Dual-mode thumb for excavator

摘要

A thumb body is pivotally connected to a first mount, and a stiff-arm anchor is connected to and extends between the first mount and a second mount. The stiff-arm anchor is selectively removable from the first and second mounts. A stiff-arm support link includes a first end connected to the thumb body and a second end connected to the stiff-arm anchor. The thumb can be converted from a hydraulic mode to a stiff-arm or fixed mode by disconnecting the first end of a hydraulic cylinder actuator from the thumb body and disconnecting the second end of the hydraulic cylinder actuator from the second mount, and by installing the stiff-arm anchor and stiff-arm support link.

主权项

1. A thumb for an excavator, said thumb comprising:
first and second spaced apart mounts; a thumb body pivotally connected to said first mount by a first removable pin assembly, said second mount comprising a second removable pin assembly adapted for selectively connecting an associated hydraulic cylinder actuator to said second mount; a stiff-arm anchor connected to and extending between said first and second mounts, said stiff-arm anchor comprising first and second ends releasably connected to said first and second mounts, respectively, so as to be selectively removable from said first and second mounts; and, a stiff-arm support link comprising a first end connected to said thumb body and a second end connected to said stiff-arm anchor at a location on said stiff-arm anchor that is located between said first and second mounts, wherein one end of said stiff-arm anchor is pinned to a respective one of said first and second mounts, and the other end of said stiff-arm anchor is captured to the other respective one of said first and second mounts by insertion of said other end of said stiff-arm anchor between said respective pin assembly and an adjacent fixed structure.