U.S. patent application number 09/756966 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-06 for skid-loader bucket accessory.
Invention is credited to Keagle, Ronald T..
Application Number | 20010047601 09/756966 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26871408 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010047601 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keagle, Ronald T. |
December 6, 2001 |
Skid-loader bucket accessory
Abstract
A digging attachment for a skid steer loader which comprises a
bucket, a shaft mounted cutter reel and a drive means. The drive
means is operatively connected to the bucket and the powered cutter
reel. The powered cutter reel includes a plurality of digging
members which may be rotated about the shaft of the cutter reel
when the drive means is activated so as to dig into soil and draw
the soil into the bucket.
Inventors: |
Keagle, Ronald T.; (Spring
Park, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VIDAS, ARRETT & STEINKRAUS, P.A.
6109 BLUE CIRCLE DRIVE
SUITE 2000
MINNETONKA
MN
55343-9185
US
|
Family ID: |
26871408 |
Appl. No.: |
09/756966 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60175629 |
Jan 12, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
37/386 ; 37/189;
37/448 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/402 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
37/386 ; 37/448;
37/189 |
International
Class: |
E02F 003/24; E02F
009/28 |
Claims
1. A combination digging attachment and bucket for a skid steer
loader said bucket comprising: a floor, a back wall, a first side
wall and a second side wall, the first side wall and the second
side wall extending horizontally, said floor having a cutting edge,
the first side wall and the second side wall each having a bearing
support; Said digging attachment comprising: a shaft mounted cutter
reel, the cutter real having: a rotatable shaft, the rotatable
shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the
shaft rotatably engaged to the bearing support of the first side
wall, the second end of the shaft rotatably engaged to the bearing
support of the second side wall, the shaft being mounted forward of
the cutting edge of the floor, and a plurality of digging members,
the plurality of digging members disposed about the surface of the
shaft and projecting outwardly therefrom; and a drive motor, the
drive motor engaged to the bucket, the drive motor operatively
engaged to the cutter reel, whereby when the drive motor is
activated, the rotatable shaft and digging members are rotated at a
predetermined rate of rotation.
2. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein rotation of the
rotatable shaft also rotates the plurality of digging members,
urging the digging members into soil and drawing the soil into the
bucket.
3. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein the drive motor is a
hydraulic motor.
4. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic motor is
in fluid communication with a hydraulic system of a skid steer
loader.
5. The digging attachment of claim 3 further comprising a chain
drive, the chain drive operatively connecting the hydraulic motor
to the rotatable shaft of the cutter reel.
6. The digging attachment of claim 5 wherein the chain drive is
operatively positioned proximate to the first side wall.
7. The digging attachment of claim 5 wherein the chain drive
further comprises: a drive sprocket, the drive sprocket being
rotatably engaged to the hydraulic motor; a chain sprocket, the
chain sprocket being rotatably engaged to the rotatable shaft; a
drive chain, the drive chain in continuous engagement with the
drive sprocket and the chain sprocket.
8. The digging attachment of claim 7 wherein the chain drive
further comprises at least one support sprocket, the at least one
support sprocket being positioned between the chain sprocket and
the drive sprocket.
9. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein the bucket further
comprises a frame, the frame supporting the floor, the back wall,
the first side wall and the second side wall,
10. The digging attachment of claim 9 wherein the shaft of the
cutter real is removably retained by the frame.
11. The digging attachment of claim 9 wherein at least two piercing
points are mounted on the frame, the piercing points extending in a
substantially horizontal manner outward from the frame, the
piercing points constructed and arranged to uplift soil ahead of
the cutter reel.
12. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein each of the side
walls further comprise a horizontally extending piercing point.
13. The digging attachment of claim 12 wherein each of the piercing
points are chisel shaped.
14. The digging attachment of claim 13 wherein the piercing points
are constructed and arranged to penetrate, uplift, and direct soil
into the bucket.
15. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein the drive motor is
positioned interior to said bucket, adjacent to the first side
wall.
16. The digging attachment of claim 15 wherein the drive motor is
further positioned adjacent to the back wall.
17. The digging attachment of claim 16 wherein the drive motor is
further positioned adjacent to the floor.
18. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein the drive motor is
enclosed within a housing.
19. The digging attachment of claim 17 wherein the drive motor is
enclosed within a housing, the housing having three sides, the
housing being engaged to a portion of the floor, first side wall
and back wall adjacent to the drive motor.
20. The digging attachment of claim 18 wherein the bucket further
comprises at least one cleat, the at least one cleat being
securably mounted to the bucket, the housing being engaged to the
at least one cleat, thereby securing the housing thereagainst.
21. The digging attachment of claim 18 wherein the housing is
mounted against the back wall, the back wall further comprising an
opening.
22. The digging attachment of claim 21 wherein the drive motor is
hydraulic, the hydraulic motor having at least one hydraulic hose,
the at least one hydraulic hose constructed and arranged to be
fluidly engaged to a auxiliary hydraulic system of said skid steer
loader.
23. The digging attachment of claim 22 wherein the at least one
hydraulic hose extends from the hydraulic motor through the
opening.
24. The digging attachment of claim 23 wherein the at least one
hydraulic hose has a quick connector end.
25. The digging attachment of claim 23 further comprising a hose
guard, the hose guard being engaged to a portion of the bucket, the
hose guard and the portion of the bucket defining a passage which
enclosed a portion of the at least one hydraulic hose which passes
therethrough.
26. The digging attachment of claim 9 further comprising a bonnet,
the bonnet defining an enclosure, the enclosure sized to fit onto
the frame of the bucket, the enclosure having at least one
opening.
27. The digging attachment of claim 25 wherein the bonnet further
comprises a bonnet back wall, the bonnet back wall having a view
port.
28. The digging attachment of claim 27 wherein the view port
comprises a grate.
29. The digging attachment of claim 9 wherein the bonnet is
constructed from at least one of the following materials: steel,
steel alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, plastic, and any
combination thereof.
30. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein the cutter real may
be activated to rotate in a clockwise direction, a
counter-clockwise direction, and any combinations thereof.
31. The digging attachment of claim 1 wherein the predetermined
rate of rotation may be varied.
32. A method of displacing soil utilizing the digging attachment of
claim 1 comprising the following steps: connecting the digging
attachment to a bucket of a front-end loader; moving the front-end
loader to a predetermined location, the predetermined location
comprising a predetermined quantity of soil; activating the cutter
real so that the cutter real is rotated in a clockwise direction;
and advancing the digging attachment into the predetermined
quantity of soil, the plurality of digging members being rotated by
the drive motor such that the plurality of digging members provide
a digging action which excavate the predetermined quantity of soil
thereby breaking up the predetermined quantity of soil resulting in
broken up soil, the broken up soil being thrown into the bucket as
a result of the digging action, thereby providing a predetermined
quantity of accumulated soil within the bucket.
33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of reversing
the direction of rotation of the cutter assembly thereby causing
the predetermined quantity of accumulated soil to be drawn out of
the bucket.
34. A kit for retrofitting a bucket of a skid steer loader, the kit
comprising: a shaft mounted cutter reel, the cutter real having: a
rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft having a first end and a
second end, the first end of the shaft rotatably engaged to a
bearing support of a first side wall, the second end of the shaft
rotatably engaged to a bearing support of a second side wall, the
shaft being mounted forward of the cutting edge of a floor of the
bucket, and a plurality of digging members, the plurality of
digging members disposed about the surface of the shaft and
projecting outwardly therefrom; and a drive motor, the drive motor
engaged to the bucket, the drive motor operatively engaged to the
cutter reel, whereby when the drive motor is activated, the
rotatable shaft and digging members are rotated at a predetermined
rate of rotation.
35. The kit of claim 34 wherein the first side wall is engaged to a
first wall of the bucket, and the second side wall being engaged to
a second wall of the bucket, each of the sidewalls having an
outwardly extending piercing point, each of the piercing points
extending outwardly away from the bucket and being substantially
parallel with the floor of the bucket.
36. The kit of claim 35 wherein each of the piercing points being
substantially chisel shaped.
37. The kit of claim 33 further comprising a drive train, the drive
train being supportively engaged to the first wall of the bucket,
the drive train being operatively engaged to the drive motor and
the rotatable shaft.
