US2405114A

US2405114A - Loading machine

Info

Publication number: US2405114A
Application number: US537945A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gilbert E Coats
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-05-29
Filing date: 1944-05-29
Publication date: 1946-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 1963-08-06

Description

-5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed may 29, 1921-@ i mais Aug.6,1946. G.'E .OTS -2,405,114

-LoADING MACHINE l Filed May 29', 1944' s sheets-sheet 2 uff MMM@ W y G. E. CoA-rs 2,405,114 LOADING MACHINE Filed May 29, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 6, 1946.

Ewen/for z'lbez' 56061159 Patented Aug. 6, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to loading machines and in particular to a machine for picking up and stacking or loading hay, manure and like material.

An object of this invention is to provide an irnproved tractor-loading machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a loading machine which is capable'of being easily and quickly mounted on different types of farm tractors and operated from the usual tractor power take-off.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tractor-mounted loading machine in which the load is supported on extensible pivoted members and elevated by overhead lifting means in a substantially upright direction so that practically all of the available lifting force is ehiciently applied to lifting the load.

A still further obj ect of this invention is to provide a tractor-mounted loading machine which is of a unit construction and readily removed from and assembled on the tractor` so as to appreciably decrease the over-all time for a loading operation and in turn increase the availability of the tractor for other farming operations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tractor-mounted loading machine which is of a light weight and compactly assembled on the tractor so as not to interfere with the operators visibility whereby the normal operating economy and ease of handling of the tractor is maintained during its use for loading purposes.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of a tractor-mounted loading machine in which a pair of extensible lifting arms are positioned at opposite sides of the tractor and pivoted at their rear ends for pivotal up and down movement. A load-carrying means is mounted between the forward ends of the arms and is movable upwardly in guiding engagement with an upright frame positioned between the forward ends of the arms. To accommodate the machine to different size and type tractors means are provided for adjusting the upward inclination of the uprights and the position of the load-carrying means in a substantially horizontal plane at its lowermost position of travel.

A further feature of this invention is found in the provision of a tractor-mounted loading machine in which a pair of elongated arms having eXtensible front portions are positioned at opposite sides of the tractor and pvoted adjacent their rear ends for up and down pivotal movement. Uprights are supported on the tractor between the arms and rearwardly of a load-carrying means supported between the extensible front portions of the arms. These front portions are connected with a flexible lifting means depended from the uprights and on lifting O f the flexible means the front portions are extended to provide for an upward travel of the load-carrying means adjacent to the uprights,

Yet another feature of this invention is found in the provision of a tractor-mounted loading machine in whicha load-carrying means is pivotally supported between the free ends of pivoted and liftable elongated members and provided with an upwardly and rearwardly projected lug member. A latch member is pivotally supported on and between the liftable members for movement into and out of locking engagement with the lug member, with the latch and lug members constituting the entire trip mechanism for the loadcarrying means. The latch member is manually actuated through lever means and a pull cord which is extended rearwardly of the tractor and within easy reach of the tractor operator.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is an elevational View of the loading machine of this invention shown with a manure fork and mounted on a tractor of usual type;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational sectional View of the machine as seen along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lower pivoted frame of the loading machine removed from the tractor;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the trip mechanism for the manure fork;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view as seen along the line 1 1 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an adjustable member used in the trip mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of an actuating rod used in the trip mechanism;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged detail view of the clutch and brake mechanism for the loading machine as seen along the line Ill-I U in Fig. 1;

Fig. 1l is an elevational sectional view of the clutch and brake mechanism as seen along the line I l-l I in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an elevational View of the loading machine, illustrated similarly to Fig. l, showing the machine in changed position and with a buck rake;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the trip mechanism for the buck rake;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line I4-I4 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a rear plan perspective view of the hay buck illustrated with the loading machine in Fig. 12.

With reference to the drawings the loading machine of this invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 mounted on a farm tractor of a usual type having a body frame or chassis 2l), rear wheels i6 and front steering wheels I1. The steering mechanism for the wheels i1 includes steering arms I8 connected with a steering rod i3 through a gear box 2l, the steering rod I9 being extended toward the rear of the tractor and provided with a suitable steering wheel (not shown) at its rear end. A usual power take-off, indicated at 22, is mounted forwardly of the rear wheels.

