Attachment mounting structure

• US 6,224,161 B1
• Filed: 12/15/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Lamb, Mark Edward, Hansen, Loren Fredrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Stephen T.
• Application Number:
  US09/464,046
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 298/1 A, 298/1 C, 298/22 R, 298/17 B, 298/17 T, 280/DIG. 8, 410/80, 239/657
• US Class Current: 298/17.00T
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/283 Elements of tipping devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/64 the load supporting or containing element being readily removable B60P1/48 takes precedence; caravan, camping, or the like vehicles characterised by living accommodation in the form of a removable body supported by the vehicle unit B60P3/34

Abstract

An attachment mounting structure is provided for cargo bed and sprayer assembly attachments usable on a utility vehicle adapted for use in turf related applications. The structure includes pivotable supports between each attachment and the vehicle frame that permit them to be interchangeably mounted on the vehicle. The structure further includes a connection on each attachment that permits it to be secured to a hydraulic cylinder carried by the vehicle, thereby allowing the attachment to be tilted upward and rearwardly so as to provide access to the engine and/or related drive components carried beneath the attachment. The mounting structure also permits the two attachments to be quickly and easily interchanged so that the vehicle could be better utilized.

Claims

1. A method of decoupling a first attachment from a vehicle and coupling a second attachment to the vehicle, the vehicle adapted to receive a first cargo bed or a second sprayer attachment, the vehicle having:

a frame supported on front and rear wheels, said frame including a pair of fore-and-aft extending and laterally spaced apart first and second frame members, each member having front and rear portions,

an operator station mounted on the frame at the forward end thereof,

extensible and retractable power means carried by the frame between said laterally spaced-apart members,

first and second pivot structures carried at the rear portion of each first and second frame member,

said first and second attachments each having,

a frame with fore-and-aft extending and laterally spaced apart third and fourth frame members, each attachment frame member having front and rear portions,

third and fourth pivot structures carried at the rear portion of each third and fourth frame member,

first means for releasably coupling the first and third pivot structures together,

second means for releasably coupling the second and fourth pivot structures together,

third means for releasably coupling the power means with the frame of a respective one of said attachments;

wherein the first pivot structure of the vehicle and third pivot structure of the first attachment are coupled by the first releasable coupling means, the second pivot structure of the vehicle and fourth pivot structure of the first attachment are coupled by the second releasable coupling means and the power means and frame of the first attachment are coupled together by the third releasable coupling means;

the method comprising the steps of;

decoupling the first pivot structure of the vehicle and the third pivot structure of the first attachment,

decoupling the second pivot structure of the vehicle and the fourth pivot structure of the first attachment,

decoupling the power means from the frame of the first attachment, and

coupling the first pivot structure of the vehicle and a third pivot structure of the second attachment,

coupling the second pivot structure of the vehicle and the fourth pivot structure of the second attachment, and

coupling the power means and the frame of the second attachment.