Patent Publication Number: US-7913886-B2

Title: Attaching loader bucket to tractor for shipping

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to compact utility tractors equipped with front end loader attachments, and more specifically to shipping compact utility tractors with front end loaders. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recent trends on compact utility tractors indicate that front end loader attachment usage is increasing. A higher percentage of customers who purchase compact utility tractors have them equipped with loaders. 
     A front end loader attachment, including the mast, boom, and loader bucket, may be detachable from a compact utility tractor so that the tractor can be used for other work. If the front end loader attachment is detached from the tractor, a parking stand may help support the loader on the ground so that the tractor may be backed away therefrom. Examples of tractors with detachable front end loaders include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,883,136; 4,470,751; 4,576,543; 4,797,051; 4,798,511; and 6,994,511. 
     Additionally, a quick attach device may be provided to hold the bucket to the loader boom. A quick attach device may lock the bucket in place, and allow quick removal of the bucket and replacement with another attachment. Examples of quick attach devices for a loader bucket include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,512,665; 4,085,856; 4,253,793; 4,373,852; 4,643,631; and 4,787,811. 
     Although a loader attachment and/or bucket may be detached quickly from a compact utility tractor, the tractor is ordinarily shipped to the dealer or customer with the loader installed. Typically, several tractor/loaders are rolled or driven onto a tractor trailer or other shipping container, and parked in line immediately behind each other for shipping. 
     During shipping, a front loader attachment increases the overall length of a compact utility tractor by between about 20 inches and about 40 inches. As a result, the loader attachment reduces the number of tractors that can be shipped together on a tractor trailer or other shipping container. The loader attachment reduces shipping density and increases the shipping cost per tractor. 
     To maximize shipping density and reduce the shipping cost of compact utility tractors with loader attachments, the leading edge of each loader bucket may be positioned under the rear tires of the preceding tractor. This arrangement, however, can reduce the overall length of each tractor/loader by only about 10 inches. As a result, it provides just a small increase in shipping density and a small decrease of the shipping cost. 
     Another effort to maximize shipping density of tractor/loaders involves reducing the overall length of a tractor/loader by rolling the bucket back to a transport position. An example of a bucket rollback arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,940. However, rolling back the bucket may require adding linkages to the loader attachment, which may be cost prohibitive for many compact utility tractors. 
     Another attempt to maximize shipping density of tractor/loaders involves removing and stacking the loader buckets together, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,520. A typical loader bucket has a weight of about 60 kg-100 kg, and a width of about 1.2 m-1.8 m. Due to their weight and size, stacking the loader buckets, and carrying them on and off a tractor trailer, is time and labor intensive. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to increase shipping density of compact utility tractors with factory installed front end loaders. There is a need to reduce shipping costs of compact utility tractors with loaders. There is a need for a simple, cost effective alternative to reduce the length of a compact utility tractor with a loader for shipment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A loader bucket is attached to a compact utility tractor in a non-operational position for shipping, in which the bucket is held by a bracket off the ground between a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels of the tractor. The bracket may be a steel plate, and a brace also may be provided between the bracket and the bucket. Shipping density of compact utility tractors with factory installed front end loaders bay be increased, and shipping costs may be reduced using the simple, cost effective method of reducing the length of a compact utility tractor with a loader for shipment 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a compact utility tractor with a loader bucket attached for shipping according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view, partially exploded, of a compact utility tractor with a loader bucket attached for shipping according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a compact utility tractor with a loader bucket attached for shipping according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a compact utility tractor with a loader bucket attached for shipping according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1-4  show compact utility tractor  100  having front wheels  102  and rear wheels  104  supporting frame  106 . The tractor is equipped with front end loader attachment  108  including mast  110  and boom  112 . Hydraulic cylinders  114 ,  116  may be connected to operator controls  117  accessible from operator seat  118  for raising the loader and pivoting a loader bucket. 
       FIGS. 1-4  show bucket  120  attached to compact utility tractor  100  in a non-operational shipping position. The bucket is raised vertically off the ground at least about 4 inches, and not more than about 18 inches. After it is raised, the bucket may be attached to mast  110  in a substantially vertical alignment. Alternatively, the bucket may be attached to the mast at an inclined alignment. While the bucket is attached to the mast in a non-operating shipping position, either substantially vertical or inclined, the bucket does not obstruct the view of an operator on operator seat  118 . Nor does the bucket obstruct or restrict the rear wheel traction drive or front wheel steering system of the tractor. Further, the bucket in the shipping position does not significantly destabilize the tractor. 
     In a preferred embodiment, loader bucket  120  may be attached and secured to mast  110  for shipping on either the left or right side of a compact utility tractor, between the front and rear wheels. The bucket may be attached with bracket  122  and brace  124 . 
     In one embodiment, bracket  122  is a supporting structure between bucket  120  and mast  110 . For example, the bracket may be a piece of sheet steel. Bracket  122  may be secured to mast  110  with threaded fasteners  126 , and secured to a first outer surface (preferably upper surface  128 ) of bucket  120  with threaded fasteners  130 . Bracket  122  may have a first set of holes  132  corresponding to holes  134  in mast  110 , and a second set of holes  136  corresponding to holes (not shown) in upper surface  128  of bucket  120 . 
     In one embodiment, brace  124  may be a rod that provides a stabilizing link between loader bucket  120  and bracket  122 , preventing or limiting pivotal, turning or twisting movement of the bucket while it is attached for shipping. First end  142  of brace  120  may be secured to bracket  122  with threaded fastener  144 , and second end  146  may be secured to a second outer surface (preferably rear surface  148 ) of bucket  120  with threaded fastener  150 . Alternatively, the first end of brace  124  may be secured directly to mast  110 . 
     In one embodiment, attaching loader bucket  120  to the tractor for shipping reduces the overall length of a tractor/loader by about 20 inches to about 36 inches. The tractor carries the bucket in the shipping position, and may be operated in forward or reverse, and rolled or driven on transportation ramps of shipping trailers or other shipping containers. The other components of the loader attachment, including mast  110 , boom  112  and brace  114 , remain attached to the compact utility tractor in their conventional, operating positions. After reaching the shipping destination, loader bucket  120  may be unattached from mast  110  and reconnected to the tractor in a conventional manner. For example, a quick attach device  151  may be used to connect each mounting  152  on rear surface  148  of the bucket to boom  112 . 
     In one embodiment, attaching loader bucket  120  to the tractor for shipping increases the shipping density of compact utility tractors having front end loaders. Attaching the loader bucket in the manner described can reduce shipping costs of compact utility tractors with loaders. The present invention provides a simple, cost effective method of reducing the length for shipping compact utility tractors with loaders. 
     For example, the shipping density of compact utility tractors may be increased by shipping four tractor/loaders on a tractor trailer, instead of three. Attaching the loader bucket for shipping reduces the length of a tractor with a loader attachment by about 15 percent-20 percent. Additionally, the invention helps enable different combinations of tractors and loaders to be shipped together in less space. 
     Having described a preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.