Tool actuator with adjustable attachment mount

Abstract

A fluid-powered, laterally tiltable tool actuator. A tool has a pair of clevises, and 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 tool 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. The output shaft has a pair of shaft attachment members at each end for attaching the shaft to the corresponding tool clevises. The first pair of shaft attachment members is rigidly fixed to the shaft and attached to a first tool clevis. The second pair of shaft attachment members is pivotally attached to the shaft and pivots in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The pivoting attachment members can be adjustably positioned to accommodate various distances which separate the first and second tool clevises of different tools to allow the pivoting attachment members to be readily attached to a second tool clevis. 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 tool in a lateral plane generally transverse to the forward rotational plane.