Clark Equipment Compnay

James L Werner

Larry E Albright

Thomas M Sagaser

James J Bauer

Lonnie D Hoechst

Logan W Johnson

A skid steer loader comprising an improved loader main frame and including an operator's compartment designed to present a low profile vehicle particularly suitable for low clearance applications. The loader main frame includes a center compartment partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side beams. The engine for the vehicle is mounted at the rear of the center compartment and is acoustically enclosed by structural elements of the frame. A seat pan mounted on the side beams overlies the engine and transmission and separates the operator compartment from the center compartment. At a forward end of the center compartment an elongated transmission case forms a partial bottom wall and also encloses the chain and sprocket drive system of the vehicle. The side walls of the transmission case are displaced from the side walls of the frame, enabling the operator to straddle the case, thus reducing height requirements for both the operator compartment and the overall vehicle. Uprights secured to the side beams of the main frame at respective outer rear portions thereof partially enclose the rear portion of the center compartment and boom loader arms are secured to upper pivotal mountings provided on the uprights. Respective front ends of the loader arms are arcuately proportioned to extend forward of the wheels of the vehicle. An improved attachment mounting means incorporating a single mid-plane cylinder is provided between respective outer ends of the loader arms, the loader arms also carrying attachment means for implements used with the vehicle. A low profile overhead guard specially fabricated encloses the operator compartment and completes the assembly.

Method of making a vehicle transmission case

Skid steer loader vehicle body

A skid steer loader comprising an improved loader main frame and including an operator's compartment designed to present a low profile vehicle particularly suitable for low clearance applications. The loader main frame includes a center compartment partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side beams. The engine for the vehicle is mounted at the rear of the center compartment and is acoustically enclosed by structural elements of the frame. A seat pan mounted on the side beams overlies the engine and transmission and separates the operator compartment from the center compartment. At a forward end of the center compartment an elongated transmission case forms a partial bottom wall and also encloses the chain and sprocket drive system of the vehicle. The side walls of the transmission case are displaced from the side walls of the frame, enabling the operator to straddle the case, thus reducing height requirements for both the operator compartment and the overall vehicle. Uprights secured to the side beams of the main frame at respective outer rear portions thereof partially enclose the rear portion of the center compartment and boom loader arms are secured to upper pivotal mountings provided on the uprights. Respective front ends of the loader arms are arcuately proportioned to extend forward of the wheels of the vehicle.

Loader main frame for skid steer loader

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Lamar, MO, United States of America

James L Werner