Hydraulic excavator equipped with roller compaction device

Abstract

To provide a hydraulic shovel equipped with a compaction roller device that can shorten the time required for a ground leveling work, save labor, and improve efficiency at low cost.SOLUTION: A hydraulic shovel comprises: a lower traveling body; an upper rotating body; an articulated work device provided in front of the upper rotating body so as to be elevatable; and an earth removal plate disposed in front of the lower traveling body so as to rotate in a vertical direction. The hydraulic shovel comprises a roller compaction device disposed in a rear of the lower traveling body so as to rotate in a vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device.

Background Art

[0002] A hydraulic excavator used for excavation and ground leveling in earth and sand areas such as mountains generally includes a lower traveling body equipped with left and right endless track covers (crawlers), an upper revolving body provided rotatably on the lower traveling body, and a multi-articulated attachment (working device) consisting of a boom, an arm, and a bucket provided pivotably on the upper revolving body, and a discharge plate provided rotatably on the front side of the lower traveling body (see Patent Document 1). Hydraulic excavators without a connected discharge plate are also used for excavation and ground leveling work.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, in ground leveling work for removing unnecessary trees, buried objects, and deposits on unleveled land and cutting and filling the ground with height differences to finish it into a flat ground, a hydraulic excavator is used. The hydraulic excavator excavates earth and sand with a bucket, and after excavating the earth and sand, levels the surface with the bucket and performs self-weight compaction by the crawler (Caterpillar (registered trademark)) by moving the hydraulic excavator back and forth. In addition, in the case of a hydraulic excavator having a discharge plate, the discharge plate is used to erase the tracks by the crawler. Also, in the case of a hydraulic excavator without a discharge plate, after leveling the surface of the earth and sand with the bucket, the hydraulic excavator is moved back and forth, and the bucket is slid back and forth on the ground for compaction. However, simply moving the hydraulic excavator back and forth and compacting with the crawler, the discharge plate, or the bucket generates areas where compaction cannot be performed, resulting in unevenness on the compacted ground surface.

[0005] Other methods of compacting the ground using construction machinery other than hydraulic excavators include using road rollers, tire rollers, or rammers. However, compacting using road rollers, tire rollers, or rammers required a separate process: moving the hydraulic excavator away from the work site and then compacting the ground with the road roller, tire roller, or rammer. As a result, leveling and compaction work required additional construction machinery such as road rollers in addition to the hydraulic excavator, which was inefficient due to the increased manpower, costs, and time required to operate multiple pieces of construction machinery.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional hydraulic excavator that improves leveling work by attaching a roller compaction device to the lower traveling body of the hydraulic excavator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, a hydraulic excavator according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a lower traveling body equipped with two crawlers, an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, a multi-jointed working device consisting of a boom, arm and bucket that can be tilted up and down mounted on the upper rotating body, and a dozer blade positioned in front of the lower traveling body so as to be able to move up and down vertically, wherein the dozer blade is connected to the other end of a pair of left and right dozer blade support arms, one end of which is attached to the front side of the traveling body frame constituting the frame of the lower traveling body, and to the other end of a dozer blade hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the front side of the traveling body frame for raising and lowering the dozer blade vertically, and the dozer blade is raised and lowered vertically by the extension and retraction of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder, A roller compaction device is positioned behind the lower traveling body, and the roller compaction device comprises a compaction roller, a pair of left and right compaction roller support arms with one end attached to the rear side of the traveling body frame and the other end attached to support the compaction roller, a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder with one end attached to the rear side of the traveling body frame and the other end attached to raise and lower the compaction roller vertically, and a roller holding part attached to the compaction roller support arm to hold the compaction roller, the other end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder being attached to the roller holding part, and the compaction roller is characterized in that the compaction roller moves up and down vertically together with the roller holding part as the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts.

[0008] Alternatively, a hydraulic excavator in one aspect of the present invention comprises a lower traveling body equipped with two crawlers, an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, and a multi-jointed working device consisting of a boom, arm, and bucket that can be tilted up and down on the upper rotating body, wherein a roller compaction device is arranged behind the lower traveling body, and the roller compaction device comprises a compaction roller, a pair of left and right compaction roller support arms with one end attached to the rear side of the traveling body frame constituting the frame of the lower traveling body and the other end for supporting the compaction roller, a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder with one end attached to the rear side of the traveling body frame and the other end for raising and lowering the compaction roller in the vertical direction, and a roller holding part attached to the roller support arm for holding the compaction roller, wherein the other end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder is attached to the roller holding part, and the compaction roller rises and falls in the vertical direction together with the roller holding part as the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts.