38. The kit of claim 37 further comprising a protective cover, the
protective cover configured to engage the first wall of the bucket
thereby covering the drive train.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
application No. 60/175,629, filed Jan. 12, 2000, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to a hydraulically operated
attachment for a front-end loader. The invention is designed
specifically for attachment to smaller construction vehicles such
as skid steer loaders. The present invention is directed to a
concept for a new soil excavation implement and bucket attached to
the skid steers and similar size tractors that will enable the skid
steers to be used to excavate in virgin soils or similarly
compacted earth while avoiding the problems described above. The
overall function of this inventive excavation implement and bucket
is to perform small earth moving work which is comprised of
cutting, transporting, dumping and grading materials. It is not
intended for loading trucks.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Skid steer loaders are relatively small hydraulic wheel
loaders with a lifting boom that can be easily fitted with a
variety of attachments by means of a lock-on mechanism commonly
known as a quick-tach. In addition to the lifting action of the
boom there is a dumping pivot action on the boom end. When equipped
with a bucket the skid steer loader may be used for digging,
pulverizing material, transporting material, and grading.
[0007] In addition to a variety of types of buckets, there are many
other attachments which may be affixed to the lifting boom such as
trenchers, augers, brooms, rototillers, vibratory rollers, cold
planers, jack hammers, back hoes, etc. Attachments such as
rototillers and augers, are powered by hydraulic motors in addition
to the boom lift and dump actions These motors are generally driven
by oil pumped from the skid steer loader hydraulic system through
quick disconnect hose connections.
[0008] There has been rapid development of accessory power
attachments for a skid steer machine. The skid steer machines as
known generally have a surplus of hydraulic power for use with any
desired type of accessory. As equipped with digging buckets, and
operating like a conventional wheel loader, skid steers consume
only a small fraction of their available horsepower. The majority
of the total horsepower is available for the powered attachments.
So as with basic tractors, skid steers are power dense, relative to
their size.
[0009] Therefore, skid steers are basically a multi-function
powered unit, capable of performing a wide variety of tasks.
However, the performance of the skid loader is typically reduced
during work such as in the digging of established soil. In these
instances the skid loaders have more than enough horsepower for
this task, however, they simply don't have sufficient traction to
excavate established soil. A skid loader used for digging
established soil may experience difficulties such as the spinning
of tires which dig pockets and pile up mounds. As the loader runs
over these obstructions, it is bounced and pitched which further
hampers traction as well as interfering with the ability to control
the cutting process of the bucket. There are many small scale
excavating jobs which allow access to nothing larger than a skid
steer, yet the digging capability of the skid steer is not
sufficient for the task. Often, in these cases, back hoes are used
for the digging and the skid steer loader is used to transport and
grade the excavated-material.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This invention provides for a unique skid steer bucket which
is equipped with a powered cutter reel, set crosswise, and
positioned ahead of the bucket floor cutting edge. The reel cutter
may have many rectangular knives which strike the ground flatwise,
like paddles. The reel turns in a climb cutting rotation to the
ground. In other words, the top of the reel moves forward so that
the bottom is cutting soil and throwing the soil back into the
bucket from the bottom side of the reel. There may be some cases
where it would be preferable to reverse the reel rotation so that
it throws the soil over the top, and consequently, higher into the
bucket.
[0011] The cutting reel may be mounted in a pair of shock resistant
sealed bearings positioned on each side of the bucket. At one end
of the reel shaft is located a roller chain sprocket with a roller
chain or other connection means running to the rear of the bucket
just outside of the bucket end wall. At the rear of the bucket, the
chain connects to a drive sprocket of a hydraulic motor.
[0012] In at least one embodiment of the invention the hydraulic
motor is enclosed in a protective housing positioned within the
confines of the bucket. The hydraulic motor may be powered from the
tractor auxiliary or high flow hydraulic system through the use of
quick disconnect hose couplings. The operator control for the reel
drive motor allows the cutter reel to be engaged forwardly,
stopped, or reversed. If necessary, a speed control may be added to
the motor.