The loading machine includes a lower pivoted frame. comprised of a substantially U-shaped member 23 having its legs 24 positioned at opposite sides of the tractor frame 2B (Figs. 1 and 3). The U member 23 is of a tubular construction and has its base portion rotatably supported in bearings 21 which are carried on an inverted channel member 28 suspended from a supporting structure located at the rear end of the tractor. The supporting structure is comprised of a pair of angle members 29 depended from each side of the tractor frame 2U and connected together at their lower ends by an angle member 3i, the channel member 28 being connected to and extended between the angle members Si.

Each bearing 21 is of a two piece construction with the mating halves secured together at one end and to the channel member 23 by a nut and bolt assembly 33 and at their opposite ends by lock nuts 34 threaded on a brace rod 3B, which will be explained later (Fig. 4) By virtue of the pivotal support of the U member 23, it is apparent from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 3 that the leg members 24 are pivotally movable up and down at opposite sides of the tractor frame.

The leg members 24 arey in telescoping arrangement with tubular sleeve, members 31 and 31a which aremovable to adjusted positions relative to the forward end of a corresponding leg member 24 (Fig. 5). The movement of a sleeve member 31 and 31av in a direction rearwardly of the leg members 24 is denedby a stop pin 38 which is receivable in aligned openings- 39 formed in a spaced relationv axially of a leg member 24. It is thus seen that the sleeve members 31 and 31a are freely slidably movable relative to a corresponding leg member 24 in a forward direction while their movement in a rearward direction is limited by their engagement with the pins 38 for a purpose which will becomeA apparent later on. The forward ends 39a of the sleeve members 31 and 31a are bent fiat, as clearly appears in Fig. 3, with each forward end having a bolt or shaft 4| mounted therein. A load-carrying means 42, illustrated as a manure fork, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is pivotally supported on the pins 4| between the forward ends of the sleeve members 31 and 31a.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 6 it is seen that the forward ends of the sleeve members 31 and 31a are connected together by means including a tubular transverse beam 43 the opposite ends of which are flattened and then welded to the underside of corresponding members 31 and 31a. A second transverse supporting member 44 of angle iron construction is inverted and extended between the forward ends of the sleeve members 31 and 31a forwardly of the tubular beam 43, and is welded at each end to the upper sides of the sleeve members 31 and 31a. Supported on the transverse angle member dit, and substantially intermediate its ends is an adjustable member 45 which is movable to adjusted positions laterally of the transverse angle member 44.

As shown in Fig. 8 the adjustable member "55 is of a substantially channel-shaped construction having ilanges 41 projected outwardly from the free end of each of its legs. Each flange 41 is formed with an elongated slot i5 which slots are adapted for alignment with corresponding elongated slots lil provided in the transverse angle member 45. Bolts 5l are receivable within a corresponding pair of aligned slots and with the adjustment of the member 45 being accomplished by manipulation of the bolts 5! in a usual manner.

Pivotally supported at one end on the leg 52 of the adjustment member 36, and located within the member is an elongated latch member 53, which extends upwardly and outwardly from the member into an engaging position with a lug or catch member 54 secured to the upper rear end of a manure fork 62. The latch 53 and the catch 54 are shown in a closed position in Figs. 6 and 7. The release or trip mechanism for the latch 53 includes an actuating rod 56 (Figs. 6 and 9) having a rocker arm 51 carried at one end thereof with the arm 51 being of a bifurcated construction at its free end 53. A lever 59 is mounted, intermediate its ends, at the opposite end of the rod 56.

The rod 56 adjacent the crank arm 51 is rotatably supported in an elongated slot 6! provided in an extension of the leg 62 of the adjustment member 45, with the arm 51 being located between the

