Patent ID: 7611155

Claim:
A self-propelled loader comprising: a loader frame supported for movement over a supporting surface, the loader frame having front and rear ends and opposite sides; a lift arm assembly mounted on the loader frame on pivots spaced upwardly from the supporting surface for supporting a bucket or other accessory at a front end of the lift arm assembly for movement relative to the loader frame; operator controls located adjacent the rear end of the loader frame, the controls being spaced above the supporting surface such that the operator controls are accessible by the operator standing adjacent the rear end of the loader frame; and a ride-on operator platform connected to the rear end of the loader frame adjacent a lower side of the loader frame, the platform normally being generally horizontal for supporting a standing operator in a position to operate the operator controls, and the platform including a platform frame and a surface engaging support, and the platform frame being connected to the loader frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis extending in the direction from side to side and adjacent the rear end of the loader frame, the platform being pivotable relative to a normal position in which the platform is located when the loader frame and the platform are on a generally horizontal surface, and the platform frame having at least one stop arm extending forwardly and away from the generally horizontal axis, a stop member fixed relative to the loader frame in a position such that upwardly pivotal movement of the platform about the axis is limited by engagement of the the at least one stop arm and stop member to an uppermost position, the uppermost position being such that the platform is at an angle of not greater than twenty five degrees above the normal position.