Patent ID: 6742619
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: B60G,B62D,E02F,F16F

Abstract:
A skid steer loader, comprising a utility vehicle configured to maneuver in confined spaces, said skid steer loader comprising:a body comprising a chassis having a forward portion and a rearward portion, a first side and a second side; a first upright tower portion on said first side near said rearward portion; a second upright tower portion on said second side near said rearward portion; an operator's cab mounted to said chassis; a first set of wheels at said first side, said first set comprising a forward wheel and a rearward wheel; a second set of wheels at said second side, said second set comprising a forward wheel and a rearward wheel; said first and second tower portions being disposed rearward of the centers of said rear wheels; an engine mounted to said chassis between said upright tower portions and rearward of the centers of said rear wheels; a first transmission configured and disposed to drive said first set of wheels on said first side in forward and backward direction; a second transmission configured and disposed to drive said second set of wheels on said second side in forward and backward direction; said first transmission and said second transmission together being configured to turn said first set of wheels driving in one direction and to turn said second set of wheels driving in the opposite direction; left and right interconnected lift arm assemblies each comprising: a lift arm pivotally connected with the corresponding tower portion of said body at a lift arm pivot point located at a first horizontal distance rearward of the centers of said front wheels; and a lift actuator connected between said body and said lift arm, said lift actuator being connected with said lift arm at a fixed second distance from said lift arm pivot point and connected with the tower portion of said body elevationally higher than said rear wheel at a lift actuator pivot point; a material-moving implement pivotally connected with said lift arm assemblies about an implement pivot axis located at a distance from said lift arm pivot points; and at least one implement tilt actuator connected between at least one of said lift arm assemblies and said implement; said implement and said chassis being configured to dispose the center of gravity to the rear of said loader upon said loader being unladened to thereby dispose a first center of steering between said rear wheels and thus to permit said front wheels to skid around said first center of steering; said implement and said chassis being further configured to dispose the center of gravity to the front of said loader upon said loader being laden to thereby dispose a second center of steering between said forward wheels and thus to permit said rear wheels to skid around said second center of steering; at least one engine mount comprising: a first securement arrangement being configured and disposed to operably secure each said at least one engine mount to said chassis; a second securement arrangement being configured and disposed to operably secure each said at least one engine mount to said engine; a first elastomeric body assembly and a second elastomeric body assembly; said first elastomeric body assembly comprising a first elastomeric material comprising a first Shore A durometer value within a first predetermined range; said second elastomeric body assembly comprising a second elastomeric material comprising a second Shore A durometer value within a second predetermined range; said first elastomeric body assembly and said second elastomeric body assembly both being configured together as a unit to minimize vibrations from said engine to said chassis; and at least one rigid element operably connected to one of: said first securement arrangement and said second securement arrangement; said at least one rigid element being configured to contact at least one of: said first elastomeric body assembly and said second elastomeric body assembly; said at least one rigid element with at least one of: said first elastomeric body assembly and said second elastomeric body assembly, being configured together as a unit to minimize shocks from said chassis to said engine to thereby minimize damage to said engine due to shocks from said chassis to said engine; and being further configured to limit the excursion of said engine with respect to said chassis upon said engine exceeding a predetermined excursion with respect to said chassis to thus minimize damage to said engine due to shocks from said chassis.