MATERIAL HANDLING MACHINE

Abstract: The machine comprises a chassis (3) carried by travel means (6) and provided with means (4) for the connection of an outer attachment (2, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 100). The chassis carries a slew mounting (11) on which is supported a platform (12) carrying a cab (15), drive (18) for the machine and associated equipment, the cab, drive and equipment being so arranged that an elongate free space (13) is left on the platform. Means (14, 14A) for the connection of an inner attachment (30, 90, 110) are situated in the free space.

Description: MATERIAL HANDLING MACHII ! This invention relates to material handling machines such as earthmoving machines, material carrying machines and in particular, machines which carry or use elongate attachments. Most known machines are designed for single work functions using a variety of associated tools, implements or end attachments. One known machine, the backhoe loader, has a combined work function and uses a backhoe attachment fitted to the rear of the tractor for excavating and a loader attachment fitted to the front of the tractor for loading. One of the disadvantages of this type of machine is that the loader attachment is inefficient in operation due to the backhoe overhand weight destabilising the tractor during the loading work function, whereas the front working attachment of a single work function machine, such as a wheeled loader, is efficient in operation because such a machine is so designed that its weight is substantially within the wheelbase or, in the case of crawler types, within the track base. Another disadvantage of the backhoe loader machine is that the backhoe attachment only slews approximately 180 degrees from a slew post positioned beyond the wheelbase, thus destabilising the tractor during transverse excavation or lifting, whereas the working attachment of a single work function machine, ,such as a wheeled excavator, is designed to slew 360 degrees from a central pivot position within the wheelbase or track base, to use the weight (including counterweight) of the machine to greater advantage, and thereby is more efficient. In addition, the operator's cab slews with the excavator working attachment so that the operator can always see the excavaτing bucket. Single function machines, such as excavators and loaders, are expensive to manufacture compared with backhoe loaders. The backhoe loader is, however, an acceptable compromise in terms of cost using less efficient combined work functions. This invention provides , in one con iguration, a machine with a combined work function which converts from a loader machine to a 360 degree excavator machine with the same mechanical advantages of single function machines having similar weight and load stability, at the competitive price level of backhoe loaders, and further enables many and various additional single and combined functions to be used for a multitude of applications, to provide one machine of great versatility, hitherto unknown. The invention will now be described, by wa of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Pig. 1 shows a side view of a machine according to the invention, in a loader and excavato configuration, in the loader mode; Pig. 2 is the same view as in Pig. 1 with the engine compartment and counterweight "removed; Pig. 3 shows a ont view to Pig. 1 ; Pig. 4 shows a rear view to Pig. 1 ; Pig. 5 shows a plan view to Pig. 1 ; Pig. 6 shows the machine of Pig. 1 in an excavator mode; Pig. 7 shows the working height, reach and depth of the machine in Pig. 6; Pig. 8 shows a cross-section of a slew assembly; Pig. 9 shows a dumptruck and excavator configuration; Pig. 10 shows a dumper and excavator configuration; Pig. 11 shows a compactor and excavator configuration; Pig. 12 shows a grader and excavator configuration; Pig. 13 shows a tractor and telescopic forklift configuration; Pig. 14 shows a transporter and crane configuration. The invention will be described in all the mentioned working configurations to show the machine's ability to convert to different work functions . Pigs. 1 to 7 show a machine 1, according to the invention, having a chassis 3 to which is, via a ■ pivot-steer assembly 4, connected an outer attachment in the form of a front-end loader attachment 2. The loader attachment 2 and chassis 3 each have axle carrying wheels 5 and 6 which are hydraulically driven by respective wheel motors 7 and are steerable by two rams 8 in the conventional manner. Stabilisers 9 with ram-operated retractable feet are fitted to the chassis 3- The chassis 3 includes a slew mounting 11 , which carries a platform 12 which is thereby rotatable through 360 degrees. The platform 12 comprises two spaced apart upper and lower plates 12A and 123 of which the upper plate 12A orms the base of a central longitudinal upwardly open, open-ended channel 