Work equipment

Abstract

In work equipment equipped with indicator lights, the objective is to make the indicator lights more easily recognizable by external workers without reducing their work efficiency. [Solution] The backhoe 10, which is a work machine, further comprises a traveling device 12, a machine body 11 positioned on the upper part of the traveling device 12 and configured to be rotatable around an axis extending in the vertical direction, a driver's seat 15 provided on the machine body 11, a work machine 13 supported so as to be swingable by a boom 22, an arm 23, and a bucket 24 which is a work tool, an indicator light 40 positioned on the front part 11A of the machine body 11, and a mask member 50 positioned in front of the indicator light 40 and having a front mask portion 51 that allows some of the light emitted forward from the indicator light 40 to pass through and blocks some of it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a working machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a working machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The working machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a crane-specification backhoe that can be used as a mobile crane, and a retractable hook is provided at the base of the bucket. The crane-specification backhoe can perform crane work (lifting and moving of loads, etc.) using the hook by switching to the "crane mode". Such a backhoe generally includes an indicator light (rotating light) that lights up when switched to the crane mode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When performing crane work with a crane-specification backhoe, external workers who work with the operator are often on the front side of the machine body. However, the conventional indicator light is arranged on the rear side of the machine body. Therefore, when the external worker is on the front side of the machine body, it is difficult for the external worker to recognize the lighting of the indicator light. On the other hand, if the indicator light is provided on the front side of the machine body, there is a problem that it is too dazzling for external workers working on the front side of the machine body and it becomes difficult to communicate with the backhoe operator.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to make it easier for external workers to recognize an indicator light without reducing the workability of the external workers in a working machine provided with the indicator light.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The work machine of this disclosure further comprises a traveling device, a machine body disposed on top of the traveling device and configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction, a driver's seat provided on the machine body, a work device including a boom, an arm, and a work tool and supported by the machine body so as to be swingable, an indicator light disposed at the front of the machine body, and a mask member disposed in front of the indicator light and having a front mask portion that allows a portion of the light projected from the indicator light toward the front of the machine body to pass through and blocks a portion of it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, in a work machine equipped with an indicator light, it is possible to make the indicator light more easily recognizable by an external worker without reducing the work efficiency of the external worker. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a work machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic left side view showing a work machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a retractable hook. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the area around the indicator light. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the indicator light, mask member, and bracket. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the mask member and the bracket. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged schematic plan view showing the arrangement of indicator lights. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged front view showing the area around the indicator light. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Summary of the embodiments of this disclosure> The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are outlined below. (1) The work machine of the present disclosure further comprises a traveling device, a machine body disposed on the upper part of the traveling device and configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction, a driver's seat provided on the machine body, a work device including a boom, an arm, and a work tool and supported by the machine body so as to be swingable, an indicator light disposed on the front of the machine body, and a mask member disposed in front of the indicator light and having a front mask portion that allows a portion of the light projected from the indicator light toward the front of the machine body to pass through and blocks a portion of it.

[0010] According to the above configuration of the work machine, in a work machine equipped with an indicator light, it is possible to make the indicator light more easily recognizable by an external worker without reducing the work efficiency of the external worker.

[0011] (2) The work machine according to the configuration of (1) is equipped with a hook located at the tip of the arm and is switchable between a standard mode in which work is performed using the work tool and a crane mode in which crane work is performed using the hook, and it is preferable that the indicator light is lit when in the crane mode. With this configuration, in a work machine that is a crane-type backhoe, the indicator light that lights up when switched to crane mode can be more easily recognized by an external worker.

[0012] (3) In the work machine according to the embodiment of (2) above, it is preferable that the indicator light is positioned in front of the driver's seat and in a position that does not interfere with the work tool and the hook. In the work machine with the above configuration, the indicator light can be positioned in a position that is easily recognizable by an external worker on the front side of the machine while suppressing damage to the indicator light.

[0013] (4) The work machine according to any of the forms (1) to (3) above further comprises an operating pedal located in front of the driver's seat, and preferably at least a portion of the indicator light is positioned offset from the operating pedal in the left-right direction of the machine. With such a configuration, the indicator light can be positioned in a location that does not interfere with the operator operating the work machine.

