JOINT ASSEMBLY FOR HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR

摘要

An excavating machine has a stick arm to which is connected a bucket assembly. The bucket assembly has a bucket which is openable and closable by means of fluid pressure applied to one and the other end of a cylinder. The assembly includes a joint which allows free rotation of the bucket through 360 DEG relative to the stick arm, meanwhile providing that the fluid pressure may pass through the joint to one or the other side of the cylinder, irrespective of the rotative position of the bucket. Fluid pressure is supplied to the joint through hose couplings which themselves allow a degree of pivoting of the hose ends relative to the joint. However, the design of the joint provides that these hose ends do not rotate with the bucket as the bucket is pivoted. A valving system is included for providing rapid opening of the bucket, and stops are associated with the bucket to limit the opening movement thereof. A cushion stop is provided to cushion the movement of the bucket assembly toward the stick arm.