Patent ID: 8549775

Claim:
In a combination including a remotely controlled latching mechanism for selectively securing an implement to an implement carrier mounted to a work machine lifting arm for pivotal movement about a horizontal, transverse tilt axis, a hydraulic tilt cylinder coupled between said lifting arm and said carrier, said latching mechanism including a latch rod arrangement reciprocably mounted on said carrier and including right and left latch rods respectively received in right and left sets of holes provided in said carrier and aligned with bores provided in right and left lugs of said implement for securing said implement to said carrier when said latch rod arrangement is in a retracted latch position, and an extensible and retractable actuator being coupled to said latch rod arrangement and being selectively operable between a retracted position holding said latch rod arrangement in a corresponding retracted latched position, for securing said implement to said carrier, and an extended position holding said latch rod arrangement in a corresponding extended unlatched position, the improvement comprising: said actuator being a remotely operable linear electric motor, and further including an electrical control system including a microprocessor based electrical control unit coupled to said electric motor and including a manually operable motor control switch for selectively effecting off, extend and retract conditions in said motor; an indicator device being coupled for receiving an output signal from said control unit; said control unit being coupled for receiving input signals relating to a current operating condition of said motor and for causing said indicator device to respectively apprise the operator if the latch rod arrangement is extending freely, is stalled or is fully extended when the switch is operated to effect extension or retraction of said linear electric motor.