[0013] The basic bucket floor cutting edge follows directly behind
the cutting reel, at approximately the same elevation as the cut
path of the cutting reel. However the bucket cutting edge does not
cut virgin earth, it merely serves as an apron to receive the earth
that is kicked off of the reel. The actual floor of the cut pass
may be made exclusively by the knives of the spinning cutter reel.
The cutting reel generally does not cut the end zones located
outside of the bucket which are occupied by the bearings and
especially the chain and sprocket. So the structure that supports
and protects the bearings and sprocket must plow through the ground
without the aid of the cutting reel.
[0014] A piercing point is positioned forwardly to each of the
bearing support structures where the piercing points function as
plows to reduce the force required to penetrate the undisturbed
soil. These points may have a wide variety of characteristics. In
at least one embodiment of the invention the points may be chisel
shaped, set flat to the ground, and may be a few inches wide so
that they cut and lift the soil just ahead of the bearing support
structures. The chisels cut the form of the comers where the cut
pass sides meet the cut pass floor. In addition to the bottom
cutting chisels, the piercing points may be fitted with side
cutting knives. Together, the side knife and bottom chisel of each
piercing point shears each corner of the cut pass, forcing the
material upward and inward, making it accessible to the cutter
reel.
[0015] The two corner piercing points pierce and lift the
undisturbed soil just ahead of the cutter reel end bearings. The
reaction to the lifting action tends to suck the bucket deeper into
the ground. This downward pull of the bucket is countered by the
climbing rotation of the reel cutter which tends to lift the bucket
upward. As these two forces work against each other, they combine
into a third resultant force direction that tends to pull the
bucket forward, adding to the piercing force of the points. In this
way, the cutter reel not only breaks the soil encountered as the
tractor pushes it forward, but adds to the push of the tractor by
pulling itself forward, into the soil.
[0016] Usually the size of a skid steer bucket is limited by the
tractor's ability to force it to cut, and the potential instability
of lifting a loaded bucket for placement of aggregate within a
truck. The use of the cutter reel on a bucket provides for a
cutting force from an independent powered cutter as opposed to
forward penetration of a bucket cutting edge, and because a bucket
equipped with a cutter reel is not intended to be lifted high for
loading trucks, its capacity can be relatively higher, thus
maximizing its transport function. Therefore, this new bucket may
have a capacity of one cubic yard or more when used on mid to large
size skid steer loaders.
[0017] Compared to typical skid steer buckets, this new bucket
cutter reel combination permits use of a taller and shorter bucket
from front to back. The cutter reel preferably throws soil high
enough to fill a taller bucket. The throwing of soil preferably
places the center of mass of the load as close as possible to the
tractor to reduce forward tipping forces which may result from the
cantilevered load weight on the tractor.
[0018] In operation, this bucket cutter reel combination is
advanced into the cut with the cutter reel under full power. The
cuter reel throws the soil up, into the bucket, pulverizing it in
the process. If the cutter reel encounters a rock that is too large
to pass between the cutter reel center shaft and the bucket cutting
edge, the cutter reel will simply stall actuating an operation
circuit into bypass. An operator may then toggle the cuter reel to
reverse, thereby unjamming the clog. If the obstruction is too
large, the operator must work around it.
[0019] Once the bucket is full, it may be elevated a sufficient
distance to clear the ground, whereupon the cutter reel may be
disengaged. The bucket may be moved to the dumping location and
tipped to the dump position to disperse transported material.
Material may either be dumped in one pile or dumped while moving in
order to spread it over a desired area. During the dump cycle, the
soil maybe further pulverized by running the cutter reel, allowing
the soil to pass through the cutter reel as it falls out of the
bucket. This second pass of material through the rotating cutter
facilitates production of a uniform rate of dumping which aids the
grading and finishing process.
[0020] As previously explained, the purpose of the cutter reel is
to reduce the tractive effort needed to fill the bucket, however, a
second benefit is the inevitable soil pulverization. Soil
pulverization facilitates a bucket being filled without voids for
efficient transportation, and the pulverized soil is easier to
spread and grade. During the grading process, the bucket may be set
in the cutting position (with the bucket floor flat to the ground),
with the cutter running in reverse. The cutter may then kick the
soil ahead for further pulverization while having the effect of
dozing the soil forward as a means of transport and/or spreading.