[0014] (5) In the working machine according to any one of the forms (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the mask member further includes side mask portions disposed on the left and right sides of the indicating lamp to block at least a part of the light projected from the indicating lamp in the left-right direction of the machine body. According to the working machine having such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the light projected from the indicating lamp in the left-right direction and reflected by the canopy or the like from entering the operator's eyes. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the light projected from the indicating lamp from obstructing the field of view of the operator operating the working machine.

[0015] (6) In the working machine according to any one of the forms (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that the front mask portion is constituted by a flat plate having a plurality of holes. According to the working machine having such a configuration, with respect to the light projected from the indicating lamp to the front side, the front mask portion can adjust the amount of light to such an extent that it is visible even in a bright environment such as during the day and does not feel dazzling even in a dark environment around sunset. Thereby, the external operator can accurately visually recognize the light projected from the indicating lamp.

[0016] (7) In the working machine according to the form (5) above, it is preferable that the side mask portion is constituted by a flat plate having a plurality of holes. According to the working machine having such a configuration, with respect to the light projected from the indicating lamp in the left-right direction, the side mask portion can suppress the amount of light reflected toward the operator. Thereby, the external operator can accurately visually recognize the light projected from the indicating lamp, and it is possible to suppress the light projected from the indicating lamp from obstructing the field of view of the operator operating the working machine.

[0017] (8) In the working machine according to any one of the forms (1) to (7) above, it is preferable that the mask member includes an inclined portion that extends obliquely upward to the rear side from the upper end of the front mask portion and shields at least a part of the light projected obliquely upward to the front side of the machine body from the indicator lamp. According to the working machine having such a configuration, with respect to the light projected to the front side from the indicator lamp and reflected by the front mask portion, the inclined portion can suppress the amount of light reflected toward the operator. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the light projected from the indicator lamp from obstructing the field of view of the operator who operates the working machine.

[0018] (9) In the working machine according to any one of the forms (1) to (8) above, it is preferable that the mask member includes a shielding portion that is disposed on the rear side of the indicator lamp and shields at least a part of the light projected to the rear side of the machine body from the indicator lamp. According to the working machine having such a configuration, the light projected to the rear side from the indicator lamp and directed toward the operator can be shielded by the shielding portion. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the light projected from the indicator lamp from obstructing the field of view of the operator who operates the working machine.

[0019] (10) In the working machine according to any one of the forms (1) to (9) above, the machine body further includes a guard bar disposed on the front side of the driver's seat and a bracket fixed to the guard bar, and it is preferable that the indicator lamp is fixed to the bracket. According to such a configuration, the indicator lamp can be easily installed on the front side of the working machine.

[0020] (11) In the working machine according to the form (10) above, it is preferable that the mask member is fixed to the bracket. According to the working machine having such a configuration, the mask member can be easily installed on the front side of the indicator lamp.

[0021] <Details of Embodiments of the Invention of the Present Disclosure> Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0022] [Overall configuration of the work equipment] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic of a work machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a left side view showing a schematic of a work machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 1 and 2 show a backhoe 10, which is one embodiment of the work machine of the present disclosure. The backhoe 10 of the present disclosure is a crane-type backhoe that can also be used as a mobile crane. As shown in Figure 1, the backhoe 10 comprises a body 11, a traveling device 12, a work device 13, a canopy 14, and a driver's seat 15. The backhoe 10 may also be configured to have a cabin instead of a canopy 14. In this embodiment, the work machine exemplified is a backhoe with a bucket as a work tool, but the work tools that can be provided to the work machine of the present disclosure are not limited to this and may be, for example, a grapple, a breaker, etc.

