limits the size of lifting
mechanism that can be used on the vehicle, as the lifting mechanism needs to be mounted
within the footprint of the slew ring.
Providing a lifting apparatus that is mounted to the vehicle frame, and rotationally
mounting the container to a platform of the lifting apparatus advantageously overcomes this
limitations, and provides are larger area for the lifting apparatus to be mounted, enabling the
lifting apparatus to be connected to the frame over a larger area, resulting a more stable
mounting of a container to the frame.
Elevation of the platform from the first position to the second position may also
move the platform in a direction towards the front end of the frame.
Advantageously, the forward movement of the frame provides the container with
increased clearance between the rear of the container and the chassis and/or the cab to
reduce the possibility of a collision during slewing of the container. This increased clearance
between container and cab removes the need to chamfer the rear corners of the skip in order
to reduce the chance of collisions, and so enables a larger volume of the container to be
maintained.
The mounting platform may be mounted to the frame via a parallel linkage.
The lifting assembly and the container may be configured such that the container
cannot rotate with respect to the platform when the mounting platform is in the first position.
Advantageously, this prevents collision between the container and the cab when the
container is in the lowered position.
The frame may further comprise a main chassis having the operator seat mounted
thereto and an articulating front chassis having the container mounted thereto, wherein a
lower extent of the front chassis may be arranged to be lower than a lower extent of the main
chassis.
Advantageously, mounting the container on a front chassis that is lower than the
chassis on which the operator is situated has been found to increase the visibility over the
container of an operator sat in an operator seat. Furthermore, such an arrangement lowers
the centre of gravity of the dumper vehicle, which improves the overall stability of the
vehicle both when the container is loaded and empty.
The operator seat may be rotatably mounted to the frame for adjusting the operator
seat between a forwards position and a rearwards position for carrying out a reverse drive
operation.
The mounting platform may be arranged to be substantially level with a lower extent
of the main chassis.
The front chassis may be substantially non-linear.
The front chassis may comprise a front section and a rear section, wherein the rear
section may have an upper surface substantially lower than the upper surface of the front
section, e.g. at least 10cm lower. The mounting platform may be substantially level with the
upper surface of the front section of the front chassis.
Advantageously, this lowers the position of the container, which further improves
both the stability of the vehicle and the visibility over the container of an operator.
The dumper vehicle may comprise a front axle for mounting the front wheels to the
frame, and the front section may extend above the front axle.
The front section may mount to the front axle at a position substantially above the
front axle.
The container may comprise a lower surface including a substantially flat lowermost
portion. The flat lowermost portion may be substantially level with the upper surface of the
front section of the front chassis.
Advantageously, providing a flat bottom surface increases the volume at the bottom
of the container for receiving a load, which works to lower the centre of gravity of the
vehicle, thus improving the stability of the vehicle.
The flat lowermost portion of the container may be mounted to the platform.
The container may be mounted to the platform via a slew ring.
The flat lower portion may be interposed between the front and rear wheels.
Advantageously, this moves the centre of gravity of the loaded machine to be
positioned between the front and rear wheels (i.e. closer to longitudinal the centre of the
vehicle), which improves the stability of the vehicle.
The length of the flat lower portion in a forward-rearward direction may be at least
% of the total length of the container in a forward-rearward direction.
Advantageously, increasing the size of the flat lower portion of the container further
increases the volume at the bottom of the container for receiving a load, which works to
lower the centre of gravity of the vehicle, thus improving the stability of the vehicle.
The lower surface of the container may comprise a first substantially linear inclined
surface extending upwardly away from the flat lowermost portion towards the front end of
the frame.
Advantageously, providing a linear angled surface that extends forwardly (i.e.
towards and over the front wheels) reduces the angle between the flat lower portion and the
front wall of the container, which minimises the amount of residual material after unloading.
The container may comprise a front edge, and the container may further comprise a
chute at said front edge.
Advantageously, providing a chute at the front edge aids in the discharge of material
from the container.
The container may define an internal volume, and a majority of said internal volume
may be positioned behind a rear extent of the front wheels.
