Implement device and method of mounting same on tractor

Claim 2

In combination a tractor and implement comprising, a subframe having side frame members positioned in a plane below said tractor, the rear ends of said side frame members being connected to the opposite ends and under said tractor rear axle, the forward ends of said side frame members being connected to said tractor substantially midway along its length, said forward end connection of said subframe to said tractor including means extending both horizontally and vertically from said side frame members and operatively engaging said tractor to provide horizontal and vertical stability for said subframe, said means extending horizontally from said side frame members and operatively engaging said tractor is further defined as including a horizontally disposed member extending under said tractor and interconnecting said side frame members, said means extending vertically from said side frame members and operatively engaging said tractor is further defined as including a pair of vertically disposed upstanding members extending operatively from said side frame members on opposite sides of said tractor into engagement with said tractor on opposite sides thereof, an implement support pad being provided on the forward ends of each of said side members, and said implement having frame members extending along opposite sides of said tractor, said implement frame members having their lower rear ends supportably engaging said implement support pads.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1 wherein said implement support pads on the forward ends of said subframe side members and said lower ends of said implement frame members are further defined as including telescoping connecting portions and means for aligning the connecting portions with each other as they are moved together.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 2 wherein said portions include flat-load support surfaces, and one of said portions includes oppositely disposed upstanding guide side walls, the other portion includes aligned upstanding guide side walls matingly engaging in parallel relationship said first mentioned upstanding guide side walls.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 3 wherein said upstanding side walls on said one portion include edges which define a wedge and said side walls of said other portion include wedge-shaped portions matingly engaging the wedge-shaped side edges of the guide side walls of said first portion whereby said telescoping side walls limit movement of said portions in one direction, and said edges defining a wedge engaging said wedge-shaped portions to limit movement in a plane perpendicular to said one direction

Claim 6

The structure of claim 4 wherein bolts extend through aligned openings in said first and second upstanding guide side walls to limit separation along a line perpendicular to said flat load support surfaces.

Claim 7

In combination, a tractor and implement comprising, an implement having upstanding side frame members on opposite sides of said tractor, a boom pivotally connected to the upper ends of said side frame members and extending fOrwardly thereof, a power means for selectively pivoting said boom relative to said upstanding side frame members, a working tool on the outer end of said boom, horizontally disposed forwardly extending side frame members connected at their rear ends to the lower ends of said upstanding side frame members, a load-bearing support pad on opposite sides of said tractor engaging the lower end of said upstanding side frame members, forward pivot support brackets on opposite sides of said tractor engaging cooperating means on said horizontally disposed side frame members, forwardly of said load-bearing support pads, said implement adapted to pivot about a pivotal axis through said pivotal supports between a horizontal position when mounted on the tractor and an angular position when supported on the ground, a stand adapted to be rigidly connected to said horizontal side frame members and engage the ground when said implement is in said angular position with the rear ends of said horizontal side frame members extending upwardly, and said working tool engaging the ground to fully support said implement and limit it against forward movement relative to said tractor, said power means upon being operated to pivot said boom and horizontal side frame members towards each other causing said implement and stand to pivot about said pivotal axis to said horizontal mounted position, and said forward pivot brackets and said cooperating means including laterally outwardly oppositely extending stationary pivot support arms on said tractor and longitudinally spaced apart downwardly facing stop elements on said horizontal side frame members positioned to receive said pivot arms therebetween such that when said implement is being supported by said support stand and said working tool and said horizontal side frame members are extending rearwardly and upwardly in said angular position the rearmost stop elements are above the horizontal plane of said pivot arms and said pivot arms may move between said stop elements as said tractor is moved forward towards said implement and out from between said stop elements as said tractor is moved rearwardly, and when said implement is pivoted to said horizontal position said rearmost stop elements move to positions on the rear sides of said pivot arms and in the plane of said pivot arms to limit forward movement of said implement relative to said tractor as said stand is raised off of the ground and to align said loader on said tractor for said uprights to engage said support pads.

Claim 8

In combination, a tractor and implement comprising, an implement having upstanding side frame members on opposite sides of said tractor, a boom pivotally connected to the upper ends of said side frame members and extending fOrwardly thereof, a power means for selectively pivoting said boom relative to said upstanding side frame members, a working tool on the outer end of said boom, horizontally disposed forwardly extending side frame members connected at their rear ends to the lower ends of said upstanding side frame members, a load-bearing support pad on opposite sides of said tractor engaging the lower end of said upstanding side frame members, forward pivot support brackets on opposite sides of said tractor engaging cooperating means on said horizontally disposed side frame members, forwardly of said load-bearing support pads, said implement adapted to pivot about a pivotal axis through said pivotal supports between a horizontal position when mounted on the tractor and an angular position when supported on the ground, a stand adapted to be rigidly connected to said horizontal side frame members and engage the ground when said implement is in said angular position with the rear ends of said horizontal side frame members extending upwardly, and said working tool engaging the ground to fully support said implement and limit it against forward movement relative to said tractor, said power means upon being operated to pivot said boom and horizontal side frame members towards each other causing said implement and stand to pivot about said pivotal axis to said horizontal mounted position, and said forward pivot brackets and said cooperating means including laterally outwardly oppositely extending stationary pivot support arms on said tractor and longitudinally spaced apart downwardly facing stop elements on said horizontal side frame members positioned to receive said pivot arms therebetween such that when said implement is being supported by said support stand and said working tool and said horizontal side frame members are extending rearwardly and upwardly in said angular position the rearmost stop elements are above the horizontal plane of said pivot arms and said pivot arms may move between said stop elements as said tractor is moved forward towards said implement and out from between said stop elements as said tractor is moved rearwardly, and when said implement is pivoted to said horizontal position said rearmost stop elements move to positions on the rear sides of said pivot arms and in the plane of said pivot arms to limit forward movement of said implement relative to said tractor as said stand is raised off of the ground and to align said loader on said tractor for said uprights to engage said support pads.

