US2721404A

US2721404A - Latch mechanism for soil scoop

Info

Publication number: US2721404A
Application number: US108513A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leo C Luke
Original assignee: International Steel Co
Current assignee: International Steel Co
Priority date: 1949-08-04
Filing date: 1949-08-04
Publication date: 1955-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 1972-10-25

Description

L. c. LUKE LATCH MECHANISMFOR SOIL SCOOP Oct. 25, 1955 Filed Aug. 4, 1949 INV A fl'OR/V') 7 Oct. 25, 1955 c. LUKE LATCH MECHANISM FOR SOIL scoop 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 4, 1949 IN V EN TOR. Qua 6 MW O mfwfi Oct. 25, 1955 c. LUKE LATCH MECHANISM FOR son SCOOP Oct. 25, 1955 c. LUKE 2,721,404

LATCH MECHANISM FOR son. scoop Filed Aug. 4. 1949 8 Sheets Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1955 L. c. LUKE I LATCH MECHANISM FORSOIL scoor INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 j W\ 0% ww lled Aug. 4, 1949 Oct. 25, 1955 c. LUK'E LATCH MECHANISM FOR son. scooP 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 4. 1949 Oct. 25, 1955 L. c. LUKE 2,721,404

LATCH MECHANISM FOR SOIL SCOOP Filed Aug. 4, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I ILE-1E IN VEN TOR.

Oct. 25, 1955 L. c. LUKE 2,721,404

LATCH MECHANISM FOR SOIL scoor Filed Aug. 4, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 N F:.. a 5 "T L a; 4% a3 INVENTOR.

United States Fatent O LATCH MECHANISM FOR SOIL SCOOP Leo C. Luke, Evansville, Ind., assignor to International Steel Company, Evansville, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application August 4, 1949, Serial No. 108,513

3 Claims. (Cl. 37124) My invention relates broadly to soil scoops, and more particularly to an improved construction of soil scoop adapted for automatic hydraulically controlled operation.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved construction of soil scoop that can be readily mounted on existing tractors and adjusted for operation thereon for precision control of scraping, loading, carrying, and dumping and leveling positions.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of soil scoop having adjustable securing means at the rear thereof for presetting the position of a cam member with respect to a dog for precisely timing the cycle of operation of the scoop under control of hydraulic mechanism carried by a tractor.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of soil scoop having improved trip control mechanism between the suspension means and the scoop for efiecting dumping of the scoop in properly timed relation in the cycle of operation of a hydraulic control mechanism.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of scoop in which the weight friction is eliminated on the pivotal journals on the sides of the scoop body by providing a freely angularly displaceable suspension for the scoop operation under control of a hydraulic mechanism.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of soil scoop formed according to a pattern or blank which removes a minimum amount of metal in the forming of the scoop body whereby the scoop body is wider at the front than it is at the rear, thereby providing for a free cutting bite.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel construction of pivotal suspension for a soil scoop wherein the mass of the loaded scoop may be supported and controlled in angular position with a high degree of precision throughout the cycle of operations under control of hydraulic mechanism.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in a novel linkage arrangement for soil scoop operation, as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the soil scoop and associated linkage embodying my invention, where the soil scoop is lowered to scraping and loading position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the soil scoop elevated to carrying position; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the soil scoop in carrying position, the view being taken from the opposite side to that at which Fig. 2 is viewed; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the soil scoop in dumping and leveling position; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the soil scoop and the suspension and co ntrol means therefor, with parts of the linkage shown in elevation; Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 Fig. 7 is a detail view of the pivotal suspension at one side of Patented Oct. 25, 1955 ICC the soil scoop, taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a detail view taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of an end portion of the back angle at the rear of the soil scoop, with a portion thereof broken away and shown in section; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the coacting parts at the rear of the soil scoop, and showing the back angle illustrated in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, with certain parts shown in side elevation, through the adjusting means at the rear of the soil scoop for adjusting the coaction of the operating parts in accordance with the cycle of scoop operation; Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 1212 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 13-43 of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 1414 of Fig. 11; Fig. 15 isa sectional view of the latch employed at the rear of the scoop body; Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the fixed base which is welded to the back of the scoop body, and containing a series of tapped holes for adjustably positioning the latch of Fig. 15 thereon; Fig. 17 is a fragmentary elevational view of the suspension means for supporting the soil scoop with respect to the hydraulic lift link of a tractor; Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 1818 of Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 1919 of Fig. 17; Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on'line 20-20 of Fig. 18; Fig. 21 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 2121l of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the suspension means illustrated in Figs. 17-21; Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the manner of connecting the yoke of the soil scoop with the soil scoop suspension means; Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the pair of half-washers which are employed to close the ends of the cylinder constituting the soil scoop suspension means of Figs. l722; Fig. 25 is a fragmentary perspective view of the assembled journal for the scoop yoke which is' supported by the soil scoop suspension means; Fig. 26 is a plan view of the pattern or blank which I use in forming the soil scoop, and showing the removal of a minimum amount of metal from the blank for insuring maximum strength to the soil scoop; Fig. 27 is a vertical sectional view through the soil scoop when the blank is pressed to shape, the view being taken substantially on line 27-27 of Fig. 29; Fig. 28 is an end view of the soil scoop shaped as in Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is a plan view of the soil scoop shaped as in Fig. 27; Fig. 30 shows in vertical sectional view the manner of assembling the back plate with respect to the soil scoop assembly of Figs. 2729; and Fig. 31 is a detail assembly view of the scoop pivot pins and the associated yoke and drag link extending from the side bars of the frame in which the scoop is mounted.

