US3700131A - Grab fork attachment for a loader bucket - Google Patents

Grab fork attachment for a loader bucket Download PDF

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US3700131A
US3700131A US109342A US3700131DA US3700131A US 3700131 A US3700131 A US 3700131A US 109342 A US109342 A US 109342A US 3700131D A US3700131D A US 3700131DA US 3700131 A US3700131 A US 3700131A
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loader bucket
fork
bucket
frame
back wall
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US109342A
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Walter J Westendorf
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
    • E02F3/36—Component parts
    • E02F3/40—Dippers; Buckets ; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets
    • E02F3/402—Dippers; Buckets ; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets with means for facilitating the loading thereof, e.g. conveyors
    • E02F3/404—Dippers; Buckets ; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets with means for facilitating the loading thereof, e.g. conveyors comprising two parts movable relative to each other, e.g. for gripping
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
    • A01D87/00—Loaders for hay or like field crops
    • A01D87/0053—Tractor-mounted loaders

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A grab fork attachment for a loader bucket which may be quickly attached thereto and removed therefrom.
  • the attachment comprises a tower frame means which is adapted to be selectively secured to the rearward side of the loader bucket back wall and a pivotal arm means extending forwardly from the upper end of the tower frame means.
  • a plurality of spaced apart forks or teeth elements are secured to the forward end of the arm means and extend downwardly therefrom towards the open forward end of the loader bucket.
  • At least two of the teeth elements have'extension means extending therefrom to add stability to the attachment when the attachment is removed from the loader bucket and positioned on the ground.
  • a hydraulic cylinder means connects the forward end of the arm means and the tower frame means for movement of the teeth elements with respect to the loader bucket.
  • a locking means is provided on the tower frame means and the rearward side of the loader bucket to .permit the tower frame means to be quickly secured 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I 35 it 36- I PATENTEDHBI 24 m2 SHEET 1 OF 2 i L "W auili j? m f h h mi. n.
  • A, further object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment which is quickly and easily attached to a loader bucket.
  • Afurther object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment which is conveniently positioned on the ground and which is stable thereon when the attachment is removed from the loader bucket.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment for a loader bucket which permits the removal of frozen ensilage or the like.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide means for guiding a grab fork attachment into position on a loader bucket.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment for a loader bucket having sufficient strength to resist stress forces imposed therein.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment for a loader bucket which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in ap pearance.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the attachment of this invention mounted on a loader bucket.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a partial rear view of the attachment mounted on a loader bucket.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view seen along lines 44 of FIG. 2.
  • FIGS. 5-8 are side views which illustrate the sequence in attaching the attachment to a loader bucket.
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of a modified form of the attachment.
  • Bucket 10 refers to a conventional loader bucket which has been slightly modified to accommodate the grab fork 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8.
  • Bucket 10 includes a bottom wall 14, side walls 16 and 18, back wall 20, including wall portion 22.
  • bucket 10 will be described as having a forward end 24 and a rearward end 26.
  • a pair of spaced apart rearwardly extending plates 28 and 30 are welded to the rearward side of back wall 20 and have an inverted V-shaped guide 31 at their upper ends.
  • the forward end of boom arm 32 is pivotally connected at 34 to the plates 28 and 30 adjacent the lower end thereof while the forward end of hydraulic cylinder 36 is pivotally connected at 38 to the plates 28 and 30 above 34.
  • Hook 40 is secured to plate 30 and extends rearwardly therefrom as seen in FIG. 2.
  • Hook 40 is provided with an arcuate notch 42 extending upwardly thereinto from a lower end thereof as seen in FIG. 4.
  • a pair of spaced apart rearwardly extending plates 28 and 30' are welded to the rearward side of back wall 20 inwardly of side wall 16 and have an inverted V-shaped guide 31' at their upper ends.
  • the forward end of boom arm 32 is pivotally connected to theplates 28 and 30 adjacent thelower end thereof while the forwardend of hydraulic cylinder 36 is pivotally connec ted'at 38 to the plates 28 and 30 above the forward end of the boom 32'.
  • Hook 40' is secured to the plate 30' and extends rearwardly therefrom in identical fashion to the hook 40;
  • the hook 40 is also provided with an arcuate notch which extends upwardly thereinto from the lower end thereof identical to the notch 42 in hook 40.