This technique may be used for light cutting in virgin earth
whereby the soil is cut and kicked forward by the cutting reel,
forming a heap which is being constantly reground as it is pushed
forward. This process is called dynamic dozing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] A detailed description of the invention is hereafter
described with specific reference being made to the drawings in
which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a close-up partially cut-away perspective view of
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a reverse partially cut-away perspective view of
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a top down view of an embodiment of the
invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention
depicted in its operational environment; and
[0027] FIG. 6 is an alternative perspective view of an embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention, as may be seen in FIG. 1 is referred
to as a self loading bucket or dog bucket and is indicated
generally at 10. Dog bucket 10 further comprises a bucket 12 of a
skid loader such as a Bobcat.RTM. or a tractor.
[0029] The bucket 12 includes a frame 14 comprising a floor 16, a
back wall 18, and a pair of side walls 20 and 22. The bucket 12 may
be composed of a variety of materials but is typically steel or an
alloy thereof. The side walls 20 and 22 include shock resistant
sealed bearing supports 24 for rotatably mounting the shaft 26 of a
cutter real 28. Alternatively, the side walls 20, 22, may each
include an aperture adapted to receive the shaft 26 where the shock
resistant sealed bearing supports 24 are positioned adjacent to and
exterior of the side walls 20, 22. In another alternative
embodiment, one set of shock resistant bearing supports 24 may be
positioned forwardly of the leading edge of each of the respective
side walls 20, 22. Side wall 20 includes a drive mechanism 70 which
includes a roller chain sprocket 30 provided at one end of the
cutter reel 28, a drive sprocket 32, and one or more support
sprockets 72. The drive mechanism 70 may be integral with and/or
releasably secured to the exterior of the side wall 20. In the
embodiment shown the drive mechanism 70 is chain driven by drive
chain 54. Alternatively, the drive chain 54 may be replaced with a
belt drive and/or other drive mechanism to impart rotation to the
cutter reel 28 during use of the self-loading bucket 10. The drive
sprocket 32 is in mechanical communication with a hydraulic motor
34 (shown in FIG. 2) and is generally positioned at the back and to
the interior of the bucket 12. Alternatively, the hydraulic motor
34 may be positioned to the rear of the bucket 12 and affixed to
the exterior of the back wall 14. In this embodiment, the drive
sprocket 32 is preferably positioned proximate to the side wall 20
and rearwardly to the back wall 18. The hydraulic motor 34 is
preferably powered by the tractor auxiliary hydraulic flow system
(not shown). The bucket floor 16 extends to the front 36 of bucket
12 to form a cutting edge 38. The cutting edge 38 may serve as an
apron to receive soil thrown into the bucket 12 from the cutter
real 28.
[0030] The powered cutter reel 28 is positioned forwardly to the
cutting edge 38 of the bucket floor 16. The cutter reel 28 has a
shaft 26 and a plurality of digging members 40 which function like
paddles for removal of soil. The digging members 40 may include a
variety of shapes and sizes as well as arrangements. In the
embodiment shown the digging members 40 may be characterized as a
plurality of rectangular knives. The cutter reel 28 may be rotated
in a clockwise manner such that the paddles 40 cut downward into
the soil and throw soil backwards into the bucket 12. The direction
of the cutter real 28 may be reversed for the purpose of dislodging
blockages or dispersing soil from within the bucket 12 onto the
ground or for other purposes as may be desired.
[0031] The cutter real 28 and the components thereof are typically
constructed from metal such as steel or an alloy thereof, however,
other materials may also be utilized such as, titanium, iron,
etc.
[0032] The cutter real 28 is adapted for operation via a drive such
as the hydraulic motor 34, as may best be seen in FIG. 2. The
hydraulic motor 34 is preferably in fluid communication with the
auxiliary hydraulic system of the skid loader (not shown) by way of
hydraulic feed lines 42 which may be equipped with quick
connect/disconnect ends 44, such as may be seen in FIG. 3.
[0033] As may be seen in FIG. 2 the hydraulic motor 34 may be
positioned within the bucket 12. However, in order to protect the
motor 34 from dirt and debris which would other wise fill the
bucket 12 during use, the hydraulic motor 34 is preferably
contained in a protective housing or motor house 46, such as may be
seen in FIG. 1.