[0009] Furthermore, the length of the dozer blade and compaction roller in the vehicle width direction is equal to or less than the vehicle width of the hydraulic excavator including the two crawlers.

[0010] In this embodiment, when leveling and compacting work is performed, the unevenness of the soil surface caused by the crawler's own weight compaction and the areas where it could not be compacted is eliminated.

[0011] A hydraulic excavator according to one aspect of the present invention has one end of the dozer blade support arm detachably and rotatably pivoted on the front side of the traveling frame, the other end of the dozer blade support arm fixed to the back side of the dozer blade, one end of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder detachably and rotatably pivoted on the front side of the traveling frame, the other end of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder detachably and rotatably pivoted on the back side of the dozer blade, one end of the compaction roller support arm detachably and rotatably pivoted on the rear side of the traveling frame, the other end of the compaction roller support arm fixed to the surface of the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the traveling frame, one end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder detachably and rotatably pivoted on the rear side of the traveling frame, and the other end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder detachably and rotatably pivoted on the surface of the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the traveling frame.

[0012] This configuration allows the dozer blade to be detached from the vehicle frame, and the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder to be detached from both the vehicle frame and the dozer blade. Therefore, maintenance of the dozer blade is made easier, as is maintenance of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder and inspection for oil leaks, etc. Similarly, the roller holder can be detached from the vehicle frame, and the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder can be detached from both the vehicle frame and the roller holder. Therefore, maintenance of the roller holder, as well as maintenance of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder and inspection for oil leaks, etc., are made easier.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, a hydraulic excavator has one end of the compaction roller support arm detachably and rotatably pivoted on the rear side of the traveling frame, the other end of the compaction roller support arm fixed to the surface of the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the traveling frame, one end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder detachably and rotatably pivoted on the rear side of the traveling frame, and the other end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder detachably and rotatably pivoted on the surface of the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the traveling frame.

[0014] In this embodiment, the roller holder can be removed from the running frame, and the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder can be removed from both the running frame and the roller holder. Therefore, maintenance of the roller holder and the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder, as well as inspection work for oil leaks, etc., are made easier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-functional hydraulic excavator can be realized that can perform excavation, leveling, and compaction using only the hydraulic excavator, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0016] The roller compaction device described in the embodiment of the present invention extends the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder, moves the compaction roller downward to make contact with the ground, and applies pressure to the contact surface, thereby performing the same role as a dozer blade or outrigger during excavation. Outriggers in construction machinery are devices that extend out to the side of the vehicle and make contact with the ground when extending the arm or lifting objects on cranes, aerial work platforms, concrete pump trucks, etc., to stabilize the vehicle. Therefore, when a roller compaction device is used, the pivot point of the hydraulic excavator shifts to the point where the compaction roller makes contact with the ground, so both hydraulic excavators with and without dozer blades can have increased excavation force by being equipped with a roller compaction device.

[0017] That is, since the roller compaction device described in the embodiment of the present invention can be used as an outrigger, stable operation without tipping over can be expected for both the front and rear operations of the hydraulic excavator.

[0018] In the case of a hydraulic excavator having an earth discharge plate described in the embodiment of the present invention, since the earth discharge plate and the roller compaction device can be used simultaneously as outriggers, the bottom of the hydraulic excavator body can be lifted, and the inspection of the lower traveling body can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an external view showing a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device and an earth discharge plate. [Figure 2] It is an external view showing a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device. [Figure 3] It is a partial plan view schematically showing the main structure on the front side of the lower traveling body of a hydraulic excavator equipped with an earth discharge plate. [Figure 4] It is a partial plan view schematically showing the main structure on the rear side of the lower traveling body to which the roller compaction device is attached. [Figure 5] It is a side view schematically showing the roller compaction device. [Figure 6a] It is an explanatory view showing the state during the daily inspection work of a conventional hydraulic excavator. [Figure 6b] It is an explanatory view showing the state during the daily inspection work of a hydraulic excavator having an earth discharge plate according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the directions of up and down, front and rear, left and right are indicated by arrows.

[0021] The present invention can be applied to hydraulic excavators of various sizes, from mini hydraulic excavators to large hydraulic excavators.

[0022] Figure 1 is an external view showing a hydraulic excavator 1 equipped with a roller compaction device and a dozer blade according to Embodiment 1. The hydraulic excavator 1 comprises a movable lower traveling body 2, a slewing body 3 rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body 2, a multi-jointed working device 5 consisting of a boom 6, an arm 7, and a bucket 8 that can be tilted up and down mounted on the front side of the slewing body 3, a dozer blade 13, and a roller compaction device 14. The upper slewing body 3 is rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body 2 via a slewing cylindrical body 4.