  • the numeral 44 refers generally to a tower frame means which is detachably mounted on the rearward side of back wall 20 when the attachment is being used in conjunction with the loader bucket.
  • Frame means 44 includes a pair of spaced apart frame members 46 and 48 having a pipe or shaft 50 rotatably secured to and extending between the upper ends thereof.
  • Post 52 is positioned between frame members 46 and 48 with its upper enddisposed above the upper ends of frame members 46 and 48.
  • Braces 54 and 56 connect the lower ends of frame member 46, post 52 and frame member 48.
  • Arms 58 and 60 are secured at one end thereof to pipe 50 and normally extend forwardly therefrom for movement therewith.
  • Cross arm 62 extends between the other ends of arms 58 and 60 and has a plurality of spaced apart teeth 64 secured thereto which normally extend downwardly therefrom transversely with respect to the longitudinal axes of arms 58 and 60. As seen in the drawings, the outermost teeth have extension portions 64A above the cross arm 62. Portions 64A each have a ground engaging plate 66 thereon as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.
  • Hydraulic cylinder 68 is pivotally connected at its base end to the upper endof post 52 and is pivotally connected at its other end to cross arm 62 at 71. Extension of the cylinder rod from the cylinder 68 causes the arms 58 and 60 to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4. Hydraulic cylinder 68 is a double action cylinder and has hoses 70 and 72 extending therefrom adapted to be connected to the tractor hydraulic system.
  • connection means 74 which is best described as comprising a clip or clamp is secured to the frame members 46 and 48 and extends therebetween and outwardly therefrom as seen in the drawings
  • Connection means 74 includes a substantially vertically disposed back wall 76 and a forwardly extending wall portion 78 at the lower end of back wall 76.
  • Wall portion 78 includes a portion 80 which extends downwardly and thence rearwardly from the forward end thereof to define a channel area 82 adapted to receive the forwardly extending top edge 84 of back wall 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • Connection means 74 also includes reinforcing plates 86 and 88 at its opposite ends.
  • a connection means 90 is provided at the lower end of the tower frame means 44 for detachably securing the tower frame means to the hooks 40 and 40.
  • Shaft 92 is rotatably connected to the frame members 46 and 48 and extends therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • Shaft 92 also rotatably extends through post 52.
  • Shaft portions 94 and 96 are welded to the opposite ends of shaft 92 in an offset relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of shaft 92 and are adapted to be received in the notches 42 and 42 as will be explained more completely hereinafter.
  • Handle 98 is secured to shaft 92 and extends transversely therefrom as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • Locking lever 100 is pivotally connected to the lower end of post 52 and is adapted to be pivoted over the handle 98 to maintain the handle 98 in a locked position.
  • the modified attachment is generally identified with the reference numeral 102.
  • the attachment 102 is substantially identical to the attachment 12 except that the hydraulic cylinder 104 is positioned rearwardly of the rearward side of the loader bucket rather than on top as in attachment 12. Withdrawal of the rod 106 into the cylinder 104 causes the rearward end of the arm 108 to pivot downwardly aboutthe shaft 50 to cause the teeth 64' to move upwardly away from the bucket 10'. Conversely, extension of the rod 106 causes the teeth 64' to move towards the bucket 10.
  • FIG. illustrates the attachment 12 positioned on the ground 13 or other suitable supporting surface. It can be seen that the ground engaging .plates 66 on the extension portions 64A engage the ground laterally of the center of the attachment to increase the stability of the attachment when the attachment is positioned on the ground in a nonoperative position.
  • the tractor is driven adjacent the attachment 12 as illustrated in FIG. 5 with the bucket being maneuvered into the position as also illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • the hydraulic hoses 70 and 72 are then connected to the tractor hydraulic system so that the hydraulic cylinder 68 may be operated. Hydraulic cylinder 68 is then operated to cause the tower frame means 44 to pivot from the substantially horizontal position of FIG. 5 to the position of FIG. 6.
  • the tractor is then driven forwardly so that the forwardly extending wall portion 84 of the bucket 10 passes below the tower frame means 44 and is positioned in the channel area 82 of the connection means 74.
  • the hydraulic cylinder 68 and the hydraulic cylinders 36 and 36' are then simultaneously operated so that the wall portion 84 is completely received in the channel area 82 and so that the tower frame means 44 is pivoted closely adjacent the rearward side of the back wall as seen in FIG. 7.
  • the operator then dismounts from the tractor and pivotally moves the shaft 92 by means of the handle 98 frame means 44 to the bucket 10.