[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the motor house 46
is located in a back corner of the bucket 12, against the floor 16,
the back wall 18 and side wall 20, as such, the motor house 46 may
be a three sided structure which completely covers the motor 34 and
may be welded and/or bolted to the adjacent bucket surfaces 16, 18
and 20. Alternatively, one or more cleats 48, such as may be seen
in FIG. 2, may be pre-welded into the bucket 12. The housing 46 may
then also be bolted and/or welded to the cleat 48 as shown.
[0035] As indicated above, the hydraulic motor 34 may be
hydraulically powered by hydraulic feed lines 42 which lead from
the hydraulic motor 34 to the hydraulic fluid pumping system of the
skid steer loader. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the hydraulic lines 42
extend from the hydraulic motor through an opening 50 in the back
wall 18 of the bucket 12. The hydraulic lines 42 may extend several
feet from the motor. In order to protect the hydraulic lines 42
from potential damage the lines 42 may be enclosed in-part by a
hose duct or guard 52. The hose duct 52 encloses the lines 42 as
they pass out of the opening 50 and extend along the back wall 18
of the bucket 12. The hose duct 52 may be constructed from any type
of suitable protective material, including but not limited to,
steel, particularly light gauge steel. The hose duct 52 may be
bolted and/or welded to the bucket 12.
[0036] The hydraulic motor 34, shown in FIG. 2, is engaged to the
drive sprocket 32 which is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3. The hydraulic
motor 34, may be engaged to the drive sprocket 32 by a shaft 80
which preferably passes through the side wall 20 proximate to the
hydraulic motor 34. Alternatively, the hydraulic motor 34 may be
positioned rearwardly to the back wall 18. If the hydraulic motor
34 is positioned rearwardly to the back wall 18 then the drive
sprocket 32 is also required to be positioned rearwardly to the
back wall 18. In the embodiment shown, the drive sprocket 32 is
operatively engaged to the roller chain sprocket 30 by a drive
chain 54. While the embodiment of the cutter real 28 is chain
driven via a hydraulic motor 34, in alternative embodiments the
cutter real 28 may be directly hydraulically driven, belt driven,
or shaft driven as may be desired.
[0037] Turning back to FIG. 1, it may be seen that each of the side
walls 20 and 22 may also include a piercing point 56. Each piercing
point 56 may be integral to the bucket frame 14 or may be welded
and/or bolted thereon. The piercing points 56 extend horizontally
from the front 36 of the bucket 12. The piercing points 56 may
include a chisel shaped edge 58 which is designed to cut and lift
the soil ahead of bearing supports 24. In addition, side cutting
knives/plows 60, as may best be seen in FIG. 4, also force soil
upwardly and inwardly away from the bearing supports 24.
Alternatively, a standard bucket 12 may be utilized for
retrofitting to include the frame 14 and cutter reel 28. In this
embodiment, the frame 14 includes forwardly located piercing points
56 where one piercing point 56 is preferably positioned to each
side wall 20, 22 forwardly of, and proximate to, the cutting edge
38.
[0038] In FIG. 4, a cover or bonnet 62 may be seen mounted to the
frame 14. The bonnet may be welded and/or bolted, or otherwise
fastened to the bucket frame 14. The bonnet 62 is a light weight
enclosure that is placed on the bucket 12 to provide greater soil
containment ability. Because the bonnet 62 is not subjected to
active soil digging or pushing pressures, the bonnet may be made of
a variety of materials such as steel, but may also be made of
lighter weight materials such as aluminum or even plastic. In
general, as may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bonnet 62 includes a
pair of upwardly and inwardly extending angled sides 82 and
upwardly and forwardly extending back wall 64 and a horizontally
extending roof 84 as engaged to the back wall 64 and angled sides
82. In general, the bonnet 62 may be in the shape of a standard
non-modified production bucket for a skid or front end loader. It
should be noted that other shapes may be utilized for the bonnet 62
at the discretion of an individual. In general, the bonnet 62 may
be secured to the top of the frame 14 and back wall 18 through the
use of bolts and nuts and/or welding. Alternatively, any desired
type of permanent and/or releasable mechanical fastener may be
utilized to secure the bonnet 62 to the frame 14 and the back wall
18 at the discretion of an individual. The back wall 64 of the
bonnet 62 may include a window or grate 66 to allow the tractor or
skid loader operator the ability to see into the bucket 12 and
visually monitor the load and the cutting action of the cutter real
28. Alternatively, where the bonnet 62 is constructed of plastic,
the plastic may be clear to provide a clear line of sight from the
operator into the bucket 12.
