WO2006100580A1

WO2006100580A1 - Front end loader

Info

Publication number: WO2006100580A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/000667
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Paul Silcock
Original assignee: Daniel Paul Silcock
Priority date: 2005-03-24
Filing date: 2006-03-24
Publication date: 2006-09-28

Abstract

A front end loader (1) is provided having a pair of stop assemblies (2) configured to transfer a major portion of the opposing force generated by an implement attached to the hydraulic boom (4) along a horizontal path at axle height with the front end loader (1) operating in a forward direction of travel .

Description

FRONT END LOADER

FiELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a front end loader and an accessory therefor.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Front end loaders are used in a wide variety of applications. This is in part due to their ability to have different work pieces attached to their hydraulic booms. Patent application number PCT/IB2003/03147 describes a refuse compactor having a pair of cleated rolls which is configured to be attachable to the boom of a front end loader. One advantage of the front end loader in this application is that the boom can be used to provide a user selectable amount of downward pressure on the rolls. Alternatively, the boom control or tilt levers can be placed in "float" condition. Normally, the operator would select the boom float condition when operating in reverse or tilt position when traveling in a forward direction on loose refuse, that is on break-down passes (to prevent loss of front wheel traction). However, irrespective of the controls selected by the operator, due to the fact that all front end loaders carry the major portion of their weight on the rear axle and as the boom arm ends are normally attached to the highest possible positions on each side of the front frame, the angle of opposing force generated by the rolls results in a loss of front wheel traction.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a front end loader which will at least partially alleviate the abovementioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a front end loader which includes at least one stop assembly configured to transfer a major portion of the opposing force generated by an implement attached to the hydraulic boom along a horizontal path at axle height with the front end loader operating in a forward direction of travel.

Further features of the invention provide for the or each stop assembly to limit the extent of downward movement of the hydraulic boom; for the or each stop assembly to extend between the front axle and boom, preferably between the front axle and each arm of the boom; for a buffer block assembly to be mounted to the front axle opposite each arm of the boom; for each buffer block assembly to provide at least two user selectable stop positions; and for each buffer block assembly to co-operate with a stop formation on each arm.

The invention extends to a stop assembly as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of one embodiment of a stop assembly on a front end loader; and

Figure 2 is a part sectional side view of the stop assembly in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A front end loader (1) having stop assemblies (2) to limit the extent of downward movement of its hydraulic boom (4) is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Each stop assembly (2) has a buffer block assembly (6) mounted to the front axle

(not shown) of the front end loader (1) opposite each arm (8) of the boom (4) which co-operates with a stop formation (10) on each arm (8). As shown more clearly in Figure 2, each buffer block assembly (6) has a tubular mounting block

(16) which is secured to the axle to extend horizontally therefrom with a socket

(17) opening towards the arms (8) into which a first end (18) of complementarily shaped buffer block (19) is mounted. The buffer block (19) is retained within the socket (17) by a locating pin (20) which fits through a bore (21) in the operatively upper side (22) of the socket (17) and locates in a blind bore (23) in the operatively upper side (24) of the buffer block (19). The second end (25) of the buffer block (19) is fitted with a bearing cap (26) and a spacer (27) may be utilized to space the bearing cap (26) from the mounting block (16).

The stop formation (10) has an elongate bearing surface (30) which extends between a pair of legs (31 ,32) to have a triangular shape with the leg (32) extending normally from the lower end of the bearing surface (30). The leg (31) is attached to the arm (8) and is slightly inwardly concave to conform to the surface of the arm (8).

In use, with the boom (4) in the desired lowermost position, indicated at (4A), the bearing surface (30) of the stop formation (10) abuts the bearing cap (26) of the buffer block assembly (6) preventing further downward movement of the boom (8). In this condition, a major portion of the opposing force generated by an implement attached to the boom (4) is transferred along a horizontal path at axle height with the front end loader operating in a forward direction of travel. This has the result that the forces are transmitted along the length to the front end loader instead of upwardly to lift the front wheels. There is consequently little loss of traction on the front wheels.

It is envisaged that the depth to which the buffer block (19) seats within the socket (17) can be varied by using spacers of differing thickness to provide different stop positions. This enables different implements, for example dozer spreader blades, to be used with a quick adjustment to the assembly.

The invention thus provides a simple yet effective solution to the problem of excessive upward thrust on the boom causing loss of traction on the front wheels of a front end loader. When the loader is equipped with a dozer spreader blade it is absolutely essential that the opposing forces generated are directed along a plane that results in positive wheel traction and the assembly of the invention is thus essential for effective operation in this application. It will be appreciated, however, that many other embodiments of a front end loader and stop assembly exist which fall within the scope of the invention, particularly regarding the configuration thereof.

Claims

1. A front end loader which includes at least one stop assembly configured to transfer a major portion of the opposing force generated by an implement attached to the hydraulic boom along a horizontal path at axle height with the front end loader operating in a forward direction of travel.

2. A front end loader as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each stop assembly limits the extent of downward movement of the hydraulic boom.

3. A front end loader as claimed in claim 2 wherein the or each stop assembly extends between the front axle and boom.

4. A front end loader as claimed in claim 3 wherein the or each stop assembly extends between the front axle and each arm of the boom.

5. A front end loader as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a buffer block assembly is mounted to the front axle opposite each arm of the boom.

6. A front end loader as claimed in claim 5 wherein each buffer block assembly provides at least two user selectable stop positions.

7. A front end loader as claimed in claim 6 wherein each buffer block assembly co-operates with a stop formation on each arm.

8. A stop assembly for a front end loader for transferring a major portion of the opposing force generated by an implement attached to the hydraulic boom along a horizontal path at axle height with the front end loader operating in a forward direction of travel comprising a buffer block assembly securable to the front end loader to extend between the hydraulic boom and front axle thereof to limit the extent of downward movement of the hydraulic boom.

9. A stop assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the buffer block assembly extends between the front axle and each arm of the boom.

10. A stop assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the buffer block assembly is mounted to the front axle opposite each arm of the boom.

11. A stop assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the buffer block assembly provides at least two user selectable stop positions

12. A stop assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the buffer block assembly co-operates with a stop formation on each arm.

13. A front end loader substantially as herein described and as illustrated with reference to Figure 1.

14. A stop assembly substantially as herein described and as illustrated with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2.