[0023] In Embodiment 1, the work device 5 includes a boom 6 rotatably connected in the vertical direction to the front side of the upper slewing body 3, an arm 7 rotatably connected in the vertical direction to the tip of the boom 6, and a bucket 8 rotatably connected in the vertical direction to the tip of the arm 7. The boom 6, arm 7, and bucket 8 are rotated by the drive of the boom cylinder 9, arm cylinder 10, and bucket cylinder 11, respectively.

[0024] The lower vehicle 2 has a vehicle frame and a vehicle mechanism 2a. The vehicle mechanism 2a is provided on both the left and right sides of the vehicle frame, and each vehicle mechanism 2a has a pair of crawlers 12, 12. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle mechanism 2a further has an idler 2b, a drive wheel 2c, and a vehicle motor 2d. The idler 2b is located on the front side of the vehicle mechanism 2a, and the drive wheel 2c is located on the rear side of the vehicle mechanism 2a. The vehicle motor 2d drives the drive wheel 2c, causing the left and right crawlers 12, 12 to rotate in the circumferential direction, thereby causing the lower vehicle 2 to move.

[0025] A dozer blade 13 is positioned at the front of the lower vehicle 2, and the length of the dozer blade 13 in the vehicle width direction is equal to or less than the width of the hydraulic excavator vehicle body including the left and right crawlers 12, 12. This dozer blade 13 moves up and down in the vertical direction.

[0026] A roller compaction device 14, which can rotate vertically, is positioned at the rear of the lower traveling body 2. The length of the compaction rollers 15 of the roller compaction device 14 in the vehicle width direction is equal to or less than the width of the hydraulic excavator body, including the crawlers 12, 12. The compaction rollers 15 are operated to compact the ground surface by moving up and down, thereby performing leveling work.

[0027] In this embodiment 1, the side of the lower traveling body 2 where the idler 2b is located is considered the front, and the side where the drive wheel 2c is located is considered the rear. However, the front and rear may be reversed. In this case, the dozer blade 13 is located in front of the lower traveling body 2 where the drive wheel 2c is located, and the roller compaction device 14 is located behind the lower traveling body 2 where the idler 2b is located.

[0028] Figure 2 is an external view showing the structure of a hydraulic excavator 1' equipped with a roller compaction device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The hydraulic excavator 1' according to Embodiment 2 is not equipped with a dozer blade 13. Parts equivalent to those of the hydraulic excavator 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0029] In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the front and rear sides of the lower traveling body 2 may be reversed, similar to Embodiment 1. In this case, the roller compaction device 14 is positioned behind the lower traveling body 2 on which the idler 2b is located. Although the roller compaction device 14 is positioned behind the lower traveling body 2, it may also be positioned in front of the lower traveling body 2.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic partial plan view showing the main structure of the front side of the lower traveling body of a hydraulic excavator equipped with a dozer blade 13. As shown in Figure 3, the lower traveling body 2 has a machine base 16 and a pair of crawlers 12, 12 attached to the left and right sides of the machine base 16. On the front side of the machine base 16, there is a pair of left and right dozer blade support arms 17, 17 and a dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 18 positioned between these two dozer blade support arms 17, 17. There may be more than one dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 18.

[0031] One end of each of the dozer blade support arms 17, 17 is pivotally supported by a pin 20 on a pair of fixed support brackets 19 that protrude forward from the front of the machine base 16 with a gap between them. The other ends of the front side of the dozer blade support arms 17, 17 are welded and fixed to the back surface of the dozer blade 13, that is, the surface facing the front of the machine base 16. Alternatively, the dozer blade support arms 17, 17 may be cast and molded together with the dozer blade 13. The other ends of the fixed support bracket 19 and the dozer blade support arms 17, 17 have holes formed in them and are pivotally supported by pins 20.

[0032] In the embodiments of the present invention, pins are used as members to support the dozer blade support arms 17, 17 and the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 18, but the invention is not limited to pins, and bolts or the like can be used instead of pins.

[0033] One end of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 18 is pivotally supported by a pin 24 on a dozer blade hydraulic cylinder mounting bracket 23 located on the machine base 16 in front of the lower traveling body 2. The tip of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 18 is attached by a pin 22 to a dozer blade mounting bracket 21 located in the center of the back surface (rear of the dozer blade 13) of the dozer blade 13, which faces the front side of the machine base 16.