legs

52 and 62 of the member 46. The bifurcated portion 58 on the arm 51 is slidably received on a pin 63 carried on the latch 53. The rod 5E extends longitudinally of the cross member 36 and is rotatably supported adjacent the lever 59 in a member 50 which is adjustably supported on the angle member 44 in all respects similar to the adjustment member 46. In the assembly of the trip mechanism the rod 55 with the rock arm 51 thereon, is extended through the adjustment members 45 and 6U prior to the mounting of the lever 59 on the rod 56. The end 10 of the lever 53 is pivoted to one end of an actuating rod 15, the other end of which is pivoted to the free end of a lever 8E), which is pivoted at adjacent the rear end of the sleeve 31. A pull cord or cable Sil is connected to the free end of the lever Sil and extends toward the rear of the tractor to a position where it can be manipulated by the tractor operator.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the latch 53 and catch 54 are in locked position which is retained by the action of a, spring 65 connected at one end to the end of the lever 59, and ait its other end to a guide plate 93 which is carried on the sleeve member 31 and which will be later described. On pulling rearwardly on the cord 93, or to the left as shown in Fig. l, and against the pressure of the spring 65, the levers 8U and 553 are pivoted in counter-clockwise direction, as also viewed in Fig. l, to in turn rotate the rock arm 51 in a counter-clockwise direction, as also viewed in Fig. 1,to in turn rotate the rock arm 51 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7. During this rotation of the arm 51 the pin. 63, on the latch 53, is slidably engaged and moved by the bifurcated end 58 of the rock arm 51, to in turn move the latch 53 out of an engaging position with the lug 54, thus releasing the manure fork 42. After the fork 42 is dumped the lug 54 on the fork is returned to a locking position with the latch 53 by a spring 66 connected at one end to a top member 51 of an upright frame 68, and at its opposite or lower end to a cable 69 which in turn is connedted to the manure fork 42 at 1| (Figs. 2 and 3).

The cable 69 is associated for travel about the under side of a pulley 12 which is rotatably supported in a bracket 13 carried on the transverse tubular member 44. On dumping of the fork 42 the spring 66 is extended by the weight on the fork, whereby its pressure is increased, and when the fork is emptied this spring pressure is suiiicient to pivot the fork upwardly into locking position with the latch 53. It is seen, therefore, that the dumping of the fork 42 is manually controlled through the pull cord 90 while its return to a latching position is accomplished automatically b=y the action of the spring 66 and the cable 69.

The upright frame 68, previously mentioned, includes a pair of tubular upright members 14. The topmember 61, to which the spring 66 is connected, constitutes the connecting or base member of a U-shaped tubular member having legs 82 each of which is adapted for telescopic assembly within fthe upper end of a corresponding upright 14 (Figs. 1 and 2). Each leg 82 is formed with a plurality of axially spaced oppositely aligned openings 83 for receiving a stop pin 84, whereby the U-shaped member is adjustably movable upwardly from the top ends of the uprights 14 and then held in an adjusted position by the bearing engagement of the pins 84 with the top of the uprights 14. By virtue of this vertical adjustment of the legs 82 the upright frame is extendible over a wide range to provide for a desired elevation of the fork 42.

The uprights 14 carry oppositely arranged supporting brackets 16 on their inner sides and adjacent their lower ends. The brackets 16 are of a channel iron construction and are welded to corresponding uprights 14. Each bracket 16 is pivotally supported at 11 to one end of a transverse beam member 18 which is secured to the forward ends of longitudinally extended members 19, the rear ends of which are connected by bolts 8| to the forward end of the tractor frame 20 so that the uprights 14 are pivotally movable together in a plane longitudinally of the tractor about their respective pivots 11.

Retention of the upright frame 68 in an adjusted position is accomplished by means including a second upright frame 86 located rearwardly of the upright frame 68 and comprised of a pair of uprights 81 and 81a, of an angle iron construction, secured at their lower ends to the longitudinally extending beams 19 and suitably supported in an upright position by brace members 88. A U-shaped clamp 89 is pivoted on a clamping bolt 9| art the top of each upright 81 and 81a.. Extended through each clamp 89 is an adjustable rod 92 which has its upper end, as viewed in Figs. l and 2, pivotally connected at 93 to the top member 61 of the upright frame 68. On loosening of the clamping bolt 9| an adjustable rod 92 is slidably movable within a clamp 89 to provide for a free pivotal movement of the upright frame 68 to a desired position. This position is retained by merely tightening the clamp- 6 ing bolts 9| in a manner which is believed to be obvious.

In the description of the lower frame unit, shown in Fig. 3, it was mentioned that the sleeve members 31 and 31a were pivotally movable in an up and down direction at opposite sides of the tractor frame 20. The members 31 and 31a during this pivotal movement, are guided for movement in a substantially upright direction by the tubular uprights 14 which, as shown in Fig 2, are positioned adjacent the sleeve members 31 and 31a and in a contacting relation therewith.

As best shown in Fig. 1 the lower ends of the uprights 14 are substantially at the level of the axle for the front tractor wheels I1 so that they adequately clear the ground when the tractor is travelling over a rough ground surface. However, when the fork 42 is in its loading position, shown in Fig. l, the sleeve members 31 and 31a are below the level of the lower ends of the uprights 14. In order to secure a travel of the sleeve members 31 and 31a in a guiding relation with respect to the uprights 14 each sleeve member carries an upwardly projecting guide plate 93 adjacent its forward end and at a Dosition opposite a corresponding upright 14.

