USRE23726E - Hydraulic tool supporting - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, 1953 J. G. LINDEMAN Re. 23,726

HYDRAULIC TOOL SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Original Filed Oct. 26, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 III INVENTOR. JESSE G. L/NDEMAN .4 TTORNEY Oct. 20, 1953 J. G. LINDEMAN Re. 23,726

HYDRAULIC TOOL SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Original Filed Oct. 26. 1945 3 he h e 2 INVENTOR. JESSE G. L INDEMAN BYK Oct. 20, 1953 J. G. LINDEMAN HYDRAULIC TOOL SUPPORTING STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Oct. 26, 1945 INVENTOR. JESSE G. L/NDEMA/V 2L ATTORNEY Reiuued Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC TOOL SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Jesse G. Lindeman, Yakima, Wash., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Deere & Company, Moline, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Original No. 2,589,104, dated March 11, 1952, Se-

rial No. 624,725, October 26, 1945. Application for reissue June 13, 1952, Serial No. 293,486

24 Claims. (Cl. 9746.35)

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

My invention relates to a tool attachment for tractors of either track laying or wheeled type, for supporting various ground working tools in operative relation either at the front or the rear 01' the tractor.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tool supporting attachment of simple and durable form which may be quickly changed from a position to support the tools at the front of the tractor to a position supporting the tools at the rear of the tractor, wherein the reversal of the position of the attachment is accomplished by use of the same parts and without need for additional parts in either position, a special feature of the invention being that the tool attachment may be completely attached or detached from the tractor without the use of a wrench or special tool of any kind. When the attachment is used on a track laying type tractor, it is ordinarily equipped with a gauge wheel which rolls over the ground, for the reason that the bucking of a track laying tractor over rough ground prevents uniform penetration of tools carried by the attachment. When the attachment is employed on a wheeled tractor, the gauge wheel is removed therefrom.

It is an object or the invention to provide a tool attachment for tractors having power means incorporated therein whereby it may be raised and lowered.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and simple -manne of incorporating power means in the tool attachment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool attachment for connection to the tractor so that it may be raised and lowered, this tool attachment having a pull exerting power device incorporated therein, which is connected to the lower end of the tension member, the upper end of the tension member being connected to a bracket on the tractor, whereby the reaction of the pull exerted on the tension member will lift the tool attachment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool attachment of the character set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein parts of the tool attachment are of hollow construction and the power means for raising the tool attachment are disposed in chambers in the hollow parts of the attachment.

A further object 01' the invention is to provide a tool attachment having lever arms for extension along the sides of the tractor, these lever arms being tubular and having therein the 2 power mechanism for raising and lowering the attachment relative [relatively] to the tractor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool attachment having tubular lever arms with cylinder-piston means disposed within the tubular lever arms and movable parts whereby the actuation of the cylinder-piston means will apply tension to a tension member by, which raising and lowering of the attachment is accomplished.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool attachment for tractors having lever members to extend along the sides of the tractor and simple means for attaching these lever members to the sides of the tractors, whereby the attachment is supported in a manner such that it may swing both vertically and laterally, and may be attached to or removed irom the tractor without use of a wrench or special tools.

A further object of the invention is to provide in the tool attachment simple cooperating parts which are interlocked upon assembly, thereby minimizing the use of screws, bolts, and nuts in the assembly of the device and in its attachment to the tractor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool attachment having side levers for pivotal attachment to the tractor and a tool bar adjustably connected to the outer ends of the lever arms so that such tool bar may be rotated around a center line extending substantially parallel to its axis, or preferably coinciding with its axis. This means for rotational adjustment oi the tool bar provides a simple tilting mechanism for changing or adjusting the working relation of the tools to the ground. The various tools which may be supported by the attachment need slight suction adjustment for different soils, and also for the different heights at which the tool bar operates from the ground. My invention incorporates a simple means for providing this adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to provide at the outer ends of the levers of the tool attachment a simple means for adjusting the level of the tool bar which extends across the outer ends of the levers, thereby making it possible to adjust the tool attachment so that its tool bar will be exactly levelled with relation to the tractor, or so that one end or the other of the tool bar may be raised or lowered, or, in other words, so that the transverse tool bar will be maintained in a tilted or sloping position.

Further objects and advantages of the inventhe specification.

tion will be brought out in the following part of Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of my invention attached to a tractor.

Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged plan view corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. l, to. enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line ll of Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pivot attachment shown in section in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cap which corresponds with the fitting shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the attachment bracket and supporting arm shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line 33 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upper end of the supporting arm.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken as indicated bythe lines ||l|ll of Figures 1 and 3 to show adiustable chain attachment.

For the purpose of illustration I have shown my invention in use with a tractor ill of track type having treads or tracks operatively supported at the sides thereof. This tractor is of a commercial type extensively used and constitutes' or includes longitudinal supporting struc- 4 bends outwardly so that its forward end 23 will lie substantially abovetne center line of the tubular lever 21. A similar lever 2|, shown on the far side of the tractor ill in Fig. 2, extends opposite hand so that it will lie above a lever member 21' on phe far side of the tractor. The arms 21 and 2B are interchangeable from one side of the tractor to the other, and reversible end to end, as is illustrated in Figure 7 in hill and dotted lines.

As further shown in Fig. '7, the bracket II has in the upper part of the web l3 below the socket part II an oval transverse opening 23 and near the lower part of the bracket -|3 there is a similar transverse opening" substantially vertically ture having front and rear ends, said structure also having [has] at each side track supporting means or elements l2to which I attach the plates or brackets |3 of my invention by means of bolts II. The plates or brackets 13 form a part of a tool carrier adjusting mechanism, described in further detail below, and the plates or brackets serve as means in the form of base parts providing a pair of mounting portions adapted to be carried on the tractor in alignment transversely of the latter. As shown to a large scale in Fig. '1, each bracket has an upper flat wall l5 from which'a metal web i6 extends downward, this web having therein bolt holes il to receive the attachment bolts l4. Projecting is a socket part l3 having therethrough a longitudinal opening, I! which receives the toe 23 ot a supporting arm or bracket 2|. The supporting arm or bracket 2| has near the forward end 01' its base portion a pad 22 which rests upon the upper ,face of the wall l5 at a point near the front end 23 of the bracket l3. The support 2| has, extending downward from the pad 22, a projecting pin 24 which enters an opening 25 in the bracket l3 when the member 2| is in its forwardly extending position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 'l. The opening [9 in the socket part I3 is of rectangular cross section, and the toe 20 is of corresponding rectangular cross section so that the part 23 cannot rotate within the opening l3 and therefore the supporting arm 2| is ,maintained in the erect position in which it is opposite sides of the tractor II! are symmetrical in form but are made in right and left hand relation. As will be perceived in Fig. 2, the bracket 2| on the near side of the tractor l0 and 33 being adapted to receivea pivot extension 3| which projects from the left end of the lever 21 toward the tractor, the relative position of the pivot extension in the upper opening 23 of the bracket 3 being shown to enlarged scale in -Fig. 3. The lever members 21 and 21' are of similar construction, buthave the parts thereof disposed in opposite hand relation therefore the details of only the lever member 21 need be shown to enlarged scale and described.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown rearward and forward tubes 32 and 33 connected to the opposite ends of a cast steel housing 34 by welds 35. The members 32 and 33 are pieces of standard steel tubing or pipe. To the rear end of the member 32a cast steel pivot part 33 is welded as indicated at 31. This pivot par-12 33 is shown in perspective in Fig. 5. It consists pt from the upper wall I5 to the bracket I3 there a short tubular section 33 which is aligned with the tube 32. The pivot extension 3| projects leftwardly from the tubular section 33 and is cast integrally therewith. The extension 3| has an oval outer end 33 corresponding in general to the shape of the openings 23 and 33 but being of slightly smaller size so as to pass thereinto with suflicient clearance, to enable a slight rocking movement of the extension 3| on its axis through an are which will permit raising and lowering of the front or rightward end of the lever 21. Thus, the members 13 and 36, with associated parts, constitute means pivotally connecting the inner ends of the levers or beams 27 with the tractor, as by mounting the inner ends of the beams 27 and 27' on the mounting brackets 13. The bracket |3 has therein a vertical open ing 33 which intersects the rightward ends of the openings 23 and 33. When the extension 3| is inserted in either the opening 23 or 33, a pin ll may be lowered into the vertical opening 43. portions of this pin then lying in the iorward parts of the openings 23 and" so as to make locking engagement with the pivot extension 3|. For example, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the extension 3| has the intermediate portion 32 thereof diametrally reduced so as to provide a circumferential depression or channel 33 of shallow form in which a portion of the pin ll may lie as shown in Fig. 3, the engagement of the pin 4| with the channel 43 preventing removal of the pivot extension 3| from the opening, 23 for example, in which it is placed.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the pivot part 33 has on the outer end of its tubular section 33 diametrally opposed lugs 44, and adjacent the upper lug 44 a notch 35 is formed in the outer end of the tubular section 33. To cover the outer' end of the section 33 I provide a cap 43 from which upper and lower fingers I! are extended forwardly across the outer portions of the tubular section ll, these fingers I1 having at their forward ends hooks II to enga e the forwardly faced shoulders of the lugs 44 when the fingers 41, are. byrotation of the cap it, brought into positions overlying the lugs 44. The cap has in its inner edge a notch 49 of semicircular cross section positioned adjacent to the upper finger 41 so that when the cap II is rotated into a position wherein the fingers 41 will interlock with the lugs 44, the notch II will be-aligned with the notch ll, thereby providing an opening to receive the threaded nipple portion III of a hydraulic fitting ll.