[0034] The dozer blade 13 is positioned in front of the lower traveling body 2, so that as the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 18 extends and retracts, the dozer blade support arms 17, 17 rotate vertically, and the dozer blade 13 moves up and down. In other words, by extending and retracting the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 18, the dozer blade 13 moves up and down between the upper and lower limits of rotation, which are the rotation limits of the dozer blade support arms 17, 17, thereby making contact with the ground and allowing the dozer blade 13 to apply pressure to the ground surface.

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic partial plan view showing the main structure of the rear side of the lower traveling body to which the roller compaction device is attached. As shown in Figure 4, the lower traveling body 2 has a base 16 and a pair of crawlers 12, 12 attached to the left and right sides of the base 16. On the rear side of the base 16 are a pair of left and right compaction roller support arms 25, 25 and a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26 positioned in the center of these two compaction roller support arms 25, 25. There may be more than one compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the roller holding section 27, which is attached to the roller support arms 25, 25 and holds the compaction roller 15, comprises a compaction roller frame 35 and a compaction roller cover 36. One end of each compaction roller support arm 25, 25 is pivotally supported by pins 29 on a pair of fixed support brackets 28 that protrude rearward from the rear side of the machine base 16 with a gap between them. The other ends of each compaction roller support arm 25, 25 are welded and fixed to the surface of the compaction roller frame 35 facing the rear side of the machine base 16. Alternatively, the compaction roller support arms 25, 25 may be cast and molded together with the compaction roller frame 35.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the compaction roller frame 35 extends along the axial direction of the compaction roller 15, and the other end of a support arm 35a, one end of which is attached to the compaction roller frame 35, supports the support shaft 39 of the compaction roller 15. The support arm 35a of the compaction roller is a plate-shaped member formed in a substantially rectangular shape. However, the shape of the support arm 35a is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape, and may be a member of other shapes such as a triangular shape. As shown in Figure 5, the compaction roller cover 36 is fixed to the compaction roller frame 35 so as to cover the top of the compaction roller 15.

[0038] The length of the compaction roller cover 36 perpendicular to the vehicle width direction is configured such that it does not come into contact with the ground when the compaction roller device 14 is operated to move downward and the compaction roller 15 makes contact with the ground and compacts the ground surface.

[0039] One end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26 is pivotally supported by a pin 34 on a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder mounting bracket 33 located on the rear side of the machine base 16. The other end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26 is attached by a pin 32 to a compaction roller mounting bracket 31 located in the center of the side of the compaction roller frame 35 facing the rear side of the machine base 16.

[0040] In the hydraulic excavators 1 and 1' according to Embodiments 1 and 2, pins are used as members to support the compaction roller support arms 25, 25 and the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26. However, the method is not limited to pins, and bolts or the like can be used instead of pins.

[0041] As described above, the roller compaction device 14 is mounted on the rear side of the lower traveling body 2 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. By extending and retracting the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26, the compaction roller support arms 25, 25 move up and down between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of rotation, thereby causing the compaction roller 15 to move up and down together with the roller holding part 27, making it possible to apply pressure to the ground surface with the compaction roller 15.

[0042] Traditionally, methods of compacting the ground using construction machinery other than hydraulic excavators have involved the use of road rollers, tire rollers, or rammers. In the case of road rollers and tire rollers, compaction and leveling of the ground are achieved by their own weight, while in the case of rammers, it is achieved by impact on the ground. In other words, since compaction work is performed only by the weight of the construction machinery or by the impact caused by vibration, the construction machinery is selected according to the object and location to be compacted, and the construction machinery itself does not have the function to change and adjust the compaction pressure according to the object or location.

[0043] According to embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, by adjusting the extension and retraction movement of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26 of the compaction roller device 14, the vertical movement position of the compaction roller 15 can be adjusted together with the roller holding part 27. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the compaction pressure of the compaction roller 15 as needed for the soil surface being leveled.

[0044] To compact the ground using the roller compaction device 14, the hydraulic excavator 1 or 1' may be equipped with a pressure gauge to measure the pressure during compaction. The pressure gauge is necessary to accommodate changes in the mechanical properties (compaction characteristics, soil strength, and rigidity) of the soil being leveled due to its density and water content.

[0045] Specifically, the roller compaction device 14 applies expansion and contraction pressure to the roller holding section 27, which has a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26 interposed between it and the lower traveling body 2. This causes the compaction roller support arms 25, 25 to rotate vertically, the roller holding section 27 to move up and down, and thus the compaction roller 15 to move up and down. When the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26 extends and pressure is applied to the roller holding section 27 to move downward, the compaction roller 15 presses against the ground. With pressure applied to the soil, the hydraulic excavator 1 or 1' is moved forward and backward. In this case, as the pressure applied to the soil by the compaction roller 15 gradually changes, air inside the soil is pushed out, the gaps inside the soil become smaller, the soil particles come into firm contact with each other, the degree of adhesion inside the soil increases, and the ground is compacted.