Advantageously, this moves the centre of gravity of the loaded machine to be
positioned between the front and rear wheels (i.e. closer to longitudinal the centre of the
vehicle), which improves the stability of the vehicle.
The centre of gravity of the vehicle may be maintained rearward of a rear extent of
the front wheels.
The container defines an upper extent thereof, and wherein said upper extent of the
container may decrease in height with respect to a lower extent of the wheels towards the
front end of the frame, when the container is in the transport position.
Advantageously, providing a dumper vehicle where the upper extent of a container
decreases in height toward the front of the vehicle has been found to increase the visibility
over the container of an operator sat in an operator seat.
An operator in the operator seat having a height of approximately 173cm may have a
line of sight angle over the container of at least 20º below the horizontal, when the skip is
unladen.
An operator in the operator seat having a height of approximately 173cm may have a
line of sight angle over the container of at least 16º below the horizontal, when the skip is
laden.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a rear isometric view of a dumper vehicle according to an aspect of the
invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the dumper vehicle of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front view of the dumper vehicle of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side view of the dumper vehicle of Figure 1 with a container thereof in
a front discharge position;
Figure 5 is a side view of the dumper vehicle of Figure 1 with a container thereof in
an elevated front discharge position;
Figure 6 is an underside isometric view of the dumper vehicle of Ffigure 1;
Figure 7 is a front underside isometric view of the dumper vehicle of Figure 1, with
the front frame, front axle and front wheels removed for clarity;
Figure 8 is a front underside isometric view of the dumper vehicle of Figure 7 with a
container in an elevated position; and
Figure 9 is a front underside isometric view of the dumper vehicle of Figure 7 with a
container in an elevated and rotated position; and
Figure 10 is a front underside isometric view of the dumper vehicle of Figure 7 with
a container in an elevated side discharge position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)
Referring to Figures 1 to 10, there is illustrated a dumper vehicle 10 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The dumper vehicle 10 has a nominal laden capacity
of 6 metric tonnes and a volume of heaped material (e.g. earth) of approximately 3.2m3 and
of flowable material (e.g. concrete) of approximately 1.6m3. The vehicle 10 includes a
structural chassis frame 12 having a front end 14 and a rear end 16. The frame 12 has two
sets of wheels mounted to the frame, two front wheels 18 mounted proximate the front end
14 of the frame 12, and two rear wheels 20 mounted proximate the rear end 16 of the frame
The frame 12 also has an operator seat mounted to the frame 12. The operator seat is
located proximate to the rear wheels 20 along the longitudinal length of the frame 12. In the
illustrated embodiment, the operator seat is provided within an operator cab 22. However, it
will be appreciated that in alternative arrangements, an operator cab 22 may not be provided
and a roll cage may be used instead. A prime mover is mounted to the rear of the cab 22
within a housing 23, where the housing 23 forms the rear extent of the dumper vehicle 10.
The operator seat is mounted to the frame 12 so as to be rotatably fixed thereto.
However, in alternative arrangements, the operator seat may be rotatable with respect to the
frame 12 so as to enable an operator to adjust the seat position from a forwards position (i.e.
facing the front end 14 of the frame 12) to a rearwards position (i.e. facing the rear end 16 of
the frame 12) for carrying out a reverse drive operation.
As is more clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the frame 12 of the dumper vehicle 10 is
provided in two parts that are able to articulate about at least a vertical axis with respect to
each other. That is, the frame 12 includes a main rear chassis 36 and a front chassis 38. The
length of the frame 12, and of the dumper vehicle 10 as a whole, has been extended by
approximately 46cm compared to known dumpers of comparable capacity (e.g. the present
applicant's current swivel tip site dumper). The operator seat and operator cab 22 (or roll bar
in alternative embodiments) are mounted to the main chassis 36. An open topped container
24, commonly referred to as a skip, is mounted to the front chassis 38 such that the container
24 is forward of the operator in the usual direction of movement. The main chassis 36 and
the front chassis 38 are pivotally connected together via a linkage 40. The linkage 40 is such
that the front chassis 38 is able to pivot or articulate about a vertical axis up to an angle of
° with respect to the main chassis 36. This angle of articulation between the front chassis
38 and the main chassis 40 enables the dumper vehicle to maintain a similar turning circle
for the extended frame length compared to a comparable known dumper vehicle..