The housing It has therein a sheave l2 supported on a transverse axle it over which a pulling member ll, shown as a cable, extends, the rising portion It of this cable extending through an opening It in the upper portion of the housing I4, and the horizontal portion I1 of the cable it being attached to the forward part II of a pulling mechanism Bl. The upper end of the cable It, as shown in Fig. 1, is connected by force-transmitting means in the form of a chain OI to the forward end 2| of the supporting member 2|. When the pulling mechanism 59 is actuated from a retracted position into the forward position in which it is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the cable 54 will be pulled into the interior of the hollow lever arm 21, and the upward reaction of the cable against the sheave 52 will raise the arm 21. The pulling mechanism 59 and other associated parts just described constitute a carrier-adjusting mechanism, there being one of such camer-adiusting mechanisms at each side of the tractor, as shown in Figure 2.

The pulling mechanism 59 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 61 disposed in the rearward end of the tube 32, a piston 52 operative within the cylinder ii, a forwardly extending piston rod 63 and a frame member 64 which is connected to the forward end of the rod 62, this frame member [having] being bifurcated so that it straddles the pulley as shown in Fig. 3. The part 58, to which the cable 54 is attached, is a part of the frame member 64. At the front end of the frame member 64 a roller 66 is supported so that it will roll forwardly and rearwardly in the tube 33 as the pulling mechanism is actuated. As shown in Fig. 4, the nipple 50 of the hydraulic fitting 51 threads into the rearward portion of the cylinder 6| so as to provide hydraulic connection with the cylinder Bl. As shown in Fig. l, a hydraulic conduit 61 extends to asource of hydraulic fluid pressure 68 forming part of the tractor equipment or added thereto for this particular purpose. By operation of a lever 68 the operator of the tractor may deliver hydraulic pressure into the cylinder ii to move the piston 62 forwardly, thereby exerting a pull on the cable 54 to pull the cable into the tubular lever 21 and thereby cause the same to rise. Likewise, operation of the lever 69 will release fluid pressure from the cylinder BI and permit the piston 62 to move rearward so that the cable 54 will pass out through the opening 56 and permit the arm 31 to swing downward. The operative position of the cable 54 is adjusted by adjusting the chain lill with relation to the tubular forward end 26 of the supporting member 2 I. As shown in Fig. 9, the chain ill is carried up through the tubular member and one of its links 10 is placed in a slot 1| of the tubular part 26.

By selecting the link 10, which is to engage the slot 1|, the length of the portion of the chain downwardly extended from the tubular part ill 6 may be adjusted to suit existing conditions of operation. The lever arm 21', Fi 2, on the opposite side of the tractor from the lever 21, has all the parts described in the foregoing and this lever arm 21' is raised and lowered in the same manner through hydraulic fluid pressure de- I livered through a conduit 61'.