13 (Pigs. 3-5) delimited by sidewalls 13A and 133 which is formed in the illustrated example by plates but may be formed e.g. by elongate sections. The sidewalls 13A, 13B are carried by the platform 12 and extend substantially along a central portion, preferably the longitudinal axis of the platform 12 which forms the bottom of the channel 13. In the channel 13 is mounted at one end (position X) a first slew assembly 14 and at the other end (position Y) a second slew assembly 14A. The first slew assembly 14 carries an inner attachment comprising rotatably mounted excavator arms, generally indicated at 30, and shown in Pigs. 1 to 5 folded and situated partly in and partly over the channel 13. The second slew assembly 1 A is provided for alternative fixing of an elongate attachment (used in Pig. 14). Positioned along the sidewall 13A are parts, such as a cab 1 , hydraulic and fuel tanks 16 and a counterweight 17- Positioned along the sidewall 13B are parts, such as an engine compartment 18 for the engine, pumps, control valves, oil cooler, radiator, exhaust and silencer, batteries and associated parts, and a counterweight 19« None of these parts projects beyond the inner face of the sidewalls 13A, 133 into the channel 3« In spite of the provision of the free space (channel 13) the whole machine 1 is not wider than comparable single function machines. The front loader attachment 2 includes two lift arms 2A which may be raised by two lift rams 23 to the height indicated in Pig. 2. The arcuate movement of the loader bucket 2C is controlled ^ o a centrally mounted tilt ram 2D and associated linkage known per se . To operate the front loader attachment 2, the cab 15 includes a swivel seat 20 which faces towards the steering wheel 21 and driver's screen 22 to carry out the loader work functions in the conventional manner as for -Divot-steer loaders. Because the cab 15 is carried by the platform 12, the main slew mounting 11 is preferably locked to prevent rotation of the cab 15 during the loader work functions . To increase the pivot-steer angle for the front loader attachment 2, the platform 12 has a tapered transverse edge 12C . This also increases articulation for greater manoeuvrability. It is desirable to route the hydraulic pipes from the hydraulic pump (not shown) in the engine compartment 18 to the rotary joint (not shown) in the centre of the main slew mounting 11 (situated under the central longitudinal channel 13) through access holes provided in the spaced apart upper and lower plates 12A and 123 of the platform 12. These hydraulic means provide the power means for operating the loader rams 2B and 2D, steering rams 8, wheel motors 7, and rams of the stabilisers 9« The machine 1 is provided with an inner attachment in the form of excavator arms 30 comprising a boom arm mounting 31 with pivot pins 31A and 31B for connecting to boom arm 32 and boom ram 33 respectively, dipperstick 34, dipper ram 35, bucket ram 36, linkage 37 and tool carrier 38. In the loader mode shown in Pigs. 1 to 5, the excavator arms 30 are in the folded position and are situated partly within and partly directly above the channel 13. The advantage of the tool carrier 38 is that wide tools, such as ditching buckets, can be disconnected from the dipper stick 34 to enable the excavator arm 30 to be folded in the channel 13- The pipes 54 (Pig. 8) for supplying hydraulic power to operate the excavator arms 30 are routed through a separate access hole 23 in the upper plate 12A of the platform 12 which carries the slew assembly 14 (position X). Similarly, the other access hole 23A is provided for the other slew assembly 14A (position T) . The machine 1 as shown in Pigs. 1 to 5 represents a pivot-steer wheeled loader with the excavator arms 30 situated substantially between the wheels 5 and 6 to provide stability for efficient loader operation, the weight being proportionally spread over the four wheels 5 and 6. 3y comparison in known backhoe loaders, the backhoe attachment is always situated beyond the rear wheels. Pig. 6 shows the machine generally indicated at 1 converted to the excavator mode and Pig. 7 shows the excavator's height, reach and depth drawn in a one metre grid. Referring to Pigs. 6 and 7 the machine 1, according to the invention, shows the cab 15 facing rearwardly and the excavator arms 30 with a backhoe bucket 40 extending beyond the wheels 6. Por additional stability, the feet of stabilisers 9 and loader bucket 2C rest on the ground level indicated in Pig. 7 by gridline 41. In addition, the cab door 25 is now visible. To convert the machine 1 into the excavator mode, the platform 12, which is carried by the main slew mounting 11, has been rotated through 180 degrees and the excavator arms 30 which are carried by the slew assembly 1 , (14A), have been unfolded and rotated through 180 degrees in a clockwise direction, ready for conventional