Self-propelled work machine

Abstract

A self-propelled work machine, such as an excavator, comprising an undercarriage equipped with wheels or track chains, and a top carriage supported onto the undercarriage for 360° rotation about a vertical axis. A first articulating boom is pivotably attached to the top carriage, and a first implement is attached to the free end thereof. The undercarriage is fitted with a mounting and pivoting adapter to which a second articulating boom is attached. The adapter comprises a mounting part attached to the undercarriage and a pivoting part attached to the mounting part such that is its pivotable at least 120° about a vertical axis and having said second articulating boom attached thereto such that it is pivotable about a horizontal axis. A second implement is attached to the free end of the second articulating boom.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A self-propelled work machine, such as an excavator, comprising an undercarriage equipped with wheels or track chains, a top carriage supported onto the undercarriage for 360° rotation about a vertical axis, and a first articulating boom pivotably attached to the top carriage and having a first implement attached to the free end thereof, and wherein the undercarriage is fitted with a mounting and pivoting adapter (hereinafter adapter) to which a second articulating boom having a second implement attached to the free end thereof is attached, and the adapter comprises a mounting part attached to the undercarriage and a pivoting part attached to the mounting part such that it is pivotable about a vertical axis and having said second articulating boom attached thereto such that it is pivotable about a horizontal axis, characterized in that the axis line of the vertical axis of the adapter is at a distance from the undercarriage in the direction of travel of the work machine and the pivoting part along with the articulating boom is able to pivot at least 120° about the vertical axis of the adapter, and that the work machine is equipped with a programmable processor programmed to automatically control predetermined movements of the second articulating boom and/or the second implement, and/or wherein the adapter is equipped with a valve housing with hydraulic valves that can be remotely controlled by an electronic control unit, and with which the movements of the second articulating boom and/or the second implement can be remotely controlled. 
     
     
         2 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the hydraulic drive power required for moving the second articulating boom is taken from the same motor in the work machine as the drive power required for moving the work machine or the drive power required for moving the first articulating boom. 
     
     
         3 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the mounting part of the adapter is attached removably to the frame of the undercarriage for detaching the second articulating boom from the work machine. 
     
     
         4 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first and second articulating booms along with the implements are moveable to a mutual position in which the first implement is directly above the second implement. 
     
     
         5 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the implements are screening devices or crushing and screening devices. 
     
     
         6 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the undercarriage has hydraulic oil quick-connect couplers to which the inlet pipes of the adapter are guided and connected when the adapter is mounted to the undercarriage, or that the adapter has hydraulic oil quick-connect couplers to which the supply pipes connected to the hydraulic hoses of the work machine are guided and connected when the adapter is mounted to the undercarriage. 
     
     
         7 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the mounting part of the adapter is equipped with removable support legs to be pressed against the ground and extending to a desired distance from the center line of the work machine as seen in its direction of travel. 
     
     
         8 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the pivoting part and the second articulating boom along with it are pivotable at least 180° about the vertical axis of the mounting part. 
     
     
         9 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first and second articulating booms along with the implements are moveable to a mutual position in which the implements are side by side at a distance from one another, and that the implements are grippers. 
     
     
         10 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that on the side opposite to the adapter, the undercarriage is fitted with a rack with which implements suitable for use with the work machine can be transported to the construction site along with the work machine.