[0046] Therefore, in a hydraulic excavator 1 equipped with a dozer blade 13, compaction work was performed by moving the hydraulic excavator 1 back and forth and compacting by the crawler 12, 12 using its own weight and by compacting with the dozer blade. In a hydraulic excavator 1' not equipped with a dozer blade 13, compaction work was performed by moving the hydraulic excavator 1' back and forth and compacting by the crawler 12, 12 using its own weight and by compacting with the bucket 8. However, by using the roller compaction device 14 according to Embodiments 1 and 2, the soil surface can be easily compacted, and a surface finish with high flatness of the soil surface after compaction can be obtained.

[0047] By making the width of the compaction roller 15 in the vehicle width direction equal to or less than the width of the hydraulic excavator 1 or 1', that is, the width of the vehicle including the left and right crawlers 12, 12, the roller compaction range can be widened. Whether the area where leveling work is performed is a narrow soil surface that only one hydraulic excavator 1 or 1' can pass through, or a very wide soil surface, the range of movement of the hydraulic excavator 1 or 1' is reduced, and work efficiency can be expected to be improved.

[0048] Conventionally, leveling and compaction work required construction machinery such as a road roller in addition to a hydraulic excavator. However, with the present invention, this work can now be performed with a single hydraulic excavator 1 or 1' equipped with a roller compaction device 14, eliminating the need for construction machinery such as a road roller and improving work efficiency. In addition, the hydraulic excavator 1 or 1' can control the compaction pressure according to the properties of the soil being leveled and compacted, thus eliminating the effort required to switch between construction machinery such as a road roller for compaction work. Furthermore, it has the excellent effect of reducing the number of people, labor, and time required to operate multiple construction machines.

[0049] Conventional hydraulic excavators equipped with dozer blades excavate by applying pressure to the soil with the bucket, which can cause the crawler on the opposite side of the excavator from the ground to lift off the ground. To extend the tipping point, excavation work is performed on the side where the dozer blade is installed on the lower chassis, and downward pressure is applied by a hydraulic cylinder that raises and lowers the dozer blade, using the dozer blade as an outrigger. The same applies to lifting loads with the bucket; work is performed only in the direction where the dozer blade is installed to prevent tipping. Therefore, when excavating or lifting loads in the direction where the dozer blade is not installed, it was necessary to move the hydraulic excavator and change direction.

[0050] In the case of a hydraulic excavator 1 equipped with a roller compaction device 14 according to Embodiment 1, the roller compaction device 14 plays the same role as the dozer blade 13 during excavation, etc. Therefore, by extending the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26 of the roller compaction device 14 and operating the roller holding part 27 downward, the compaction roller 15 comes into contact with the ground and pressure is applied to the contact surface, the tipping point of the hydraulic excavator 1 shifts to the contact point of the compaction roller 15 of the roller compaction device 14, thereby increasing the excavation force. Similarly, in the hydraulic excavator 1' without a dozer blade 13 according to Embodiment 2, by operating the roller compaction device 14 and applying downward pressure to the ground with the compaction roller 15, the contact point of the compaction roller 15 with the ground becomes the tipping point, and the excavation force is increased. Furthermore, in the hydraulic excavator 1' without a dozer blade according to Embodiment 2, the roller compaction device 14 is positioned behind the lower traveling body 2. However, it is also possible to position the roller compaction device 14 in front of the lower traveling body 2. Therefore, even when the roller compaction device 14 is positioned in front of the lower traveling body 2, it performs the same function as the dozer blade, thereby increasing the digging force and enabling stable operation.

[0051] The roller compaction device 14 according to Embodiments 1 and 2 can be used as an outrigger, similar to the dozer blade 13. This allows for work to be performed from either the front or rear of the hydraulic excavator 1 during excavation or lowering operations, and enables extremely stable operation regardless of whether the work is performed in the front or rear direction of the hydraulic excavator 1 or 1'.

[0052] During routine inspections of hydraulic excavators, it is necessary to check the tension of the crawler tracks and for oil leaks in the drive motor. While this is not particularly necessary for a visual inspection alone, it is difficult to inspect the idler, drive wheels, and the inside of the drive motor if the crawler tracks are in contact with the ground.

