MATERIAL HANDLING ATTACHMENTS WITH STOWABLE GRAPPLE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/720,333, filed Nov. 14, 2024, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The teachings disclosed herein relate generally to material handling, and more specifically, to material handling attachments for vehicles.

INTRODUCTION

U.S. Pat. No. 8,109,709 (Gaetze) discloses a removable grapple apparatus for a loader bucket. The grapple apparatus comprises a grapple assembly which includes at least one grapple arm having an inboard end and an outboard end, and a grapple fork mounted on the grapple arm toward the outboard end thereof. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly configured to removably mount the grapple assembly to the bucket when the mounting assembly is mounted on the bucket. The grapple assembly is pivotally mounted on the mounting assembly to permit pivot movement of the grapple assembly with respect to the mounting assembly. The apparatus includes a grapple movement assembly configured to pivotally move the grapple assembly with respect to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly comprises at least one mount structure including an arm mount mounted on the grapple arm and a base mount configured for mounting on the bucket, and the arm mount and the base mount are releasably coupleable together.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,160 (Brumbaugh et al.) discloses a grapple for attaching to a loader bucket. The grapple includes a pair of spaced apart elongate mounting arms each being positioned between a pair of mounting flaps extending from a rear of a bucket of a loader and detachably coupled to the mounting flaps. A pair of pivot arms are pivotally coupled to outer ends of the mounting arms. Each of the pivot arms has a bend defining inner and outer portions of the pivot arm. A toothed portion is coupled to outer ends of the pivot arms. The mounting arms, pivot arms and toothed portion are balanced such that the mounting arms are positioned generally horizontally and spaced apart from a ground surface when outer portions of the pivot arms rest on the ground surface and inner portions of the pivot arms are oriented generally perpendicular to the mounting arms.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,473 (Holopainen) discloses a material handling apparatus, including a bucket and a clamp arm mounted on the bucket, the clamp arm being movable from an operative position, where it cooperates with the operative edge of the bucket in handling material, to a storage position where it is located outside of the bucket.

SUMMARY

The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teaching, but not to define any invention.

According to some aspects, a material handling attachment for a vehicle includes a bucket defining a material collection space open to a front of the attachment. The bucket includes: (i) a base for supporting material collected in the material collection space; (ii) two laterally opposed sidewalls extending from the base for enclosing sides of the material collection space, each sidewall having a sidewall lower edge joined to the base and a sidewall upper edge spaced apart from the sidewall lower edge; (iii) a plurality of cutting teeth along the sidewall upper edge of each sidewall, the cutting teeth configured to cut through materials in a sawing operation by moving the bucket back and forth with the cutting teeth engaging material to be cut; and (iv) a back wall extending laterally between the sidewalls for enclosing a rear of the material collection space. The attachment further includes a grapple mounted to the bucket proximate the back wall. The grapple includes a jaw movable relative to the bucket between a deployed position overlying the material collection space to facilitate gripping material between the bucket and the grapple, and a stowed position clear of the material collection space to facilitate non-interference of the grapple with bucket operations. At least when in the deployed position, the jaw is further pivotable relative to the bucket about a jaw pivot axis between an open position and a closed position.

In some examples, the attachment includes at least one mounting lock pin for releasably securing the grapple to the bucket. In some examples, moving the grapple to the stowed position includes removing the at least one mounting lock pin and separating the grapple from the bucket, and moving the grapple to the deployed position includes placing the grapple on the bucket and inserting the at least one mounting lock pin to releasably secure the grapple to the bucket.

In some examples, the grapple includes a subframe at a back end of the grapple, and the jaw is pivotably coupled to the subframe for pivoting the jaw relative to the bucket between the open and closed positions.

In some examples, the subframe has at least one grapple hole alignable with at least one bucket hole fixed relative to the bucket, and inserting the at least one mounting lock pin to releasably secure the grapple to the bucket includes aligning the at least one grapple hole with the at least one bucket hole and inserting the mounting lock pin therethrough.

In some examples, the attachment includes a cradle secured proximate an upper end of the back wall of the bucket, the cradle comprising the at least one bucket hole.

In some examples, the subframe of the grapple includes at least one locating protrusion, and the cradle has at least one slot having a slot closed end defining a seat and a slot open end spaced apart from the slot closed end for receiving the locating protrusion therein.