My invention is directed to an improved construction of large capacity soil scoop capable of excavating and carrying a load of approximately seven cubic feet of earth. The soil scoop of my invention is constructed for attachment to the rear of a tractor on a three point linkage. Beyond these three links the soil scoop has no other connection with the tractor. The soil scoop action is entirely manipulated by the simple operation of the hydraulic lever of'the hydraulic mechanism on the tractor. After picking up the loaded scoop at will, the load may be carried with the scoop in elevated position to the desired location and there released or dumped, and after dumping the scoop returns automatically to a horizontal position in readiness to be lowered for the next cycle of loading. These operations are all accomplished with the finger tip operation of the hydraulic control lever near the tractor seat. In addition to the application of the scoop for excavation operations, the scoop of my invention is particularly useful for grading, leveling and terracing operations. The installation of the scoop of my invention on the tractor is extremely simple, as it may be attached in an extremely short time suflicient to insert and secure the three connecting pins and make necessary adjustments. There are no loose parts to be cared for when the scoop is in storage.

I have found the mechanism extremely compact and efiicient in operation, but I realize that modifications of my construction may be made and I desire that it be understood that my disclosure herein is to be considered in the illustrative sense and not in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I have illustrated the rear of a tractor in perspective view in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, showing fragments of the traction wheels and the gear housing wherein reference characters 1 and 1a designate the lower lift links which extend as drawbars from the rear of the tractor, while reference character 2 designates the upper link which projects from the rear of the tractor and attaches to the uppermost pivot point of the scoop. The lift links 1 and 1a are attached to the sidebars 11 by means of pins 3 having confining nuts 3a thereon. The upper link 2 connects to the tilting bite and reclining lever assembly designated at 4.

The tilting bite and reclining lever assembly 4 is shown in detail in Figs. 17425, and includes a horizontally extending cylindrical sleeve 4a and vertically projecting spaced lugs 4b and downwardly depending spaced lugs 4 The spaced lugs 4b provide a connection for the upper link 2 through pin 2a, which is attached to link 2 through the flexible chain connection shown at 212. The downwardly depending lugs 40 of the assembly 4 provide a connection through pin 13:: with the compression arch 13. Compression arch 13 has the upper extremity thereof shaped to provide a seat 13a for the cylindrical sleeve 4:: of the tilting bite and reclining lever assembly when in dumping position as illustrated in Fig. 4, or in carrying position as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, and provided with a lug projection 13b constituting an abutment with respect to the sleeve 4a when in scraping position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5.

