Implement transportation train

Abstract

A method and train is disclosed for the highway safe transportation of a front loader implement, i.e., a back hoe or a skip loader, with the rear pair of wheels of same cradled above road level between the front and rear axles of a dolly and with the front lip of the scoop of the implement engaging a rearwardly-directed lip hook provided at the fork of a Y-shaped towbar. The two arms of said towbar extend rearwardly under the scoop, each arm with a length of chain and a terminal hook threaded under and behind the scoop, over the lift arms and there secured, each chain to the other, by means of its terminal hook. The forward-directed base of the Y is provided at its terminus with a trailer coupler engaging the trailer hitch of a towing vehicle. The front pair of wheels of the implement are raised above road level by downwardly uncurling the scoop. As an option the dolly is provided with a pair of automatically retractable ramps hingeably attached near their rearward ends to the front axle and each ramp is provided at its forward-directed end with a length of chain with a terminal hook, whereby to secure the ramp in the retracted position. Means are disclosed for locking the articulation, in order to prevent descent to road level while being towed, of the scoop and towbar assembly, of the front wheels of the implement, and of the ramps, respectively.