Patent ID: 6860706

Claim:
A method of verifying proper coupling of an implement assembly to a lift arm assembly by an operator who is located in a cab of a work machine, with (i) the work machine including the implement assembly and the lift arm assembly, (ii) the implement assembly including a hinge plate, (iii) the hinge plate having a first coupling aperture extending therethrough, (iv) the lift arm assembly having a lift arm and a cylinder, and (v) the cylinder being secured to the lift arm, comprising the steps of: providing the implement coupler having (i) a first outside support plate, (ii) a second outside support plate spaced apart from the first outside support plate, (iii) a first inside support plate interposed the first and second outside support plates, (iv) a second inside support plate spaced apart from the first inside support plate and interposed the first and second outside support plates, (v) a center box section interposed the first and second inside support plates, the center box section having a void defined therein which is configured to receive an implement pin, and (vi) a rear box section interposed and secured to the first and second outside support plates, the rear box section having (i) a length which extends from the first outside support plate to the second outside support plate and (ii) a width which extends from an upper most edge of the rear box section to a lower most edge of the rear box section, said length being greater than said width; positioning the cylinder within the rear box section; advancing a hydraulic fluid into the cylinder so as to move a pin from a first pin position to a second pin position, wherein (i) the pin is spaced apart from the first coupling aperture when the pin is located in the first pin position, and (ii) the pin extends through the first coupling aperture when the pin is located in the second pin position; and viewing the pin when the pin is located in the second pin position by the operator from a position within the cab whereby proper coupling of the implement assembly to the lift arm assembly is verified by the operator without having to exit the cab.