Abstract:
A front end loader having a load supporting member, such as a boom, to which is attached an excavating bucket that is to be extended, retracted, elevated and lowered relative to the vehicle. The boom member is attached at one end to a first set of circular gear segments which may be rotated by power means to extend the boom member and thus the bucket attached thereto to impart substantially linear motion to the bucket attached thereto to impart substantially linear motion to the bucket for crowding the bucket into the material to be handled by the loader. A second set of circular gear segments pivotal about the same axis as the first set of gear segments is connected to the boom through lift links which, upon rotation of the second set of gear segments in a clockwise direction and rotation of the first set of gear segments in a counterclockwise direction will assist in extension of the boom relative to the vehicle. The second set of gear segments may be utilized, after full extension of the boom, to lift the boom by reversing the direction of rotation of the second gear segments. The first and second set of the segments may be powered independently to accomplish extension, retraction, lifting and lowering of the boom and the bucket attached thereto to permit crowding of the bucket into the material and lifting or lowering of the bucket from ground elevation to elevations above and below ground elevation.