Balanced track-type loader construction

Claim 2

A powered loader vehicle comprising: a rigid frame, a single pair of endless track assemblies disposed one at each side of said frame and attached thereto, a lift arm having a rearward end coupled to said frame for pivoting about an axis transverse to said vehicle, said lift arm extending in a generally forward direction from said pivot axis and having load manipulating means at the forward end, an engine disposed on said frame in rearwardly spaced relationship to said lift arm, means transmitting power from said engine to eacH of said track assemblies, means defining an operator''s station having at least a forward portion situated between said lift arm and said engine and wherein said operator is positioned rearwardly from said pivot axis of said lift arm, wherein each of said track assemblies have a longitudinally extending roller frame member and wherein said frame of said vehicle further comprises: a pair or rigid spaced apart hardbars extending between said roller frame members of said track assemblies, each of said hardbars being rigidly secured to said roller frame members of each of said track assemblies, a pair of loader towers one extending upwardly from said hardbars at each side of said vehicle for coupling said lift arm thereto, and a member extending rearwardly from said loader towers and the rearmost of said hardbars for supporting said engine.

Claim 3

A powered loader vehicle comprising: a frame having a central portion with a pair of upwardly extending transversely spaced apart loader towers, a pair of endless track assemblies disposed one at each side of said central portion of said frame, each of said track assemblies having a longitudinally extending roller frame member secured to said central portion of said frame and having a drive sprocket and idler mounted on said roller frame member for carrying an endless track chain thereon, A pair of lift arms having rearward ends coupled to said loader towers by pivots which provide for pivoting movement of said arms between a forward and downwardly extending position and a forward and upwardly extending position about a pivot axis which is transverse to said vehicle and situated above said central portion of said frame; an engine mounted on said frame at a longitudinal position on said vehicle corresponding to that of the rear portions of said track assemblies, and being substantially centered over the rotary axis of said drive sprockets, said engine being spaced rearwardly from said axis of said lift arms and being below the level of said lift arm pivot axis, an operator''s station having a operator foot support deck carried on said frame between said engine and said axis of said lift arms, said deck being spaced upwardly from said central portion of said frame to form a compartment therebetween and being below the level of said lift arm pivot axis, said operator''s station having a seat spaced above said deck and rearwardly therefrom, said seat being over the forward portion of said engine, means for transmitting power from said engine to said drive sprockets of said track assemblies, said power transmitting means being disposed at least in part in said compartment below said operator''s desk, and, at least one tank for carrying a liquid fuel required by said vehicle engine, said tank being carried on said frame below said lift arms and being confined substantially to the region below the upper edges of the lift arms when said arms are in said forwardly and downwardly extending position thereof.

Claim 4

A powered loader vehicle comprising: a frame having a central portion with a pair of upwardly extending transversely spaced apart loader towers, a pair of endless track assemblies disposed one at each side of said central portion of said frame, each of said track assemblies having a longitudinally extending roller frame member secured to said central portion of said frame and having a drive sprocket and idler mounted on said roller frame member for carrying an endless track chain thereon, A pair of lift arms having rearward ends coupled to said loader towers by pivots which provide for pivoting movement of said arms between a forward and downwardly extending position and a forward and upwardly extending position about a pivot axis which is transverse to said vehicle and situated above said central portion of said frame; an engine mounted on said frame at a longitudinal position on said vehicle corresponding to that of the rear portions of said track assemblies, and being substantially centered over the rotary axis of said drive sprockets, said engine being spaced rearwardly from said axis of said lift arms and being below the level of said lift arm pivot axis, an operator''s station having a operator foot support deck carried on said frame between said engine and said axis of said lift arms, said deck being spaced upwardly from said central portion of said frame to form a compartment therebetween and being below the level of said lift arm pivot axis, said operator''s station having a seat spaced above said deck and rearwardly therefrom, said seat being over the forward portion of said engine, means for transmitting power from said engine to said drive sprockets of said track assemblies, said power transmitting means being disposed at least in part in said compartment below said operator''s desk, and, at least one tank for carrying a liquid fuel required by said vehicle engine, said tank being carried on said frame below said lift arms and being confined substantially to the region below the upper edges of the lift arms when said arms are in said forwardly and downwardly extending position thereof.

Claim 5

A powered loader vehicle as defined in claim 2 wherein said means transmitting power from said engine to each of said track assemblies comprises a hydraulic motor secured to each of said track assemblies in operative relationship thereto, a pump carried on said frame forwardly from said engine and below the level of said operator''s station, said pump being coupled to said engine, and conduit means connecting said pump to said hydraulic motors of said track assemblies for supplying fluid under pressure thereto.

Claim 6

A powered loader vehicle as defined in claim 2 wherein said means transmitting power from said engine to each of said track assemblies comprises a multi-speed transmission carried on said frame beneath said operator''s station and having an input gear coupled to said engine and having an output shaft coupled mechanically to each of said track assemblies.

Claim 7

The powered loader vehicle of claim 2 wherein said fuel tank is situated at the forward enD of said frame substantially above the rotary axis of the idlers mounted on the roller frame members whereby variations in the weight of fuel in said tank do not significantly effect the balance of said loader with respect to rocking movement about the forward portions of said track assemblies.

Claim 8

The powered loader vehicle in accordance with claim 2 wherein a hydraulic fuel tank is positioned above and behind the liquid fuel tank, said hydraulic tank being carried on said frame below said lift arms and being confined substantially to the region below the upper edges of said lift arms when said arms are in said forwardly and downwardly extending extending position thereof.