excavator work functions. The combination of the pivot-steer 4, longitudinal channel 13, main slew mounting 11 , and slew assembly 14, (1 A), which provides means for the excavator arms 30 to be rotatable and thereby operable, provides a machine convertible to either the excavator or loader mode with each way operational stability, which is comparable to a single function excavator or a single function loader. The machine 1 in both configurations matches typical speci ications for known equivalent single function machines in the same weight class as shown by the metre scale grid in Pig. 7- As is apparent from τhe description of Pigs. 1 and 6, the machine 1 can both travel and operate in either direction by f rotation (orientation) of the platform 12 such that the counterweights 17, 19 are situated at the best counterweighing position for working stability. The illustrated excavator has a working height of approximately 7.7 metres from ground level 41 , the excavator working reach is 7-7 metres from the centre of the main slew 11 indicated by grid line 42, and the excavator working depth is 4.7 metres from the ground level 41. The loader bucket 2C may be lifted to a height of 3.0 metres (grid line 43). Known excavator machines position the engine rearwardly and transversely on a rotatable platform and known loader machines position the engine and cab longitudinally and centrally in a common chassis, such as a tractor. Obviously, these known configurations are not intended to incorporate the longitudinal channel 13 and slew assembly 14, (14A), for combined work functions as described. Pig. 8 shows a slew assembly 14, (14A) for the excavator arms 30 comprising a rotatable slew carrier 55 for carrying the boom arm mounting 31 * The slew carrier 55 is fixed to an inner gear ring 56 which is supported by bearings 57 in an outer bearing ring 58 which is positioned over an access hole 23 (23A) and fixed to the upper plate 12A of platform 12. The inner gear ring 56 has internal gear teeth engaging with a pinion 59 driven by a motor 60. The motor 60 is also fixed to the upper plate 12A. The slew assembly 14, (14A) includes a centrally mounted rotary joint 51 of which the lower part 52 is fixed to the upper plate 12A and the upper part 53 is fixed to the slew carrier 55 to enable pipes 54 to be routed to the engine compartment 18 between the upper plate 12A and the lower plate 12B of the platform 12. This arrangement allows the hydraulic oil to flow through pipes 54 connected to the rotary joint 51 to the rams 33, 35 and 36 for either position X or Y. The excavator arms 30 may be rotated by the slew assembly 14, (14A) to a position for folding into channel 13 as shown in Pigs. 1 to 5 or for working as shown in Pigs. 6 and 7- The means for actuating the slew assembly 14, (14A) and the excavator arms 30 are controlled separately by, for example, a valve which diverts part of the oil flow from a common hydraulic pump or by a valve which controls oil flow from an independent hydraulic pum . It is preferable that the boom arm mounting 31 is disconnectable from the slew assembly 14, (14A) ~ bj using a slew carrier 55 with displaceable connection means (not shown) and thereby hydraulic pipe check valve connectors are used to prevent oil escaping upon disconnection. The operational sequence to convert the machine 1 from a loader mode (Pigs. 1 to 5) to a 360 degree excavator mode (Pigs. 6 and 7) will now be described. The operator firstly, operates the valve for the boom ram 33 to raise the boom arm 32 such that the dipperstick 34 is above the height of the engine compartment 18 in readiness for the excavator arms 30 to swing over the engine comOartment 13 when the slew assembly 14, (14A) is rotated. The ideal attitude is for the boom ram 33 to be vertical in order not to collide with the sidewall 13B of the channel 13, when rotated. To ensure that the operator does not swing the excavator arms 30 in the wrong direction, i.e. towards sidewall 13A, and collide with cab 15, a safety lock (not shown) is provided in the slew assembly 14, (1 A) to restrict rotation in this direction. The operator secondly, operates the slew motor valve for rotating the slew ring of the slew mounting 11 through 180 degrees so that the cab 15 carried by platform 12 aces towards the rear of the machine 1, i.e away from the front loader attachment 2. The operator thirdly, operates the slew motor valve for rotating the inner gear ring 56 of slew assembly 14 in Pig. 8, through 180 degrees in a clockwise direction, that is to say, over the engine compartment 18, so that the excavator arms 30 carried by the slew carrier 55 of slew assembly 14 in Pig. 8, are now in the excavator mode. The operator fourthly, operates the valves for controlling the rams 33, 35 and 36 for the excavator work functions in the conventional manner. Because the tool carrier 38, controlled by linkage 