(iii

A tool bar 12 is connected to the forward end of each lever 21. As shown in Fig. 2, this tool bar 12 extends across the front of the tractor when the levers 21 and 21' are disposed in forwardly extending relation as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but when the positions of these levers are reversed. the tool bar 12 will extend across the rear of the tractor. At the forward end of each lever 21 and 21' there is a tool bar connection 12. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this tool bar connection consists of a fork 14 which is connected to the forward end of the tubular lever 21, this fork 14 supporting a vertical pin 15 on which a block 16 is swingable. The block 16 has a forwardly presented semi-cylindrical depression 11 to receive an arcuate filler piece 18 having a vshaped seat 19 to receive substantially half of the tool bar 12. This filler piece 18 comprises a rocker which may rock in the depression 11 for the purpose of rotational adjustment of the tool bar 12 by adjustment of a cover plate 80 having a V-shaped seat Bl to engage the outer half of the tool bar 12. The cover plate 80 is clamped against the tool bar by screws 82 which are threaded into the block 18. In Fig. 4 the cover plate Bil is shown in an intermediate position. By loosening one of the screws 82 and tightening the other, one extremity of the cover plate 80 may be swung in toward the corresponding portion of the block 16, thereby moving the cover plate 80 into an angular position which will be transmitted through the seat 81 to the tool bar 12, thereby producing relative rotation between the tool bar and the lever 21 and causing the flller piece 18 to rock in the depression 11. By adjustment of the cover plates 80 at the opposite ends of the tool bar 12 the angular relation of the levers 21 and 21' to the tool bar may be adjusted. For example, by suitable adjustment of the cover plates 80 the levers 21 and 21' may be brought into the same plane so that the tool bar 12 will be level with the tractor tracks. The tool bar may be caused to assume a sloping relation to the horizontal plane defined by the tractor Itracks through the simple expedient of swinging one of the levers 21 or 21' into angular relation to the other. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, loosening of one of the screws 82 and the tightening of the other will cause the block 16 to swing around the axis of the tool bar 12, thereby swinging the lever arm 21 so that its pivot extension 3| will be out of the plane defined by the tool bar 12 and the remaining lever arm 21'. Or, one of the lever arms 21 or 21' may be swung upwardly and the remaining lever arm swung downwardly to bring the pivot extensions 3| of the lever arms 21 and 21' out of the plane defined by the front and rear edges or corners of the tool bar 12. Thereafter, if the pivot extensions 3| are inserted in the openings 29 of the bracket 3, the tool bar 12 will be disposed in sloping relation to the. substantially horizontal plane defined by the openings 29. The tool bar 12 may be rotated on its axis by simultaneously adjusting both of the cover plates Bll in the same manner. The tool bar 72 and the levers or side beams 27 and 27, with associated parts, constitute a reversible tool supporting Q permit a small change in direction of travel of the tractor for purposes of steering without the necessity'oi' shifting the tool bar 12 and the tools attached thereto laterally while they are in engagement with the, soil. The lateral swinging movement of the tool bar 12 and levers 21 and 21' is limited by a chain Bl, the intermediate portion of which is connected to an attachment 8. in the front end of the tractor frame. The end portions 81 of the chain 85 are adjustably connected to the forward ends of the levers 21 and 21' by means of tubular members 88 which are connected to the forks 14. As shown in Fig. 10, the ,tubes 88 are vertically disposed and have notches 89 in the upper portions thereof, each of which will receive a selected link 92 of the chain 85, the excess portion 81 extending through the opening of the tube 88.

' The tool supporting structure or carrier may be reversed so that the tool bar 12 will extend across the rear of the tractor, without the use of tools. The chains Bil may be disconnected from the forward ends of the supporting arms 2| and 2 I '{and the supporting arms 2| and 2| may be discon- 3.3

nected from the brackets I! by the simple expedient of lifting their forward ends to disengagethe pins and thereafter removing the toes 20 from the socket parts It. The locking pins 4| may be then removed from the vertical openings Ill so that the pivotextensions II can be removed from the openings 29. The structure consisting of the arms 21 and 21 and the tool bar 12 may be then swung around to the rear of the tractor and the pivot extensions 3| reinserted into openv ings 29 or 30 of the brackets It on the sides of the tractor opposite to those previously occupied by the arms 21 and 21', and the pivot extensions Il may be locked in place by reinsertion of the pins II. The supporting arm 2| is then reversed so and mounted on the near bracket 12 as shown in Fig. 7, the toe 20 of this supporting arm 2| being then inserted in the socket part- It through the rearward end of the opening I9, and the pin 24 of the supporting arm 2| being then dropped 5.:

into an opening 25' in the upper wall of the bracket l3 rearwardly of the socket part It. When the supporting arm 2 I is in this new position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, its forward or upper end 28 will be in position to receive the chain which extendsfrom the newly positioned lever 21'. In similar manner the supporting arm 2|, Fig. 2, is removed from the near bracket II and is rotated through an angle of 180 around a vertical axis and mounted on the far bracket I! so that it will then cooperate with the lever 21 in the new position of the lever 21 when the position of the entire tool supporting structure is re-v versed from that in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The swing-limiting chain 85 will be, of course, transferred to a position at the rear of the tractor and its intermediate portion will be connected to the rear of the tractor, so that this meat of struct reversed position. I

1. In a tool attachment for tractors, the combination of: a tubular lever to extend along the side of the tractor, the free end of said lever being adapted to support a tool; means for pivotally connecting the other end of said lever to the side of the tractorso' that it may be swung in a substantially vertical plane; a bracket for connection to said tractor and having a partextendlng above said lever; a power operated pulling means carried by said lever, said pulling means comprising a cylinderepiston device in said tubular lever adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure and a part which-is moved longitudinally within said lever by said device; a sheave carried by said lever intermediate its ends; means at the outer end of said pa rt for guidingly engaging the inner walls of said lever; and a cable having its upper end connected to said bracket, its intermediatev portion trained around said sheave, and its lower whereby longitudinal movement of said part will exert tension in said cable and the upward reaction of said cable against said sheave will swing said lever upward around the inner pivotally sup ported end thereof.

2. In a tool attachment for tractors, the combination of: a tubular lever to extend along the side of the tractor, the free end of said lever being adapted to support atool; means for pivotally connecting the other end of said lever to the side of the tractor so that it may be swung in a substantially vertical plane; a. bracket for connection to said tractor and having a part extending above said lever; a power operated pulling means carried by said lever, said pulling means comprising a cylinder disposed in the inner end of said tubular lever, a piston in said cylinder, a carriage movable longitudinally in said lever toward the outer end thereof by said piston as it is actuated in said cylinder; a sheave carried by said lever intermediate its ends, said carriage being connected at its inner end with said piston and extending from said device outwardly beyond said sheave and including means adjacent the outer end for guidingly engaging the inner walls of said lever; and a cable having its upper end connected tosaid bracket, its intermediate portion trained around said sheave, and its lower end connected to the outer portionoi said carriage beyond said sheave, whereby outward movement of said piston in said cylinder causes outward movement of said carriage and will exert tension in said cable and the upward reaction of said cable against said sheave will swing said lever upward around the inner pivotally supported end thereof.

3. In a tool attachment for tractors adapted to be raised by a cable, the combination of: a lever member comprising an inner tubular lever part and an outer tubular lever part connected by walls forming a sheave chamber having a cable opening in the upper portion thereof; a sheave supported in said sheave chamber over which said chain will then serve to limit the swinging movecable may be trained; means for pivotally connecting the inner end of said lever member to the tractor; and hydraulically actuated power means disposed within said tubular part and extending across said sheave chamber, for connection to the inner end of said cable to exert tension therein whereby the upward reaction of said cable against 4 said sheave will lift said lever member.

4. For use in tool supporting means of .the type that is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and which includes a member adapted to be extended either forwardly or rearwardly with relation to the vehicle, and means on said vehicle for pivotally receiving the inner end of said member in either forwardly or rearwardly extending position; the improvement which comprises raising means adapted to be connected with said member and to extend upwardly therefrom at a point spaced from said pivot means, an arm connectible to the vehicle so as to extend either forwardly or rearwardly and thereby dispose its upper end substantially over said raising means in either position of said member with relation to the vehicle; and means adapted to be carried by said member for operatively moving said raising means.

'5. In a, tool attachment for tractors, a tool supporting unit comprising a transverse member and a pair of generally fore and aft hollow tubular side members adapted to be pivotally connected with the tractor, a hydraulic cylindermounted in each of said side members, a piston disposed in each cylinder, a frame member connected at its inner end with each piston and movable within the associated side member, a. guide rollercarried at the outer end of each frame member in contacting relation with the associated side member, and means extending from each frame member to a point of connection with the tractor for causing the movement of the pistons to raise or lower the associated side members relative to the tractor.

