Loader With Lifting Arrangement

Abstract

A loader includes a frame arrangement with a front frame portion and a rear frame portion. The loader includes a lifting arrangement mounted to the front frame portion. The lifting arrangement comprises a main arm provided with a pivot connector at a proximate end and an equipment connector at a distal end. The lifting arrangement includes a main arm support means for pivotably supporting the pivot connector of the main arm. The main arm support means is movable in a direction including a component in a front-rear direction with respect to the front frame portion. The lifting arrangement includes a main arm actuating element for pivoting the main arm such that the equipment connector is movable between a lowered position and a lifted position.

1 . A loader having a frame arrangement with a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, the loader comprising:
 an operator's cab mounted to the rear frame portion, the operator's cab having a front window with a lower boundary; and   a lifting arrangement mounted to the front frame portion, the lifting arrangement comprising:
 a main arm having a pivot connector at a proximate end and an equipment connector at a distal end; 
 a main arm support means for pivotably supporting the pivot connector of the main arm, wherein the main arm support means is movable in a direction including at least a component in a front-rear direction with respect to the front frame portion; and 
 a main arm actuating element for pivoting the main arm such that the equipment connector is movable between a lowered position and a lifted position; 
 wherein the loader is configured such that the pivot connector is situated below at least a section of the lower boundary of the front window in an operating position of the lifting arrangement. 
   
     
     
         2 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot connector is situated below at least the section of the lower boundary of the front window in an intermediate position of the lifting arrangement in which the main arm is oriented horizontally. 
     
     
         3 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot connector is situated below at least the section of the lower boundary of the front window in all operating positions of the lifting arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot connector is situated below an entire lower boundary of the front window. 
     
     
         5 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the main arm support means is completely situated below the section of the lower boundary of the front window in the operating position. 
     
     
         6 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the front frame portion and the rear frame portion are articulatingly interconnected for providing an articulating steering. 
     
     
         7 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the loader is a wheel loader. 
     
     
         8 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting arrangement comprises a guiding means engaged to the main arm at a guided portion of the main arm positioned between the pivot connector and the equipment connector, and wherein upon pivoting the main arm between the lowered position and the lifted position, the guiding means guides the main arm such that the equipment connector follows a predetermined path. 
     
     
         9 . The loader according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an auxiliary actuating element engaged to the main arm and the main arm support means for adjusting an angle therebetween;   a determining means for determining a lifting related quantity reflecting a position of the equipment connector with respect to the front frame portion; and   a control means for controlling an operation of the main arm actuating element and the auxiliary actuating element based on a determined lifting related quantity; such that a path of the equipment connector upon moving between the lowered position and the lifted position follows a predetermined path.   
     
     
         10 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting arrangement is configured to move the equipment connector between the lowered position and the lifted position along a substantially vertical path. 
     
     
         11 . The loader according to  claim 1 , wherein the operator's cab comprises an operator's seat, which aligned to the front window such that an operator looks straight through the front window when sitting on the operator's seat in an intended fashion, wherein the loader is configured such that the pivot connector is situated outside of a foveal field of vision of the operator in all operating positions of the lifting arrangement while the operator is sitting on the operator's seat in the intended fashion.