The soil scoop represented generally at 32 has the vertically extending side walls 33 thereof embraced by a yoke or wishbone 3, which has an upwardly horizontally extending portion projecting horizontally and diametrically through the cylindrical journal 14 which fits rotatively within the sleeve 41; of the tilting bite and reclining lever assembly 4. Figs. 20 and 21 clarify this construction by which yoke 8 is angularly adjustable about sleeve 4;: as a center. Opposite ends of journal 14 are closed by means of half washers 39, shown more clearly in Figs. 23 and 24, secured to opposite sides of the vertical extremity of the yoke or wishbone 8. The lower ends of the yoke or wishbone 8 are provided with pivot holes which engage over the transversely extending pivot pins 9 projecting from the blocks 29 secured to the opp site vertically extending sides 33 of the soil scoop. The pivot pins 9 also provide a connection for the drag links 10 which depend in a downward direction in the plane of the sidebars 11 and at an acute angle with respect thereto. The sidebars 11 constitute a frame with respect to which the soil scoop is displaceable, the frame being completed by a rearwardly located reinforcement angle 12 extending between the sidebars 11, The reinforcement angle 12 is laterally strengthened by means of angularly extending reinforcement plate 120.

The control system for the soil scoop includes an activating mechanism shown at 5, consisting of a lever pivoted on the pin 3 which interconnects lift link 1 and the side-. bar 11. The lever a of the activating mechanism 5 is capable of angular movement within adjustable limits about the pin 3 and is confined by U-shaped bar 6, shown more particularly in Fig. 8, the U-shaped bar 6 having the sides thereof projecting beyond lift link 1 and being adi abl in p i on. n lever 5a by m ans of adjustabl bol s 6a- Th l v r 5a s pro ided h rans erse slots 5b as shown in Fig. 8 through which bolts 6a extend, permitting lateral adjustment of the U-shaped bar 6 for adjusting the activating mechanism to the exact position required for proper recycling of the soil scoop during successive operations thereof. The lever 5a is provided with a pivotally mounted dog latching means 7, pivotally mounted by means of a pin 7a on the lower extremity of the cornerof lever 5a. The dog latching means 7 is bifurcated at one end thereof at 7b, and is provided with an abutment projection 7c on the other end thereof. The bifurcated portion 7b fits over and embraces a pin So which extends transversely from the side of lever 5a. Dog 7 carries an adjustable set screw 7d adjacent the bifurcation 7b therein, adapted to adjustably engage the pin 5c for properly timing the recycling operation of the activating mechanism. The abutment projection 76 coacts with the extended end of arm 16 which is pivotally mounted at 17 on sidebar 11. The abutment projection 7c establishes contact with the extended end of lever 16, as illus-. trated in Fig. 3, for maintaining the soil scoop in carrying position, whereas in scraping or loading position shown in Fig. 1, the abutment projection 70 is free of the end of arm 16. The movement of arm 16 in a counterclockwise direction, is restricted by means of abutment lug 11a projecting from sidebar 11 for restraining the movement of arm 16 in scraping and loading position as illustrated in Pig. 1, and in carrying position as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The arm 16 is connected to a crank 18 at the extremity thereof through pivot connection 18a. Crank 18 is secured to the end of horizontally extending crankshaft 19 which is provided with a sleeve 21a adjacent one end thereof as shown more particularly in Fig. 9, the sleeve 21a being journalled in the bracket 21 carried by reinforcement angle 12 adjacent the rear of the sidebars 11 of the frame that supports the soil scoop. In Fig. 9 the reinforcement angle 12 is shown in elevation. The pivot for arm 16 is also shown in this view where pivot 17 extends from the side of plate 17a welded to the sidebar 11. Arm 16 has been shown in cross-section, and it will be understood that there is a connection between arm 16 and crank 18 through pivot 181; shown more clearly in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The crankshaft 19 is journalled in rotatable sleeve 21a at one end, and at its opposite end crankshaft 19 is journalled in sleeves 23 mounted in the pair of spaced brackets 22 welded to reinforcement angle 12. The spaced brackets 22 are secured at the longitudinal center of the reinforcement angle 12, and extend at an angle toward the scoop 32. The crankshaft 19 carries a dog 20 thereon, shaped to coact with the projection 25a of the latch 25'. The exterior end of crankshaft 19 is confined with respect to the outermost sleeve 23, as shown more clearly in Figs. 12, 13 and 14, by means of cotter pin 24 extending through hole 24a adjacent the end of crankshaft 19, The brackets 22 extend upwardly and form a connection with compression arch 13 through pin 40, which extends transversely therethrough and through the spacer washers a, as shown more particularly in Figs. 12 and 13, and is secured in position by means of cotter pin 4% extending through pin 40.