[0023] In the following description, with the operator seated in the driver's seat 15 as the reference point, the direction towards the operator's front is referred to as the front of the backhoe 10, and the direction towards the operator's rear is referred to as the rear, with the front-rear direction of the backhoe 10 indicated by arrow X. In addition, in the following description, the direction towards the left of the operator seated in the driver's seat 15 is referred to as the left side of the backhoe 10, and the direction towards the right is referred to as the right side of the backhoe 10, with the left-right direction of the backhoe 10 indicated by arrow Y. The left-right direction of the backhoe 10 is also referred to as the width direction. Furthermore, in the following description, the up-down direction of the backhoe 10 is indicated by arrow Z. The up-down direction of the backhoe 10 is perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the travel device 12 is a crawler-type travel device that supports the machine body 11 so that it can move. The travel device 12 includes a first travel device 12L provided on the left side of the machine body 11 and a second travel device 12R provided on the right side. The first travel device 12L and the second travel device 12R are driven by a hydraulic motor (not shown). In this embodiment, a crawler-type travel device 12 is used, but the configuration of the travel device in the backhoe 10 of this disclosure is not limited to this, and a wheel-type travel device or the like may be used. The backhoe 10 further includes a dozer device 16. The dozer device 16 is provided at the front of the travel device 12. Note that the dozer device 16 may be provided at the front and rear of the backhoe 10, or it may be omitted.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the machine body 11 is mounted on the running gear 12 via a slewing bearing 21. The slewing bearing 21 supports the machine body 11 relative to the running gear 12. The machine body 11 is configured to be rotatable about the slewing axis C of the slewing bearing 21. The slewing axis C is the axis of the machine body 11 that extends in the vertical direction.

[0026] [About the aircraft] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the aircraft body 11 comprises a slewing frame 20 and a cover 30. The slewing frame 20 and the cover 30 constitute the outer shell of the aircraft body 11. Inside the outer shell formed by the slewing frame 20 and the cover 30, the aircraft body 11 houses an engine (not shown) and various other devices. Although detailed explanations are omitted in this description, in addition to the engine, the aircraft body 11 further comprises various devices (not shown), such as a fuel tank, cooling fan, radiator, oil cooler, fuel cooler, slewing motor, battery, hydraulic pump, exhaust gas purification device, air cleaner, hydraulic oil tank, and control valve. The part of the aircraft body 11 in front of the slewing axis C when viewed from the side is referred to as the front part 11A of the aircraft body 11, and the part behind the slewing axis C is referred to as the rear part 11B of the aircraft body 11.

[0027] The backhoe 10 of this disclosure further includes a guard bar 17 at the front 11A (front side of the canopy 14) of the machine body 11. The guard bar 17 is a fence-like member that protects the operator seated in the driver's seat 15. The guard bar 17 is fixed to the front support column 19 that constitutes the canopy 14.

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the aircraft body 11. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the aircraft body 11 comprises a slewing frame 20 and a cover 30. The slewing frame 20 and the cover 30 constitute the outer shell of the aircraft body 11. Inside the outer shell formed by the slewing frame 20 and the cover 30, the aircraft body 11 houses an engine (not shown) and various other devices. Although detailed explanations are omitted in this description, in addition to the engine, the aircraft body 11 further comprises various devices (not shown), such as a fuel tank, cooling fan, radiator, oil cooler, fuel cooler, slewing motor, battery, hydraulic pump, exhaust gas purification device, air cleaner, hydraulic oil tank, and control valve.

[0029] [About the work equipment] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the work device 13 comprises a boom 22, an arm 23, and a bucket 24. The base of the boom 22 is supported by a first horizontal axis member of the slewing frame 20 and is configured to be rotatable around the first horizontal axis member. The boom 22 swings in conjunction with the extension and retraction of the boom cylinder 26. The boom 22 has a second horizontal axis member at its tip that extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The arm 23 is supported by the second horizontal axis member of the boom 22 and is configured to be rotatable around the second horizontal axis member. The arm 23 swings in conjunction with the extension and retraction of the arm cylinder 27. The arm 23 has a third horizontal axis member at its tip that extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The bucket 24 is supported by the third horizontal axis member of the arm 23 and is configured to be rotatable around the third horizontal axis member. The bucket 24 swings in conjunction with the extension and retraction of the bucket cylinder 28. The boom cylinder 26, arm cylinder 27, and bucket cylinder 28 are composed of hydraulic cylinders (hydraulic actuators).