6. In a tool attachment for tractors, a tool supporting unit comprising a transverse member and a pair of generally fore and aft hollow tubular side members adapted to be pivotally con; nected with the tractor, a hydraulic cylinder mounted in each of said side members, a piston disposed in each cylinder, a frame member connected at its inner end with each piston and movable within the associated side member, guide means at the outer end of each frame member in contacting relation with the associated side member, a sheave carried by each side member generally between the guide means and said cylinder and piston, and cable means extending from the outer'portion of each frame member over the associated sheave to a point of connection with the tractor for causing the movement of the pistons to raise or lower the associated side members relative to the tractor.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6, further characterized by said frame members being bifurcated and the bifurcated portions of each member straddling the associated sheave.

8. The invention set forth in claim 6, further characterized by each side member having a generally centrally disposed enlarged section receiving the associated sheave.

9. In a tool attachment for tractors, a tool supporting unit comprising a transverse member and a pair of generally fore and aft hollow tubular side members adapted to be pivotally connected with the tractor, means including a detachable cap connectible to the inner end of each side member for pivotally connecting the latter to the tractor, and a hydraulic unit mounted in each side member so as to have one end in engagement with the associated cap member and the other end operatively connected to act between the associated side member and the tractor, whereby actuation of said hydraulic units serves to raise or lower the associated side members relative to the tractor.

10. In a tool attachment for tractors, a tool supporting unit comprising a, transverse member and a pair of generally fore and aft side members adapted to be pivotally connected with the tractor, a pair of brackets attachable to opposite sides of the tractor, each having an opening therein, a thrust exerting power unitcarried by each of said side members, a pivot member connected to the inner end of each side member and each pivot member having a pivot extension d sposable in the opening in the associated bracket, and a part detachably connected with said pivot member for receiving the thrust of the associated power unit.

11. In a tool attachment for tractors, a tool supporting unit comprising a transverse member and"a"pair of generally fore and aft side members adapted to 'be pivotally connected with the tractor, a pair of brackets attachable to opposite sides 01 the tractor, each having an opening therein, a pivot member connected to the inner end of each side member and each pivot member having a pivot extension disposable in the opening in the associated bracket, and securing means carried by said brackets and engaging said pivot extensions for holding said side members inconnection with said tractor.

12. In a tool attachment for tractors, a tool supporting unit comprising a transverse member and a pair of generally fore and aft side members adapted to be pivotally connected with the tractor, means including a pivot member connected to the inner end of each side member for pivotally connecting the latter to the tractor, a detachable cap connectible to the inner end of each side member, a hydraulic unit mounted in each side member so as to react against the associated cap member, a fluid line leading to each unit and including a fitting, the associated cap member having a section receiving said fitting whereby the latter serves to hold the cap member in position on the associated side member.

13. A tool attachment for tractors of the type including a lever to extend either forwardly or rearwardly along the side of the tractor, the free end of said lever being adapted to support a tool: said attachment comprising; bracket means for pivotally connecting the other end of said lever to the side of the tractor so that it may be swung in a substantially vertical plane; a supporting member adapted for connection to said tractor at a point adjacent the point at which said bracket means is disposed, said supporting member being constructed and arranged to be disposed in either forwardly or rearwardly extending position and having a part extending substantially directly above said lever and spaced generally in a fore and aft direction from the points of connection of said bracket means and said supporting member with the side of the tractor; a power operated pulling means carried by said lever; and a tension member extending down from said part and having its lower end connected to said pulling means, said supporting member being reversed from forward to rearward position, or vice versa, relative to the tractor when the position of the lever is reversed, so as to dispose said part substantially in line with said tension member in either position of the lever.

14. A tool attachment for tractors of the type including a lever to extend either forwardly or rearwardly along the side of the tractor, the free end of said lever being adapted to support a tool: said attachment comprising; bracket means for pivotally connecting the other end of said lever J 11 to the side of the tractor so that it may be swung in a substantially vertical plane; an arm adapted for connection to said tractor at a point adjacent the point at which said bracket means is disposed, said arm being constructed and arranged to be disposed in either forwardly or rearwardly extending position and having a part extending substantially directly above said lever and spaced generally in a fore and aft direction from the points of connection of said bracket means and said supporting member with .the side of the tractor; a power operated pulling means carried by said lever, said pulling means having a part which is moved longitudinally of said lever and within the latter; a guide element carried by said lever; and a flexible tension member extending down from said arm and being trained over said guide element, the lower end of said tension member being connected to said part of said pulling means whereby longitudinal movement of said part will exert tension in said tension member so that the reaction of said tension member against said guide element will swing said lever upward around the inner pivotally supported end thereof said arm being reversed from forward to rearward position, or vice versa, relative to the tractor when the position of the lever is reversed, so as to dispose said part substantially in line with said tension member in either position of the lever.

