Patent ID: 8024875
Filing Date: 2011-09-27
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
1. A compact excavator comprising: a base frame supported by first and second track assemblies, the first and second track assemblies directly connected to opposing sides of the base frame; an upper frame attached to and positioned above the base frame and rotatable with respect to the base frame about a vertical axis; an operator support portion coupled to the upper frame; a first implement assembly coupled to the upper frame, with the first implement assembly capable of rotating about the vertical axis and including one of a plurality of different implements; a second implement assembly coupled to the base frame at a position such that the second implement assembly is incapable of rotating about the vertical axis with respect to the base frame and the first and second track assemblies, the second implement assembly comprising: a lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to a first side of the base frame at a lift arm pivot axis and extending from the lift arm pivot axis in a direction outwardly from the first side of the base frame, the lift arm assembly including: a lift arm body having a first lift arm, a second lift arm and a cross-support member coupling the first and second lift arms; at least one lift arm actuator coupled to the lift arm body and to the base frame of the compact excavator below the operator support portion, the at least one lift arm actuator configured to move the lift arm assembly about the lift arm pivot axis; an implement coupler pivotally coupled to the lift arm assembly at an implement coupler pivot axis, the implement coupler configured to accept and be detachably secured to one of a plurality of different implements; and at least one tilt actuator coupled from the implement coupler to the cross-support member of the lift arm assembly between the first lift arm and the second lift arm, the tilt actuator configured to move the implement coupler about the implement coupler pivot axis.