[0030] [Regarding retractable hooks] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic of a retractable hook. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the backhoe 10 is further equipped with a retractable hook 25. The crane-type backhoe 10 can be switched between "shovel mode," which uses the bucket 24 for excavation work, and "crane mode," which uses the hook 25 for crane work. When switched to "shovel mode," the hook 25 is stored in a concave storage compartment 29 provided at the base of the bucket 24 (see Figure 3), and when switched to "crane mode," it is positioned outside the storage compartment 29 at a usable location.

[0031] [About indicator lights] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the area around the indicator light. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the indicator light, mask member, and bracket. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the backhoe 10 of this disclosure includes an indicator light 40. In the backhoe 10 of this disclosure, the indicator light 40 is located at the front 11A of the machine body 11.

[0032] Figures 4 and 5 show an indicator light 40 provided in the backhoe 10 of this disclosure. The indicator light 40 is provided in the crane-type backhoe 10 and constitutes part of a safety device that operates when the backhoe is switched to "crane mode". The indicator light 40 is a lighting device that can emit light in three colors: green, yellow, and red. The indicator light 40 lights up when the backhoe 10 is switched to "crane mode".

[0033] The indicator light 40 of this embodiment emits light at a brightness level that makes it difficult for external workers to look directly at it, and emits light intermittently (for example, at 0.5-second intervals). The indicator light 40 emits light in an azimuth angle range of 360° and an elevation angle range of approximately 0° to 90°, with respect to the light source center of the indicator light 40.

[0034] The indicator light 40 is linked to a load detection device (not shown) provided on the backhoe 10 and lights up in a color corresponding to the load detected by the load detection device. Specifically, in this embodiment, the indicator light 40 flashes blue when the load detected by the load detection device is low load (load ratio less than 85%), flashes yellow when the load is high load (load ratio 85% or more and less than 95%), and flashes red when the load is overload (load ratio 95% or more). In this embodiment, the flashing cycle is set to 1 second, and the ratio of the on time to the off time (duty cycle) is set to 1:1. However, the flashing cycle and duty cycle are not limited to these. In addition, the indicator light may be set to light up in a color corresponding to the load detected by the load detection device instead of flashing. Furthermore, the combination of the load detected by the load detection device and the flashing color (lighting color) of the indicator light 40 is not limited to the examples described above.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the indicator light 40 is fixed to the guard bar 17, which is located on the front side of the backhoe 10, via a bracket 60. The guard bar 17 may also be part of the front guard provided on the front side of the aircraft 11 to protect the operator from flying debris.

[0036] [Regarding mask components] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the mask member and the bracket. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the backhoe 10 of this disclosure further comprises a mask member 50. The mask member 50 blocks a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light 40. The mask member 50 has the function of ensuring visibility of the light emitted from the indicator light 40 to external workers and suppressing the glare of the light felt by external workers. The mask member 50 also has the function of ensuring the field of view of the operator operating the backhoe 10. Furthermore, the mask member 50 has the function of protecting the indicator light 40 from soil and sand scattered during excavation work.

[0037] The mask member 50 comprises a front mask portion 51, a side mask portion 52, and an inclined portion 53. The front mask portion 51 is positioned in front of the indicator light 40. The front mask portion 51 is made of a steel plate with a plurality of holes 55 formed therein. The front mask portion 51 blocks a portion of the light emitted forward from the indicator light 40. In other words, a portion of the light emitted forward from the indicator light 40 is emitted forward through the plurality of holes 55 of the front mask portion 51. The front mask portion 51 adjusts the brightness and light intensity of the light emitted forward from the indicator light 40 to a level that ensures visibility to external workers without causing glare. By providing the front mask portion 51, the backhoe 10 can ensure the visibility of the indicator light 40 to external workers working together with the operator.

[0038] The lateral mask sections 52 are positioned in pairs on the left and right sides of the indicator light 40. The lateral mask sections 52 are made of flat steel plates with multiple holes 55 formed in them. The lateral mask sections 52 block a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light 40 in the left-right direction. In other words, a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light 40 in the left-right direction is emitted to the left and right sides through the multiple holes 55 of the lateral mask section 52. By blocking a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light 40 in the left-right direction, the lateral mask sections 52 suppress the reflected light from entering the operator's field of view. The backhoe 10 can ensure the operator's field of view by providing the lateral mask sections 52.

