Improved means for loading vehicles, which means may also be used for lifting
744,305. Shovelling apparatus. WOOD, R. L. Dec. 11, 1953 [Dec. 12, 1952], No. 31548/52. Class 68(1) [Also in Group XXX] Arms a carrying a skip j or other loadsupporting device are swung about their pivots' b<SP>1</SP> at one end of a vehicle by links c connected to the mechanism normally used to tip the vehicle body f, or to similar mechanism where the vehicle body does not tip. As illustrated the arms are adjustably connected at c<SP>l</SP> to the links c which are pivoted to a cross member d raised and lowered by rams e to tip the body f. The cross member d carries plates g<SP>2</SP> carrying rollers g<SP>1</SP> by which it is guided on members h on the tip-body. The plates g<SP>2</SP> are locked to the members h by pins g' when the body is to be tipped. Pivoting of the skip j relatively to the arms a is limited by pine j' engaging members j<SP>2</SP> on the arms. The pins b<SP>1</SP> forming the pivots for the arms a may be inserted in any of a series of holes in channel members b fixed to the front of the vehicle frame. In an alternative construction (Fig. 2, not shown), the arms a are pivoted at the rear of the vehicle so that the skip j is carried at the front, and the arms may be adapted for connection at either end. The skip j may be replaced by a shovel, a platform, a snow plough, a crane jib, a roller for supporting baulks of timber, or chains for supporting a damaged vehicle. The arms a may be tubular or telescopic in construction and may be replaced by hydraulic or pneumatic rams so that the bucket j can be forced into a load.