Patent ID: 8347974

Claim:
A method for attaching an implement to an arm of an earth working machine, comprising the steps of: providing a coupler on an end of the arm, the coupler having an upwardly facing portion adapted to fix the coupler to the end of the arm, a hydraulically controlled locking mechanism including a first actuator, a downwardly facing mounting portion positioned near one end of the coupler, and an outwardly facing hook portion positioned near an opposite end of the coupler; positioning the arm with the coupler near the implement, the implement comprising a front pin and a rear pin; engaging and locking the front pin of the implement within the hook portion of the coupler with a safety locking mechanism, wherein the safety locking mechanism moves from an unlocked position independently of operation of either one of a second actuator operable to move the safety locking mechanism to the unlocked position and the first actuator; engaging the rear pin of the implement with the mounting portion; and locking the rear pin within the mounting portion with the hydraulically controlled locking mechanism.