Skid steer implement mounting

Abstract

A skid steer implement has an implement body with a front side adapted to engage material to be moved, and a back side opposite the front side, and a connection plate disposed on the back side of the implement body. The connection plate has an upper bracket extending horizontally across a central width of the connection plate and defining a downwardly-facing recess running along the central width, and a lower lock plate disposed below, and spaced from, the upper bracket and defining therein multiple lock ports for receiving locking pins to releasably secure the implement to a vehicle for use. The multiple lock ports comprise multiple pairs of lock ports, the lock ports of each pair spaced apart laterally from each other a set distance across the implement, the pairs of lock ports defining respective implement mount positions enabling the implement to be locked to the vehicle in each of multiple, selectable, lateral positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A skid steer implement, comprising:
 an implement body having a front side adapted to engage material to be moved, and a back side opposite the front side;   a connection plate disposed on the back side of the implement body and having
 an upper bracket extending horizontally across a central width of the connection plate and defining a downwardly-facing recess running along the central width; and 
 a lower lock plate disposed below, and spaced from, the upper bracket and defining therein multiple lock ports for receiving locking pins to releasably secure the implement to a vehicle for use; 
   wherein the multiple lock ports comprise multiple pairs of lock ports, the lock ports of each pair spaced apart laterally from each other a set distance across the implement, the pairs of lock ports defining respective implement mount positions enabling the implement to be locked to the vehicle in each of multiple, selectable, lateral positions.   
     
     
         2 . The skid steer implement of  claim 1 , wherein the implement defines a working volume for moving earth. 
     
     
         3 . The skid steer implement of  claim 1 , wherein the lock ports comprise three pairs of lock ports defining three respective implement mount positions. 
     
     
         4 . The skid steer implement of  claim 3 , wherein the three implement mount positions include a central mount position in which the implement is locked to the vehicle in a centered position. 
     
     
         5 . The skid steer implement of  claim 3 , wherein the three pairs of lock ports are formed by five discrete lock ports, with a central one of the lock ports forming part of each of two pairs of lock ports. 
     
     
         6 . The skid steer implement of  claim 3 , wherein adjacent pairs of lock ports overlap across the implement. 
     
     
         7 . The skid steer implement of  claim 1 , wherein the set distance spans more than one-third of an overall lateral width of the implement. 
     
     
         8 . The skid steer implement of  claim 1 , wherein the lock ports comprise apertures through the lower lock plate. 
     
     
         9 . The skid steer implement of  claim 8 , wherein the apertures are rectangular. 
     
     
         10 . The skid steer implement of  claim 1 , wherein the connection plate is welded to the back side of the implement body. 
     
     
         11 . A method of adjusting a skid steer implement, the method comprising:
 Removing an implement according to  claim 1  from an implement mount of a vehicle, including withdrawing pawls of the implement mount from a first pair of lock ports of the lower lock plate of the implement; and   Reattaching the implement to the implement mount, including engaging the pawls of the implement mount in a second pair of lock ports of the lower lock plate of the implement.