In some examples, each of the at least one locating protrusion of the subframe is spaced apart from a respective one of the at least one grapple hole by a subframe offset, and the seat of each of the at least one slot of the cradle is spaced apart from a respective one of the at least one bucket hole by a cradle offset. The subframe offset is equal to the cradle offset to facilitate aligning each of the at least one grapple hole with the respective at least one bucket hole when each of the at least one protrusion is in the respective seat of the at least one slot.

In some examples, the attachment further includes a turret rotatably coupled to the bucket. The grapple is secured to the turret and rotatable relative to the bucket about a turret axis between a forward position projecting forward of the back wall between the sidewalls, and a lateral position projecting toward one of the sidewalls and parallel to the back wall.

In some examples, moving the grapple from the deployed position to the stowed position includes rotating the grapple about the turret axis from the forward position to the lateral position.

In some examples, the attachment includes at least one turret lock pin for releasably locking the grapple in the forward position.

In some examples, the attachment further includes at least one retainer fixed to the bucket and spaced laterally apart from turret axis, the retainer interlockable with the grapple when the grapple is in the lateral position to hold the grapple in the lateral position.

In some examples, the jaw includes opposed side arms, each side arm having a lower edge directed toward the bucket for engaging material between the grapple and the bucket when moving the jaw from the open position to the closed position.

In some examples, the grapple comprises at least one jaw actuator operatively coupled between the bucket and the jaw for moving the jaw between the open and closed positions.

In some examples, the at least one jaw actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

In some examples, the at least one jaw actuator remains mounted to the grapple when the grapple is moved to the stowed position.

In some examples, said mounting of the grapple to the bucket is free of threaded fasteners to facilitate tool-free attachment of the grapple to and release from the bucket.

According to some aspects, a material handling attachment for a vehicle includes a bucket defining a material collection space open to the front of the attachment. The bucket includes: (i) a base for supporting collected material; (ii) two laterally opposed sidewalls extending from the base for enclosing sides of the material collection space; and (iii) a back wall extending between the sidewalls for enclosing a rear of the material collection space. The attachment further includes a grapple mounted to a turret rotatably secured to the bucket proximate an upper end of the back wall. The turret defines a turret axis, and the grapple is pivotable relative to the bucket about the turret axis between a deployed position overlying the material collection space and a stowed position clear of the material collection space. The grapple includes a jaw, and at least when the grapple is in the deployed position, the jaw is pivotable relative to the bucket about a jaw pivot axis between an open position for receiving material between the bucket and the grapple and a closed position for gripping material between the grapple and the bucket.

In some examples, the grapple further includes: (a) a subframe at a back end of the grapple, wherein the jaw is pivotably coupled to the subframe; and (b) a jaw actuator operatively coupled between the jaw and the subframe for pivoting the jaw relative to the bucket between the open and closed positions. The subframe and the jaw actuator are pivotable about the turret axis with the grapple.

According to some aspects, a method of releasably securing a grapple to a bucket includes (a) resting a pair of spaced-apart lateral protrusions fixed to a back end of the grapple on a corresponding pair of spaced apart ramp surfaces extending from lower edges of respective slots of a cradle proximate a back wall of the bucket; (b) moving the grapple relative to the bucket to slide the lateral protrusions along the ramp surfaces into the respective slots and bring a pair of laterally spaced apart grapple holes proximate the back end of the grapple into alignment with a corresponding pair of bucket holes fixed to the cradle; and (c) inserting a mounting lock pin into each pair of the aligned grapple holes and bucket holes.

DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the described examples and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example material handling attachment mounted to an example vehicle, with a grapple of the attachment shown in a deployed and open configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 1 in isolation, with the grapple shown in a deployed and closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the attachment of FIG. 1, showing the grapple separated from the bucket for a stowed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a close up perspective view of a rear portion of the attachment of FIG. 1, showing the grapple seated on the bucket with a mounting lock pin removed for releasing the grapple from the bucket;

FIG. 6 is another close up perspective view of a rear portion of the attachment of FIG. 1, showing the grapple unseated from the bucket;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another example material handling attachment, showing a grapple of the attachment in a deployed and closed configuration;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view from one side of the attachment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a close up perspective view of a rear portion of the attachment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view from the other side of the attachment of FIG. 7, showing the grapple rotated from a forward configuration toward a lateral configuration;

FIG. 11 is a close up perspective view of a rear portion of the attachment of FIG. 10, showing the grapple in the lateral configuration; and

FIG. 12 is a close up perspective view like that of FIG. 11, showing the grapple in a stowed configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EXAMPLES