[0039] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bonnet 62
my extend forward to act as a guard for the cutter real 28.
Alternatively, a separate guard assembly may be attached to the
frame 14 to partially cover the cutter real 28 thereby preventing
accidental contact with the cutter blades 40 from above.
[0040] Turning to FIG. 5, the dog bucket 10 is depicted in
operation. During operation, the action of the dog bucket 10 causes
the bucket 12 to be sucked into the ground. This action is
countered by the climbing forces resulting from the rotation of the
reel 28 which in combination pull the bucket 12 forwardly through
the soil 68. The piercing points 56 and side cutting knives/plows
60 also move soil 68 inwardly along the drive mechanism 70 and
bearings 24 into the interior of the bucket 12. The rotating action
of the cutter reel 28 and knives/paddles 40 function to break apart
established soil for movement into the bucket 12. The bucket floor
16 cutting edge 38 is therefore provided with the ability to have
an enhanced depth for removal of soil.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment as may be depicted in FIG. 6,
the frame 14 may be mechanically secured to a standard bucket 12 of
a skid or front end loader. The frame 14 in this embodiment is
generally formed of a first cutter reel support 90 and a second
cutter reel support 92. The first and second cutter reel supports
90, 92 may be respectively secured to the side walls 20, 22 by the
use of bolts and/or welding or any other secure mechanical
fasteners. The first cutter reel support 90 preferably includes the
features of the roller chain sprocket 30, drive sprockets 32, drive
mechanisms 70, and support sprockets 72 as earlier described.
[0042] The first and second cutter reel supports 90, 92 preferably
each include the bearing supports 24 for support of the shaft 26
and cutter reel 28 as earlier described. In addition, each of the
first and second cutter reel supports 90, 92 each preferably
include a piercing point 56, chisel shaped edge 58, and knife plows
60 as earlier described.
[0043] In this embodiment, a standard skid or front end loader
bucket 12 is modified or retrofitted to include the first and
second cutter reel supports 90, 92 and cutter reel 28.
[0044] The first side wall 20 is therefore required to receive at
least one aperture to accommodate the shaft 80 of the hydraulic
motor 34 as engaged to the drive sprocket 32. A second aperture may
also be required for receipt of the bearing supports 24 and shaft
26 as connected to the roller chain sprocket 30 and cutter reel 28.
Alternatively, the first cutter reel support 90 may be secured to
the side wall 20 by welding and/or bolts and nuts where the first
cutter reel support 90 includes the bearing supports 24 positioned
within an aperture for support of the shaft 26 as connected to the
roller chain sprocket 30 and cutter reel 28 which are preferably
positioned forwardly of the leading edge of the side walls 20, 22.
It should be noted that the second cutter reel support 92 is
preferably attached in an identical location relative to the side
wall 22. The side wall 22 may therefore be required to include an
aperture to receive bearing supports 24 and shaft 26 of the cutter
reel 28.
[0045] The hydraulic motor 34 in this embodiment is preferably
positioned interior to the bucket 12 proximate to the side wall 20
and back wall 18 as earlier described.
[0046] The other features as identified herein may also be
preferably included for retrofit of a standard skid or front end
loader bucket 12 to accommodate the attachment of the cutter reel
28 excavation accessory as illustrated and disclosed herein.
[0047] In addition to being directed to the embodiments described
above and claimed below, the present invention is further directed
to embodiments having different combinations of the features
described above and claimed below. As such, the invention is also
directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination
of the dependent features claimed below.
[0048] The above examples and disclosure are intended to be
illustrative and not exhaustive. These examples and description
will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary
skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are
intended to be included within the scope of the attached claims.
Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the
specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also
intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.
* * * * *