[0039] The inclined section 53 is made of a steel plate and extends diagonally upward and rearward from the upper end of the front mask section 51. Furthermore, both left and right ends of the inclined section 53 are fixed to the left and right side mask sections 52, 52. The inclined section 53 restricts the direction of reflection of the light emitted from the indicator light 40 that is reflected off the rear surface of the front mask section 51. The inclined section 53 prevents the reflected light reflected off the rear surface of the front mask section 51 from entering the operator's field of view. By providing the inclined section 53, the backhoe 10 can ensure the operator's field of view.

[0040] The mask member 50 has increased rigidity compared to when the inclined portion 53 is absent, by connecting the front mask portion 51 and the left and right side mask portions 52 with the inclined portion 53. The front mask portion 51, the side mask portions 52, and the sides of the inclined portion 53 facing the indicator light 40 may be finished to suppress light reflection (for example, with a matte coating).

[0041] The mask member 50 is fixed to the side plate 61b of the bracket 60, which will be described later, by fastening members 56 (bolts and nuts). The mask member 50 is configured to be detachable from the bracket 60. Therefore, the mask member 50 can be replaced if it is damaged.

[0042] In the backhoe 10 of this disclosure, the holes 55 formed in the front mask portion 51 are 3 mm diameter circular holes arranged in a staggered pattern at 7 mm intervals. The front mask portion 51 with this configuration has an aperture ratio of approximately 17%. By providing the mask member 50, the backhoe 10 of this disclosure can ensure that the light projected from the indicator light 40 toward an external worker is bright enough to be reliably seen by the external worker during the day, and can suppress the brightness to a level that does not cause glare to the external worker after sunset. Furthermore, by providing the mask member 50, the backhoe 10 of this disclosure can prevent damage to the indicator light 40 from being caused by flying soil and sand during excavation work.

[0043] [About brackets] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the backhoe 10 of this disclosure further comprises a bracket 60. The bracket 60 is a support member for fixing the indicator light 40 to the guard bar 17. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the bracket 60 comprises a main body portion 61 and a connecting portion 62.

[0044] The main body 61 comprises a base plate 61a that supports the indicator light 40 from below, a pair of side plates 61b, 61b extending upward from the left and right outer edges of the base plate 61a, a side plate 61c extending upward from the rear outer edge of the base plate 61a, and a top plate 61d fixed to the upper ends of the side plates 61b, 61b and 61c. The side plates 61c connect the base plate 61a and the side plates 61b, 61b. The top plate 61d connects the side plates 61b, 61b and 61c. The main body 61 further comprises a wall portion 61e provided on the upper surface of the base plate 61a. The wall portion 61e has an arc shape that follows the outer shape of the indicator light 40 and restricts the forward movement of the indicator light 40 placed on the base plate 61a.

[0045] The connecting portion 62 connects the main body portion 61 and the guard bar 17. The connecting portion 62 is connected to the upper plate 61d of the main body portion 61 by fastening members 64 (bolts and nuts). In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the connecting portion 62 is welded to the guard bar 17 of the backhoe 10. The connecting portion 62 may also be fixed to the guard bar 17 using fastening members (not shown).

[0046] The bracket 60 is fixed to the guard bar 17 by fastening a connecting portion 62, which is fixed to the guard bar 17, to the upper plate 61d. In the backhoe 10 of this disclosure, the indicator light 40 is fixed to the guard bar 17 via the bracket 60. As a result, the indicator light 40 is positioned on the front side of the backhoe 10.

[0047] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the side plate 61c is provided with a shielding portion 63, which is a part without an opening. The shielding portion 63 (side plate 61c) can block the light emitted from the indicator light 40 to the rear. In the backhoe 10, if the indicator light 40 is positioned in front of the driver's seat 15, there is a concern that the light emitted from the indicator light 40 will enter the field of view of the operator seated in the driver's seat 15 and obstruct their view. The backhoe 10 of this disclosure is provided with a shielding portion 63 that blocks the light emitted from the indicator light 40 to the rear, so that the light emitted from the indicator light 40 to the rear does not obstruct the operator's view. In the work machine of this disclosure, the shielding portion 63 may be a part of the mask member 50, or the mask member 50 may have a shielding portion provided on the rear side of the indicator light 40.

