Patent ID: 6357993
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: E02F,Y10S

Abstract:
A skid steer implement and hydraulically actuated component adapted for use with skid steer loader arms, such that movement of the loader arms causes the implement and component to move therewith;the implement when in use with the skid steer loader arms having a portion thereof located remote from the loader arms and another portion thereof adjacent the loader arms; the other portion of the implement adjacent the loader arms having first and second spaced apart pivot support structures having parallel pivot support axes; the hydraulically actuated implement component is pivotally secured to the second pivot support structure; at least one hydraulic actuation cylinder having a tubular shaped barrel closed at one end thereof, the barrel cooperating with a mating actuation piston mounted for reciprocation in the barrel, the actuation piston integrally secured to one end of an actuation rod, the actuation rod slidably passing through a hermetically sealed opening in the other end of the barrel, the other end of the actuation rod pivotally connected to the implement component structure for movement therewith; the tubular shaped barrel having integral with the closed end thereof a pivot structure pivotally secured to the first pivot support structure of the implement; the barrel having a pair of spaced apart supply/return ports through a barrel wall, the supply/return ports are adjacent the ends of the barrel, the closed end of the barrel and an end of the actuation piston creating a chamber therebetween, whereas the other end of the actuation piston and the hermetically sealed opening in the other end of the barrel creates another chamber that includes therein the slidable actuation rod; alternately hydraulically coupling one of the supply/return ports to a high pressure supply while simultaneously hydraulically coupling the other supply/return port to a hydraulic return results in a differential pressure existing across the actuation piston and causes the actuation piston and integral actuation rod to move and thereby cause the implement component to pivotally move relative to the skid steer implement; at least one end of the actuation piston configured to cooperate with a supply/return port such that as an end of the actuation piston moves past a supply/return port, return flow of hydraulic fluid through the port is gradually diminished and movement of the actuation piston is cushioned near the end of actuation piston travel which results in the implement component experiencing a cushioned stop at an end of its pivotal movement.