Motor vehicles – Frame
Utility Patent
1998-06-05
2001-01-02
Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3611)
Motor vehicles
Frame
C180S089100, C180S312000, C293S102000, C280S781000
Utility Patent
active
06167980
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to an arrangement for mounting and stabilizing an engine within a work machine and more particularly to an engine mounting and stabilizing arrangement for a skid steer loader machine.
BACKGROUND ART
Skid steer loader machines are manufactured to provide a compact work machine which is maneuverable and durable in various applications. It is generally well-known that an engine coupled with a hydrostatic drive mechanism is used for driving a pair of wheels on one side of the loader machine at a different speed or direction from another pair of wheels on an opposite side of the loader machine. The engine can be mounted in a variety of ways within the loader machine, but typically, the engine is mounted either transversely or in-line with a longitudinal axis of the loader machine. Generally, the entire engine is connected to a frame structure of the loader machine.
A design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,868 issued to Joseph M. Mather on Aug. 20, 1985 utilizes a subassembly for a loader machine which includes an engine and pump mechanism. The subassembly is assembled into a unitary frame structure of the machine so that the axes of the engine and pump mechanism are transverse to a longitudinal axis of the machine. Another design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,455 issued to Larry E. Albright et al. on Sep. 11, 1990 utilizes a method of assembling a skid steer loader which mounts an engine and hydraulic pump to an engine mount platform welded at the back end of the lower frame assembly. The engine mount platform is integral with the lower frame assembly and designed for increased accessibility so that the engine and hydraulic pump can be easily mounted together resulting in decreased assembly time. In both the designs, the engine mounting within the frame structure of the loader machine requires a more durable structure to stabilize the engine. The additional requirements in the frame structure restricts flexibility in the design and increases manufacturing costs. Furthermore, if the engine mounting is damaged, rework may be required for the frame structure which may include removal of the entire engine, increasing maintenance costs.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In an aspect of the present invention, a mounting arrangement for an engine is disclosed. The engine has first and second end portions. The mounting arrangement is adapted for use in a machine with a frame assembly which includes a pair of side rails. A crossmember is connected between the pair of side rails. A bumper assembly is connected to the frame assembly at one end portion of the machine. A pair of spaced mounts are connected to the crossmember. Each of the pair of mounts are positioned in a spaced relationship from a respective side rail. A single stabilizer is connected on the bumper assembly so that the first end portion of the engine is connected on the stabilizer and the second end portion of the engine is mounted on the pair of mounts to align the engine parallel with the pair of side rails of the frame assembly.
In another aspect of the present invention, a skid steer loader machine with front and rear end portions and connected upper and lower frame assemblies is disclosed. The lower frame assembly includes a pair of side rails. A crossmember extends between the pair of side rails of the lower frame assembly. An engine with first and second end portions is provided. A bumper assembly is connected to the lower frame assembly at the rear portion of the machine. A pair of spaced mounts are connected to the crossmember. Each of the pair of mounts are positioned in a spaced relationship from a respective side rail. A single stabilizer is connected on the bumper assembly so that the first end portion of the engine is connected on the stabilizer and the second end portion of the engine is mounted on the pair of mounts to align the engine parallel with the pair of side rails of the lower frame assembly.
The present invention includes an engine mounting arrangement wherein a rear end portion of an engine is mounted to a pair of mounts positioned on a frame assembly used in a work machine. A front end portion of the engine is connected to a stabilizer positioned on a bumper assembly. The connection of the engine to a bumper assembly provides a solid, durable structure for stabilizing the engine during operation. The bumper assembly is separate from the frame structure of the work machine so that damage to or maintenance for the stabilizer will not require rework to the frame structure or removal of the entire engine.
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Anderson Robert S.
Baig Mirza Q.
Deneve Jeffrey A.
Dershem Brian R.
Kabir Hasan
Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
Charlton Diana L.
Culbreth Eric
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