Stand-on or walk-behind utility loader with variable length lift arm assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021198864-A1
Application number	US-202117200436-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 12, 2021
Priority date	Mar 24, 2016
Publication date	Jul 1, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A utility loader incorporating a boom of adjustable length. The boom may include either or both of a left and right lift arm assembly, with each lift arm assembly including a rear lift arm that telescopically receives a front lift arm. Each lift arm assembly also includes an extension actuator adapted to telescopically extend and retract its front lift arm relative to its rear lift arm. A detection system may be provided and adapted to limit lift arm assembly extension based at least in part upon a load applied at a tool supported by the boom and a relative telescopic location of a front lift arm relative to its associated rear lift arm.

First claim

1 . A utility loader comprising:
a lift frame carrying a prime mover, the lift frame including left and right sides; ground engaging members operatively attached to the lift frame, wherein at least one of the ground engaging members is powered by the prime mover to propel the lift frame over a ground surface; a control console located at or near a rear end of the lift frame, the control console carrying controls adapted to be manipulated by an operator either: standing on a platform mounted near the rear end of the lift frame; or walking behind the lift frame; a lift arm assembly attached to at least one of the left and right sides of the lift frame, wherein the prime mover is positioned on the lift frame at a location lateral to the lift arm assembly, and wherein the lift arm assembly comprises:
an elongate rear lift arm including a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end of the rear lift arm is pivotally attached to the lift frame at a transverse lift arm pivot axis;
an elongate front lift arm also including a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end of the front lift arm is telescopically received in the front end of the rear lift arm such that a distance between the rear end of the rear lift arm and the front end of the front lift arm is variable; and
an extension actuator adapted to extend or retract the front lift arm relative to the rear lift arm; and
a working tool carried on the front end of the front lift arm.

2 .- 22 . (canceled)

Assignees

• The Toro Co

Inventors

• Hager Joseph P
• Berg Timothy J
• Murray David A
• Olson Caleb A
• Hoffman Scott T
• Frank Jeffrey R

Classifications

• E02F3/3417

  Buckets emptying by tilting (E02F3/342, E02F3/345 take precedence) · CPC title

• E02F9/2033

  Limiting the movement of frames or implements, e.g. to avoid collision between implements and the cabin (sub-groups of E02F3/431 of E02F3/435 take precedence; for turntables E02F9/123) · CPC title

• E02F3/3402

  the arms being telescopic (fork-lift trucks with a telescopic boom B66F9/0655) · CPC title

• E02F9/02

  Travelling-gear, e.g. associated with slewing gears ({drives therefor E02F9/20}; for motor vehicles B60B, B60G; undercarriages for locomotives or railroad cars B61F; track-laying vehicles B62D; for cranes B66C23/18) · CPC title

• E02F9/2004

  Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers (control levers per se G05G) · CPC title