  • Lever 100 isthen pivotally moved over the handle 98 to lock the shaft 92 in position.
  • the guides 31 and 31' serve to guide the frame members 46 and 48 into position between the plates and 30 as the tower frame means 44 is being pivoted into position.
  • the guides 31 and 31 aid in positioning the attachment with respect to the loader which eliminates the necessity of exactly positioning the tractor with respect to the attachment.
  • connection means 74 prevents the tower frame means 44 from moving rearwardly with respect to the bucket 10 and also prevents undesirable vertical movement of the tower frame means 44 with respect to the bucket 10.
  • the connection means 90 securely attaches the lower 'end of the tower frame means 44 to the bucket and prevents rearward movement of the tower frame means 44 with respect to the bucket 10. Operation of the hydraulic cylinder 68 permits the teeth 64 to be moved from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 8 so. that the material to be handled can be received between the teeth and the bucket with the teeth 64. then being'lowered downwardly into engagement with the material so as to grasp or grab the material between the teeth and the bucket.
  • the attachment is easily removed from the bucket by simply pivoting the bucket until the-teeth 64 are parallel to the ground and then lowering the same into ground engagement.
  • Lever 100 is then pivoted to permit handle 98 to be pivoted so as to disengage the shaft portions 94 and 96 from the hooks 40 and 40'.
  • the tower frame means 44 and bucket 10 are then simultaneously pivoted to cause the wall portion 84 to disengage from the channel area 82.
  • the tractor is moved rearwardly with respect to the attachment so that the tower frame means 44 can be pivoted without striking the bucket.
  • the tower frame means 44 is then pivoted to a horizontal position such as seen in FIG. 5 to more properly balance the attachment to insure its stability.
  • the hydraulic hoses and 72 are then disconnected and the tractor may then be used for other purposes.
  • a loader bucket means having a back wall with upper and lower ends and rearward and forward sides, said bucket means having an open forward end portion,
  • said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means and said bucket means,
  • said frame means being positioned adjacent the rearward side of said back wall, and connection means connecting said frame means to said loader bucket means,
  • connection means comprising a first connection means connecting said frame means to said back wall at the upper end thereof and a second connection means operatively connecting said frame means to said back wall below the upper end thereof,
  • a loader bucket means having a back wall with upper and lower ends and rearward and forward sides, said bucket means having an open forward end portion,
  • said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means and said bucket means,
  • said frame means being positioned adjacent the rearward side of said back wall, and connection means connecting said frame means to said loader bucket means,
  • said frame means comprising first and second spaced apart frame members having upper and lower ends, the upper ends of said frame members being positioned above the upper end of said back wall, first and second arms operatively pivotally connected at one end thereof to the upper ends of said first and second frame members and normally extending forwardly therefrom, fork elements secured to the other ends of said first and second arms and normally extending downwardly therefrom, a post means between said first and second frame members operatively connected thereto and having an upper end positioned above the upper end of said back wall, and a hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of said post means and pivotally connected at its other end to said first and second and lower ends and rearward and forward sides said bucket means having an open forward end portion, and a fork means detachably secured to said loader bucket means, said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means
  • upper connection means detachably securing said frame means to the upper end of said loader bucket means, said upper connection means comprising a channel means on said frame means adapted to be detachably received-by the upper end of said back wall of said loader bucket means.
  • said grab fork means comprises first and second spaced apart arms having rearward and forward ends and being pivotally secured at their rearward ends to said frame means ad- 40 jacent the upper end thereof, a plurality of fork elements secured to the forward ends of said first and second arms and extending transversely therefrom towards said bucket means, said fork elements adapted to engage the ground along their lengths to serve as ground engaging stabilizers for supporting the fork means on a supporting surface when the fork means is removed from the loader bucket means.

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Abstract

A grab fork attachment for a loader bucket which may be quickly attached thereto and removed therefrom. The attachment comprises a tower frame means which is adapted to be selectively secured to the rearward side of the loader bucket back wall and a pivotal arm means extending forwardly from the upper end of the tower frame means. A plurality of spaced apart forks or teeth elements are secured to the forward end of the arm means and extend downwardly therefrom towards the open forward end of the loader bucket. At least two of the teeth elements have extension means extending therefrom to add stability to the attachment when the attachment is removed from the loader bucket and positioned on the ground. A hydraulic cylinder means connects the forward end of the arm means and the tower frame means for movement of the teeth elements with respect to the loader bucket. A locking means is provided on the tower frame means and the rearward side of the loader bucket to permit the tower frame means to be quickly secured to the loader bucket. A clamp means is secured to the tower frame means and detachably receives the upper end of the loader bucket to further secure the attachment to the loader bucket. A modified form of the attachment is also disclosed wherein the hydraulic cylinder means is positioned rearwardly of the rearward side of the loader bucket. The method of mounting the attachment on the loader bucket is also disclosed.