Welded connections are provided for

brackets

21 and 22 with the reinforcement angle 12. Similarly, welded connections are provided between sidebars 11 and reinforcement angle 12, and between the block 29 and the side wall 33 of the soil scoop, as well as between the plate 17a and sidebar 11, and at other junctures of the parts throughout the assembly.

The latch 25 is of hardened steel material, and is shown more particularly in Fig. 15, adapted to be folded by means of bolts 27 in a selected position in screwthreaded apertures 26 in fixed base 26. The fixed base 26 is shaped as shown more particularly in Figs. 11 and 16 in the form of a plate curved outwardly from the shaped end wall section 38 of the soil scoop, and secured at its lower end 26b to the rear wall of the soil scoop.

Removable stud bolts 27 extend through the latch 25 and engage the tap holes in the fixed base 26 as shown more particularly in Fig. 11. The latch 25 is adjustable upwardly or downwardly with respect to fixed base 26 by selecting the tap holes into which the stud bolts 27 are fastened. This adjustment determines the position of contact of projection 25a of latch 25 with the rearwardly extending reinforcement angle 12 and the confining thereof by dog 20 under control of crankshaft 19. By thus adjusting the position of latch 25, the amount of bite of the scoop at the front knife edge 15 thereof may be regulated. The dog 20 and latch 25, when engaged as shown in Fig. 11, hold the entire weight of the loaded scoop in the loading position shown in Fig. 1 and in the carrying position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Dog 20 and latch 25 are engaged the entire period that the scoop is lowered for loading.

A back angle member 37 is welded to the rear plate 38 of the soil scoop as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11, and serves to provide a reinforced rear structure for the soil scoop, and permit a free return rolling action of the soil at the back of the scoop as the scoop is filled to capacity. The rear end plate 38 of the soil scoop is apertured at 38a symetrically on each side thereof, to provide means for maintaining the soil. scoop in a position for leveling, as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 4. After a quantity of dirt has been hauled and dumped over an area, and it is desired to level that particular area by dragging, the scoop when dumped can be anchored in a vertical dumped position by means of two pins 41 which engage with two holes 38a in upper end of the rear plate 38 of scoop for retaining this position, which tends to make a scraper effect of blade 15 on front end of scoop. By this means, the ground can be leveled by simply driving over the high spots. This feature of the soil scoop is a very desirable and advantageous one. Pins 41 when not in use for scraping are held in small clips 41a mounted on the outside face of yoke 8. Pins 41 also are fastened to yoke 8 by means of small chains 41b. This prevents them from becoming lost or damaged when not in use. a 7

The pivotal mounting of the soil scoop 32 on pins 9 has been illustrated in more detail in'Fig. T7, to which reference is made to show the manner in' which block 29 is welded to the vertical side wall 33 of the soil scoop, with pivot pin 9 confined thereby and projecting therefrom. The pivot pin 9 is surrounded by a sleeve 28, and around this sleeve 28 the apertured end of the yoke 8 is engaged. The drag links also pivot around sleeve 28 and the entire assembly is confined in position by means of washer 30 secured over the end of pivot pin 9 as shown. Because of the automatic features of the scoop of my invention, it is necessary to reduce weight friction on the pivotal journals on the sides of the scoop body. I therefore provide the sleeves 28 by which a structure comprising a free revolving scoop body is secured. This reduces all scissors action of friction between yoke 8 and drag link 10 against pivot 9.