37, is fitted to the dipperstick 34, the backhoe bucket 40 may be remotely coupled without the operator having to leave the cab 15. To convert the machine 1 to the loader mode, the described sequence is reversed which can be achieved within about 30 seconds by an automatic controlled sequence, if required. Conversion of the machine 1 from a loader to an excavator is not limited to the method described with reference to Pigs. 1 to 8. The boom arm mounting 31 or boom arm 32 and boom ram 33 may be fixed directly to the inner gear ring 56. Alternatively, the boom arm 32 may be fixed to an outer gear ring which is driven externally and supported by an inner ring fixed to the platform 12. In a preferred embodiment the sidewalls 13A, 13B are formed each by a section, such as a tube of rectangular cross-section, running substantially along the whole length of the platform 12, the sections being parallel to each other. On the sections are preferably positioned uprights supporting an elongate section whereby the sidewalls 13A, 1 3 have the form of a frame. The sidewalls 13A and 133 may include elements such as radiators for oil and water cooling with vents or grills, recesses for exhaust, silencers and batteries, one side of cab 15, one side of tanks 16, and one side of counterweights 17 and 19. The sidewalls 13A and 13B may include horizontal pivotal means to arc the now pivotal excavator arms 30 from channel 13, between sidewalls 13A and 13B, in an up and over manner, i.e. from the folded position to the working position. The excavator arms 30 may be positioned anywhere within the channel 13, between the sidewalls 13A and 13B or outside the channel 13 but in-line with the channel 13 to enable the excavator arms 30 to be angled relative to the longitudinal centre line (axis) of the platform 12 to provide offset excavator work functions. The slew assembly 14 shown at position X, for example, allows for the boom arm 32 to be angled left or right, up to 80 degrees without touching the front of cab 15 or the engine comr>artment 18. Alternatively, means for the displacement of the excavator arms 30 in the channel 13 include sliding the boom arm mounting 31 on linear slides between the sidewalls 13A and 13B from one end of the channel 13 to the other. In that case, the rotatable slew assembly 14, (14A) on the rotatable platform 12 need not be used for converting to the excavator mode. Such linear displacement means may be provided anywhere within or extending beyond the channel 13 utilising the platform 12 base or sidewalls 13A and 13B, which may be adapted as the pivotal mounting support for the boom arm 32 and boom ram 33 instead of boom arm mounting 31 • The sidewalls 13A and 13B may be extended along each side of the slew assembly 14 to provide additional structural support for the platform 12 at position X and ensure that any reactive digging forces which may be transmitted to the slew assembly 14 and thereby the platform 12, are adequately catered for. The machine 1 may be adapted to provide single or combined work functions other than the described excavator loader example, as illustrated in Pigs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 in which each inner attachment is operable in the same manner as before ' described to provide diverse combined work functions or the machine 1. Pig. 9 shows a machine 1 , according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a dumptruck and excavator. In this case the outer attachment is a rear-end dumptruck 65 known per se and the inner attachment consists of excavator arms 30 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in channel 13 of machine 1. Pig. 10 shows a machine 1 , according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a dumper and excavator. In this case the outer attachment is a front-end dumper 70 known per se and the inner attachment consists of excavator arms 30 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in channel 13 of machine 1. Pig. 11 shows a machine 1 , according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a compactor and excavator. In this case the outer attachment is a front-end compaction roller 75 known per se and the inner attachment consists of excavator arms 30 mounted on the slew assembly 1 at position X in the channel 13 of machine 1. Pig. 12 shows a machine 1 , according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a grader and excavator. In this case the outer attachment .is a front-end grader 80 known per se and the inner attachment consists of excavator arms 30 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in the channel 13 of machine 1. Pig. 13 shows a machine 1 , according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as an agricultural tractor and 360 degree forklift. In this case the outer attachment is a rear-end tractor unit 85 known per se and instead of excavator arms 30, the inner