Swing-up radiator and oil cooler assembly

• US 4,696,361 A
• Filed: 04/22/1986
• Issued: 09/29/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mustang Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Manitou BF SA)
• Original Assignee: Owatonna Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Jines, Michael D., Clark, Brian C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Larry
• Application Number:
  US06/858,072
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.48, 180/68.1, 180/68.4, 180/68.6, 292/262, 292/338, 248/213.3, 220/213.3, 217/60 R, 217/60 B, 217/61, 165/86, 165/41, 123/41.33, 123/41.43
• US Class Current: 180/68.4
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/10 Guiding or ducting cooling-air, to, or from, liquid-to-air heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/18 Arrangements or mounting of liquid-to-air heat-exchangers such arrangements on cylinders or cylinder heads F01P3/04; relative to vehicles B60K11/04
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/0435 Combination of units extending one behind the other F28D1/0452 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0089 Oil coolers heating or cooling lubricants in vehicles F01M5/00
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0094 for recooling the engine coolant arrangements of liquid-to-air heat exchangers on vehicles F01P3/18
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2280/105 with hinged connections
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/002 with fastening means for other structures

Abstract

An improved cooling system for a skid steer loader includes a swing-up radiator and oil cooler assembly (60) incorporating a pair of radiators (64, 88) supported for independent pivotal movement between raised and lowered positions to facilitate access to the radiators, as well as access to the engine and associated components for service, maintenance and the like. The lowermost radiator (64) serves as the hydraulic oil cooler, and is supported in a frame (62) pivotal about a generally longitudinal axis (78). The uppermost radiator (88) serves as the engine cooler and is mounted in another shelf (86) pivotal about a second longitudinal axis (104). A latch assembly (106, 108, 110, 112 and 114) is provided for releasably securing the entire radiator and oil cooler assembly (60) in a lowered position and at least the upper radiator (88) in a raised position.

Claims

1. In combination with a skid steer loader including a frame defining a ventilated engine compartment with an engine located between a pair of laterally spaced-apart opposing uprights behind an operators compartment, a cooling system comprising:

a fan located between the engine and the operators compartment;

a shroud surrounding the fan and extending generally upward from an inlet to an outlet;

a laterally extending upper radiator disposed between the uprights, over the outlet of said fan shroud;

a laterally extending lower radiator mounted between the uprights and mounted between said upper radiator and the outlet of said fan shroud;

means for supporting said upper radiator for pivotal movement between raised and lowered positions relative to said lower radiator;

means secured to at least one upright for supporting said upper radiator in the lowered position adjacent said lower radiator;

means for releasably securing said upper radiator in the lowered position; and

means for releasably supporting said upper radiator in the raised position.

2. A cooling system for a hydrostatically driven skid steer loader having a ventilated engine compartment containing an engine located between a pair of laterally spaced-apart opposing uprights and behind an operators compartment, comprising:

a fan located between said engine and the operators compartment;

a shroud surrounding said fan and extending generally upwardly from an inlet to an outlet;

upper and lower superposed radiators extending between the uprights and over the outlet of said fan shroud;

means connected to one upright for pivotally supporting said upper radiator for movement about a generally longitudinal axis between raised and lowered positions;

means connected to said one upright for pivotally supporting said lower radiator for pivotal movement about a generally longitudinal axis between raised and lowered positions;

a bracket secured to the opposite upright for supporting said lower radiator in the lowered position, with said upper radiator resting on said lower radiator in the lowered position; and

means for releasably securing at least said upper radiator in either the lowered position or the raised position.

3. The cooling system of claim 2, wherein said means for pivotally supporting said upper radiator comprises:

a generally rectangular frame having opposite ends;

a pair of lateral extensions secured in longitudinally spaced apart relationship to one end of said frame; and

means for connecting said extensions to said one upright for pivotal movement.

4. The cooling system of claim 2, wherein said means for pivotally supporting said lower radiator comprises:

a generally rectangular frame having opposite ends;

a pair of lateral extensions secured in longitudinally spaced apart relationship to one end of said frame;

means for connecting said extensions to said one upright for pivotal movement; and

a bracket connected to said opposite upright for supporting said frame in the lowered position.

7. The cooling system of claim 2, further including:

a pair of first hoses connected to said upper radiator for circulating engine coolant therethrough; and

a pair of second hoses connected to said lower radiator for circulating hydraulic fluid therethrough.

