Patent ID: 6551050
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: B60G,B66F

Abstract:
An attachment adapted for removable coupling with a mobile power unit, for lifting, transporting and placing loads comprising:a coupling member, adapted for removable, operable coupling of said attachment to said mobile power unit; a lifting assembly, operably coupled to said coupling member, said lifting assembly including a load engaging member extending generally outwardly and forwardly from a lifting mast, said load engaging member being shiftable between a lowered position and a raised position; a stabilizing assembly operably coupled to said lifting assembly including a pair of opposed, ground engaging, stabilizing arms extending generally forwardly, and laterally from said lifting assembly such that said load engaging member can be shifted between said raised and lowered positions clear of and laterally interposed between said arms; and said ground engaging stabilizing arms being adapted such that the lifted load is substantially centered between said ground engaging, stabilizing arms and substantially centered over a line defined between two points at which said arms engage the ground and in which locations of the two points are optimized by selecting the two points such that the summation of turning torque, tipping load and resistive torque is substantially minimized.