Various apparatuses, systems, or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed invention. No example described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes, systems, or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, systems, or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus, system, or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, systems, or processes described below. It is possible that an apparatus, system, or process described below is not an example of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, system, or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors, or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Material handling attachments for work vehicles (e.g. skid steers, compact track loaders, front-end loaders, telehandlers, etc.) can include buckets designed for operations such as, for example, stump removal and handling, trench digging, rock handling, etc. It can be helpful to equip such buckets with a grapple to facilitate certain operations, such as gripping and/or carrying larger and/or irregularly shaped objects. Grapples may, however, interfere with other types of bucket-focused operations, such as trenching and/or digging under objects. Such operations may benefit from removal of the grapple from the bucket temporarily, which may require time consuming, inconvenient, and/or cumbersome processes (e.g. requiring specialized tools and/or removal of threaded fasteners).

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, material handling attachments are disclosed that include a bucket and a grapple movable relative to the bucket between a deployed position to facilitate gripping material between the bucket and the grapple, and one or more stowed positions clear of a material collection space of the bucket to facilitate non-interference of the grapple with bucket operations. For example, the stowed position can be used where having the grapple in the deployed position may otherwise be problematic for operator visibility (e.g. where the grapple in the deployed position may obstruct the operator's view) and/or when using the bucket for certain tasks (e.g. digging a hole, trench, ditch, etc., where the grapple in the deployed position may physically interfere with performance of the task). In some examples, the grapple can be moved between the deployed position and a stowed position through operation of a quick-release system configured to release and separate the grapple from the bucket for movement to the stowed position and to reconnect the grapple back into the deployed position, without necessarily requiring any tools or threaded fasteners. In some examples, the grapple can be moved between deployed and stowed positions through rotation of the grapple relative to the bucket while the grapple remains attached to the bucket.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example material handling attachment 100 is shown mounted to an example vehicle 10. The attachment 100 includes a bucket 102 defining a material collection space 104 open to a front 106 of the attachment 100. The bucket 102 has a base 108 for supporting material collected in the material collection space 104, and two laterally opposed sidewalls 110 extending from the base 108 for enclosing sides of the material collection space 104. The bucket 102 has a back wall 112 extending laterally between the sidewalls 110 for enclosing a rear of the material collection space 104.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the example illustrated, the base 108 extends along the sidewalls 110 from the back wall 112 to a cutting edge 116 at the front of the bucket 102. A plurality of front teeth 118 project forward from the cutting edge 116 and are spaced laterally apart from each other therealong. In the example illustrated, the front teeth 118 are staggered to include at least one pair of outer trailing teeth 120 and one or more central leading teeth 122 laterally intermediate and projecting forward of the pair of trailing teeth 120. In the example illustrated, the bucket 102 has a single central leading tooth 122 between one pair of outer trailing teeth 120. This can facilitate concentration of penetrating forces to a more focused point at the central leading tooth 122, which can help to, for example, more easily penetrate hard ground and initiate ground fracturing to reduce the required penetrating force for the trailing teeth 120.

Each sidewall 110 has a sidewall lower edge 124 joined to the base 108, and a sidewall upper edge 126 spaced apart from the sidewall lower edge 124. In the example illustrated, the bucket 102 has a plurality of side cutting teeth 128 along the sidewall upper edge 126 of each sidewall 110. The cutting teeth 128 are configured to cut through materials in a sawing operation by moving the bucket 102 back and forth with the cutting teeth 128 engaging material to be cut. In the example illustrated, the cutting teeth 128 are configured in a saw-tooth (e.g. raker-tooth) pattern for sawing through wood materials (e.g. roots).

In the example illustrated, the bucket 102 is in the form of a relatively narrow stump bucket, with the material collection space 104 having a width between the laterally opposed sidewalls 110 and a length between the back wall 112 and the cutting edge 116 that is greater than the width. In the example illustrated, the length of the material collection space 104 is at least three times its width.

In the example illustrated, the attachment 100 further includes a grapple 130 mounted to the bucket 102 proximate the back wall 112. In the example illustrated, the grapple 130 includes a jaw 132 movable relative to the bucket 102 between a deployed position (FIG. 2) and a stowed position (FIG. 4). When in the deployed position, the jaw 132 overlies the material collection space 104 to facilitate gripping materials between the bucket 102 and the grapple 130. Referring to FIG. 4, in the example illustrated, when in the stowed position, the jaw 132 is moved clear of the material collection space 104 to facilitate non-interference of the grapple 130 during sawing operations. In the example illustrated, the grapple 130 is separated and moved clear of the bucket 102 when in the stowed position (e.g. set on a ground surface for storage while the bucket 102 remains attached to the vehicle for use without the grapple 130).