Description

United States Patent Westendorf [54] GRAB FORK ATTACHMENT FOR A LOADER BUCKET inventor: Walter J. Westendorf, Smithland,
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 209,914 7/1957 Great Britain ..2l4/l44 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-George F. Abraham Attorney-Zarley, McKee & Thomte 1451 Oct. 24, 1972 ABSTRACT A grab fork attachment for a loader bucket which may be quickly attached thereto and removed therefrom. The attachment comprises a tower frame means which is adapted to be selectively secured to the rearward side of the loader bucket back wall and a pivotal arm means extending forwardly from the upper end of the tower frame means. A plurality of spaced apart forks or teeth elements are secured to the forward end of the arm means and extend downwardly therefrom towards the open forward end of the loader bucket. At least two of the teeth elements have'extension means extending therefrom to add stability to the attachment when the attachment is removed from the loader bucket and positioned on the ground. A hydraulic cylinder means connects the forward end of the arm means and the tower frame means for movement of the teeth elements with respect to the loader bucket. A locking means is provided on the tower frame means and the rearward side of the loader bucket to .permit the tower frame means to be quickly secured 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I 35 it 36- I PATENTEDHBI 24 m2 SHEET 1 OF 2 i L "W auili j? m f h h mi. n.
HZ it "h I M Mums/r04 SHEET 2 OF 2 I are secured. Many tractor loaders are used by ranchersand farmers to handle material such as dirt, gravel, snow, etc. A bucket attachment is secured to the booms when such materials are being handled. If the loader is going to be used for handling hay, ensilage, etc., a grab fork attachment is substituted for the loader bucket which necessitates considerable expense and which requires considerable time to change the attachments. Further, the conventional grab fork attachments are not sufficiently durable so as to withstand stress imposed therein. Additionally, it is very difficult to conveniently position the conventional grab fork attachments on the ground or the like when the attachment is removed from the loader.
Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a grab fork attachment for a loader bucket.
A, further object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment which is quickly and easily attached to a loader bucket.
- Afurther object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment which is conveniently positioned on the ground and which is stable thereon when the attachment is removed from the loader bucket.
A further object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment for a loader bucket which permits the removal of frozen ensilage or the like.
A further object of this invention is to provide means for guiding a grab fork attachment into position on a loader bucket.
A further object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment for a loader bucket having sufficient strength to resist stress forces imposed therein.
A further object of this invention is to provide a grab fork attachment for a loader bucket which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in ap pearance.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the attachment of this invention mounted on a loader bucket.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partial rear view of the attachment mounted on a loader bucket.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view seen along lines 44 of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 5-8 are side views which illustrate the sequence in attaching the attachment to a loader bucket; and
FIG. 9 is a side view of a modified form of the attachment.
The numeral 10 refers to a conventional loader bucket which has been slightly modified to accommodate the grab fork 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8. Bucket 10 includes a bottom wall 14, side walls 16 and 18, back wall 20, including wall portion 22. For purposes of description, bucket 10 will be described as having a forward end 24 and a rearward end 26.
A pair of spaced apart rearwardly extending plates 28 and 30 are welded to the rearward side of back wall 20 and have an inverted V-shaped guide 31 at their upper ends. The forward end of boom arm 32 is pivotally connected at 34 to the plates 28 and 30 adjacent the lower end thereof while the forward end of hydraulic cylinder 36 is pivotally connected at 38 to the plates 28 and 30 above 34. Hook 40 is secured to plate 30 and extends rearwardly therefrom as seen in FIG. 2. Hook 40 is provided with an arcuate notch 42 extending upwardly thereinto from a lower end thereof as seen in FIG. 4.