The pivotal movement of the lower frame of the loading machine, and in turn an elevating of the fork 42, is accomplished by means including a cable 94 having one end connected to a yoke 96 which is pivoted at the upper ends of spaced brackets 98, the lower ends of which are suitably secured, as by welding, to the transverse tubular beam 43 extended between the sleeve members 31 and 31a (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). From the yoke 96 the cable extends upwardly and over a pulley 99 rotatably supported between spaced plate members IOI projected forwardly of and welded to the top member 61 of the upright frame 68. From the pulley 99 the cable 94 travels downwardly and about a pulley |02 rotatably supported between the brackets 98 and then upwardly and about a pulley |04 rotatably supported between the plate members IOI rearwardly of the pulley 99. From the pulley |04 the cable 94 travels to a winding drum |06 mounted on a driven shaft |01 rotatably supported in bearings |08 carried on the uprights 81 and 81a of the frame 86 (Figs. 1, 2 and 10).

Also mounted on the shaft |01 is a sprocket |09 which is connected by a sprocket chain I|0 to a sprocket |I| integrally formed on a sleeve member II3 which is freely rotatable on a driving shaft Il!! located below the shaft |01 and rotatably supported in bearings I I6 and II6a secured to the uprights 81 and 81a, respectively. Also integral with the sleeve member I I3 is a shell member II1 which constitutes one of the units in a friction clutch mechanism indicated generally at I8. The other clutch unit I|9 is of a conical shape, adapted to be received in frictional engagement within the shell I|1, and mounted on the driving shaft II4. By moving the clutch unit II1 axially of the shaft |I4 into and out of frictional engagement with the clutch unit I I9 power is transmitted from the shaft ||4 to the shaft |01 through the sprocket and chain assembly |09-I I l.

This movement of the clutch unit |I1 relative to the cone clutch unit ||9 is accomplished by a clutch lever |21 integrally7 formed with a hub portion |22 which is rotatable on the driving shaft |I4. The hub |22 is formed with a cam surface |23 for operative association with a corresponding cam surface |24 formed on the inner side-of the bearing member H6. As best shown in Fig. the bearing member H3, hub |22 and sleeve member I|3 are in a stacked relation on the driving shaft H4. Thus on pivotal movement of the clutch lever |2| in a direction rearwardly of the tractor, or toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 11, the sliding engagement of the cam surfaces |23 and |24 moves the hub |22 and sleeve ||3 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 10, to in turn move the shell H1 axially on the shaft ||4 into frictional engagement with the cone H9. Since the cone ||9 continuously rotates` with the driving shaft H4 this frictional engagement of the units i1 and H3 connects the shaft |01 with the shaft i4 through the sprocket and chain assembly IUS-Hi. carries a pulley |26 which is connected through a belt |21 with the power take-oir 22 (Fig. l)

The connection and disconnection of the shafts |01 and ||4, and the retention of the fork 42 at any elevated position, is controlled entirely by the manipulation of the clutch lever l2! in a manner now to be described. With reference to Figs. 10l and 1l the lever |2| is shown with its upper or free end pivoted to an actuating rod f |28 which extends toward the rear of the tractor and to a position conveniently accessible to the tractor operator. Pivoted at one end to the lever |2|, and substantially intermediate the ends of the lever |2|, is a link |29v the opposite end of which is pivoted at |3| to a bell crank |32 cf an angulate shape.

The bell crank arm |33, to which the link |253 is pivoted, is of a substantially 'L -shape having a shaft portion |34 extended laterally from the free endk of its short leg. Shaft l34 is rotatably supported in a bearing 36 mounted on an angle iron member i 31 extended between the frame members "59 andbel'ow the uprights 81 and 81a. The other leg |33 of the bell crank |32 is extended forwardly from the shaft portion |34 and then laterally parallel to and away from the shaft portion |34. A brake band |39 is positioned about the upper half of the clutch unit l 1 and has one A end 34| pivoted to the free end of the arm |33 and an opposite end |42 pivoted on a bolt |43 secured to the angle member |31.

