Work machine with multiple hydraulic tanks

Abstract

A work machine comprising a frame configured to house a plurality of components of the work machine. The frame extends longitudinally from a rear end to a front end. The work machine further comprises a hydraulic system configured to provide hydraulic power to one or more hydraulically-powered components of the work machine. The hydraulic system includes a primary tank configured to hold hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic pump or a hydrostatic transmission configured to provide hydraulic fluid from the primary tank to the one or more hydraulically-powered components, and a secondary tank configured to hold hydraulic fluid and in fluid communication with the primary tank. The secondary tank is spaced apart from, rearwardly and above, the primary tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A work machine comprising:
 a frame configured to house a plurality of components of the work machine, wherein the frame extends longitudinally from a rear end to a front end; and   a hydraulic system configured to provide hydraulic power to one or more hydraulically-powered components of the work machine, wherein the hydraulic system includes—
 a primary tank configured to hold hydraulic fluid, 
 a hydraulic pump and/or a hydrostatic transmission configured to provide hydraulic fluid from the primary tank to the one or more hydraulically-powered components, 
 a secondary tank configured to hold hydraulic fluid and in fluid communication with the primary tank, wherein the secondary tank is spaced apart from, rearwardly and above, the primary tank. 
   
     
     
         2 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic system includes a conduit extending between the primary tank and the secondary tank, wherein the conduit is configured to facilitate transfer of hydraulic fluid between the primary tank and the secondary tank. 
     
     
         3 . The work machine of  claim 2 , wherein the conduit is a first conduit, and where the hydraulic system includes a second conduit extending between the primary tank and the secondary tank, wherein the second conduit is configured to facilitate air communication between the primary tank and the secondary tank. 
     
     
         4 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the primary tank is located within a forward portion of the frame, and wherein the secondary tank is located within a rearward portion of the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The work machine of  claim 4 , wherein the secondary tank includes a fill-level indicator on an exterior side of the secondary tank, wherein the fill-level indicator is configured to provide an indication of the amount of hydraulic fluid held within the secondary tank. 
     
     
         6 . The work machine of  claim 5 , wherein frame includes an opening adjacent to the fill-level indicator, such that an operator of the work machine can view the fill-level indicator from an exterior of the work machine. 
     
     
         7 . The work machine of  claim 4 , wherein the secondary tank includes a fill cap on an upper portion of the secondary tank, wherein the fill cap releasably covers a fill port of the secondary tank through which hydraulic fluid may be added to the secondary tank. 
     
     
         8 . The work machine of  claim 7 , wherein the frame includes an access hatch located adjacent to the fill cap, wherein when the access hatch is opened and the fill cap is removed, an operator of the work machine can fill the secondary tank with hydraulic fluid via the fill port of the secondary tank from an exterior of the work machine. 
     
     
         9 . The work machine of  claim 7 , wherein the access hatch includes a lock that selectively locks the access door. 
     
     
         10 . The work machine of  claim 4 , wherein the secondary tank includes a breather assembly located on or adjacent to a top of the secondary tank, wherein the breather assembly permits fluid communication between an interior of the secondary tank and the exterior environment. 
     
     
         11 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the primary and secondary tanks are formed from plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the primary tank is sized to hold from 5 to 10 gallons of hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary tank is sized to hold from 0.5 and 3 gallons of hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the work machine is a loader. 
     
     
         15 . The work machine of  claim 14 , wherein the work machine is a track loader, and wherein the hydraulically-powered components comprise hydraulic motors configured to power tracks of the track loader. 
     
     
         16 . The work machine of  claim 14 , wherein hydraulically-powered components comprise hydraulic cylinders associated with lift arms of the work machine. 
     
     
         17 . The work machine of  claim 14 , wherein the hydraulically-powered components comprise an attachment tool configured to be removably attached to the loader. 
     
     
         18 . A method of operating a work machine, wherein the work machine extends longitudinally from a rear end to a front end, said method comprising:
 (a) powering one or more hydraulically-powered components of the work machine, wherein said powering of step (a) includes providing hydraulic fluid, via a hydraulic pump or a hydrostatic transmission, from a primary tank to the hydraulically-powered components; and   (b) providing hydraulic fluid from a secondary tank to the primary tank, wherein the secondary tank is spaced apart from, rearwardly and above, the primary tank.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said providing of step (b) is performed by providing the hydraulic fluid through a first conduit extending between the primary tank and the secondary tank, and wherein the work machine further comprises a second conduit extending between the primary tank and the secondary tank, wherein the second conduit is configured to facilitate air communication between the primary tank and the secondary tank. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further including the step of providing hydraulic fluid to the secondary tank from outside of the work machine.