attachment consists of a telescopic orklif arm 90 mounted on the slew assembly 14 at position X in the channel 13 of machine 1. Pig. 14 shows a machine 1 , according to the invention, adapted for a combined work function, as a transporter and 360 degree crane. In this case the outer attachment is a rear-end articulated trailer 100 known per se and instead of excavator arms 30 or telescopic forklift arm 90, the inner attachment consists of a telescopic crane jib 110 mounted on the alternative slew assembly 14A at position Y in the channel 13 of machine 1. As will be apparent from the analysis of the machine and configurations shown in Pigs. 1 to 14, a machine 1 according to the invention has a chassis 3 carried at one end by a pair of wheels 6, and at the other end provided with means (pivot-steer assembly 4) for articulated connection of either an outer attachment which includes at least one further pair of wheels 5, or a circular working tool such as a compaction roller 75 which can fulfil a similar function. The wheels 6 and 5 are driven by separate motors 7 and steering is obtained by two rams 3. Stabilizers 9, preferably ram-operated, are provided on the chassis 3« The latter carries a slew mounting 11 which carries a platform 12. The platform 12 supports a cab 15, tanks 16 for fuel and hydraulic fluid, engine compartment 18 for the engine, pumps, control valves, batteries, oil cooler, radiators, exhausts and silencers and associated parts, and counterweights 17 and 19. All these parts 15 to 19 are so arranged that an elongate free space is left along the longitudinal axis of the platform 12. This space is in the illustrated examples laterally delimited by sidewalls 13A, 13B which together with the part of the platform 12 between them define an upwardly open, open-ended channel 13« At each end of this free space or channel 13 is situated a slew assembly 14, (14A) for an inner attachment. The illustrated outer attachments include a front-end loader attachment 2, a rear-end dumptruck attachment 65, a front-end dumper attachment 70, a front-end compaction roller attachment 75, a front- end grader attachment 80, a rear-end tractor attachment 85, -and rear-end articulated trailer attachment 100. The illustrated inner attachments include excavator arms 30, telescopic forklift arm 90 and telescopic crane jib 110. The machine 1 may have a rigid chassis, include forward and rear axles connected to the chassis, have 2 or 4 wheel drive and be steered by Ackerman steering, rack and pinion or similar mechanical means . All the wheels may be driven by a common engine and gearbox like the wheels of a tractor. Wheel motors may be used to steer the machine 1 by varying the speed of the hydraulic motors each side of the machine 1. Alternatively, crawler tracks or half—tracks may be used instead of wheels or in combination using skid-steer systems. The chassis 3 of the machine 1 may be attached to a towing vehicle and in this form the machine 1 is not self-propelled. The wheels of the machine 1 may be adapted for travelling on guide rails, i.e. a railway track. The machine 1 may also be supported by four stabilisers 9 during a work function. The channel 13 which preferably extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the platform 12 may be formed by alternative, re- arrangement of the parts 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. Por example, the engine compartment 18 and tanks 16 may be subdivided to provide a second elongate free space, e.g. in the form of a transverse channel which intersects at 90 degrees the described longitudinal channel 13 to provide additional free space for elongate inner attachments, and provide for additional fitment of slew assemblies, thus forming four areas on platform 12 for the positioning of the parts 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. Additionally, an extra cab 15 may be positioned on the platform 12, particularly if the machine 1 requires to be left and right hand drive for transportation or to operate the selected elongate inner attachment, i.e. excavator arms 30. The machine 1 is adapted to work and travel in both directions by rotation of the platform 12, depending on the selection of the front-end or rear- end outer attachments. The machine 1 can therefore have more than one steering wheel with drive control means positioned within or outside cab 1 , the cab door 25 may also be positioned on the front of cab 15 for front access. Alternatively, the cab 1 may be fitted to a front-end or rear-end outer attachment with hydraulic control means for operating the machine 1, routed to the engine compartment 18 on platform 12. The outer attachments are not limited by shape and size and may comprise among others, a front-end dozer attachment, a front-end surface planer, an elevating front-end forklift attachment, a self-propelled front-end tractor attachment, thus