15. In a tool attachment fortractors of the type including a pair of brackets for attachment to the sides of the tractor intermediate the ends thereof; a tool supporting member adapted for front and rear positions of operation on the tractor and having a cross member to extend across either the front end or the rear end of the tractor and a pair of levers for extending from said cross member along the sides of the tractor; hinge means for connecting the inner ends of said levers to said brackets; and actuating means carried by said levers at points spaced from their connection with said hinge means for vertically moving said tool supporting member: the combination therewith of a pair of supporting arms adapted, respectively, to receive said actuating means, and fore and aft spaced means on each side of the tractor for receiving said arms in optionally different positions whereby the latter are connectible to the tractor in two different positions of operation, said actuating means cooperating in one of its positions with said tool supporting member when said member is in said front position, with said toolv supporting member when said tool supporting member is in its rear position.

16. In a tool attachment for tractors, the combination of a pair of brackets for attachment to the sides of the tractor intermediate the ends thereof, each of said brackets having two basereceiving sections disposed in fore and aft spaced apart relation; a tool supporting member adapted for front and rear positions of operation on the tractor having a cross member to extend across either the front end or the rear end of the tractor and a pair of levers for extending from said cross member along the sides of the tractor; hinge means for connecting the inner ends of said levers to said brackets; a pairof arms, each having a base portion and a force-receiving portion extending in a generally fore and aft direction from the base portion, the base portion of each arm being connectible to thebase-receiving section of the associated bracket and said arms being reversible on-said brackets from one side to the other of the tractor. whereby to dispose the forceand cooperating in the other of its positions receiving portion of the arm in either of two fore and aft spaced positions;' and actuating means carried by said levers and connectible with said force-receiving portions for moving said tool supporting member in either its front or rear position of operation on the tractor.

17. A tool attachment for tractors of the type including a lever to extend either forwardly or rearwardly along the side of the tractor, the free end of said lever being adapted to support a tool: said attachment comprising; an attachment bracket connectible to the tractor at one side thereof and having an elongated opening. a pivot member connected to the inner end of said lever and having a laterally inwardly directed extension disposable in said elongated opening, said extension having a portion of reduced diameter, and a locking member releasably carried by said attachment bracket and disposable in the reduced portion of said pivot member extension for releasably locking said pivot member to said attachment bracket.

18. In a tool attachment for tractors, .a tool supporting unit comprisinga transverse member and a pair of generally fore and aft extending side members adapted to be pivotally connected with the tractor and to extend toward either the front or the rear of the tractor, a pair of attachment brackets connectible to the tractor at opposite sides thereof and each including a generally centrally arranged fore and aft facing socket, a pair of supporting arms, each having a base portion adapted to seat on the associated attachment bracket, a locking portion adapted to enter said socket from either side thereof, and a power-receiving arm portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the base section, said arm portions being adapted to extend generally forwardly or rearwardly, according to whether the supporting arms are mounted on the associated brackets in either forward or rearward positions, interlocking means on each supporting arm and the front and rear portions of each attaching bracket for holding the supporting arms in either of their positions on the associated brackets, and power means acting between said arms and the associated side members in either position of the latter for raising and lowering the side members relative to the tractor. v

19. The invention set forth in claim 18, further characterized by a pivot member on each of said side members, and means on each of said attachment brackets for receiving the associated pivot member.

20. The invention set forth in claim 19, further characterized by each attachment bracket having vertically spaced pivot-receiving means to provide for connection of said side members thereto in either an upper or a lower position.

