Backhoe tilting attachment

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a modular backhoe tilting attachment that allows controlled lateral tilting of a bucket relative to the backhoe's frame through an integrated pivot mechanism. In an illustrative example, the attachment includes a stationary rear portion that couples to a backhoe linkage using oppositely disposed hooks and apertures, and a rotatable front portion that interfaces with a bucket at multiple points. A coaxial pivot joint allows relative rotation between these portions, actuated by a laterally offset piston connected transversely across the joint. Various embodiments may advantageously provide precise bucket angle adjustment and enable enhanced control in trench shaping or grading operations under variable site conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular backhoe tilting attachment comprising:
 a modular frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end configured for fixed coupling to a backhoe linkage and a distal end configured to support a bucket;   a stationary portion at the proximal end of the frame comprising a first pair of opposing hooks and a first pair of opposing apertures, each pair positioned on opposite radial sides of the longitudinal axis and configured to engage linkage elements from the backhoe such that the stationary portion remains fixed against rotation relative to the backhoe;   a rotatable portion mounted at the distal end of the frame, the rotatable portion comprising a second pair of opposing hooks and a second pair of opposing apertures, each pair positioned on opposite radial sides of the longitudinal axis and configured to engage and retain the bucket at multiple contact points;   a pivot joint aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis and positioned between the stationary and rotatable portions;   at least one actuator laterally offset from the longitudinal axis and extending transversely between the stationary and rotatable portions, the actuator configured such that actuation causes the rotatable portion to rotate selectively up to a predetermined angle relative to a neutral position; and,   fluid conduits connected to the actuator configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid actuation system of a backhoe and operable via a control interface.   
     
     
         2 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the rotatable plate up to approximately ±19 degrees from a neutral position. 
     
     
         3 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic piston mounted transversely between the stationary plate and the rotatable plate. 
     
     
         4 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid conduits comprise a pair of hydraulic hoses connected to the actuator via quick-connect fittings. 
     
     
         5 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot joint comprises a cylindrical bearing assembly aligned with the longitudinal axis between the stationary plate and the rotatable plate. 
     
     
         6 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a visual indicator coupled to the rotatable plate and configured to display the current rotational angle relative to the stationary plate to an operator during operation. 
     
     
         7 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to return the rotatable plate to the neutral position upon loss of hydraulic pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical stop coupled to the modular frame and positioned to limit rotation of the rotatable plate beyond a predefined angular range. 
     
     
         9 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the modular frame comprises a removable connector interface enabling detachment of the rotatable plate from the stationary plate. 
     
     
         10 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the first pair of opposing apertures on the stationary plate are configured to receive locking pins that secure the attachment to the backhoe linkage. 
     
     
         11 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the second pair of opposing hooks on the rotatable plate are configured to engage a quick-attach bracket of a bucket. 
     
     
         12 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is mounted on a lower side of the modular frame and is offset vertically beneath the pivot joint. 
     
     
         13 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary plate further comprises a beveled alignment guide configured to assist with mating to a backhoe linkage. 
     
     
         14 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an internal fluid damper configured to absorb transient forces during tilting of the rotatable plate. 
     
     
         15 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the modular frame comprises a steel alloy body structured to resist torsional forces transferred between the stationary plate and the rotatable plate. 
     
     
         16 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a laser-based sensor system mounted to the frame and configured to measure and transmit ground elevation data in real-time to support terrain-conforming tilt operation of the rotatable plate. 
     
     
         17 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is manually operable through a user interface configured to incrementally adjust the tilt angle of the rotatable plate relative to the stationary plate. 
     
     
         18 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is removably attached to both the stationary plate and the rotatable plate by pin connections. 
     
     
         19 . The modular backhoe tilting attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot joint is integrally formed as a unitary element of the modular frame for coaxial alignment of the stationary plate and rotatable plate. 
     
     
         20 . A modular backhoe tilting system comprising:
 a backhoe comprising a linkage and a control interface; and   a modular backhoe tilting attachment comprising:
 a modular frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end configured for fixed coupling to the backhoe linkage and a distal end configured to support a bucket; 
   a stationary portion at the proximal end of the frame comprising a first pair of opposing hooks and a first pair of opposing apertures, each pair positioned on opposite radial sides of the longitudinal axis and configured to engage linkage elements from the backhoe such that the stationary portion remains fixed against rotation relative to the backhoe;   a rotatable portion mounted at the distal end of the frame, the rotatable portion comprising a second pair of opposing hooks and a second pair of opposing apertures, each pair positioned on opposite radial sides of the longitudinal axis and configured to engage and retain the bucket at multiple contact points;   a pivot joint aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis and positioned between the stationary and rotatable portions;   at least one actuator laterally offset from the longitudinal axis and extending transversely between the stationary and rotatable portions, the actuator configured such that actuation causes the rotatable portion to rotate selectively up to a predetermined angle relative to a neutral position; and   fluid conduits connected to the actuator, the fluid conduits in fluid communication with a fluid actuation system of the backhoe and operable via the control interface.