Independent front and rear lift system

Claim 2

An independent first and second lift mechanism for a vehicle comprising in combination: a vehicle having a maneuverable chassis adapted for movement over the ground; a first and second lift means depending from said chassis; a cylinder having a housing portion and a piston portion operatively connected to said first and second lift means respectively; actuating means operatively connected to said cylinder; and locking means disposed adjacent said cylinder for sElectively anchoring either of said cylinder portions whereby the other cylinder portion may actuate the lift means connected thereto.

Claim 3

An independent first and second lift mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes stop means disposed outwardly from said housing and piston portions of said cylinder for limiting the outward movement thereof and inner stop means for selectively limiting the inward movement of either cylinder portion.

Claim 4

An independent first and second lift mechanism as recited in claim 2 wherein said inner stop means includes a bar moveable from a first to a second position for selectively limiting the inward movement of either said housing portion or piston portion respectively.

Claim 5

In a tractor having a maneuverable chassis for movement over the ground and first and second longitudinally spaced apart lift means depending from said chassis, the improvement comprising: a cylinder having a housing portion and a piston portion operatively connected to said first and second lift means respectively; means for selectively anchoring either portion of said cylinder, whereby the other portion may be free to actuate the lift means connected thereto; and actuating means operatively connected to said cylinder for driving the non-anchored portion thereof.

Claim 6

In a tractor having a maneuverable chassis for movement over the ground and first and second longitudinally spaced apart lift means depending from said chassis, the improvement comprising: a cylinder having a housing portion and a piston portion operatively connected to said first and second lift means respectively; means for selectively anchoring either portion of said cylinder, whereby the other portion may be free to actuate the lift means connected thereto; and actuating means operatively connected to said cylinder for driving the non-anchored portion thereof.

Claim 7

The combination as recited in claim 4, wherein said locking means includes limiting means disposed outwardly of said cylinder portions for limiting the outward movement thereof and inner stop means moveable from a first position to a second position for selectively limiting the inward movement of either of said cylinder portions.

Claim 8

The combination as recited in claim 5, wherein said cylinder portions are connected to said lift means by connecting means, said connecting means being moveable outwardly and inwardly in response to the movement of said cylinder portions, said connecting means being disposed such that the outward movement thereof is limited by said outward limiting means and wherein the inward movement thereof is selectively limited by said inner stop means.

Claim 9

The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein said inner stop means includes a swaybar pivotable about a transverse axis and extending longitudinally between said connecting means, said swaybar being pivotally moveable from said first position to said second position by a handle affixed thereto.

Claim 10

The combination as recited in claim 7 wherein said connecting means includes first and second rocker arms operatively connected and pivotally responsive to said housing and piston portions respectively, said rocker arms having locking blocks affixed thereto and disposed for butting engagement with said moveable swaybar, whereby the inward movement of either cylinder portion is limited by the engagement of said swaybar with the locking block of the rocker arm operatively connected thereto.

Claim 11

An independent front and rear lift mechanism for a vehicle comprising in combination: a vehicle having a maneuverable chassis for movement over the ground; a cylinder longitudinally disposed with respect to said chassis and having housing and piston portions moveable outwardly and inwardly with respect to each other; front and rear lift means depending from said chassis, said front lift means disposed generally forwardly of said cylinder and said rear lift means disposed generally rearwardly of said cylinder, each of said lift means includes a rockshaft journalled transversely of said chassis and having arms means affixed thereto for rotation therewith; front and rear rocker arms operatively connecting said housing and piston portions of said cylinder to said front and rear lift means, said rocker arms moveable outwardly and inwardly for imparting cylinder motion to said lift means; and locking means for selectively anchoring either said housing portion or piston portion, said locking means includes limiting means disposed outwardly of each of said rocker arms for limiting the outward movement thereof and a swaybar extending generally longitudinally between said rocker arms and moveable between a first and second position for selectively engaging either of said rocker arms for limiting the inward movement thereof, whereby said limiting means and said swaybar cooperate to anchor either portion of said cylinder.

Claim 12

An independent front and rear lift mechanism for a vehicle comprising in combination: a vehicle having a maneuverable chassis for movement over the ground; a cylinder longitudinally disposed with respect to said chassis and having housing and piston portions moveable outwardly and inwardly with respect to each other; front and rear lift means depending from said chassis, said front lift means disposed generally forwardly of said cylinder and said rear lift means disposed generally rearwardly of said cylinder, each of said lift means includes a rockshaft journalled transversely of said chassis and having arms means affixed thereto for rotation therewith; front and rear rocker arms operatively connecting said housing and piston portions of said cylinder to said front and rear lift means, said rocker arms moveable outwardly and inwardly for imparting cylinder motion to said lift means; and locking means for selectively anchoring either said housing portion or piston portion, said locking means includes limiting means disposed outwardly of each of said rocker arms for limiting the outward movement thereof and a swaybar extending generally longitudinally between said rocker arms and moveable between a first and second position for selectively engaging either of said rocker arms for limiting the inward movement thereof, whereby said limiting means and said swaybar cooperate to anchor either portion of said cylinder.

Claim 13

An independent front and rear lift mechanism for a vehicle as recited in claim 9, wherein said swaybar is pivotable about a transverse axis spaced intermediately between said rocker arms and includes a connecting arm extending therefrom which is attached to a handle having an end portion that is confined within a C-slot for moving said swaybar between said first and second positions.

Claim 14

An independent front and rear lift mechanism for a vehicle as recited in claim 10 wherein said connecting arm is moveable along said handle and wherein said handle includes a pair of coil springs disposed to each side of said connecting arm, whereby said swaybar may be spring loaded to engage either of said rocker arms prior to the abuttment thereof with the respective outer limiting means.

Claim 15

An independent front and rear lift mechanism for a vehicle as recited in claim 11 wherein said cylinder is hydraulically actuated.