A pair of spaced apart rearwardly extending plates 28 and 30' are welded to the rearward side of back wall 20 inwardly of side wall 16 and have an inverted V-shaped guide 31' at their upper ends. The forward end of boom arm 32 is pivotally connected to theplates 28 and 30 adjacent thelower end thereof while the forwardend of hydraulic cylinder 36 is pivotally connec ted'at 38 to the plates 28 and 30 above the forward end of the boom 32'. Hook 40' is secured to the plate 30' and extends rearwardly therefrom in identical fashion to the hook 40; The hook 40 is also provided with an arcuate notch which extends upwardly thereinto from the lower end thereof identical to the notch 42 in hook 40.
The numeral 44 refers generally to a tower frame means which is detachably mounted on the rearward side of back wall 20 when the attachment is being used in conjunction with the loader bucket. Frame means 44 includes a pair of spaced apart frame members 46 and 48 having a pipe or shaft 50 rotatably secured to and extending between the upper ends thereof. Post 52 is positioned between frame members 46 and 48 with its upper enddisposed above the upper ends of frame members 46 and 48. Braces 54 and 56 connect the lower ends of frame member 46, post 52 and frame member 48. Arms 58 and 60 are secured at one end thereof to pipe 50 and normally extend forwardly therefrom for movement therewith. Cross arm 62 extends between the other ends of arms 58 and 60 and has a plurality of spaced apart teeth 64 secured thereto which normally extend downwardly therefrom transversely with respect to the longitudinal axes of arms 58 and 60. As seen in the drawings, the outermost teeth have extension portions 64A above the cross arm 62. Portions 64A each have a ground engaging plate 66 thereon as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.
Hydraulic cylinder 68 is pivotally connected at its base end to the upper endof post 52 and is pivotally connected at its other end to cross arm 62 at 71. Extension of the cylinder rod from the cylinder 68 causes the arms 58 and 60 to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4. Hydraulic cylinder 68 is a double action cylinder and has hoses 70 and 72 extending therefrom adapted to be connected to the tractor hydraulic system.
An elongated horizontally disposed connection means 74 which is best described as comprising a clip or clamp is secured to the frame members 46 and 48 and extends therebetween and outwardly therefrom as seen in the drawingsConnection means 74 includes a substantially vertically disposed back wall 76 and a forwardly extending wall portion 78 at the lower end of back wall 76. Wall portion 78 includes a portion 80 which extends downwardly and thence rearwardly from the forward end thereof to define a channel area 82 adapted to receive the forwardly extending top edge 84 of back wall 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Connection means 74 also includes reinforcing plates 86 and 88 at its opposite ends.
A connection means 90 is provided at the lower end of the tower frame means 44 for detachably securing the tower frame means to the hooks 40 and 40. Shaft 92 is rotatably connected to the frame members 46 and 48 and extends therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 3. Shaft 92 also rotatably extends through post 52. Shaft portions 94 and 96 are welded to the opposite ends of shaft 92 in an offset relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of shaft 92 and are adapted to be received in the notches 42 and 42 as will be explained more completely hereinafter. Handle 98 is secured to shaft 92 and extends transversely therefrom as illustrated in FIG. 3. Locking lever 100 is pivotally connected to the lower end of post 52 and is adapted to be pivoted over the handle 98 to maintain the handle 98 in a locked position. f With respect to FIG. 9, the modified attachment is generally identified with the reference numeral 102. The attachment 102 is substantially identical to the attachment 12 except that the hydraulic cylinder 104 is positioned rearwardly of the rearward side of the loader bucket rather than on top as in attachment 12. Withdrawal of the rod 106 into the cylinder 104 causes the rearward end of the arm 108 to pivot downwardly aboutthe shaft 50 to cause the teeth 64' to move upwardly away from the bucket 10'. Conversely, extension of the rod 106 causes the teeth 64' to move towards the bucket 10.