[0053] Figure 6a is an explanatory diagram showing the state of a conventional hydraulic excavator during routine inspection. During a conventional routine inspection, as illustrated in Figure 6a, the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 18 of the dozer blade 13 is extended, the dozer blade 13 is moved downward and pressed against the ground, and the bottoms of the crawlers 12, 12 on the dozer blade 13 side are lifted. Next, the upper slewing body 3 is rotated 180° in the opposite direction to the dozer blade 13 relative to the lower traveling body 2, the bucket 8 is pressed against the ground, the boom cylinder 9 and arm cylinder 10 are extended, and the lower traveling body 2 on the side without the dozer blade 13 is lifted, raising the crawlers 12, 12. Thus, the dozer blade and bucket support the hydraulic excavator 1 with the left and right crawlers 12, 12 floating above the ground.

[0054] This allows for checking the tension of the crawler tracks (caterpillars (trademark name)), inspecting for grease leaks near the crawler adjuster grease nipples, and checking for oil leaks near the drive motor. Furthermore, because the crawler tracks are lifted off the ground, washing the vehicle can also be performed.

[0055] As shown in Figure 1, the drive wheel 2c (travel motor 2d) is positioned at one end (rear side) of the travel frame, with a crawler adjuster (not shown) and idler 2b arranged in order, and the crawler 12 mounted on the lower travel body 2. By injecting grease through the nipple of the crawler adjuster, the cylinder part of the crawler adjuster protrudes, pushing out the idler 2b, which in turn pulls the crawler 12 outwards, causing the crawler 12 to protrude. When inspecting the travel mechanism 2a, the reverse procedure is performed to remove the crawler 12 from the lower travel body 2 and perform the inspection.

[0056] Figure 6b is an explanatory diagram showing the state of a hydraulic excavator with a dozer blade according to this embodiment 1 during daily inspection work. In the hydraulic excavator 1 with a dozer blade 13 of this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 6b, a roller compaction device 14 is used instead of the conventionally used bucket to support the hydraulic excavator 1 in a state where it is lifted off the ground. The roller compaction device 14 is rotated downward relative to the ground by the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder 26 of the roller compaction device 14, similar to the dozer blade 13, and by applying downward pressure, the lower traveling body 2 on the side without the dozer blade 13, i.e., the side with the roller compaction device 14, can be lifted. Therefore, the hydraulic excavator 1 can be supported with the left and right crawlers 12, 12 lifted off the ground by the dozer blade 13 and the roller compaction device 14, and daily inspection work related to travel can be performed stably and safely.

[0057] Furthermore, in the case of the hydraulic excavator 1 having the dozer blade 13 according to this embodiment 1, the work device 5 consisting of a boom 6, arm 7, and bucket 8 provided on the upper slewing body 3, which was conventionally used during inspection work, is no longer required. As a result, it becomes possible to handle heavy objects with the bucket 8 during inspection or repair of the vehicle, improving work efficiency.

[0058] In detail, the hydraulic excavator 1, which has a dozer blade 13, is lifted and supported from the ground by the dozer blade 13 and the roller compaction device 14, thereby enabling the working device 5 to perform the following operations. (1) By using the work device 5 to hold down the idler 2b, the grease inside the crawler adjuster is released, causing the idler 2b to contract and the crawler 12 to loosen. This makes it easy to remove, install, and replace the crawler 12. (2) When removing the crawler 12 from the travel mechanism, the work device 5 can be used to attach a wire or the like to the crawler 12 and pull it with the bucket 8. Similarly, the work device 5 can be used to attach the crawler 12 to the idler 2b and the drive wheel 2c (travel motor 2d). (3) The work device 5 can use the bucket 8 to lift and bring received objects such as crawlers to the vicinity of the work area.

[0059] Therefore, this embodiment 1 significantly improves work efficiency even in routine inspection tasks.

[0060] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be merely illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than in the sense described above, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Hydraulic excavator 2 Lower running body 2a Travel mechanism 2b Idler 2c drive wheel 2D travel motor 3. Upper rotating body 4. Rotating round body 5. Working equipment 6 Boom 7 Arms 8 buckets 12 Crawler 13 Earth removal plate 14 Roller compaction device 15 Compaction roller 17. Dozer blade support arm 18. Dozer blade hydraulic cylinder 25 Compaction roller support arm 26. Compaction Roller Hydraulic Cylinder 27 Roller holding section

