Pallet fork implement for work machine

Abstract

A pallet fork implement is configured to be mounted on a blade of a power machine. The pallet fork implement includes an engagement portion for engaging the blade of the power machine, and a tine portion for performing a work function. The tine portion is configured to extend generally forward of the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade. The engagement portion of the pallet fork implement is a unitary assembly.

1 . A pallet fork implement configured to be mounted on a blade of a power machine, comprising:
 an engagement portion for engaging the blade of the power machine;   a tine portion for performing a work function, the tine portion configured to extend generally forward of the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade; and   wherein the engagement portion is a unitary assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet fork implement of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion has a first contact area configured to contact a lip of the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade, and a second contact area configured to contact an upper surface of the blade adjacent to the lip of the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet fork implement of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second contact areas are substantially orthogonal to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet fork implement of  claim 2 , wherein the upper surface of the blade with which the second contact area is configured to contact is an upper surface of a moldboard of the blade. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet fork implement of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement portion has a third contact area configured to contact a cutting edge of the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet fork implement of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement portion includes a face surface extending between the second engagement surface and the third engagement surface, and wherein the engagement portion is configured such that the face surface is not in contact with the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet fork implement of  claim 6 , wherein the engagement portion includes a protrusion below the face surface, wherein the protrusion provides the third contact area. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet fork implement of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement portion has a retention member adjacent the first engagement surface and positioned opposing the second engagement surface, and wherein when the first, second and third contact area are in contact with the blade, the retention member is substantially not in contact with the implement carrier. 
     
     
         9 . A power machine having a frame and a blade operably coupled to the frame, the blade configured to carry the pallet fork implement of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The power machine of  claim 9 , wherein the blade is configured to carry a plurality of pallet fork implements concurrently. 
     
     
         11 . The power machine of  claim 9  and further comprising a lift arm coupled to the blade and pivotally coupled to the frame and wherein the lift arm is further coupled to a power source capable of moving the lift arm relative to the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The power machine of  claim 10  and further comprising a storage structure attached to the frame configured to retain the pallet fork implements in a storage position. 
     
     
         13 . The power machine of  claim 12 , wherein the storage structure includes a plurality of pairs of brackets attached to the frame, and wherein each pair of brackets is configured to retain a separate pallet fork implement in the storage position. 
     
     
         14 . The power machine of  claim 12 , wherein the storage structure is configured to accept the work portion of each of the plurality of pallet fork implements when the plurality of implements are retained in the storage position. 
     
     
         15 . The power machine of  claim 14 , wherein when the plurality of pallet fork implements are retained in the storage position, the engagement portions of each of the plurality of implements are coupled together. 
     
     
         16 . An implement, comprising:
 an engagement portion for engaging a portion of a host implement that is attached to a power machine by hanging over a portion of the host implement and abutting generally planar portions of the host implement, wherein the host implement is free from actuable mechanisms for locking the host implement to the engagement portion;   a work portion for performing a work function; and   wherein the engagement portion is a unitary assembly.