The front chassis 38 is positioned to be at least in part lower than the main chassis
36. In the illustrated embodiment, a lower extent 42 of the front chassis 38 is positioned to
be lower than a lower extent 44 of the main chassis 36 and as a result an upper surface of at
least part of the front chassis is also lowered (as the front chassis is formed from chassis rails
of similar vertical depth as along their length). This arrangement permits lowering of the
container 24 with respect to an operator in the operator seat or cab 22, which increases the
operator's visibility over the container 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting
platform 56 and the container 24 have been lowered by approximately 20cm compared to
known side tip dumper vehicles. Lowering of the container 24 and platform 56 also lowers
the centre of gravity of the dumper vehicle 10, which improves the overall stability of the
vehicle, both when the container 24 is fully loaded and when it is empty, and both when
container in the front tip and side tip positions.
The front chassis 38 is non-linear in side view (as is shown in Figure 2). The front
chassis 38 has a substantially flat rear section 39. The rear section 39 of the front chassis 38
is arranged to have an upper surface lower, e.g. 10cm lower than the upper surface of the
front section and be substantially lower than the lowermost extent of the main chassis 36.
The platform 56 is mounted to the rear section 39 of the front chassis 38, thus mounting the
container 24 onto the front chassis 38. The front chassis 38 further includes a front section
41 which extends upwardly and away from the rear section 39. The front section 41 is
illustrated in broken lines on Figure 2. The front chassis angles upwardly to a position above
an axle 43 extending between the front wheels 18, and comprises a front section 41 that is
substantially parallel to the rear part 39 of the front chassis 38. The front section 41, and so
the front chassis 38, mounts to the front axle 43 at a position substantially above said front
axle 43.
The container 24 is positioned such that a majority of the elongate length of the
container 24 is situated between the front 18 and rear wheels 20. The container 24 defines an
upper edge thereof. The upper edge of the container including a rear upper edge 26, a front
upper edge 28 and two side upper edges 30 extending therebetween. The container 24 is
further provided with a front lip 32 extending substantially away and downward from the
front edge 28 of the container 24. A pair of opposing side walls 34 are provided at the
opposing side edges of the front lip 32. The combination of the front lip 32 and the opposing
side walls 34 forms a chute at the front of the container 24, i.e. extending from the front
edge 28 of the container 24. Providing such a chute enables the flow of material to be better
directed forwards away from the dumper vehicle 10 when it is being discharged from the
container 24.
The dumper vehicle 10 includes a lifting assembly configured to elevate the
container 24. The lifting assembly includes a mounting platform 56 that is mounted to the
frame 12 via a linkage arrangement 66. The container 24 is mounted onto the platform 56,
and the lifting assembly is configured to elevate the platform 56, and hence the container 24,
relative to the frame, i.e. from a first position proximate to the frame to a second position
that is remote from the frame. The elevation of the platform relative to the frame also works
to move the platform and thus the container forward, i.e. in a direction towards the front end
14 of the frame 12. The container 24 is rotationally mounted onto the platform 56, so as to
allow the container 24 to rotate with respect to the platform 56 by up to 90° left or right from
the standard front tip position illustrated in Figure 1.
This arrangement enables the mounting plate 56, and thus the container 24, to be
supported on a portion 39 of the front chassis 38 that is substantially lower than the point of
connection between an axle 43 and the front chassis 38. This allows for the lifting assembly
to be accommodated without increasing the height of the upper edge of the container.
Further, this arrangement does not reduce the overall ground clearance of the vehicle since
the lower extent of the front axle 43 remains lower than the lower extent of the front chassis
and is not significantly lower than the drive shaft 80 that transmits drive from the main
chassis 36 to the front axle 43.