Claims

1. A hydraulic excavator comprising a lower traveling body equipped with two crawlers, an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, a multi-jointed working device consisting of a boom, arm and bucket that can be raised and lowered on the upper rotating body, and a dozer blade positioned in front of the lower traveling body so as to be able to move up and down, The dozer blade is connected to the other end of a pair of left and right dozer blade support arms, one end of which is attached to the front side of the travel frame that constitutes the frame of the lower travel body, and to the other end of a dozer blade hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the front side of the travel frame, for raising and lowering the dozer blade vertically. The dozer blade is raised and lowered vertically by the extension and retraction of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder. A roller compaction device is positioned behind the lower traveling body. The roller compaction device comprises a compaction roller, a pair of left and right compaction roller support arms, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the traveling frame and the other end of which supports the compaction roller, a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the traveling frame and the other end of which raises and lowers the compaction roller vertically, and a roller holding part attached to the compaction roller support arm to hold the compaction roller. The roller holding section comprises a compaction roller frame and a compaction roller cover. The rolling roller cover covers the upper part of the rolling roller, and the end of the rolling roller cover on the running frame side is fixed to the upper end of the rolling roller frame. The other end of the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder is attached to the roller holding part, and as the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts, the rolling roller moves up and down together with the roller holding part. By adjusting the extension and retraction movement of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder and adjusting the vertical position of the compaction roller together with the roller holding part, the compaction pressure can be controlled according to the properties of the soil being leveled and compacted. A hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, further characterized by comprising a pressure gauge for measuring the aforementioned compaction pressure.

2. A hydraulic excavator comprising a lower traveling body equipped with two crawlers, an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, and a multi-jointed working device consisting of a boom, arm, and bucket that can be raised and lowered on the upper rotating body, A roller compaction device is positioned behind the lower traveling body. The roller compaction device comprises a compaction roller, a pair of left and right compaction roller support arms, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the running frame constituting the frame of the lower running body and the other end of which supports the compaction roller, a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the running frame and the other end of which raises and lowers the compaction roller in the vertical direction, and a roller holding part attached to the compaction roller support arm to hold the compaction roller. The roller holding section comprises a compaction roller frame and a compaction roller cover. The rolling roller cover covers the upper part of the rolling roller, and the end of the rolling roller cover on the running frame side is fixed to the upper end of the rolling roller frame. The other end of the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder is attached to the roller holding part, and as the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts, the rolling roller moves up and down together with the roller holding part. By adjusting the extension and retraction movement of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder and adjusting the vertical position of the compaction roller together with the roller holding part, the compaction pressure can be controlled according to the properties of the soil being leveled and compacted. A hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, further characterized by comprising a pressure gauge for measuring the aforementioned compaction pressure.

3. The hydraulic excavator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the compaction roller in the vehicle width direction is equal to or less than the vehicle width of the hydraulic excavator including the two crawlers.

4. One end of the dozer blade support arm is detachably and rotatably pivoted on the front side of the vehicle frame, and the other end of the dozer blade support arm is fixed to the back of the dozer blade. One end of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder is detachably and rotatably supported on the front side of the traveling frame, and the other end of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder is detachably and rotatably supported on the back side of the dozer blade. One end of the compaction roller support arm is detachably and rotatably pivoted on the rear side of the running frame, and the other end of the compaction roller support arm is fixed to the surface of the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the running frame. A hydraulic excavator according to claim 1 or claim 3 when dependent on claim 1, wherein one end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder is detachably and rotatably supported on the rear side of the traveling frame, and the other end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder is detachably and rotatably supported on the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the traveling frame.

5. One end of the compaction roller support arm is detachably and rotatably pivoted on the rear side of the running frame, and the other end of the compaction roller support arm is fixed to the surface of the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the running frame. The hydraulic excavator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder is detachably and rotatably supported on the rear side of the traveling frame, and the other end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder is detachably and rotatably supported on the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the traveling frame.

6. A method for using a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, A hydraulic excavator equipped with the aforementioned roller compaction device, A hydraulic excavator comprising a lower traveling body equipped with two crawlers, an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, a multi-jointed working device consisting of a boom, arm and bucket that can be raised and lowered on the upper rotating body, and a dozer blade positioned in front of the lower traveling body so as to be able to move up and down, The dozer blade is connected to the other end of a pair of left and right dozer blade support arms, one end of which is attached to the front side of the travel frame that constitutes the frame of the lower travel body, and to the other end of a dozer blade hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the front side of the travel frame, for raising and lowering the dozer blade vertically. The dozer blade is raised and lowered vertically by the extension and retraction of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder. A roller compaction device is positioned behind the lower traveling body. The roller compaction device comprises a compaction roller, a pair of left and right compaction roller support arms, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the traveling frame and the other end of which supports the compaction roller, a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the traveling frame and the other end of which raises and lowers the compaction roller vertically, and a roller holding part attached to the compaction roller support arm to hold the compaction roller. The roller holding section comprises a compaction roller frame and a compaction roller cover. The rolling roller cover covers the upper part of the rolling roller, and the end of the rolling roller cover on the running frame side is fixed to the upper end of the rolling roller frame. The other end of the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder is attached to the roller holding part, and as the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts, the rolling roller moves up and down together with the roller holding part. By adjusting the extension and retraction movement of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder and adjusting the vertical position of the compaction roller together with the roller holding part, the compaction pressure can be controlled according to the properties of the soil being leveled and compacted. A hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, further comprising a pressure gauge for measuring the compaction pressure, A method of using a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, which involves extending the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder of the roller compaction device to bring the compaction roller into close contact with the ground surface, thereby extending the pivot point for tipping over.

