Loader attachment for handling logs, bales and the like

Abstract

Hydraulically activated, spaced apart, front end loader support arms extend from a tractor. A loader attachment includes a vertically extending frame pivotally attached to the support arms forwardly of the tractor. This vertical frame includes a main horizontal frame support bar pivotally mounted in outer ends of the support arms and a a pair of open vertical guides which extend downwardly from the frame support bar. A horizontal hook support bar extends through the vertical guides and pivotally supports central portions of the two jaw-forming hooks at each end thereof. Upper ends of each of these hooks are pivotally connected to links which are pivotally connected to the frame support bar. A vertical hook support bar lifting strap extends integrally up from the hook support bar and is in sliding relationship with respect to the frame support bar. To load, means is provided to raise the lifting strap with respect to the main frame, thus to cause the jaws to be opened. The support arms are then lowered to encompass a log to be lifted. The lifting strap is allowed to drop by gravity to cause the hooks of the jaws to close on the object to be lifted, and the loader support arms are lifted to raise the log from the ground. To unload, the support arms are lowered, and when the log comes in touch with the ground, the further progess of the loader support arms in downward direction will cause the jaws to be released. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A loader attachment for use with a prime mover having parallel, spaced apart, power actuated, front end loader support arms extending outwardly therefrom; said loader attachment including:  a. a main horizontal frame support bar pivotally mounted .[.in.]. .Iadd.with respect to .Iaddend.outer ends of said support arms;   b. .[.a pair of vertical guides extending downwardly from the said frame support bar in spaced relation to each other and symmetrically about the center of the frame support bar.]. .Iadd.a horizontal hook support bar situated in vertical alignment below said main horizontal frame support bar and parallel to it.Iaddend.;   c. .[.a horizontal hook support bar extending through the vertical guides.]. .Iadd.guide means operably associated with respect to said main frame support bar and said hook support bar to permit relative vertical movement of said frame support bar and said hook support bar with respect to each other while maintaining said hook support bar in the same vertical plane as said frame support bar.Iaddend.;   d. two pairs of jaw-forming hooks, each having central portions pivotally supported, one pair of each end of said hook support bar in approximate vertical alignment beneath said frame support bar;   e. a rigid link pivotally connecting an upper.[., outer.]. end portion of each of said hooks with .[.a vertically aligned portion of.]. .Iadd.respect to .Iaddend.said frame support bar;   f. a hook support bar lifting strap integral with and extending upwardly from said hook support bar;   g. said .[.guides.]. .Iadd.guide means .Iaddend.being of configuration to permit movement of said hook support bar between a first lower position wherein each of the hooks of each pair of hooks is in closed, adjacent relationship to the other hook of said pair of hooks, and a second upper position wherein said hooks are spaced at a maximum distance away from each other; and   h. means for moving said hook support bar lifting strap to move said hook support bar between said first and said second positions.   
     
     
       2. The loader attachment of claim 1 wherein: a. said hooks are pivotally attached to opposite ends of said hook support bar by means of hook pivot bosses constituted as reduced outer cylindrical end portions of said horizontal hook support bar, and said hooks are retained on said pivot bosses by quick release springs clips; and   b. said hooks are attached to said links through the instrumentality of hook-link pivot pins, and said pivot pins are retained in position through the instrumentality of quick release spring clips.   
     
     
       3. The loader attachment of claim 1 wherein said hook support bar lifting strap extends upwardly in adjacent relationship to said frame support bar and is slidably mounted with respect to it. 
     
     
       4. The loader attachment of claim 3 wherein said means to move said lifting strap includes a motor support bracket mounted on said support bar, and a linear motor connected between said motor support bracket and an upper portion of said lifting strap. 
     
     
       5. The loader attachment of claim 3 wherein the means for moving said lifting strap includes a hook control crank arm pivotally mounted with respect to the front end loader support arms and having a first end portion extending into contacting lifting relationship to said lifting strap, and means to rotate said crank arm to raise said lifting strap and hook support bar. 
     
     
       6. The loader attachment of claim 5 wherein the means to rotate said crank arm includes a control rod extending from a second end of said crank arm to a location adjacent an operator of the prime mover.