The brake |38 is normally held in irictional engagement with the clutch unit ||1 by a spring |144 connected at one end to the upright 81 and at its opposite end to the -free end of the bell crank arm |33. On actuation of the clutch lever |2| in a direction toward the rear of the tractor, or in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1:1, the bell crank |32 is moved in a counterclockwise direction by the link |29, to in turn move the brake band |39 upwardly at its end |4|, This movement of the brake band |33 releases its frictional engagement with the Clutch unit ||1. With the clutch unit ||1 thus released, the fork 42 is free to move downwardly from any elevated position due to the action of gravity. On a continued movement of the clutch lever |2| in a counter-clockwise direction the cam surfaces |23 and |24 are relatively moved a distance sufficient to frictionally engage the clutch unit i1 with the clutch unit H3 in the manner above fully described..

When the clutch lever |2| is released the brake band |39 is immediately moved into braking position with the clutch unit |1 by the action of the spring |44-, It is thus seen that the elevating of the fork 42, its retention in an elevated position, and its release for falling downwardly to the 8 ground is controlled entirely by the actuation of the clutch lever IZI.

In the assembly of the loading machine of this invention on a tractor the sleeve members 31 and 31d are initially adjusted to an extended position relative to the forward ends of the leg members 24 until the transverse tubular beam 43 is located forwardly of the uprights 14. When this adjustment of the sleeve members 31 and 31a has been determined the pins 33 are inserted in the leg members to limit the rearward movement of the transverse member 43 such that it is always located forwardly of the uprights 14 when the sleeve members and 31a are in a fully retracted position, it being understood that the retracted position the members 31 and 31a is dened by their engagement with the pins 38. By virtue of this adjustment the lower frame is readily applicable to tractors of different type regardless of their length and the location on the tractor frame of the pivot for the lower frame, which includes the members 31' and 31a. With the sleeve members 31 and 3156i thus adjusted the manure fork /52 is pivotally adjusted on its pivots 4| until the fingers E455 thereof are located in a substantially horizontal as shown in Fig. 1, This adjustment of the fork 42 is accomplished by adjustthe members 4.55 and relative to the transverse angle beam to in turn vary the position of locking engagement between the latch 53 and the latch With the fork 4?. thus positioned the tractor is advanced forwardly for loading the fork On the application of a pressure on the manure fork 4?.. in a direction toward the rear or the tractor the movement of the sleeve members 3? and Ela rearwardly of the leg members and in turn the movement of the beam memer toward the uprights 14, will be limited by the stop pins 3|?.

On raising of the fork F52, by manipulation of the clutch lever i 2i in the manner fully explained above, the uprights 14 are in contacting engagement with the sleeve members 31 and 31a. As the fork 42 is elevated the sleeve members 31 and 31a are progressively extended forwardly of the leg members When the fork 42 has been elevated to a desired position it is dumped by actuating the lever 8! for the latch release mechanism, and then returned to a loading position by the action or the spring 66, On lowering of the fork 42 it may drop to the ground in a position considerably ahead of the upright frame Eil, in other words at a position in which the rear ends of the sleeve members 31 and 31a are forwardly of the stop pins 33. However, on movement of the tractor forwardly to again load the fork 42 the sleeve members 31 and 31a. are initially moved against the stop pins 33 to provide for a normal loadintf position. of the fork 42 adjacent the uprights 14.

As a result the fork is always adjacent the upright frame et when it is initially raised whereby to decrease the tendency of the tractor rear wheels l5 being lifted from the ground during a raisinsT operationl Further the fork is substantially below the cable support EEN so that a direct lifting force is applied on the fork. The pressure acting rearwardly on the sleeve members 31 and 31a and legs 24 during a loading and lifting operation of the fork is applied on the brace rods 33 which are connected at one end to the bearing straps 21 and at their opposite ends to the tractor frame 2|?.

When the fork 42 i5 elevated it follows an upward path determined in part by the inclination of the upright frame 68 relative to a vertical plane extended transversely of the tractor. As the fork 42, therefore, is elevated it will be moved up- Wardly concurrently with an extension of the sleeve members 31 and 31a. This extension of the sleeve members 31 and 31a is the result initially of the load-carrying means 42 tending to assume a position vertically below the support for the cable 94. However, as the load-carrying means approaches its uppermost position a slidable engagement may occur between the tubular cross beam 43 and the fro-nt sides of the uprights 14. When this slidable engagement takes place, therefore, the extension of the members 31 and 31a is primarily the result of the slidable engagement between the member 43 and the uprights 14,

Under some conditions of operation the slidable engagement between the cross beams 43 and the uprights 14 may approach proportions such that an excessive side pressure is applied against the upright frame 68 as well as an increase in the force required to raise the fork 42, due to the resultant frictional pressure between the cross beam 43 and the uprights 14. To reduce this fiictional pressure as much as possible, when the loadcarrying means 42 approaches its uppermost position, the upright frame 68 is adjustable in a direction rearwardly of the tractor so as to permit a greater travel upwardly of the load-carrying means 42 before any appreciable contact takes place between the cross beam 43 and the uprights 14.