5. A cooling system for a hydrostatically driven skid steer loader having a ventilated engine compartment containing an engine located between a pair of laterally spaced-apart opposing uprights and behind an operators compartment, comprising:

a fan located between said engine and the operators compartment;

a shroud surrounding said fan and extending generally upwardly from an inlet to an outlet;

upper and lower superposed radiators extending between the uprights and over the outlet of said fan shroud;

means connected to one upright for pivotally supporting said upper radiator for movement between raised and lowered positions;

means connected to said one upright for pivotally supporting said lower radiator for pivotal movement between raised and lowered positions;

a bracket secured to the opposite upright for supporting said lower radiator in the lowered position, with said upper radiator resting on said lower radiator in the lowered position; and

means for releasably securing at least said upper radiator in at least the lowered position, including;

a latch mounted on said pivotal support means for said upper radiator, said latch being selectively engageable with a notch formed in one of the uprights; and

an actuating rod connected to said latch, said rod having a turned end engageable between a stowed position in an opening in said pivotal support means for said upper radiator, and in an extended position in an opening in one of said uprights for holding said upper radiator in a raised position.

6. A cooling system for a hydrostatically driven skid steer loader having a ventilated engine compartment containing an engine located between a pair of laterally spacedapart opposing uprights and behind an operators compartment, comprising:

a fan located between said engine and the operators compartment;

a shroud surrounding said fan and extending generally upwardly from an inlet to an outlet;

upper and lower superposed radiators extending between the uprights and over the outlet of said fan shroud;

means connected to one upright for pivotally supporting said upper radiator for movement between raised and lowered positions;

means connected to said one upright for pivotally supporting said lower radiator for pivotal movement between raised and lowered positions;

a bracket secured to the opposite upright for supporting said lower radiator in the lowered position, with said upper radiator resting on said lower radiator in the lowered position; and

means for releasably securing at least said upper radiator in at least the lowered position, including;

a latch mounted on said pivotal support means for said upper radiator, said latch being selectively engageable with a notch formed in one of the uprights;

an actuating rod connected to said latch, said rod having a turned end engageable between a stowed position in an opening in said pivotal support means for said upper radiator, and in an extended position in an opening in one of said uprights for holding said upper radiator, and in an extended position in an opening in one of said uprights for holding said upper radiator in a raised position; and

hook means for selectively interconnecting said upper and lower pivotal support means when in their raised positions.

8. A swing-up radiator assembly for use in the engine compartment of a skid steer loader having a pair of laterally spaced-apart opposing uprights, comprising:

a laterally extending first shelf, said first shelf being of generally rectangular frame construction;

means for connecting one end of said first shelf to one upright for pivotal movement about a first generally longitudinal axis between raised and lowered positions;

a bracket secured to the opposite upright for supporting said first shelf in the lowered position;

a first fluid heat exchanger supported within said first shelf;

a pivotal latch mounted on said first shelf for movement into and out of engagement with a slot at one end formed in the opposite upright, when said first shelf is in the lowered position; and

an actuating rod connected at one end to said latch for pivotal movement with said latch, said actuating rod having an opposite turned end engageable between

a stowed position in an opening formed in said first shelf wherein said latch is engaged in the slot, thus securing said first shelf in the lowered position, and

an upwardly pivoted position in an opening formed in said one upright wherein said latch is disengaged from the slot, thus securing said first shelf in the raised position.

9. The swing-up radiator assembly of claim 8, further including:

a second laterally-extending shelf of generally rectangular frame construction disposed between said first shelf and said bracket;

means for pivotally connecting one end of said second shelf to said one upright for pivotal movement about a second generally longitudinal axis between a raised position and a lowered position supported on said bracket;

a second fluid heat exchanger mounted on said second shelf; and

hook means for releasably connecting said second shelf to said first shelf when in their raised positions.

10. The swing-up radiator assembly of claim 8, further including:

a handle secured to said first shelf.

11. A swing-up radiator and oil cooler assembly for mounting between a pair of laterally spaced-apart opposing uprights in the engine compartment of a skid steer loader, which comprises:

upper and lower transverse shelves positioned in superposed relationship, each shelf being of generally rectangular frame construction;

means for pivotally connecting one end of said upper shelf to one upright for pivotal movement about a first generally longitudinal axis between raised and lowered positions;

means for pivotally connecting one end of said lower shelf to said one upright for pivotal movement about a second generally longitudinal axis between raised and lowered positions;

said first and second axes being laterally and longitudinally spaced apart;

an engine coolant radiator supported on said upper shelf;

an oil cooler supported on said lower shelf;

a bracket connected to the opposite upright for supporting said lower shelf in the lowered position;

a latch mounted on said upper shelf for movement into and out of engagement with a slot formed in said opposite upright, when said upper shelf is in the lowered position; and

an actuating rod connected at one end to said latch for pivotal movement with said latch, said actuating rod having an opposite turned end engageable between

a stowed position in an opening formed in said first shelf wherein said latch is engaged in the slot, thus securing said first shelf in the lowered position, and

an upwardly pivoted position in an opening formed in said one upright wherein said latch is disengaged from the slot, thus securing said first shelf in the raised position.

12. The swing-up radiator and oil cooler assembly of claim 11, further including:

a handle mounted on said upper shelf; and

hook means for releasably interconnecting said upper and lower shelves when in their raised positions.