With respect to FIGS. 1-8, the normal method of operation is as follows. FIG. illustrates the attachment 12 positioned on the ground 13 or other suitable supporting surface. It can be seen that the ground engaging .plates 66 on the extension portions 64A engage the ground laterally of the center of the attachment to increase the stability of the attachment when the attachment is positioned on the ground in a nonoperative position. The tractor is driven adjacent the attachment 12 as illustrated in FIG. 5 with the bucket being maneuvered into the position as also illustrated in FIG. 5. The hydraulic hoses 70 and 72 are then connected to the tractor hydraulic system so that the hydraulic cylinder 68 may be operated. Hydraulic cylinder 68 is then operated to cause the tower frame means 44 to pivot from the substantially horizontal position of FIG. 5 to the position of FIG. 6. The tractor is then driven forwardly so that the forwardly extending wall portion 84 of the bucket 10 passes below the tower frame means 44 and is positioned in the channel area 82 of the connection means 74. The hydraulic cylinder 68 and the hydraulic cylinders 36 and 36' are then simultaneously operated so that the wall portion 84 is completely received in the channel area 82 and so that the tower frame means 44 is pivoted closely adjacent the rearward side of the back wall as seen in FIG. 7. The operator then dismounts from the tractor and pivotally moves the shaft 92 by means of the handle 98 frame means 44 to the bucket 10. Lever 100 isthen pivotally moved over the handle 98 to lock the shaft 92 in position. The guides 31 and 31' serve to guide the frame members 46 and 48 into position between the plates and 30 as the tower frame means 44 is being pivoted into position. Thus, the guides 31 and 31 aid in positioning the attachment with respect to the loader which eliminates the necessity of exactly positioning the tractor with respect to the attachment.
The connection means 74 prevents the tower frame means 44 from moving rearwardly with respect to the bucket 10 and also prevents undesirable vertical movement of the tower frame means 44 with respect to the bucket 10. The connection means 90 securely attaches the lower 'end of the tower frame means 44 to the bucket and prevents rearward movement of the tower frame means 44 with respect to the bucket 10. Operation of the hydraulic cylinder 68 permits the teeth 64 to be moved from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 8 so. that the material to be handled can be received between the teeth and the bucket with the teeth 64. then being'lowered downwardly into engagement with the material so as to grasp or grab the material between the teeth and the bucket.
The attachment is easily removed from the bucket by simply pivoting the bucket until the-teeth 64 are parallel to the ground and then lowering the same into ground engagement. Lever 100 is then pivoted to permit handle 98 to be pivoted so as to disengage the shaft portions 94 and 96 from the hooks 40 and 40'. The tower frame means 44 and bucket 10 are then simultaneously pivoted to cause the wall portion 84 to disengage from the channel area 82. When the wall portion 84 has been so disengaged, the tractor is moved rearwardly with respect to the attachment so that the tower frame means 44 can be pivoted without striking the bucket. The tower frame means 44 is then pivoted to a horizontal position such as seen in FIG. 5 to more properly balance the attachment to insure its stability. The hydraulic hoses and 72 are then disconnected and the tractor may then be used for other purposes.
It can be seen that a novel grab fork attachment has been provided for a loader bucket which may be quickly and easily mounted thereon or removed therefrom. The attachment of this invention is extremely durable in use and provides a grab fork means without the necessity of removing the bucket from the tractor loader. Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
I claim;
1. In combination,
a loader bucket means having a back wall with upper and lower ends and rearward and forward sides, said bucket means having an open forward end portion,
and a fork means detachably secured to said loader bucket means, said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means and said bucket means,
said frame means being positioned adjacent the rearward side of said back wall, and connection means connecting said frame means to said loader bucket means,
said connection means comprising a first connection means connecting said frame means to said back wall at the upper end thereof and a second connection means operatively connecting said frame means to said back wall below the upper end thereof,
a pair of spaced apart hook elements extending rearwardly from said back wall, said secondconnection means comprising a horizontally disposed shaft rotatably mounted on said frame means about its longitudinal axis, and means at the opposite ends of said shaft for detachable connection to said hook elements upon selective rotation of I said shaft.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means at the opposite ends of said shaft comprise eccentric elements adapted to be detachably received by said hook elements. g
3. In combination,
a loader bucket means having a back wall with upper and lower ends and rearward and forward sides, said bucket means having an open forward end portion,
and a fork means detachably secured to said loader bucket means, said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means and said bucket means,
said frame means being positioned adjacent the rearward side of said back wall, and connection means connecting said frame means to said loader bucket means,
said frame means comprising first and second spaced apart frame members having upper and lower ends, the upper ends of said frame members being positioned above the upper end of said back wall, first and second arms operatively pivotally connected at one end thereof to the upper ends of said first and second frame members and normally extending forwardly therefrom, fork elements secured to the other ends of said first and second arms and normally extending downwardly therefrom, a post means between said first and second frame members operatively connected thereto and having an upper end positioned above the upper end of said back wall, and a hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of said post means and pivotally connected at its other end to said first and second and lower ends and rearward and forward sides said bucket means having an open forward end portion, and a fork means detachably secured to said loader bucket means, said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means and said bucket means, said frame means being positioned adjacent the rearward side of said back wall and having upper and lower ends,
lower connection means detachably securing said frame means adjacent its lower end to said loader bucket means,
upper connection means detachably securing said frame means to the upper end of said loader bucket means, said upper connection means comprising a channel means on said frame means adapted to be detachably received-by the upper end of said back wall of said loader bucket means.