When the tractor with the loading machine thereon is to be moved from farm to farm or over the highways the upright frame 68 is inclined to a maximum position toward the rear of the tractor so as to appreciably decrease its over-all height. The fork 42 is then elevated to a position above the tractor frame 20 so as to have suicient clearance with the ground. By virtue of the location 0f the clutch and lifting mechanism substantially ahead of the tractor, and with the upright frames 68 and 86 being of an open construction adequate visibility is provided to the tractor operator, and the upright frame 68 is lowered enough to freely clear any of the usual overhead obstructions such as telephone and electric wire lines.

With reference to Fig. l2 the loading machine of this invention is shown with a hay buck indicated generally at |56. Except for the hay buck the loading machine is the same in all respects as previously described so that similar numerals of reference will be used to. designate like parts in Figs. l2, 13 and 14.

The tines or prongs |58 of the hay buck are attached to the bottom sides of the wooden beams |53, |54 and |56. A wooden side guide |59 is supported at each end of the rear beam |5| in an angle member |6| welded to the beam 5|.

Welded between the rear legs of the inner pair of the four center straps |52 is an inverted channel member |64, to the top of which is Welded a lug or catch member |66 (Figs. 14 and l5). Brace bars |61 for the catch member |66 are welded to the catch and to the inner pair of the four center straps |52. La-terally extended from each rear leg of the outer ones of the four center straps is an angle iron support |68 for an adjusting bolt |69. Each of such outer straps also has a spacer plate 1| welded to a corresponding brace plate |55, with an opening |12 being formed through a corresponding spacer plate |1| and brace plate |55 for a purpose now to be described.

In the assembly of the hay buck on the loading machine, and assuming the manure fork 42 removed from the loading machine, the forward ends 39a of the sleeve members 31 and 31a are moved within the spaces |51 to positions adjacent the spacer plates |1|. A bolt 4| is then extended through the end 39a of a sleeve member and through an opening |12 in a corresponding spacer plate |1| and brace plate |55. With the hay buck thus pivotally supported on the sleeve members 31 and 31a its upward pivotal movement is limited by the adjustment of the bolts |69. These bolts are in an engaging position with ledge portions or plates |13 Welded to the tops of the sleeve members rearwardly from their forward ends. It is thus seen that the engagement ,of the bolts |69 with the plates |13 prevent the front end of the tines |58 from tilting upwardly when the hay buck is being loaded. On completion of this adjustment the latch 53 is moved into an engaging position with the lug member or catch |66 by adjustment of the

members

46 and 60, in all respects similar to the adjustment of the latch 53 as described in connection with the manure fork 42 (Figs. 13 and 14).

The operation of the loading machine with the hay buck |50 is similar in all respects to its operation as described above in connection with the manure fork 42 so that a further description of such operation is believed to be unnecessary.

From a consideration of the above description it is seen that the invention provides a loading machine which is comprised of relatively few parts adapted for -compact assembly on any type of tractor. The support of a load-carrying means on extendible pivoted members 31 and 31a provides for the load-carrying means always being in a position for direct lifting by an overhead lifting means, and for travel upwardly concurrently with an extension of the extendible members. The upright frame 38 on which the lifting means is supported is adjustably movable to inclined positions in a direction forwardly and rearwardly of the tractor so as to provide for the lifting cf the load-carrying means with a minimum of interference from the upright frame. As a result the extension of the extendible pivoted members 31 and 31u is substantially accomplished entirely as a result of the lifting force applied at their free ends 39a.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made l l therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tractor-mounted loading machine comprising an upright frame supported on the tractor, telescoping members positioned at opposite sides of the tractor, means pivotally supporting said telescoping members adjacent their rear ends on said tractor for up and down pivotal movement, with said upright frame being positioned between the front ends of said telescoping members and said front ends extendible forwardly of said upright frame, load-carrying means mounted on said front ends forwardly of said upright frame, flexible load-lifting means supported fro-m said upright frame and operatively connected with said front ends to raise said load-carrying means, means for raising and lowering said lifting means, and a frame member connected between said front ends adapted to contact the forward side of said upright frame, on upward pivotal movement of said telescoping members, to provide for the extension of said front ends as said telescoping members are elevated.

