The Toro Company

James A Kuemper

John P Azure

Joseph C Knipp

David A Murray

Gerard G Betz, Ii

Ryan W Cunningham

Michael H Benedict

A compact utility loader is operated by a standing operator at the rear of a frame. A loader arm assembly comprises a scissors linkage on either side of the frame nesting around the prime mover. Each scissors linkage has an upper loader arm that is pivoted at its rear end to rears ends of a pair of lower loader arms such that the pivot connections to the upper loader arm move upwardly and forwardly relative to the frame during elevation of the loader arm assembly to provide a high lift capability. The frame is self-propelled by a differential drive and steering system that is operated by dual levers. A hand grip extends between and unifies the operation of the levers to permit the operator to more easily move the levers in the ways that are needed to provide either straight motion of the frame or turns of the frame.

Utility loader with high lift loader arms and unifying hand grip for dual traction control levers

The present Application discloses a trenching device with two operational modes, Mode 1 and mode 2. In Mode 1, the trenching lever is disengaged, the device does not trench, but only functions as a transporting unit in a forward direction with a maximum speed. In Mode 2, the trenching lever is engaged, the device starts trenching, but stops functioning as a transporting unit.

Reverse tram interlock

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New Hope, MN, United States of America

James A Kuemper