Patent ID: 8021097

Claim:
A cable reel loader device for use with a platform on a vehicle for holding a plurality of reels each having an axial spindle, comprising: a base on the vehicle having a resting location for each of the plurality of reels including a first rearward resting location and a second forward resting location; a first work arm pair mounted on the base and having a reel spindle engaging end; a first double acting hydraulic cylinder pair mounted on the base, the cylinder pair having rams attached directly to the first work arm pair and adapted to move the work arm spindle engaging ends through a first arc between a first position for placing or receiving a reel on the ground and a second position placing the reel at the first rearward resting position on the base; a pair of lifting columns connected at one end to the base end of the first work arm pair and connected at the other end to the double acting hydraulic cylinder pair to synchronize arc travel of the hydraulic cylinder pair with arc travel of the work arm pair in a proportional arcing travel ratio of one to two, wherein the lifting columns are telescoping columns adapted to extend as the cylinders move the first work arm pair through the middle of the first arc to engage a reel on the ground; a second work arm pair mounted on the base and having a reel spindle engaging end; and a second double acting hydraulic cylinder and piston mounted on the base and attached to the second work arm pair, the piston having a spindle engaging end and being positioned to move its spindle engaging end through a second arc between a first position for receiving a reel from the first work arm pair reel spindle engaging end and a second position placing the reel at the second forward resting location on the base.