21. In a tool attachment for tractors of the type including a pair of track supporting means adapted for attachment to the sides of the tractor intermediate the ends thereof, the combination of: a tool supporting member adapted for front and rear positions of operation on the tractor and having a cross member to extend across either the front end or the rear end 0/ the tractor and a pair of levers for extending from said cross member along the sides of the tractor; means for pivotally connecting the inner ends of said levers to the sides of the tractor; a. pair of supporting arms, one for each side of the tractor, said supporting arms being selectively connectible with the 'track supporting means to extend either forwardly or rearwardlp according to the position of the tool supporting member; means on each of the track supporting means and engageable with and non-rotatably receiving the inner end of the associated supporting arm for supporting the latter; and a pair of force-transmitting means respectivelyconnectible between said levers, at points spaced from their pivotal connection with the sides of the tractor, and said arms in either of the related positions thereof, for moving said levers vertically about said points of pivotal connection to adjust the tool supporting member.

22. For a tractor or the like including longitudinal supporting structure having front'and rear ends, the combination of: means adapted to be carried on said structure and providing respectively at opposite sides of said structure a pair of mounting portions in transverse alignment substantially midway between the front and rear ends of said structure; a single, reversible carrier having a pair of laterally spaced, generally longitudinally extending side beams interconnected at one end by a transverse member and having at its ends means for mounting the beams respectively on the aforesaid mounting portions for adjustment of the carrier with respect to the structure so that the beams move respectively in longitudinal vertical planes at each side of said structure, said beams and member being so dimensioned that the carrier is reversible and the beams may extend either forwardly or rearwarclly from said mounting portions at opposite sides of the supporting structure to dispose the transverse member at either the front or rear end of said structure; a pair of carrier-adjusting mechanisms, one at each side of the tractor supporting structure, and each mechanism including a base part mountable on the associated side of the tractor supportingstructure in a fixed position substantially midway between the front and rear ends of the tractor supporting structure irrespective of the position of the carrier, and each mechanism further including an arm, said arms having detachable and reversible connection with said base parts whereby said arms may be connected with said base parts in first and second positions to extend either forwardly or rearwardly respectively, relative to the tractor, according to the position of the carrier; and a pair of force-transmitting meansrespectively conne'ctible between the beams and the arms in either of the related positions thereof for moving the beams vertically to adjust the carrier as aforesaid. I

23. For a tractor or the like including longitudinal supporting structure having front and rear ends, the combination of: means carried on said structure and providing respectively at opposite sides of said structure a pair of mounting portions including pivots coaxial on a transverse axis generally midway between the front and rear 6 ends of said structure; a single, reversible carrier having a pair of laterally spaced, generally longitudinally extending side beams interconnected at one end by a transverse member and having at its ends means for mounting the beams respectively on the aforesaid pivots for vertical swinging of the carrier about said pivot axis, said beams and member being so dimensioned that the carrier is reversible and the beams may extend either forwardly or rearwardly from said pivots at opposite sides of the supporting structure to dispose the transverse member at either the front or rear end of said structure; a pair of carrieradjusting mechanisms, one at each side of the tractor supporting structure, and each mechanism including a base part mountable 0n the associated side of the tractor supporting structure in a fixed position substantially in vertical alignment with the associated beam pivot irrespective of the position of the carrier, and each mechanism further including an arm, said arms having detachable and reversible connection with said base parts whereby said arms may be connected with said base parts in first and second positions to extend either forwardly or rearwardly respectively, relative to the tractor, according to the position of the carrier; and a pair of force-transmitting means respectively connectible between the beams and the arms in either of the related positions thereof for moving the beams vertically toada'ust the carrier as aforesaid. 1

24. The invention defined in claim 23, in which: each base part is above the associated beam pivot and the associated arm extends longitudinally therefrom in overhanging relation to the associated beam. JESSE G. LINDEMAN.

References Cited in the file 01 this patent or in the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,745,540 Isbell Feb. 4, 1930 1,872,484 Milhon Aug. 16, 1932 1,888,925 Kroyer et a1. Nov. 22, 1932 1,923,412' Bacon Aug. 22, 1933 2,075,482 Thorpe Mar. 30, 1937 2,167,166 Allin July 25, 1939 2,173,158 Corbett Sept. 19, 1939 2,187,072 LeBleu Jan. 16, 1940 2,199,674 Running May 7, 1940 2,325,870 Mott Aug. 3, 1943 2,328,064 Doty Aug. 31, 1943 2,342,306 Silver Feb. 2, 1944 2,394,210 Sherman Feb. 5, 1946 2,408,268 Peterson et a1 Sept. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,201 Great Britain Nov. 24,1910

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