Claim 9

The structure of claim 6 wherein, said cooperating means on said horizontal side frame members being positioned remotely and rearwardly of the forward ends thereof and said power means when said implement is in said angular position functions to limit said horizontal side frame members and said boom from pivoting towards each other whereby upon said power means being operated said boom and horizontal side frame members are allowed to pivot towards each other and towards a position of equilibrium in said horizontal position with the lower ends of said upstanding side frame members engaging said load-bearing support pads.

Claim 10

The structure of claim 7 wherein said support stand is pivotally attached to said horizontal side frame members and is pivotable between oppositely extending positions such that in a down position it supports said implement and in an up position it functions as a guard for the front end of said tractor.

Claim 11

The structure of claim 7 wherein said power means is a pair of single acting hydraulic cylinders and said implement is pivoted onto said tractor by said cylinders contracting when said power means is operated.

Claim 12

The structure of claim 9 wherein said hydraulic cylinders extend diagonally from the base of said upstanding frame members to said boom and a pair of brace members extend diagonally from the upper end of said upstanding frame members to the horizontal side frame members in overlapping relationsHip with said hydraulic cylinders such that said implement is provided lateral stability by said brace members and said hydraulic cylinders being adapted to engage each other.

Claim 13

The structure of claim 9 wherein said power cylinders include protective sleeves over their piston rods to maintain said piston rods free of contamination.

Claim 14

The structure of claim 6 wherein said power means is a pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders.

Claim 15

The structure of claim 6 wherein said horizontal side frame members include horizontal,outwardly and oppositely extending pins engageable by keeper elements on said pivot arms extending forwardly and horizontally with said keeper elements being positioned over said pins to limit upward movement of the forward end of said implement when said implement is in said horizontal position and an upward force is placed on said working tool.

Claim 16

The structure of claim 13 wherein said keeper elements are further defined as stop means for engagement with said side frame members to limit lateral movement of said implement relative to said tractor.

Claim 17

The structure of claim 13 wherein said keeper elements include downwardly facing notches and said pins and said keeper elements are so positioned that as said tractor is moved forwardly towards said implement said keeper elements move over said pins with said pins directly below said notches and upon said implement being pivoted to said horizontal position said pins are positioned in said notches.

Claim 18

The structure of claim 6 wherein said implement support pads are further defined as including telescoping connecting portions and means for aligning the connecting portions with each other as they are move together.

Claim 19

The structure of claim 16 wherein said portions include flat-load support surfaces, and one of said portions includes oppositely disposed upstanding guide side walls, the other portion includes aligned upstanding guide side walls matingly engaging in parallel relationship said first mentioned upstanding guide side walls.

Claim 20

The structure of claim 17 wherein said upstanding side walls on said one portion include edges which define a wedge and said side walls of said other portion include wedge-shaped portions matingly engaging the wedge-shaped side edges of the guide side walls of said first portion whereby said telescoping side walls limit movement of said portions in one direction, and said edges defining a wedge engaging said wedge-shaped portions to limit movement in a plane perpendicular to said one direction.

Claim 21

The structure of claim 18 wherein bolts extend through aligned openings in said fist and second upstanding guide side walls to limit separation along a line perpendicular to said flat-load support surfaces.

Claim 22

The structure of claim 6 wherein said forwardly extending side frame members include a transversely extending cross member forwardly of said tractor, and a stop member is detachably connected to the forward end of said tractor and extends forwardly over said cross member to assist in limiting said implement against vertical movement relative to said tractor.

Claim 23

The structure of claim 20 wherein said cross member includes lateral stops for engagement with the opposite sides of said stop member on said tractor to assist in limiting lateral movement of said implement relative to said tractor.

Claim 24

The structure of claim 6 and stop means are provided on each of said pivot support arms for engagement with said side frame members to limit lateral movement of said implement relative to said tractor.

Claim 25

The structure of claim 22 wherein said stop means are positioned outwardly of said side frame members on said pivotal arms.

Claim 26

The structure of claim 6 wherein said stand connected to said side frame members is further defined as being connected to the forward ends thereof.