5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said back wall has a normally forwardly extending wall portion which is received by said channel means.
6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said grab fork means comprises first and second spaced apart arms having rearward and forward ends and being pivotally secured at their rearward ends to said frame means ad- 40 jacent the upper end thereof, a plurality of fork elements secured to the forward ends of said first and second arms and extending transversely therefrom towards said bucket means, said fork elements adapted to engage the ground along their lengths to serve as ground engaging stabilizers for supporting the fork means on a supporting surface when the fork means is removed from the loader bucket means.
7. The combination of claim 4 wherein a pair of spaced apart guide elements are secured to the rearward side of said back wall, said guide elements having upper and lower ends and being positioned on opposite sides of said frame means, said guide elements having guides on their upper ends for guiding said frame means therebetween as said fork means is being mounted on said loader bucket means.

Claims (7)

1. In combination, a loader bucket means having a back wall with upper and lower ends and rearward and forward sides, said bucket means having an open forward end portion, and a fork means detachably secured to said loader bucket means, said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means and said bucket means, said frame means being positioned adjacent the rearward side of said back wall, and connection means connecting said frame means to said loader bucket means, said connection means comprising a first connection means connecting said frame means to said back wall at the upper end thereof and a second connection means operatively connecting said frame means to said back wall below the upper end thereof, a pair of spaced apart hook elements extending rearwardly from said back wall, said second connection means comprising a horizontally disposed shaft rotatably mounted on said frame means about its longitudinal axis, and means at the opposite ends of said shaft for detachable connection to said hook elements upon selective rotation of said shaft.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means at the opposite ends of said shaft comprise eccentric elements adapted to be detachably received By said hook elements.
3. In combination, a loader bucket means having a back wall with upper and lower ends and rearward and forward sides, said bucket means having an open forward end portion, and a fork means detachably secured to said loader bucket means, said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means and said bucket means, said frame means being positioned adjacent the rearward side of said back wall, and connection means connecting said frame means to said loader bucket means, said frame means comprising first and second spaced apart frame members having upper and lower ends, the upper ends of said frame members being positioned above the upper end of said back wall, first and second arms operatively pivotally connected at one end thereof to the upper ends of said first and second frame members and normally extending forwardly therefrom, fork elements secured to the other ends of said first and second arms and normally extending downwardly therefrom, a post means between said first and second frame members operatively connected thereto and having an upper end positioned above the upper end of said back wall, and a hydraulic cylinder means pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of said post means and pivotally connected at its other end to said first and second arms whereby actuation of said hydraulic cylinder means causes said first and second arms to pivotally move with respect to said first and second frame members and with respect to said loader bucket means so that said fork elements move towards and away from the forward end portion of said loader bucket means.
4. In combination, a loader bucket means having a back wall with upper and lower ends and rearward and forward sides, said bucket means having an open forward end portion, and a fork means detachably secured to said loader bucket means, said fork means comprising a frame means detachably secured to said back wall and a grab fork means pivotally connected to said frame means adapted to move towards the forward end portion of said bucket means to maintain material between said grab fork means and said bucket means, said frame means being positioned adjacent the rearward side of said back wall and having upper and lower ends, lower connection means detachably securing said frame means adjacent its lower end to said loader bucket means, upper connection means detachably securing said frame means to the upper end of said loader bucket means, said upper connection means comprising a channel means on said frame means adapted to be detachably received by the upper end of said back wall of said loader bucket means.
5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said back wall has a normally forwardly extending wall portion which is received by said channel means.
6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said grab fork means comprises first and second spaced apart arms having rearward and forward ends and being pivotally secured at their rearward ends to said frame means adjacent the upper end thereof, a plurality of fork elements secured to the forward ends of said first and second arms and extending transversely therefrom towards said bucket means, said fork elements adapted to engage the ground along their lengths to serve as ground engaging stabilizers for supporting the fork means on a supporting surface when the fork means is removed from the loader bucket means.