providing further diverse attachment applications of the machine 1 to provide a universal machine with attachment interchangeability. By contrast the inner attachments are limited to elongate shapes which are capable of being folded, closed up, collapsible or stored within or along channel 13« Examples of other typical elongate attachments may comprise among others, the following:- Elevated access booms, vibration piling hammers, extendable counterweights, extendale ladders, telescopes, narrow belt conveyors, cable reels, plastic pipe reels, elevated pipe pumping equipment, elevated narow platforms, subsoilers, trenching chains, chainsaws, drill equipment, towbar equipment, screw conveyors, ploughs, street lighting booms, liquid or foam spray nozzles and bucket elevators . The front loader attachment 2 may include swivel unit (not shown) fitted to the pivot steer assembly 4 to enable the wheels 5 of the front loader attachment 2 to be tiltable relative to the wheels 6 of the chassis 3 to maintain grip when travelling over undulating ground.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A material handling machine comprising a chassis (3) carried by travel means (6) and provided with means (4) for the connection of an outer attachment (2,65,70,75,80,85,100), the chassis carrying a slew mounting (11) on which is supported a platform (12) carrying a cab (15), drive (18) for the machine and associated equipment, the cab, drive and equipment being so arranged that an elongate free space (13) is left on the platform, means (14,1 A) for the connection of an inner attachment (30,90,110) being situated in the free space. 2. A machine according to Claim 1 , wherein the elongate free space extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the platform. 3. A machine according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongate free space has the form of an upwardly open channel (13) delimited by two substantially parallel sidewalls (13A,133). 4- A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for the connection of the inner attachment is a slew assembly (14, A). 5. A machine according to Claim 4, wherein two said slew assemblies are provided in the free space. 6. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the travel means is an axle carrying wheels (6) and situated at one end of the chassis and the means for the connection of the outer attachment is a pivot (4) steerable by rams (8) situated at the other end of the chassis . 7- A machine according to Claim 6 wherein an outer attachment provided with travel means (5,75,85), such as wheels, is attached to the pivot (4) and the inner attachment (30) is situated substantially between the travel means of the outer attachment and the wheels (6) situated on the chassis (3). 8. A machine according to Claim 4 and any claim appended thereto comprising at least one said slew assembly (14, 14A) , the or each said slew assembly being provided with a rotary joint (51) associated with the platform (12). 9. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the platform (12) is formed by spaced apart upper and lower plates (12A, 12B), the space between which is used to accommodate " hydraulic pipework associated with the outer and inner attachments. 10. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner attachment is in the form of excavator arms (30) including a tool carrier (38) which in a nor*-operative position of the excavator arms (30) is situated in the free space (13). 11. A machine according to Claim 4 and any claim dependent thereon wherein the slew assembly (1 , 1 A) of the inner attachment comprises an outer ring (58) and an inner ring (56) one of which is rotatable with respect to the other, the inner attachment being fixed to the rotatable ring. 12. A machine according to Claim 11 wherein the inner attachment is connected to the inner gear ring (56) via a slew carier (55). 13. A machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the inner attachment (30,90,110) is carried by a boom arm mounting (31), the machine having linear slides situated in the free space (13), the boom arm mounting (31 ) being slidably displaceable from one position (X) to another position (Y) on the linear slide. 14. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cab (15), drive (18) an associated equipment are arranged, distributed or subdivided to provide a second elongate free space extending transversely to the first mentioned free space. 15. A machine according to Claim 3 and any claim appended thereto wherein the sidewalls (13A, 13B) include sections, such as tubes of rectangular cross-section. 16. A machine according to Claim 15 wherein th sections are part of a frame.

Inventors: STEVENS KNACKSTEDT JACK, STEVENS KNACKSTEDT, JACK
Applicants: DRAZIL JAROMIR VACLAV, DRAZIL, JAROMIR, VACLAV
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E02F9
IPC codes: E02F9