In the illustrated embodiment a lower extent of the platform 56 is positioned to be
substantially level with the lower extent 44 of the main chassis 36. However, in alternative
arrangements, it will be appreciated that the lowermost extent of the platform 56 may be
positioned to be substantially below a lower extent 44 of the main chassis 36. This
arrangement further improves both the stability of the vehicle 10 and the visibility over the
container 24 of an operator. Additionally, lowering of the platform 56, and thus the lower
extent 46 of the container 24 enables the height of the container to be maximised without
significantly impairing on the visibility over the container 24 of an operator in the operator
seat.
Arranging the container as described above has been found to result in a line of sight
over the front of the container of the dumper vehicle for an operator having a height of
173cm (a 50th percentile operator) when seated in the operator's seat in excess of 16º below
the horizontal when the skip is laden with heaped material, where the heaped material has a
slope in a 2:1 ratio of length to height, and in excess of 20º below the horizontal when the
skip is unladen. This results in a significant reduction of the ground area around the dumper
vehicle that is obscured by parts of the container (and a heap of material contained therein),
which improves visibility for manoeuvring the machine.
When mounted onto the frame 12 and in the transport position, the upper extent
container 24 is substantially horizontal, which enables the capacity of the container 24 to be
maximised. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative arrangements, the upper
extent of the container may decrease in height towards the front end of the frame. That is,
the side upper edges of the upper extent of the frame may decrease in height towards the
front end of the frame. The upper extent of the container (i.e. the side upper edges thereof)
may continuously decrease in height between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the
container, such that the side edges of the container do not include any substantially level
regions. This decreasing height works to increase the visibility over the container of an
operator sat in an operator seat, whilst maximising capacity.
Referring to Figures 6 to 10, the front chassis 38, lifting assembly and the slewing
arrangement are illustrated in more detail. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 56 is
mounted to the front chassis 38 via a parallel linkage arrangement 66. The parallel linkage
arrangement includes four arms, two front arms 67 and two rear arms 69. Each of the arms
67, 69 are pivotally mounted the frame 12 at a first end, and are pivotally connected to the
platform 56 at a second end.
The front chassis 38 is in the form of a substantially U-shaped member having two
opposing rails 82, each rail 82 having a front wheel 18 mounted to the distal end thereof.
The front chassis 38 includes a cross beam 84 extending between the two opposing rails 82
of the U-shaped frame.
A first end of the each of the front arms 67 is mounted to the front chassis at
opposing points on the U-shaped arms. A second end of the front arms 67 is then pivotally
mounted to a forward region of the platform 56.
A first end of each of the pair of rear arms 69 is mounted to the cross beam 84 via a
bracket 86. A second end of the rear arms 69 is then pivotally mounted to a rear region of
the platform 56.
In order to drive the elevation of the platform 56, the lifting assembly is provided
with a pair of actuators 72. The actuators 72 pivotally mounted between the frame 12 and
the platform 56 so as to drive the container elevation from the lowered container position
illustrated in Figure 1 to the elevated position illustrated in Figure 5.
A first end of the linear actuators 72 is mounted to the brackets 86. A second end of
the actuators 72 is mounted to a forward region of the platform 56. This arrangement works
so that, the parallel linkage arrangement, driven by the actuators 72, provides a simple way
to both elevate the container 24 and simultaneously drive the container 24 towards a front
end 14 of the frame 12. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative arrangements,
different linkage mechanisms may be used in order to elevate and drive forward the platform
56 and container 24.
As discussed above, the container 24 is rotatably mounted to the platform 56. In
Figures 1 to 8, the container 24 is illustrated as being in the straight ahead (i.e. front tip)
position. In Figures 9 and 10, the container 24 is illustrated as being in the swivel tip
position.
In the illustrated embodiment, the container 24 is mounted to the platform 56 via a
rotatable connection, e.g. a slew ring 74. In order to drive the rotation, or slewing, of the
container 24, e.g. in a substantially horizontal plane, the dumper vehicle 10 is provided with
actuation means. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation means is provided in the form
of a pair of linear actuators 76. A first end of each of the actuators 76 is pivotally connected
to the platform 56. A second end of each of the actuators 76 is pivotally mounted to the
rotatable connection, i.e. the slew ring 74. The linear actuators 76 are pivotally connected to
the slew ring 74 with one actuator 76 provided on each side of the rotational axis of the slew
ring 74. It will be appreciated that in alternative arrangements, different actuation means and
rotation arrangement may be used in order to slew the container.