Referring to FIG. 1, in the example illustrated, at least when in the deployed position, the jaw 132 of the grapple 130 is pivotable relative to the bucket 102 about a jaw pivot axis 134 between an open position (FIG. 1) for receiving material between the bucket 102 and the grapple 130, and a closed position (FIG. 2) for gripping material between the grapple 130 and the bucket 102. The jaw pivot axis 134 extends laterally in the example illustrated. In the example illustrated, the jaw 132 includes laterally opposed side arms 136. Each side arm 136 has a lower edge 138 directed toward the bucket 102 for engaging material between the grapple 130 and the bucket 102 when moving the jaw 132 from the open position toward the closed position. In the example illustrated, the jaw 132 includes a plurality of jaw teeth 140 along the lower edge 138 of each side arm 136. The jaw teeth 140 can facilitate gripping and/or cutting of materials between the grapple 130 and the bucket 102. In the example illustrated, the jaw teeth 140 are arranged in a saw tooth pattern similar to that of the cutting teeth 128. In the example illustrated, the grapple 130 has an open frame design providing the operator with visibility through the grapple 130 (e.g. to provide a sightline through the grapple 130 from the vehicle to the front of the bucket 102 when the grapple 130 is in the deployed and open position). In the example illustrated, the grapple 130 includes one or more openings 141 (FIG. 2) in the jaw 132 between the side arms 136 for visibility therethrough.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the example illustrated, the attachment 100 includes a quick-release system 142 for quick-release of the grapple 130 from, and quick-connect of the grapple 130 to, the bucket 102. The quick-release system 142 is configured for tool-free attachment of the grapple 130 to and release of the grapple 130 from the bucket 102. In the example illustrated, the quick-release system 142 is free of threaded fasteners to facilitate tool-free attachment and release of the grapple 130 to and from the bucket 102. This can permit an operator to more quickly and/or conveniently switch between material handling operations involving use of the grapple 130 (e.g. picking and carrying objects), and those with which the grapple 130 may interfere (e.g. trenching and/or digging under objects).

In the example illustrated, the quick-release system 142 of the attachment 100 includes at least one mounting lock pin 144 for releasably securing the grapple 130 to the bucket 102. Referring to FIG. 4, in the example illustrated, the attachment 100 includes a pair of mounting lock pins 144 on laterally opposite sides of the grapple 130 for releasably securing the grapple 130 to the bucket 102. In the example illustrated, moving the grapple 130 to the stowed position includes removing each mounting lock pin 144 and separating the grapple 130 from the bucket 102. Moving the grapple 130 back to the deployed position includes placing the grapple 130 on the bucket 102 and inserting each mounting lock pin 144 to releasably secure the grapple 130 to the bucket 102. In the example illustrated, each mounting lock pin 144 is slidable between a locked position (FIG. 2) in which the lock pin 144 secures the grapple 130 to the bucket 102 and an unlocked position (FIG. 5) in which the lock pin 144 is clear of the grapple 130 to facilitate separation of the grapple 130 from the bucket 102. In the example illustrated, each lock pin 144 is slidable between respective locked and unlocked positions parallel with the jaw pivot axis 134, and without requiring use of any tools (e.g. by allowing an operator to pull each lock pin 144 out of engagement with and clear of the grapple 130).

