Front mounted ground supported tractor attachment

Claim 2

A front mounted vehicle attachment steerable with and pushed by a vehicle comprising: a portable frame positionable forwardly of the vehicle, a pair of caster wheels, means for supporting the caster wheels on the frame at transversely spaced positions relative to the vehicle, a drive linkage between the frame and vehicle, means for providing a swivel connection between the drive linkage and frame for pivotal movement of the frame about a generally longitudinal axis relative to the vehicle, and means for providing a pivotal connection between the vehicle and drive linkage for pivotal movement of the frame about a generally transverse axis relative to the vehicle, said drive linkage being engaged against said portable frame whereby pushing force of the vehicle is transmitted to the portable frame by the drive linkage substantially independently of said swivel connection means, and said swivel connection means securing said frame and drive linkage in longitudinally spaced-apart relation for pivotal movement of the frame free of obstruction with said drive linkage.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1 wherein said portable frame includes a rear cross member having an upright rear surface and said drive linkage includes a front cross member having an upright front surface, said front and rear surfaces being positioned in face-to-face engagement.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 1 wherein said portable frame includes a rear cross member having forward and rearward sides and a first wear plate secured to the said rearward side, and said drive linkage includes a front cross member having forward and rearward sides and a second wear plate secured to the forward side of said front cross member, said first and second wear plates arranged in flush engagement against one another.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 3 wherein said first and second wear plates include substantially flat engagement surfaces.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 1 wherein said swivel connection means comprises a longitudinally directed pivot shaft centrally supported on one of said frame and drive linkage, the other of said frame and drive linkage having an opening for pivotally receiving said pivot shaft and means for longitudinally securing the other of said frame and drive linkage on said pivot shaft.

Claim 7

The structure of claim 1 wherein said portable frame includes a landing substantially transversely centered thereon and extended longitudinally thereacross.

Claim 8

The structure of claim 1 wherein said portable frame includes front and rear cross members and a pair of opposite side members connected between said front and rear cross members, said members arranged in a common plane so as to define a load carrying platform.

Claim 9

A front mounted vehicle attachment steerable with and pushed by a vehicle comprising: a portable frame positionable forwardly of the vehicle, a pair of caster wheels, means for supporting the caster wheels on the frame at transversely spaced positions relative to the vehicle, a drive linkage between the frame and vehicle, means for providing a swivel connection between the drive linkage and frame for pivotal movement of the frame about a generally longitudinal axis relative to the vehicle, and means for providing a pivotal connection between the vehicle and drive linkage for pivotal movement of the frame about a generally transverse axis relative to the vehicle, said drive linkage being engaged against said portable frame whereby pushing force of the vehicle is transmitted to the portable frame by the drive linkage substantially independently of said swivel connection means, said portable frame including a rear cross member having forward and rearward sides and a first wear plate secured to the said rearward side, and said drive linkage includes a front cross member having forward and rearward sides and a second wear plate secured to the forward side of said front cross member, said first and second wear plates arranged in flush engagement against one another, said first and second wear plates including respective first and second extensions which protrude vertically beyond said rear cross member and front cross member respectively, said first and second extensions being positioned in face-to-face engagement.

Claim 10

A front mounted vehicle attachment steerable with and pushed by a vehicle comprising: a portable frame positionable forwardly of the vehicle, a pair of caster wheels, means for supporting the caster wheels on the frame at transversely spaced positions relative to the vehicle, a drive linkage between the frame and vehicle, means for providing a swivel connection between the drive linkage and frame for pivotal movement of the frame about a generally longitudinal axis relative to the vehicle, and means for providing a pivotal connection between the vehicle and drive linkage for pivotal movement of the frame about a generally transverse axis relative to the vehicle, said drive linkage being engaged against said portable frame whereby pushing force of the vehicle is transmitted to the portable frame by the drive linkage substantially independently of said swivel connection means, said portable frame including a rear cross member having forward and rearward sides and a first wear plate secured to the said rearward side, and said drive linkage includes a front cross member having forward and rearward sides and a second wear plate secured to the forward side of said front cross member, said first and second wear plates arranged in flush engagement against one another, said first and second wear plates including respective first and second extensions which protrude vertically beyond said rear cross member and front cross member respectively, said first and second extensions being positioned in face-to-face engagement.

Claim 11

The structure of claim 8 wherein said first and second extensions have arcuate peripheral edges disposed in concentric relation to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 12

The structure of claim 8 wherein said first extension includes a pair of first extensions protruding vertically from said rear cross member in opposite directions and said second extension includes a pair of second extensions protruding vertically from said front cross member in opposite directions.