7. A method for using a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, A hydraulic excavator equipped with the aforementioned roller compaction device, A hydraulic excavator comprising a lower traveling body equipped with two crawlers, an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, a multi-jointed working device consisting of a boom, arm and bucket that can be raised and lowered on the upper rotating body, and a dozer blade positioned in front of the lower traveling body so as to be able to move up and down, The dozer blade is connected to the other end of a pair of left and right dozer blade support arms, one end of which is attached to the front side of the travel frame that constitutes the frame of the lower travel body, and to the other end of a dozer blade hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the front side of the travel frame, for raising and lowering the dozer blade vertically. The dozer blade is raised and lowered vertically by the extension and retraction of the dozer blade hydraulic cylinder. A roller compaction device is positioned behind the lower traveling body. The roller compaction device comprises a compaction roller, a pair of left and right compaction roller support arms, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the traveling frame and the other end of which supports the compaction roller, a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the traveling frame and the other end of which raises and lowers the compaction roller vertically, and a roller holding part attached to the compaction roller support arm to hold the compaction roller. The roller holding section comprises a compaction roller frame and a compaction roller cover. The rolling roller cover covers the upper part of the rolling roller, and the end of the rolling roller cover on the running frame side is fixed to the upper end of the rolling roller frame. The other end of the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder is attached to the roller holding part, and as the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts, the rolling roller moves up and down together with the roller holding part. By adjusting the extension and retraction movement of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder and adjusting the vertical position of the compaction roller together with the roller holding part, the compaction pressure can be controlled according to the properties of the soil being leveled and compacted. A hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, further comprising a pressure gauge for measuring the compaction pressure, A method of using a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, wherein the front and / or rear of the lower part of the crawler of the hydraulic excavator are lifted by extending the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder of the roller compaction device, and then extending the hydraulic cylinder of the dozer blade, thereby creating a gap between the crawler and the ground surface.

8. A method for using a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, A hydraulic excavator equipped with the aforementioned roller compaction device, A hydraulic excavator comprising a lower traveling body equipped with two crawlers, an upper rotating body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, and a multi-jointed working device consisting of a boom, arm, and bucket that can be raised and lowered on the upper rotating body, A roller compaction device is positioned behind the lower traveling body. The roller compaction device comprises a compaction roller, a pair of left and right compaction roller support arms, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the running frame constituting the frame of the lower running body and the other end of which supports the compaction roller, a compaction roller hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is attached to the rear side of the running frame and the other end of which raises and lowers the compaction roller in the vertical direction, and a roller holding part attached to the compaction roller support arm to hold the compaction roller. The roller holding section comprises a compaction roller frame and a compaction roller cover. The rolling roller cover covers the upper part of the rolling roller, and the end of the rolling roller cover on the running frame side is fixed to the upper end of the rolling roller frame. The other end of the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder is attached to the roller holding part, and as the rolling roller hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts, the rolling roller moves up and down together with the roller holding part. By adjusting the extension and retraction movement of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder and adjusting the vertical position of the compaction roller together with the roller holding part, the compaction pressure can be controlled according to the properties of the soil being leveled and compacted. A hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, further comprising a pressure gauge capable of measuring the aforementioned compaction pressure, A method of using a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device, which involves extending the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder of the roller compaction device to bring the compaction roller into close contact with the ground surface, thereby extending the pivot point for tipping over.

9. A method for using a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the length of the compaction roller in the vehicle width direction is equal to or less than the vehicle width of the hydraulic excavator including the two crawlers.

10. One end of the compaction roller support arm is detachably and rotatably pivoted on the rear side of the running frame, and the other end of the compaction roller support arm is fixed to the surface of the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the running frame. A method for using a hydraulic excavator equipped with a roller compaction device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein one end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder is detachably and rotatably supported on the rear side of the traveling frame, and the other end of the compaction roller hydraulic cylinder is detachably and rotatably supported on the surface of the roller holding portion facing the rear side of the traveling frame.

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