7. The combination of claim 4 wherein a pair of spaced apart guide elements are secured to the rearward side of said back wall, said guide elements having upper and lower ends and being positioned on opposite sides of said frame means, said guide elements having guides on their upper ends for guiding said frame means therebetween as said fork means is being mounted on said loader bucket means. >
US109342A 1971-01-25 1971-01-25 Grab fork attachment for a loader bucket Expired - Lifetime US3700131A (en)

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4565485A (en) * 1982-12-21 1986-01-21 Wilman Thomas S Mechanical grab and scoop combination
US4799852A (en) * 1987-03-12 1989-01-24 Allied Gator, Inc. Self-contained demolition bucket attachment
US5729920A (en) * 1993-04-15 1998-03-24 Taylor; William Attachment for a grab implement
DE29718705U1 (en) 1997-10-09 1998-04-09 Gerhard Krüger GmbH Maschinenfabrik, 87668 Rieden Yard loader
US6074160A (en) * 1999-05-13 2000-06-13 Brumbaugh; Eugene L. Grapple for loader bucket
WO2006071485A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2006-07-06 Clark Equipment Company Attachment device for a loader bucket or fork
US20070107270A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2007-05-17 David Edmond Attachment for Heavy Equipment Vehicles
US7241101B2 (en) * 2002-05-28 2007-07-10 Westendorf Manufacturing Company, Inc. Double action grab fork and method
US20120308340A1 (en) * 2011-05-31 2012-12-06 Price Edward B Grabber accessory for prime mover
AT16542U1 (en) * 2018-10-18 2019-12-15 Thausing Wolfgang Ladeschaufel

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB209914A (en) * 1922-12-05 1924-01-24 Frederick Henry Royce Improvements in means for damping vibrations in transmission gearing
US2501243A (en) * 1948-08-24 1950-03-21 Snyder Wilford Charles Manure loader attachment
US3077999A (en) * 1960-04-27 1963-02-19 Caterpillar Tractor Co Multi-purpose loader bucket
US3421642A (en) * 1967-02-08 1969-01-14 Jack D Carter Fork lift attachment for a movable bucket
US3451575A (en) * 1967-09-15 1969-06-24 Geza Petro Jr Conveyor bucket with hydraulically-operated grille-like lid

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB209914A (en) * 1922-12-05 1924-01-24 Frederick Henry Royce Improvements in means for damping vibrations in transmission gearing
US2501243A (en) * 1948-08-24 1950-03-21 Snyder Wilford Charles Manure loader attachment
US3077999A (en) * 1960-04-27 1963-02-19 Caterpillar Tractor Co Multi-purpose loader bucket
US3421642A (en) * 1967-02-08 1969-01-14 Jack D Carter Fork lift attachment for a movable bucket
US3451575A (en) * 1967-09-15 1969-06-24 Geza Petro Jr Conveyor bucket with hydraulically-operated grille-like lid

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4565485A (en) * 1982-12-21 1986-01-21 Wilman Thomas S Mechanical grab and scoop combination
US4799852A (en) * 1987-03-12 1989-01-24 Allied Gator, Inc. Self-contained demolition bucket attachment
US5729920A (en) * 1993-04-15 1998-03-24 Taylor; William Attachment for a grab implement
DE29718705U1 (en) 1997-10-09 1998-04-09 Gerhard Krüger GmbH Maschinenfabrik, 87668 Rieden Yard loader
US6074160A (en) * 1999-05-13 2000-06-13 Brumbaugh; Eugene L. Grapple for loader bucket
US7241101B2 (en) * 2002-05-28 2007-07-10 Westendorf Manufacturing Company, Inc. Double action grab fork and method
US20060182600A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2006-08-17 Clark Equipment Company Attachment device for a loader bucket or fork
WO2006071485A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2006-07-06 Clark Equipment Company Attachment device for a loader bucket or fork
US7354239B2 (en) 2004-12-23 2008-04-08 Clark Equipment Company Attachment device for a loader bucket or fork
US20070107270A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2007-05-17 David Edmond Attachment for Heavy Equipment Vehicles
US20120308340A1 (en) * 2011-05-31 2012-12-06 Price Edward B Grabber accessory for prime mover
US8801355B2 (en) * 2011-05-31 2014-08-12 Edward B. Price Grabber accessory for prime mover
AT16542U1 (en) * 2018-10-18 2019-12-15 Thausing Wolfgang Ladeschaufel

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