In the example illustrated, the grapple 130 has a subframe 146 at a back end of the grapple 130. The jaw 132 of the grapple 130 is pivotably coupled to the subframe 146 for pivoting the jaw 132 relative to the bucket 102 about the jaw pivot axis 134 between the open position and the closed position. The subframe 146 is fixed relative to the bucket 102 when the grapple 130 is in the deployed position, and the jaw 132 is pivotable relative to the subframe 146 between the open and closed positions. Referring to FIG. 2, in the example illustrated, the grapple 130 includes at least one jaw actuator 148 operatively coupled between the jaw 132 and the bucket 102 for pivoting the jaw 132 relative to the bucket 102 about the jaw pivot axis 134 between the open and closed positions. Referring to FIG. 4, in the example illustrated, the jaw actuator 148 is coupled between the jaw 132 and the subframe 146 for pivoting the jaw 132 relative to the subframe 146. This allows for the jaw actuator 148 to remain connected to the grapple 130 (and be separable from the bucket 102) when the grapple 130 is released from the bucket 102 for movement to the stowed position, which can help simplify separating the grapple 130 from the bucket 102 for movement to the stowed position. In the example illustrated, the jaw actuator 148 comprises a hydraulic cylinder connectable to the hydraulic system of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the example illustrated, the subframe 146 includes at least one grapple hole 150 alignable with at least one bucket hole 152 fixed relative to the bucket 102 for receiving the at least one mounting lock pin 144 to secure the grapple 130 to the bucket 102. Referring to FIG. 4, in the example illustrated, the subframe 146 includes a pair of grapple holes 150 (one on each side of the grapple 130) alignable with a pair of respective bucket holes 152 for receiving the pair of respective mounting lock pins 144 to secure the grapple 130 to the bucket 102. Inserting the mounting lock pins 144 to releasably secure the grapple 130 to the bucket 102 includes aligning the pair of grapple holes 150 with respective bucket holes 152 and inserting respective mounting lock pins 144 therethrough.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the example illustrated, the attachment 100 includes a cradle 154 proximate an upper end of the back wall 112 of the bucket 102 for receiving the grapple 130. In the example illustrated, the cradle 154 is fixed to the bucket 102. In the example illustrated, the subframe 146 of the grapple 130 includes at least one locating protrusion 158, and the cradle 154 includes at least one slot 160 having a slot closed end 162 defining a seat 164 and a slot open end 166 spaced apart from the slot closed end 162 for receiving the locating protrusion 158 therein. In the example illustrated, the subframe 146 includes a pair of the locating protrusions 158, and the cradle 154 includes a pair of the slots 160 for receiving respective protrusions 158. Referring to FIG. 4, each locating protrusion 158 of the subframe 146 is spaced apart from a respective grapple hole 150 by a subframe offset 168. The cradle 154 comprises the pair of bucket holes 152, and the seat 164 of each slot 160 of the cradle 154 is spaced apart from a respective bucket hole 152 by a cradle offset 170. The subframe offset 168 is equal to the cradle offset 170 to facilitate aligning each grapple hole 150 with a respective bucket hole 152 when each protrusion 158 is in the seat 164 of a respective slot 160. Referring to FIG. 5, in the example illustrated, the cradle 154 has a ramp surface 172 extending from the lower edge 174 of each slot 160 for guiding the protrusion 158 toward the seat 164 (FIG. 6).

Referring to FIG. 4, in the example illustrated, the cradle 154 comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart cradle plates 176. Each slot 160 is formed in an upper edge of a respective cradle plate 176, and each bucket hole 152 extends laterally through a respective cradle plate forward of the slots 160. The subframe 146 of the grapple 130 comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart subframe plates 178. Each locating protrusion 158 projects laterally outwardly from a respective subframe plate 178 on a respective side of the grapple 130, and each grapple hole 150 extends laterally through a respective subframe plate 178 forward of the locating protrusions 158. When the grapple 130 is coupled to the bucket 102 in the deployed position, the subframe plates 178 of the grapple 130 are parallel with and received laterally between the pair of cradle plates 176.

To move the grapple 130 from the deployed position to the stowed position, the jaw actuator 148 is disconnected from the vehicle's hydraulic system and the pair of lock pins 144 are removed from respective grapple holes 150 to release the grapple 130 from the bucket 102. The grapple 130 is then separated from the bucket 102 and moved clear of the material collection space 104 to the stowed position (e.g. set on the ground). To move the grapple 130 from the stowed position to the deployed position, the grapple 130 is moved back over the material collection space 104 to rest the locating protrusions 158 on respective ramp surfaces 172 (FIG. 5). With the protrusions 158 on the ramp surfaces 172 (FIG. 5), the grapple 130 is slid rearwardly relative to the bucket 102 to move the locating protrusions 158 into respective slots 160. When the locating protrusions 158 are seated in respective slots 160, the grapple holes 150 are aligned with respective bucket holes 152. The lock pins 144 are inserted into respective pairs of aligned grapple and bucket holes 150, 152 to lock the grapple 130 in the deployed position, and the jaw actuator 148 is reconnected to the vehicle's hydraulic system.

Referring to FIG. 7, another example material handling attachment 1100 is shown. The attachment 1100 has similarities to the attachment 100, and like features are identified with like reference characters, incremented by 1000.

The attachment 1100 includes a bucket 1102 defining a material collection space 1104 open to a front 1106 of the attachment 1100. The bucket 1102 includes a base 1108 for supporting collected material, two laterally opposed sidewalls 1110 extending from the base 1108 for enclosing sides of the material collection space 1104, and a back wall 1112 extending laterally between the sidewalls 1110 for enclosing a rear of the material collection space 1104. In the example illustrated, the base 1108 extends along the sidewalls 1110 from the back wall 1112 to a cutting edge 1116 at the front of the bucket 1102. A plurality of front teeth 1118 project forward from the cutting edge 1116 and are spaced laterally apart from each other therealong. In the example illustrated, the front teeth 1118 are staggered and include a pair of outer trailing teeth 1120, and a pair of central leading teeth 1122 laterally intermediate and projecting forward of the pair of trailing teeth 1120. Providing a pair of the central leading teeth 1122 can, for example, facilitate more balanced handling of certain materials (e.g. rocks) with the central leading teeth 1122 (relative to, for example, having a single central leading tooth), while facilitating concentration of penetrating forces via the leading teeth 1122.

In the example illustrated, each sidewall 1110 comprises a sidewall lower edge 1124 joined to the base 1108, a sidewall upper edge 1126 spaced apart from the sidewall lower edge 1124, and a plurality of side cutting teeth 1128 along the sidewall upper edge 1126 of each sidewall 1110. In the example illustrated, the material collection space 1104 has a width between the laterally opposed sidewalls 1110 and a length between the back wall 1112 and the cutting edge 1116 that is at least twice the width. The material collection space 1104 of the bucket 1102 is wider than the material collection space 104 of the bucket 102, which can provide for increased carrying capacity (e.g. to pick and haul more rocks or carry more fill material), while still maintaining a generally elongate, narrow profile suitable for digging, sawing, and/or sideswiping operations.

In the example illustrated, the attachment 1100 includes a grapple 1130 mounted to the bucket 1102 proximate the back wall 1112. In the example illustrated, the grapple 1130 includes a jaw 1132 movable relative to the bucket 1102 between a deployed position (FIG. 7) and one or more stowed positions (see e.g. FIG. 12). Referring to FIG. 7, when in the deployed position, the jaw 1132 overlies the material collection space 1104 to facilitate gripping materials between the bucket 1102 and the grapple 1130. Referring to FIG. 12, in the example illustrated, when in the stowed position, the jaw 1132 is moved clear of the material collection space 1104 to facilitate non-interference of the grapple 1130 during bucket operations (e.g. sawing and/or digging operations). Referring to FIG. 7, in the example illustrated, at least when in the deployed position, the jaw 1132 is pivotable relative to the bucket 1102 about a jaw pivot axis 1134 between a closed position (FIG. 7) for gripping material between the grapple 1130 and the bucket 1102, and an open position for receiving material between the bucket 1102 and the grapple 1130. In the example illustrated, the jaw 1132 includes laterally opposed side arms 1136. Each side arm 1136 has a lower edge 1138 directed toward the bucket 1102 for engaging material between the grapple 1130 and the bucket 1102 when moving the jaw 1132 from the open position to the closed position. In the example illustrated, each lower edge 1138 comprises jaw teeth 1140.

In the example illustrated, the attachment 1100 includes a quick-release system 1142 coupling the grapple 1130 to the bucket 1102. The quick-release system 1142 is configured for tool-free attachment of the grapple 1130 to and release of the grapple 1130 from the bucket 1102. In the example illustrated, the quick-release system 1142 of the attachment 1100 includes at least one mounting lock pin 1144 for releasably securing the grapple 1130 to the bucket 1102. In the example illustrated, the quick-release system 1142 includes a pair of the mounting lock pins 1144. The grapple 1130 is movable from the deployed position to a first stowed position by removing each mounting lock pin 1144 and separating the grapple 1130 from the bucket 1102 for movement of the grapple 1130 clear of the material collection space 1104 (e.g. by setting the grapple 1130 on a ground surface).

In the example illustrated, the grapple 1130 includes a subframe 1146 at a back end of the grapple 1130, and the jaw 1132 of the grapple 1130 is pivotably coupled to the subframe 1146 for pivoting the jaw 1132 relative to the bucket 1102 (and the subframe 1146) between the open and closed positions. In the example illustrated, the grapple 1130 includes a jaw actuator 1148 for pivoting the jaw 1132 between the open and closed positions. The jaw actuator 1148 is coupled between the jaw 1132 and the subframe 1146 for pivoting the jaw 1132 relative to the subframe 1146, and to allow the jaw actuator 1148 to remain connected to the grapple 1130 when releasing and moving the grapple 1130 to the first stowed position. The attachment 1100 includes a cradle 1154 proximate the back wall 1112 of the bucket 1102. The subframe 1146 and cradle 1154 are configured and operable in a manner similar to those of the attachment 100 for attaching and releasing the grapple 1130 from the bucket 1102 using the lock pins 1144 (i.e. through sliding of locating protrusions of the subframe into respective slots in the cradle and alignment of bucket and grapple holes for receiving the lock pins 1144).

In the example illustrated, the grapple 1130 is further movable from the deployed position to at least one second stowed position, in which the grapple 1130 remains attached to the bucket 1102 while clear of the material collection space 1104. In the example illustrated, the attachment 1100 includes a turret 1180 rotatably coupled to the bucket 1102. The turret is rotatably secured to the bucket 1102 proximate an upper end of the back wall 1112 of the bucket 1102. The grapple 1130 is secured to the turret 1180 and rotatable with the turret 1180 relative to the bucket 1102 about a turret axis 1182 between a forward position (FIG. 7) projecting from the back wall 1112 between the sidewalls 1110, and at least one lateral position (FIG. 12) projecting toward one of the sidewalls 1110 and parallel to the back wall 1112. In the example illustrated, moving the grapple 1130 from the deployed position to the stowed position includes rotating the grapple 1130 about the turret axis 1182 from the forward position to the lateral position. In the example illustrated, the cradle 1154 for mounting the grapple 1130 to the bucket 1102 is fixed to rotate with the turret 1180 (and fixed relative to the bucket 102 when the grapple 1130 is in the deployed position). The subframe 1146 and the jaw actuator 1148 are rotatable about the turret axis 1182 with the grapple 1130. In the example illustrated, the turret axis 1182 extends generally vertically.

Referring to FIG. 10, in the example illustrated, the bucket 1102 includes at least one retainer 1184 fixed to the bucket 1102 and spaced laterally apart from turret axis 1182. Referring to FIG. 12, the retainer 1184 is interlockable with the grapple 1130 when the grapple 1130 is in the lateral position to hold the grapple 1130 in the lateral (and second stowed) position.

Referring to FIG. 10, in the example illustrated, the bucket 1102 includes a pair of retainers 1184, one on each side of the turret 1180 adjacent a respective sidewall 1110. The turret 1180 is rotatable relative to the bucket 1102 about the turret axis 1182 in a first direction for moving the bucket 1102 from the deployed position to a first lateral position toward one of the sidewalls 1110 for interlocking with one of the retainers 1184. The turret 1180 is further rotatable relative to the bucket 1102 about the turret axis 1182 in a second direction opposite the first direction for moving the grapple 1130 from the deployed position to a second lateral position toward the other one of the sidewalls 1110 for interlocking with the other one of the retainers 1184. This can allow an operator to move the grapple 1130 into a second stowed position on either side of the attachment 1100 depending on which side is more suitable (e.g. has more clearance) for a given operation of the attachment 1100. In the example illustrated, each retainer 1184 comprises a retainer plate oriented parallel with a respective sidewall 1110 and having an upper edge with a retaining notch 1190 for receiving a respective side arm 1136 of the jaw 1132 to retain the grapple 1130 in the second stowed position. In the example illustrated, each retainer plate extends upwardly from, and is formed integrally with, a respective sidewall 1110 of the bucket 1102.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the example illustrated, the bucket 1102 has a pair of turn stops 1192 proximate the back wall 1112 and on laterally opposite sides of the turret axis 1182. The pair of turn stops 1192 include a first turn stop 1192 for limiting rotation of the grapple 1130 in the first direction to the first lateral position, and a second turn stop 1192 for limiting rotation of the grapple 1130 in the second direction to the second lateral position. In the example illustrated, the turret 1180 has a pair of abutment surfaces 1195 (e.g. flats) spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the turret axis 1182. Each abutment surface 1195 is positioned for engagement with a respective turn stop 1192 to limit rotation of the grapple 1130 from the forward position to a respective lateral position.

In the example illustrated, the attachment 1100 includes at least one turret lock pin 1196 for releasably locking the grapple 1130 in the forward position. In the example illustrated, the turret lock pin 1196 is slidable between a locked position for locking the grapple 1130 relative to the bucket 1102 to prevent rotation of the grapple 1130 from the forward position about the turret axis 1182, and an unlocked position in which the turret 1180 is free to rotate about the turret axis 1182 for movement of the grapple 1130 from the forward position to either lateral position. In the example illustrated, the turret lock pin 1196 is slidable vertically between the locked and unlocked positions. In the example illustrated, the turret 1180 has a turret hole 1198 extending vertically therethrough. The bucket 1102 has a pin hole proximate the back wall 1112. The turret hole 1198 is in alignment with the pin hole when the grapple 1130 is in the forward position to permit movement of the turret lock pin 1196 to the locked position, in which the turret lock pin 1196 extends through the turret hole 1198 and the pin hole to lock the grapple 1130 in the forward (deployed) position. When in the unlocked position, the turret lock pin 1196 is removed from the pin hole to release the turret 1180 for rotation of the grapple 1130 from the forward position to either lateral position. In the example illustrated, the turret lock pin 1196 is spring loaded to bias the lock pin 1196 toward the locked position for automatically returning the pin 1196 into the pin hole of the bucket 1102 to lock the grapple 1130 when moved into the forward position.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the example illustrated, the jaw 1132 has an adjustable length between a front 1202 and rear 1204 of the jaw 1132. The jaw 1132 has a rear portion 1206 pivotably coupled to the subframe 1146 and a front portion 1208 toward the cutting edge 1116 when the grapple 1130 is in the deployed and closed position. The front portion 1208 of the jaw 1132 is adjustably coupled to the rear portion 1206 to permit extension and retraction of the front portion 1208 relative to the rear portion 1206 to adjust the length of the jaw 1132. In the example illustrated, the rear portion 1206 has a plurality of rear portion aperture sets 1210 spaced apart from each other along the length of the jaw 1132. The front portion 1208 has a front portion aperture set 1212 alignable with each of the rear portion aperture sets 1210 for receiving a set of fasteners 1214 therethrough to secure the front portion 1208 to the rear portion 1206 at a desired jaw length.

In use, when an operator is performing certain operations, such as, for example, digging out roots and/or trees, the grapple 1130 can remain in the deployed position. For some bucket operations, it may be helpful to move the grapple 1130 from the deployed position to the stowed position.

The grapple 1130 is movable between the deployed position and the first stowed position through separation of the grapple 1130 from the bucket 1102 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the attachment 100.

Referring to FIG. 8, to move the grapple 1130 from the deployed position to the second stowed position, the grapple 1130 is pivoted upwardly about the jaw pivot axis 1134 toward the open position, sufficient to clear a respective retainer 1184 during rotation from the forward position toward either lateral position. The turret lock pin 1196 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position (e.g. through lifting of the pin 1196 by the operator) to release the turret 1180 for rotation about the turret axis 1182. When the turret lock pin 1196 is in the unlocked position, the grapple 1130 is rotated about the turret axis 1182 in either the first or second direction until it reaches a respective lateral position. The grapple 1130 can be rotated manually by the operator or by tipping the bucket 1102 back to swing the grapple 1130 under gravity. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, when in the lateral position, the grapple 1130 is pivoted downwardly about the jaw pivot axis 1134 toward the closed position to lower one of the side arms 1136 of the grapple 1130 into interlocking engagement with a respective retainer 1184 for holding the grapple in the second stowed position.

To move the grapple 1130 from the second stowed position back to the deployed position, the grapple 1130 is pivoted upwardly toward the open position to move the interlocked side arm 1136 clear of the retainer 1184. Referring to FIG. 8, the bucket 1102 is then tilted forward to permit the grapple 1130 to swing about the turret axis 1182 back toward the forward position. When the bucket 1102 reaches the forward position, the spring-loaded turret lock pin 1196 returns to the locked position to lock the grapple 1130 in the deployed position.

Movement of the grapple 1130 from the second stowed position back to the deployed position can be performed by the operator from within the cab of the vehicle, without necessarily requiring any manual intervention. This may allow the operator to more conveniently redeploy the grapple 1130 from within the cab during operation of the attachment 1100. For example, if the operator encounters an obstacle (e.g. rock, root, stump, etc.) while digging a ditch with the grapple 1130 in the second stowed position, the operator can redeploy the grapple 1130 back into service without leaving the cab by rotating the grapple 1130 upwardly and tipping the bucket 1102 down. This can provide relatively easier, more convenient, and/or faster redeployment capabilities relative to, for example, having to exit the cab to reattach a grapple 1130 that has been separated from the bucket 1102 (e.g. through the quick-release system 1142).