초록 ▼

Compact tool carriers having a loader mounted to a low-profile mainframe are disclosed. In some embodiments, the pivot points of the mainframe about which the loader is pivoted are low relative to the mainframe to reduce the mainframe size and to lower the center of gravity to improve the stability

Compact tool carriers having a loader mounted to a low-profile mainframe are disclosed. In some embodiments, the pivot points of the mainframe about which the loader is pivoted are low relative to the mainframe to reduce the mainframe size and to lower the center of gravity to improve the stability of the compact tool carrier during use.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A compact tool carrier configured for standing or walk-behind operator control and having a longitudinal axis and a mass of less than about 1500 kg, the compact tool carrier comprising: a loader having an arm, the loader being adapted to carry a tool;a mainframe for supporting the loader, the mai

1. A compact tool carrier configured for standing or walk-behind operator control and having a longitudinal axis and a mass of less than about 1500 kg, the compact tool carrier comprising: a loader having an arm, the loader being adapted to carry a tool;a mainframe for supporting the loader, the mainframe having a first side and a second side, and having a front end and a rear end relative to the longitudinal axis, the mainframe comprising an engine bracket that extends from the first side toward the second side for mounting an engine to the mainframe, the engine bracket being spaced from the rear end of the mainframe, the loader arm not being directly attached to the mainframe;a linkage pivotally attached to the first side of the mainframe and pivotally attached to the loader arm;an actuator pivotally attached to the first side of the mainframe and pivotally attached to the loader arm; anda control station having operator controls for propelling the compact tool carrier forward and for raising and lowering the loader, the control station being mounted toward the rear of the compact tool carrier and adapted to allow for standing or walk-behind operation. 2. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mainframe incorporates a single weldment. 3. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the loader arm is a first loader arm and the linkage is a first linkage, the loader comprising a second loader arm and the compact tool carrier comprising a second linkage pivotally attached to the second side of the mainframe and pivotally attached to the second loader arm. 4. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 3 wherein the actuator is a first actuator, the compact tool carrier comprising a second actuator, the second actuator being pivotally attached to the second side of the mainframe and pivotally attached to the second loader arm. 5. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 comprising a drive mechanism comprising tracks or wheels, the drive mechanism being attached to the mainframe. 6. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 comprising an engine to propel a drive mechanism, the engine being attached to the engine bracket. 7. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the actuator is a hydraulic cylinder. 8. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein each loader arm incorporates a single weldment. 9. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control station is mounted toward the rear of the compact tool carrier, the compact tool carrier comprising an operator platform for standing operation of the compact tool carrier, the difference between the height of the control station and the height of the platform being at least 90 cm. 10. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control station is mounted toward the rear of the compact tool carrier, and the height of the control station from a surface supporting the compact tool carrier is at least 90 cm. 11. A method for operating the compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1, the method comprising standing behind the compact tool carrier and operating the control station to propel the compact tool carrier forward and/or raise or lower the loader. 12. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the control station is operated while standing on an operator platform or while standing on a surface supporting the compact tool carrier. 13. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a tool attached to the loader, the tool being selected from the group consisting of a bucket, auger, fork, stump grinder, tiller and roller. 14. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein a single linkage is attached to the first side of the mainframe and pivotally attached to the loader arm. 15. A compact tool carrier comprising: a loader adapted to carry a tool;a mainframe for supporting the loader, the mainframe having a first side and a second side, and having a front end and a rear end relative to the longitudinal axis, the mainframe comprising an engine bracket that extends from the first side toward the second side for mounting an engine to the mainframe, the engine bracket being spaced from the rear end of the mainframe, each side having a top and a bottom, the first side of the mainframe having at least two pivot points relative to the loader, the loader not being directly attached to the mainframe;a linkage pivotally attached to the first side of the mainframe at a pivot point and pivotally attached to the loader;an actuator pivotally attached to the first side of the mainframe at a pivot point and pivotally attached to the loader;a drive mechanism comprising tracks or wheels for propelling the compact tool carrier over a supporting surface, the drive mechanism being attached to the mainframe about a rotational axis, the compact tool carrier having a bottom at which the drive mechanism contacts the supporting surface, the rotational axis and bottom of the compact tool carrier being separated by a vertical distance D1, the rotational axis and each pivot point being separated by a vertical distance, each vertical distance between the rotational axis and a pivot point being less than 1.5 times D1; anda control station having operator controls for propelling the compact tool carrier forward and for raising and/or lowering the loader, the control station being mounted toward the rear of the compact tool carrier and adapted to allow for standing or walk-behind operation. 16. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 15 wherein the rotational axis and the pivot point at which the linkage is attached are separated by a vertical distance D2, the rotational axis and the pivot point at which the actuator is attached are separated by a vertical distance D3, both D2 and D3 being less than 1.5 times D1. 17. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 16 wherein the second side of the mainframe comprises two pivot points, each vertical distance between the rotational axis and a pivot point being less than 1.5 times D1. 18. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 16 wherein the rotational axis and the bottom of the first side of the mainframe are separated by a vertical distance D5, both D2 and D3 being less than twice D5. 19. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 18 wherein the first side of the mainframe comprises a top most pivot point, the top most pivot point and the top of the first side of the mainframe being separated by a vertical distance D6, D6 being less than about 1.5 times D5. 20. The compact tool carrier as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a tool attached to the loader, the tool being selected from the group consisting of a bucket, auger, fork, stump grinder, tiller and roller.