In order for the container 24 to pivot between the transport position and a discharge
position, the dumper vehicle 10 is provided a pair of hydraulic rams 78. The hydraulic rams
78 are mounted to the platform 56. The hydraulic rams 78 are pivotally mounted to the
container 24 via two pivotable mounts 25. This arrangement enables the container 24 to be
moveable or pivotable proximate the front of both the container 24 and the frame 12
between a transport position (e.g. Figures 1 and 2) for transporting a load and a discharge
position (e.g. Figures 4 and 5) for discharging of a load. This arrangement enables the
container to be moved into the discharge position when the container is both in the front tip
position and also the side tip position.
The front chassis 38 includes an upstanding rear section 88 for mounting the
articulating mechanisms thereto. The rear portion 88 is arranged to be positioned close to, or
in contact with, the rear face of the container 24, when the container 24 is in the first
lowered position. As such, any attempted rotation of the container 24 would result in the
container 24 hitting the rear portion 88 of the chassis, causing damage to machine 10. Due to
this, the lifting assembly and the container 24 are configured such that the container cannot
rotate with respect to the platform 56, when the platform 56 is in the lowered or first
position. This locking arrangement may be achieved by use of suitable sensors coupled with
a hydraulic locking system.
The container 24 is defines an internal volume for receiving a load therein. The
majority of the internal volume of the container is positioned behind a rear extent of the
front wheels 18 and in front of a forward extent of the rear wheels 20. This arrangement
provides a more even weight distribution between front axle 43 and rear axle 45, i.e. a
weight distribution that is close to 50:50 between front and rear axles, when the container 24
is loaded with material. Providing a more even weight distribution between the front and
rear of the dumper vehicle 10 improves the stability and traction of the dumper vehicle 10.
The container 24 includes a lower surface 48, a rear surface 50 and two opposing
side surfaces 52. The lower surface 48 of the container 24 includes a substantially flat
lowermost portion, which defines the lowermost extent 46 of the container. The length of
the flat lower portion 46 is at least 25% of the total length of the container in the direction
between the front and rear ends of the frame 12. The substantially flat bottom surface 46 is
positioned so as to be interposed between the front 18 and rear wheels 20.
The lower surface of the container 24 is situated lower than a typical dumper vehicle,
which works to increase the storage capacity of the container at the bottom thereof, which
works to lower the centre of gravity of the vehicle. Lowering the centre of gravity of the
dumper vehicle 10 improves the stability of the vehicle 10. Positioning the flat lower surface
to be interposed between the front and rear wheels positions the centre of gravity of the
machine closer to the actual centre of the machine, which improves the stability of the
vehicle.
In addition to the flat lower portion 46, the lower surface 48 of the container 24
further includes a substantially planar inclined surface 54 extending upwardly away from the
lower flat portion 46, in a direction substantially towards the front edge 28 of the container
24. Providing this surface 54 as a substantially planar surface, rather than as a curved surface
extending around the front wheel 18 works to reduce the incline between the flat lower
surface 46 and the surface 54. Reducing this angle minimises the amount of residual
material in the container 24 after unloading.
The substantially planar inclined surface 54 extends upwardly away from the flat
lower surface 46, such that a distal (forward) end of the inclined surface 54 forms the front
edge 28 of the container 24. This planar inclined surface helps to increase the fluid storage
capacity of the container, by raising the height of the front edge 28 of the container 24.
Maximising the fluid storage capacity is important for the transport of flowable materials,
such a liquid concrete.
The container 24 further includes a reinforcing rib 60 extending around the rear edge
26 and two side edges 30 of the container. Although not illustrated, a first set of lifting eyes
may be provided on the rear surface 50 of the container 24, proximate to the reinforcing rib
60. A second set of lifting eyes may also be provided along the side edges 30 of the
container 24, proximate the front edge 28 of the container 24. Providing the lifting eyes
enables the container 24 to be lifted from the dumper vehicle 10, when required.
Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more
preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be
made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Although the invention has been described above in terms of the frame being
provided in two parts, it will be appreciated that the frame could be provided as a single
component and the dumper vehicle could instead be steered by conventional Ackermann
steering or otherwise. The region of the frame on which the container is mounted could be
substantially lower than the region of the frame on which the operator's seat is mounted.
In an alternative skip arrangement, the substantially planar inclined surface may
transition into a curved surface, which extends around an upper edge of the front wheels to a
position substantially above the centre of the front wheels. Curving around the upper edge of
the front wheels helps to maximise the available volume within the container for receiving a
load. The lower surface of the container may further include a second planar inclined surface
extending upwardly and forwardly away from the curved surface. The distal end of the
second inclined surface may form the front edge of the container. The second inclined
surface may be substantially parallel to, but offset from, the inclined surface 54.
It will be understood that the term “comprise” and any of its derivatives (eg
comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features
to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless
otherwise stated or implied.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as,
an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common
general knowledge.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in
its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its
preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or
depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without
departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be
understood to include all such modifications in its scope.
Claims (20)
1. A dumper vehicle comprising: a frame comprising a front end and a rear end; front and rear wheels mounted to the frame; an operator seat mounted to the frame; a lifting assembly mounted to the frame, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a platform; and an open topped container for carrying a load therein that is mounted to the platform, wherein the container is moveable between a transport position for transporting a load and a discharge position for discharging of a load; wherein the lifting assembly is configured for elevating the platform relative to the frame from a first position to a second position, and wherein the container is rotatably mounted to the platform.
2. A dumper vehicle according to claim 1, wherein elevation of the platform from the first position to the second position moves the platform in a direction towards the front end of the frame.
3. A dumper vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the mounting platform is mounted to the frame via a parallel linkage.
4. A dumper vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifting assembly and the container are configured such that the container cannot rotate with respect to the platform when the mounting platform is in the first position.
5. A dumper vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a main chassis having the operator seat mounted thereto and an articulating front chassis having the container mounted thereto, further wherein a lower extent of the front chassis is arranged to be lower than a lower extent of the main chassis.
6. A dumper vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the operator seat is rotatably mounted to the frame for adjusting the operator seat between a forwards position and a rearwards position for carrying out a reverse drive operation.
7. A dumper vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the front chassis is substantially non-linear in side view.
8. A dumper vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the front chassis comprises a front section and a rear section, further wherein the rear section has an upper surface substantially lower than an upper surface of the front section, e.g. at least 10cm lower.
9. A dumper vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the dumper vehicle comprises a front axle for mounting the front wheels to the frame, and wherein the front section extends above the front axle.
10. A dumper vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the front section mounts to the front axle at a position substantially above the front axle.
11. A dumper vehicle according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the container comprises a lower surface including a substantially flat lowermost portion, wherein the flat lowermost portion is substantially level with the upper surface of the front section.
12. A dumper vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the flat lowermost portion of the container is mounted to the platform.
13. A dumper vehicle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the flat lowermost portion is interposed between the front and rear wheels.
14. A dumper according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the length of the flat lowermost portion in a forward-rearward direction is at least 25% of the total length of the container in a forward-rearward direction.
15. A dumper according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the lower surface of the container comprises a first substantially linear inclined surface extending upwardly away from the flat lowermost portion towards the front end of the frame.
16. A dumper vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is mounted to the platform via a slew ring.
17. A dumper vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a front edge, wherein the container further comprises a chute at said front edge.
18. A dumper vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the container defines an internal volume, and a majority of said internal volume is positioned behind a rear extent of the front wheels.
19. A dumper according to any preceding claim, wherein the centre of gravity of the vehicle is maintained rearward of a rear extent of the front wheels.
20. A dumper vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the container defines an upper extent thereof, and wherein said upper extent of the container decreases in height with respect to a lower extent of the wheels towards the front end of the frame, when the container is in the transport position.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1711991.8 | 2017-07-25 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ744265A true NZ744265A (en) |
Family
ID=
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