Universal coupler for excavator buckets

Abstract

The coupler has a pair of spaced side frames () in each of which a first hook like aperture () is provided for engagement with a first pivot pin provided on an excavator bucket and wherein a locking pin () is moveable from and into a locking position in which it prevents the latching hook () from disengage from a second pivot pin (), () or () on the bucket there being a plurality of locking positions for the pin to accommodate different buckets. Preferably, a plurality of spaced apertures (), (), () are formed on each of the side frames (), those in one frame being transversely aligned with those in the other frames, and preferably also a plurality of spaced apertures () and/or latching surfaces are formed on the latching hook or on an extension thereof, through or against which the locking pin () can be passed or can bear to prevent relative movement between the hook () and side frames. Preferably, the piston end cylinder device () for operating the latching hook has a much longer stroke than usual and the side frames () of the coupler are longer than those of known couplers, there being a downwardly opening recess () in the side frames which is much wider than usual to accommodate different pin spacings on the buckets of different manufacturers.