The assembly of the activating mechanism 5 is important because this is part of the mechanism which determines the successive recycling of the scoop operations. Pivot pins 3, which form the interconnections between the sidebars 11 and the lift links 1 and 1a are shown more particularly in Fig. 31, from which it will be seen that the pins 3 have a screw-threaded shank portion 3b which passes through yoke 8 and drag link 10 which is contiguous with sidebar 11 and is screw-threaded into the journal nut 3a. Journal nut 3a has a sleeve portion 3a which fits within a corresponding aperture in drag link 10, enabling drag link 10 to orient about journal nut 3a. Journal nut 3a is interiorly screw-threaded to engage screw threads on shank 3b of the pivot pin. The end of the pivot pin 3 is transversely apertured as represented at 30 to permit the passage of cotter pins 42, shown more particularly in Fig. 2, therethrough. The cotter pins 42 are confined by chains 42a fastened to the lift links 1 and 1a so that coupling of the soil scoop to the lift links 1 and 1a may be very quickly accomplished.

Limit stops 8a are carried by the interior faces of the yoke 8, and serve as abutment means with the peripheral limits of the vertical side walls 33 of the soil scoop when the soil scoop operates in the dumping and leveling position illustrated in Fig. 4.

As represented in Figs. 26-30, the scoop is formed from a special pattern commencing with a blank 32, shaped as in Fig. 26. It will be observed that the side wall portions of the scoop are blanked out in a very special manner in which the body portion of the blank and the side Wall portions of the blank are formed along peripheral curves substantially convex with respect to each other, with an offset formed in the curved portions of the side walls to provide for forming the rear of the soil scoop. I have found this pattern highly economical in the consumption of the amount of sheet metal required, and by reason of the tapered relation of the side wall portions to the body portion of the blank, a scoop body wider at the front at 34 than it is at the rear 35 is provided, insuring the obtaining of a free cutting bite. In Fig. 27 I have shown the scoop folded in position ready to receive the rear plate 38. Fig. 28 shows the manner in which the scoop tapers from the front toward the rear. The tapered structure of the soil scoop is also illustrated in Fig. 29 having a maximum width at the front 34 and a minimum width at the rear 36. In Fig. 30 I have shown the manner of welding the back plate 38 to the soil scoop preparatory to receiving the fixed base 26 and latch 25 and the pivots 9, as heretofore described. The wide front 34 is provided with the front end blade 15 The upper link 2 which connects the pivot point of tilting bite and reclining lever assembly 4 to the tractor, is provided with overlapping adjustment 43, enabling the required length of the linkage to be made effective. Links 1 and 1a may be provided with similar adjustments.

The hydraulic mechanism mounted on the tractor is controlled by the conventional ,manual controls operative from the operators seat on the tractor for imparting movement to the hydraulic control lever 44 which connects through link 45 to one of the lift links forming the connection 46 with lift link 1a. Operation of the hydraulic control mechanism on the tractor results in movement of the link 45 and corresponding movement of lift links 1 and 1a and upper link 2 controlling the displacement of the sidebars 11 and reinforcement angle 12 and the scoop 32 for the position of scraping and loading shown in Fig. 1, the carrying position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and for the dumping and leveling position shown in Fig. 4. During the scraping and loading operation the projection 13b on compression arch 13 insures the exertion of a substantial pushing force against the tilting bite and reclining lever assembly 4, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. During this time dog 20 and latch 25 are engaged as illustrated in Figs. 5, 11, 12 and 13, insuring the maintenance of the scoop under loading conditions in a horizontal position. This locked condition is maintained while the scoop is being lifted to carrying position as represented in Figs. 2 and 3.