A loading machine adapted to be mounted on a tractor frame .comprising an upright frame supported on the front end of said tractor frame, a pivoted lower frame of substantially U-shape having the legs thereof arranged at opposite sides of said frame, and the leg-connecting portion extended transversely of the tractor frame and below the rear end portion thereof, means suspended from said tractor frame for pivotally supporting said leg-connecting portion to provide i'or a pivotal up and down movement of said legs, a load-carrying means mounted on the free ends of said legs forwardly of said upright frame, and flexible lifting means depended from adjacent the top of said upright frame and operatively connected with said legs to lower and raise said load-carrying means.

3. In a tractor mounted loading machine, a pair of pivoted members at opposite sides of said tractor, means pivoting said members adjacent their rear ends on said tractor for pivotal movement in an up and down direction, means operatively connected with the forward ends of the pivoted members to raise and lower said forward ends, load-carrying means pivoted between the forward ends of said pivoted members, a lug member projected rearwardly and upwardly from said load-carrying means, a latch member, means supported between said forward ends for adjustable up and down movement, means pivotally supporting said latch member on said adjustable means for pivotal movement into and out of releasabie locking engagement with said lug member, with adjustment of said adjustable means providing for the adjustment of said load-carrying means relative to the ground surface, a pin member extended laterally from said latch member, means for releasing said latch member including a rock shaft extended transversely of said pivoted members, an arm carried adjacent one end of said rock shaft slidably engageable with said pin member, and a manually operated lever mounted on said rock shaft adjacent its opposite end.

4. A loading machine for mounting on a tractor comprising a pair of telescoping frame units positioned at opposite sides of the tractor, means pivotally supporting said frame units at their rear ends on said tractor for pivotal movement in an up and down direction, with the front ends of said frame units being extendible forwardly of said frame units, load-carrying means mounted on said front ends, a first upright frame pivoted on said tractor between said frame units and rearwardly of said load-carrying means, a second upright frame on said tractor rearwardly of said rst upright frame, means pivotally supporting said first upright frame for pivotal movement longitudinally of said frame units to an adjusted position, adjustable means connected between said first and second upright frames for supporting said first upright frame in an adjusted position, means on the front ends of said frame units for contacting said first upright frame to guide the pivotal movement of said frame units, and flexible lifting means depended from adjacent the top of said rst upright frame and operatively connected with said front ends to raise and lower said load-carrying means, with said front ends being extended forwardly, as said load-carrying means is lifted, to provide for the travel of said load-carrying means upwardly adjacent said first upright frame.

5. In a loading machine for mounting on a tractor frame, a U-shaped frame having the legs thereof positioned at opposite sides of the tractor frame and extended outwardly beyond one end 'lierec load-carrying means supported between the free ends of Said legs, bearing members suspended from said tractor frame for rotatably supporting the leg-connecting portion of said U fra-me, means for pivoting said U frame to elevate said load-carrying means, and means connected between said bearings and said tracor frame to support said bearings against the pressure applied thereon by a load on said load-carrying means.

6. In a loading machine for mounting on a tractor, an upright frame located at one end of said tractor comprising a pair of tubular uprights supported on said tractor, an inverted substantially U-snaped member having the legs thereof receivable within the top ends of said uprights for telescopic assembly therewith, means for holding said U-shaped member in an extended position from the top ends of said uprights, and a flexible lifting means supported from the legconnecting portion of said U member and operatively connected with a load-carrying means.

'7. In a loading machine, a buck rake including a rear cross member, means for lifting said buck rake, a plurality of inverted substantially U-shaped members suspended from said rear member and spaced longitudinally thereof, a cross beam connected to the forward legs of said U members, support members connected across certain of the rear legs of said U members in a linearly spaced relation across the rear end of said buck rake, tines connected to said cross beam and support members, a side guide connected to each end of said rear member, and means located at the central portion of said cross beam and inw cluding a pair of said U members for pivotally supporting said buck rake adjacent its rear end on said lifting means.

GILBERT E. COATS.