Multi-function work machine

Abstract

A work machine having a first work member and a second work member, both operated from a pivotal control station. In a preferred embodiment the work machine has a backhoe assembly and a loader assembly both supported on a frame and operable from the pivotal control station. The work machine may have left and right low-profile drive systems that allow the first work member to perform work outside and parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the work machine. The work machine has a low-profile power source and operator platform that allow unobstructed visibility of the first and second work members from the control station.

1 . A work machine comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end;    a first work member supported by the frame so that the first work member is operable at the first end of the frame;    a second work member supported by the frame so that the second work member is operable at the second end of the frame;    a pivotal control station supported by the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position and adapted to control the first work member when in the first position and to control the second work member when in the second position.    
   
   
       2 . The work machine of  claim 1  wherein the second work member comprises a tool carrier.  
   
   
       3 . The work machine of  claim 2  further comprising a work tool supported by the tool carrier.  
   
   
       4 . The work machine of  claim 1  wherein the first work member comprises a tool carrier and wherein the second work member comprises a tool carrier.  
   
   
       5 . The work machine of  claim 1  wherein the pivotal control station comprises a plurality of controls supported on the control station, the controls being adapted to control operation of the first work member and the second work member.  
   
   
       6 . The work machine of  claim 5  wherein the control station comprises a pivotal operator seat and wherein the plurality of controls are disposed at the operator seat.  
   
   
       7 . The work machine of  claim 1  comprising a low-profile power source supported by the frame.  
   
   
       8 . The work machine of  claim 7  wherein the second work member comprises: 
 a lift arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the frame, and the second end being movable in a range of motion comprising a lower position and an upper position; and    a work tool supported by the second end of the lift arm.    
   
   
       9 . The work machine of  claim 8  wherein the work tool comprises a loader bucket.  
   
   
       10 . The work machine of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a first unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station over the low-profile power source to the work tool when the second end of the lift arm is in the lower position; and    a second unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to beyond the work tool when the second end of the lift arm is in the upper position.    
   
   
       11 . The work machine of  claim 1  further comprising a low-profile left drive system and a low-profile right drive system, both systems being supported by the frame for propelling the frame in a plurality of directions.  
   
   
       12 . The work machine of  claim 11  wherein the left and right drive systems each comprise an endless track.  
   
   
       13 . The work machine of  claim 11  wherein the left and right drive systems each comprise at least two low-profile wheels and wherein the wheels can be steered in a skid arrangement.  
   
   
       14 . The work machine of  claim 11  wherein the first work member comprises: 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame, the swing arm having a central longitudinal axis;    a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm;    a swing arm actuator fixed to the frame and adapted to pivot the swing arm and swing post relative to the frame to a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including at least one position placing the swing post beyond the left drive system, and at least one position placing the swing post beyond the right drive system; and    a swing post actuator fixed to the swing arm and adapted to impart a pivot motion to the swing post relative to the swing arm to either side of the central longitudinal axis of the swing arm such that the pivot motion of the swing post is not restricted by the position of the swing arm.    
   
   
       15 . The work machine of  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises a longitudinal axis comprising a midpoint; wherein the pivotal control station comprises a substantially vertical pivot axis disposed near the midpoint of the longitudinal axis; wherein the first work member comprises a substantially vertical pivot axis disposed near the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of the frame; and wherein the second work member comprises a substantially horizontal pivot axis disposed near the midpoint of longitudinal axis of the frame.  
   
   
       16 . The work machine of  claim 15  wherein the pivot axis of the control station, the pivot axis of the first work member, and the pivot axis of the second work member are disposed in relation to each other to create a close-coupled work machine.  
   
   
       17 . The work machine of  claim 16  wherein the pivot axis of the first work member and the pivot axis of the second work member substantially overlap.  
   
   
       18 . The work machine of  claim 1  wherein the first work member comprises: 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame;    a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm;    a work tool supported by the swing post; and    an unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to the work tool of the first work member.    
   
   
       19 . An excavator comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end;    a control station supported by the frame;    a low-profile power source supported by the frame;    a first work member supported by the frame so that the first work member is operable at the first end of the frame and operated by the control station;    a second work member supported by the frame so that the second work member is operable at the second end of the frame and operated by the control station, the second work member comprising: 
 a lift arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the frame, and the second end being movable in a range of motion comprising a lower position and an upper position;  
 a work tool supported by the second end of the lift arm;  
   a first unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station over the low-profile power source to the work tool when the second end of the lift arm is in the lower position; and    a second unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to beyond the work tool when the second end of the lift arm is in the upper position.    
   
   
       20 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . The excavator of  claim 19  wherein the control station is movable between at least a first position and a second position and adapted to control the first work member when in the first position and to control the second work member when in the second position.  
   
   
       23 . The excavator of  claim 22  wherein the control station comprises a plurality of controls operatively supported on the control station, the controls being adapted to control operation of the first work member and the second work member.  
   
   
       24 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . The excavator of  claim 19  further comprising a low-profile left drive system and a low-profile right drive system both systems being supported by the frame for propelling the frame in a plurality of directions.  
   
   
       27 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . The excavator of  claim 26  wherein the first work member comprises: 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame, the swing arm having a central longitudinal axis;    a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm;    a swing arm actuator fixed to the frame and adapted to pivot the swing arm and swing post relative to the frame to a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including at least one position placing the swing post beyond the left drive system, and at least one position placing the swing post beyond the right drive system; and    a swing post actuator fixed to the swing arm and adapted to impart a pivot motion to the swing post relative to the swing arm to either side of the central longitudinal axis of the swing arm such that the pivot motion of the swing post is not restricted by the position of the swing arm.    
   
   
       30 . The excavator of  claim 19  wherein the frame comprises a longitudinal axis comprising a midpoint; wherein the pivotal control station comprises a substantially vertical pivot axis disposed near the midpoint of the longitudinal axis; wherein the first work member comprises a substantially vertical pivot axis disposed near the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of the frame; and wherein the second work member comprises a substantially horizontal pivot axis disposed near the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of the frame.  
   
   
       31 . The excavator of  claim 30  wherein the pivot axis of the control station, the pivot axis of the first work member, and the pivot axis of the second work member are disposed in relation to each other to create a close-coupled work machine.  
   
   
       32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . The excavator of  claim 19  wherein the first work member comprises: 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame;    a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm;    a work tool supported by the swing post; and    an unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to the work tool of the first work member.    
   
   
       34 . An excavator comprising: 
 a frame comprising a first end and a second end;    a low-profile left drive system and a low-profile right drive system both supported by the frame for propelling the frame in a plurality of directions;    a first work member supported by the frame so that the first work member is operable at the first end of the frame, the first work member comprising: 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame and having a central longitudinal axis;  
 a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm;  
 a swing arm actuator fixed to the frame and adapted to pivot the swing arm and swing post relative to the frame to a plurality of positions, the plurality positions including at least one position placing the swing post beyond the left drive system and at least one position placing the swing post beyond the right drive system; and  
 a swing post actuator fixed to the swing arm and adapted to impart a pivot motion to the swing post relative to the swing arm to either side of the central longitudinal axis of the swing arm such that the pivot motion of the swing post is not restricted by the position of the swing arm; and  
   a second work member supported by the frame so that the second work member is operable at the second end of the frame.    
   
   
       35 . The excavator of  claim 34  wherein the first work member comprises a work tool operatively connected to the swing post.  
   
   
       36 . The excavator of  claim 35  wherein the work tool comprises: 
 a boom connected to the swing post;    a dipper connected to the boom; and    an excavating bucket connected to the dipper.    
   
   
       37 . The excavator of  claim 34  further comprising a pivotal control station supported by the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position and adapted to control the first work member when in the first position and to control the second work member when in the second position.  
   
   
       38 . The excavator of  claim 37  wherein the pivotal control station comprises a plurality of controls supported on the control station, the controls being adapted to control operation of the first work member and the second work member.  
   
   
       39 - 47 . (canceled)  
   
   
       48 . The excavator of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 a work tool supported by the swing post; and    an unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to the work tool of the first work member.    
   
   
       49 . A work machine comprising: 
 a frame having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis comprising a midpoint;    a pivotal control station supported by the frame and having a substantially vertical pivot axis disposed near the midpoint of the longitudinal axis;    a pivotal first work member supported by the frame having a substantially vertical pivot axis disposed near the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of the frame; and    a pivotal second work member supported by the frame having a substantially horizontal pivot axis.    
   
   
       50 . The work machine of  claim 49  wherein the pivotal control station is movable between a first position and a second position and adapted to control the first work member when in the first work position and to control the second work member when in the second work position.  
   
   
       51 . The work machine of  claim 49  wherein the pivotal control station comprises a plurality of controls supported on the control station, the controls being adapted to control operation of the first work member and the second work member.  
   
   
       52 - 55 . (canceled)  
   
   
       56 . The work machine of  claim 49  further comprising a low-profile power source supported by the frame.  
   
   
       57 . The work machine of  claim 56  wherein the second work member comprises: 
 a lift arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the frame, and the second end being movable in a range of motion comprising a lower position and an upper position; and    a work tool supported by the second end of the lift arm.    
   
   
       58 . (canceled)  
   
   
       59 . The work machine of  claim 57  further comprising: 
 a first unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station over the low-profile power source to the work tool when the second end of the lift arm is in the lower position; and    a second unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to beyond the work tool when the second end of the lift arm is in the upper position.    
   
   
       60 . The work machine of  claim 49  further comprising a low-profile left drive system and a low-profile right drive system, both systems being supported by the frame for propelling the frame in a plurality of directions.  
   
   
       61 . The work machine of  claim 60  wherein the first work member comprises: 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame, the swing arm having a central longitudinal axis;    a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm;    a swing arm actuator fixed to the frame and adapted to pivot the swing arm and swing post relative to the frame to a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including at least one position placing the swing post beyond the left drive system, and at least one position placing the swing post beyond the right drive system; and    a swing post actuator fixed to the swing arm and adapted to impart a pivot motion to the swing post relative to the swing arm to either side of the central longitudinal axis of the swing arm such that the pivot motion of the swing post is not restricted by the position of the swing arm.    
   
   
       62 . The work machine of  claim 49  wherein the pivot axis of the control station, the pivot axis of the first work member, and the pivot axis of the second work member are disposed in relation to each other to create a close-coupled work machine.  
   
   
       63 . The work machine of  claim 49  wherein the first work member comprises: 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame;    a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm;    a work tool supported by the swing post; and    an unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to the work tool of the first work member.    
   
   
       64 . (canceled)  
   
   
       65 . An excavator comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end;    a pivotal control station supported by the frame;    a first work member supported by the frame so that the first work member is operable at the first end of the frame, the first work member comprising; 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame;  
 a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm; and  
 a work tool supported by the swing post;  
   a second work member supported by the frame so that the second work member is operable at the second end of the frame;    an unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to the work tool of the first work member.    
   
   
       66 . The excavator of  claim 65  wherein the pivotal control station is movable between at least a first position and a second position and adapted to control the first work member when in the first work position and to control the second work member when in the second work position.  
   
   
       67 . The excavator of  claim 65  wherein the pivotal control station comprises a plurality of controls supported on the control station, the controls being adapted to control operation of the first work member and the second work member.  
   
   
       68 . (canceled)  
   
   
       69 . The excavator of  claim 65  further comprising a low-profile power source supported by the frame.  
   
   
       70 . The excavator of  claim 69  wherein the second work member comprises: 
 a lift arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the frame, and the second end being movable in a range of motion comprising a lower position and an upper position; and    a work tool supported by the second end of the lift arm.    
   
   
       71 . The excavator of  claim 70  further comprising: 
 a first unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station over the low-profile power source to the work tool when the second end of the lift arm is in the lower position; and    a second unobstructed line of sight extending from the control station to beyond the work tool when the second end of the lift arm is in the upper position.    
   
   
       72 . The excavator of  claim 65  wherein the pivot axis of the control station, the pivot axis of the first work member, and the pivot axis of the second work member are disposed in relation to each other to create a close-coupled work machine.  
   
   
       73 . A work machine comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end;    a pivotal control station supported by the frame and having a substantially vertical pivot axis;    a pivotal first work member supported by the frame so that the first work member is operable at the first end of the frame and the first work member comprising a substantially vertical pivot axis;    a pivotal second work member supported by the frame so that the second work member is operable at the second end of the frame and comprises a substantially horizontal pivot axis;    wherein the pivot axis of the control station, the pivot axis of the first work member, and the pivot axis of the second work member are disposed in relation to the frame to create a close-coupled work machine.    
   
   
       74 . The work machine of  claim 73  wherein the pivotal control station is movable between at least a first work position and a second work position and adapted to control the first work member when in the first work position and to control the second work member when in the second work position.  
   
   
       75 - 76 . (canceled)  
   
   
       77 . The work machine of  claim 73  further comprising a low-profile left drive system and a low-profile right drive system, both systems being supported by the frame for propelling the frame in a plurality of directions.  
   
   
       78 . The work machine of  claim 77  wherein the first work member comprises: 
 a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame, the swing arm having a central longitudinal axis;    a swing post pivotally connected to the swing arm;    a swing arm actuator fixed to the frame and adapted to pivot the swing arm and swing post relative to the frame to a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including at least one position placing the swing post beyond the left drive system, and at least one position placing the swing post beyond the right drive system; and    a swing post actuator fixed to the swing arm and adapted to impart a pivot motion to the swing post relative to the swing arm to either side of the central longitudinal axis of the swing arm such that the pivot motion of the swing post is not restricted by the position of the swing arm.    
   
   
       79 - 80 . (canceled)