Working machine

Abstract

A working machine includes an upper frame structure rotatably mounted on a lower ground engaging structure including ground engaging means by which the machine is moveable over the ground, the upper fame structure including first and second monolithic frame parts each mounting machine components, the first and second frame parts each including respective coupling formations by means of which the first and second frame parts are coupled together.

1 . A working machine including an upper frame structure rotatably mounted on a lower ground engaging structure including ground engaging means by which the machine is moveable over the ground, the upper frame structure including first and second monolithic frame parts each mounting machine components, the first and second frame parts each including respective coupling formations by means of which the first and second fame parts are coupled together.  
   
   
       2 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein the first frame part includes a rear part, and a pair of opposed forwardly extending side parts, the rear part having a mass such as to serve as a counterweight, whilst the side parts each provides a respective coupling formation.  
   
   
       3 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein the second frame part includes a front part, and a pair of rearwardly extending side parts, the front part providing a mounting for a working arm, whilst the side parts each provides a respective coupling formation which co-operates with a coupling formation of a forwardly extending side part of the first frame part.  
   
   
       4 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein each of the coupling formations of the first and second frame parts has at least one opening to receive a fastener whereby the coupling formations are connected together.  
   
   
       5 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second frame parts are cast structures.  
   
   
       6 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein one of the coupling formations of one of the first and second fame parts includes a guide to guide the respective coupling formation to which it is to be coupled, during assembly, into a registry position with the other coupling formation.  
   
   
       7 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein the first frame part of the upper frame structure provides for mounting and/or accommodating at least one of the following first frame part machine components prior to assembly of the first and second fame parts, namely:—
 an engine;    an engine cooling pack;    a hydraulic pump;    a hydraulic oil cooling pack;    a battery;    a fuel tank;    a hydraulic fluid tank.    
   
   
       8 . A machine according to  claim 7  wherein the first frame part mounts and/or accommodates all of the first frame part components prior to assembly of the first and second frame parts.  
   
   
       9 . A machine according  claim 1  wherein the second frame part of the upper frame structure provides for mounting and/or accommodating at least one of the following second frame part machine components prior to assembly of the first and second frame parts, namely:—
 a slew ring and slew motor by means of which the upper frame structure is rotatable relative to the lower ground engaging structure;    a hydraulic fluid control valve assembly by means of which an operator may in use control the machine;    a hydraulic linear actuator which when the working arm is mounted, is operable for swinging the working arm about a generally upright axis relative to the upper frame structure.    
   
   
       10 . A machine according to  claim 9  wherein the second frame part mounts and/or accommodates all of the second fame part machine components.  
   
   
       11 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second frame parts when coupled together, mount a cab floor, an operator's seat, a control lever assembly which is operatively connected to the control valve assembly, and a cab structure.  
   
   
       12 . A machine according to  claim 11  wherein the cab structure includes a frame providing sides with at least one door opening, the sides being closed by side panels.  
   
   
       13 . A machine according to  claim 11  in which the cab structure includes a cab roof which is closed with one or more roof panels.  
   
   
       14 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein the working arm is mounted onto the second frame part prior to or subsequent to coupling the first and second frame parts together.  
   
   
       15 . A machine according to  claim 1  wherein the first frame part provides an opening in the rear part thereof which is closed with a bonnet.  
   
   
       16 . A method of assembling an upper frame structure of a working machine, which upper frame structure in use, is rotatably mounted on a lower ground engaging structure including ground engaging means by which the machine is moveable over the ground, the method including providing a first monolithic frame part, and providing a second monolithic frame part, the first and second frame parts each including respective coupling formations by means of which the first and second frame parts are subsequently coupled together, the method further including mounting first fame part machine components in or on the first frame part, mounting second frame part machine components in or one the second frame part, and subsequent coupling the first and second frame parts using the coupling formations to provide the upper frame structure.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the method includes mounting and/or accommodating in or on the first frame part at least one of the following first frame part machine components prior to coupling of the first and second frame parts, namely:—
 an engine;    an engine cooling pack;    a hydraulic pump;    a hydraulic oil cooling pack;    a battery;    a fuel tank;    a hydraulic fluid tank.    
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the method includes mounting and/or accommodating in or on the second frame part at least one of the following second frame part machine components prior to coupling of the first and second frame parts, namely:—
 a slew ring and slew motor by means of which the upper frame structure is rotatable relative to the lower ground engaging structure;    a hydraulic fluid control valve assembly by means of which an operator may in use control the machine;    a hydraulic linear tutor which when the working arm is mounted, is operable for swinging the working arm about a generally upright axis relative to the upper frame structure.    
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the method includes connecting the first and second frame parts by providing in the respective coupling formations, openings, aligning the openings of the first frame part with openings of the second frame part, and inserting fasteners in the aligned openings.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the method includes, subsequent to coupling the first and second frame parts together, providing for the upper frame structure, a cab floor, an operator's seat, a control lever assembly which is operatively connected to the control valve assembly, and a cab structure.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the cab structure includes a frame providing sides with at least one door opening, the sides being closeable with side panels, and a cab roof which is closeable with one or more roof panels.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to any one of  claim 16  wherein the method includes making hydraulic and electrical connections between machine components of the first and second frame parts upon or subsequently to coupling the first and second frame parts.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the method includes mounting a working arm onto the second frame part prior to or subsequent to coupling the first and second fame parts together.