Dual-purpose vehicle

Claim 2

In a dual-purpose vehicle adapted for use alternatively as a spreader and a dump truck: a. a base frame secured to the vehicle chassis, the base frame comprising longitudinal and transverse frame members and having front and rear ends; b. a dump body mounted on the base frame; c. first means providing a releasable hinge connection betweEn the base frame and the dump body at a position adjacent the rear end of the base frame; d. second means providing a releasable hinge connection between the base frame and the dump body at a position adjacent the front end of the base frame; e. means for securing said first and second means alternatively to permit pivotal movement of the dump body about respective transverse axis at said positions; f. a toggle linkage connected between the base frame and the dump body, at a position intermediate said positions, and g. a hydraulic ram pivotally connected at one end to the base frame and at the other end to the toggle linkage for actuating the toggle linkage whereby to permit pivotal movement of the dump body about one or other transverse axis according to which of the hinge connections is secured.

Claim 3

A dual-purpose vehicle according to claim 1, in which each of said first and second means comprises cooperating pairs of hinge sockets on the base frame and the dump body, and the means for securing said first and second means is a removable hinge pin adapted to be inserted into the cooperating pairs of hinge sockets at either of said positions.

Claim 4

In a dual-purpose vehicle adapted for use alternatively as a spreader and a dump truck: a. a base frame secured to the vehicle chassis, the base frame comprising longitudinal and transverse frame members and having front and rear ends; b. a dump body mounted on the base frame; c. first means providing a releasable hinge connection between the base frame and the dump body at a position adjacent the rear end of the base frame; d. second means providing a releasable hinge connection between the base frame and the dump body at a position adjacent the front end of the base frame; e. means for securing said first and second means alternatively to permit pivotal movement of the dump body about respective transverse axis at said positions; f. a toggle linkage connected between the base frame and the dump body, at a position intermediate said positions; g. a hydraulic ram pivotally connected at one end to the base frame, and at the other end to the toggle linkage for actuating the toggle linkage whereby to permit pivotal movement of the dump body about one or other transverse axis according to which of the hinge connections is secured. h. a feed auger extending transversely within the dump body at a position adjacent its forward end; i. a first hydraulic motor for driving the feed auger; j. a door or gate in the base of the dump body, the door or gate being positioned to receive granular material fed by the feed auger; k. a spinner mounted below the dump body; l. a second hydraulic motor for driving the spinner; m. a chute extending downwardly from the door or gate to deliver granular material therefrom onto the spinner, and n. means for connecting the hydraulic motors and ram to a hydraulic fluid supply.

Claim 5

In a dual-purpose vehicle adapted for use alternatively as a spreader and a dump truck: a. a base frame secured to the vehicle chassis, the base frame comprising longitudinal and transverse frame members and having front and rear ends; b. a dump body mounted on the base frame; c. first means providing a releasable hinge connection between the base frame and the dump body at a position adjacent the rear end of the base frame; d. second means providing a releasable hinge connection between the base frame and the dump body at a position adjacent the front end of the base frame; e. means for securing said first and second means alternatively to permit pivotal movement of the dump body about respective transverse axis at said positions; f. a toggle linkage connected between the base frame and the dump body, at a position intermediate said positions; g. a hydraulic ram pivotally connected at one end to the base frame, and at the other end to the toggle linkage for actuating the toggle linkage whereby to permit pivotal movement of the dump body about one or other transverse axis according to which of the hinge connections is secured. h. a feed auger extending transversely within the dump body at a position adjacent its forward end; i. a first hydraulic motor for driving the feed auger; j. a door or gate in the base of the dump body, the door or gate being positioned to receive granular material fed by the feed auger; k. a spinner mounted below the dump body; l. a second hydraulic motor for driving the spinner; m. a chute extending downwardly from the door or gate to deliver granular material therefrom onto the spinner, and n. means for connecting the hydraulic motors and ram to a hydraulic fluid supply.

Claim 6

A dual-purpose vehicle according to claim 3, including first and second adjustable valve means for regulating the supply of hydraulic fluid to the first and second hydraulic motors whereby to control the operating speeds of the motors.

Claim 7

A dual-purpose vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the valve means are continuously adjustable for controlling said operating speeds over a continuous range.

Claim 8

A dual-purpose vehicle according to claim 3, in which the spinner is mounted on a vertical rotatable shaft extending from the second hydraulic motor, the motor being mounted on a support member which is adjustable in a transverse direction with respect to the base frame.

Claim 9

A dual-purpose vehicle according to claim 3, including a safety valve for preventing the supply of hydraulic fluid to the ram, and a link connected between the valve and the toggle linkage, the link being movable with the dump body and operable to actuate the valve when the dump body reaches a predetermined limiting position.