When ready to dump the load, the hydraulic lever on the tractor is moved slightly forward, allowing scoop to be lowered two or three inches to releasing point and the hydraulic lever is immediately pulled back to the original carrying point. The scoop then dumps automatically. While traveling, the scoop levels off the dirt until the scoop itself is emptied. At this point, the scoop pivots backward to a carrying position. When ready to gather a new load, the hydraulic lever is pushed forward to a predetermined stop, which regulates the depth of the bite made by the scoop.

I have found the scoop assembly of my invention highly practical and successful in operation, and while I have described my invention in certain of its preferred embodiments I realize that modifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a soil scoop a frame structure, a soil scoop having a front engaging edge, vertically extending side walls and a rear curved wall, said frame structure including side members and a rear member extending adjacent the side walls and the rear curved wall of said scoop respectively, means for pivotally suspending the side walls of said soil scoop with respect to said frame structure, a fixed base secured to the rear curved Wall of the soil scoop, a latch connected with said fixed base and projecting in a position engageable with said frame structure when the soil scoop is disposed in substantially horizontal position with respect to said frame structure, and means supported by one of the side members of said frame structure and extending in alignment with said rear member for engaging said latch in aposition for maintaining the soil scoop in substantially horizontal position while the soil scoop is in scraping, loading and carrying position, said last mentioned means being operative to release said latch for moving said soil scoop to a dumping and leveling position, said fixed base being provided with a multiplicity of longitudinally aligned screw-threaded recesses, and wherein said latch is attached to said fixed base by screw-threaded stud bolts selectively engageable in selected aligned screw-threaded recesses in said fixed base for predetermining the position of said latch with respect to said frame structure while said latch is in engaged position.

2. In a soil scoop a horizontally extending frame structure including side members and a rear member interconnecting the ends of said side members, a soil scoop having a vertical engaging edge and vertically extending side Walls and terminating in a rearwardly extending curved end Wall, a transversely extending angle member secured to the peripheral edge of said rearwardly extending curved end wall, a fixed base secured to the central portion of said curved rear Wall of the soil scoop in abutment with said transversely extending angle member, said fixed base having a multiplicity of longitudinally aligned screw-threaded recesses therein, a latch having a rearwardly projecting lug, stud bolts extending through said latch and removably engaging selected screw-threaded recesses in said fixed base, the rearwardly projecting lug on said latch establishing abutting connection with the rear member of said frame structure, a crank arm pivotally mounted on one of the side members of said frame structure, a crankshaft operated by said crank arm, and a dog carried by said crankshaft in a position centrally of said rear member and operative to engage the rearwardly projecting lug on said latch for latching said lug with respect to said frame structure during the scraping, loading and carrying positions of said soil scoop, said dog being disengageable from said lug for moving said soil scoop to dumping and leveling positions.

3. In a soil scoop a substantially horizontally extending frame structure having a pair of spaced side members and a rearwardly extending interconnecting rear frame memher, a pair of spaced angularly disposed lugs centrally fastened to said rearwardly extending interconnecting rear frame member, a bracket mounted adjacent the rear end of one of said side members, a crankshaft journalled in said bracket and through said pair of spaced angularly disposed lugs, a dog carried by said crankshaft at a position intermediate said pair of angularly disposed lugs, a soil scoop pivotally mounted with respect to said side members, said soil scoop having a rearwardly extending end portion movable in a position adjacent said rearwardly extending end portion, and a latch carried by said rearwardly extending end portion of said soil scoop and forming an abutment with said rearwardly extending interconnecting rear frame member and selectively engageable by said dog with respect thereto for maintaining the soil scoop in a substantially horizontal position for scraping, loading and carrying, said dog being movable under control of said crankshaft by forces imparted from one side of said scoop for releasing said latch and for allowing movement of the soil scoop to dumping and leveling positions, said crankshaft being operated by an arm pivoted to one of said side members and wherein said arm coacts with a latching member shiftable in position to engage said arm when said frame structure is moved to dumping and leveling position for eifecting movement of said dog for releasing the latch, said arm and latching member both being located adjacent one of said side members out of the path of movement of said scoop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS