Quick disconnect bucket actuator

Abstract

A fluid-powered, laterally tiltable quick disconnect bucket actuator. An actuator has a generally cylindrical body with an output shaft rotatably disposed therein with an axis in general parallel alignment with a forward rotation plane through which the bucket is rotatable on a backhoe arm by the operation of a rotation link. A bracket is attached to the body and has a pair of clevises for pivotal attachment to the vehicle arm and rotation link. In one embodiment, the shaft has two pair of attachment forks for attaching the shaft to corresponding clevises of a bucket. One pair of the forks is attached to and moves axially with a member which is selectively extendable relative to the shaft to move the pair of forks between a locking position holding the bucket and a release position allowing disconnection of the bucket. A linear-to-rotary transmission device disposed within the body produces rotational movement of the shaft relative to the body to produce lateral tilting of the bucket in a lateral plane generally transverse to the forward rotational plane for the bucket. In alternative embodiments, the extendable member has a locking pin portion which is extended to seat in a bucket receiver aperture to lock the bucket in position or retracted within a shaft aperture to release the bucket. In one alternative embodiment, the extendable member is manually rotated to move it longitudinally between the locking and release positions, and in another alternative embodiment the extendable member is moved by a hydraulic piston.