[0048] [Regarding the placement of indicator lights] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged schematic plan view showing the arrangement of the indicator lights. Figure 8 is a partially enlarged front view showing the area around the indicator lights. As shown in Figure 8, the backhoe 10 has a rearmost position B set for the movement range of the bucket 24 and hook 25 when performing excavation and crane operations. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 7, the operation of the bucket 24 and hook 25 is controlled so that they do not displace beyond the rearmost position B when performing excavation and crane operations. In the backhoe 10, the indicator lights 40 are positioned behind the rearmost position B and in front of the driver's seat 15. Therefore, in the backhoe 10 of this disclosure, there is no concern that the indicator lights 40 will be damaged by contact with the bucket 24 and hook 25.

[0049] Furthermore, in the crane-equipped backhoe 10 of this disclosure, the indicator light 40 that illuminates when switched to crane mode is located on the front side of the machine body 11. Therefore, external workers can more easily recognize the illumination of the indicator light 40 when they are on the front side of the machine body 11.

[0050] When an operator performing excavation and crane operations with the backhoe 10 is waiting for work, they may rest their feet on the guard bar 17 and wait in a relaxed posture. Therefore, if there is an object placed in front of the operating pedal 18, the object may come into contact with the operator's feet. In this case, it becomes difficult for the operator to assume a relaxed posture.

[0051] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the backhoe 10 of this disclosure, at least a portion of the indicator light 40 is positioned to the left and right of the machine body 11, relative to the operating pedal 18 located in front of the driver's seat 15 (in this embodiment, to the right of the operating pedal 18). Therefore, in the backhoe 10 of this disclosure, the indicator light 40 is less likely to come into contact with the operator's leg when the operator places their leg on the guard bar 17. As a result, even if the backhoe 10 of this disclosure is configured to have the indicator light 40 positioned in front of the machine body 11, the indicator light 40 is less likely to interfere with the operator's working posture.

[0052] [Regarding the operation and effects of this embodiment] (1) The backhoe 10, which is the work machine of this embodiment as described above, further comprises a traveling device 12, a machine body 11 positioned on the upper part of the traveling device 12 and configured to be rotatable around an axis extending in the vertical direction, a driver's seat 15 provided on the machine body 11, a work machine 13 supported so as to be swingable by a boom 22, an arm 23, and a bucket 24 which is a work tool, an indicator light 40 positioned on the front part 11A of the machine body 11, and a mask member 50 positioned in front of the indicator light 40 and having a front mask portion 51 that allows a portion of the light emitted forward from the indicator light 40 to pass through and blocks a portion of it.

[0053] When crane operations are performed using a crane-equipped backhoe 10, external workers working with the operator are often located in front of the machine 11. The indicator light 40 that illuminates when the backhoe 10 is switched to crane mode is located in front of the machine 11. Therefore, when an external worker is in front of the machine 11, they can easily recognize when the indicator light 40 is lit. Thus, with this configuration, the backhoe 10, which is a work machine equipped with an indicator light 40, can be made more easily recognized by the external worker without reducing the worker's work efficiency.

[0054] (2) The backhoe 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a hook 25 located at the tip of the arm 23 and can be switched between a standard mode in which work is performed using the bucket 24 and a crane mode in which crane work is performed using the hook 25. In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the indicator light 40 is illuminated when in crane mode. With this configuration, the indicator light 40 that illuminates when the work machine, which is a crane-type backhoe 10, is switched to crane mode can be more easily recognized by an external worker.

[0055] (3) In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the indicator light 40 is positioned in front of the driver's seat 15 and in a position that does not interfere with the bucket 24 and hook 25. Specifically, the indicator light 40 is positioned behind the rearmost position B of the area in which the bucket 24 and hook 25 can move during excavation work and crane work, and in front of the driver's seat 15. With a backhoe 10 configured in this way, the indicator light 40 can be positioned in a location that is easily recognizable by external workers on the front side of the machine body 11 while suppressing damage to the indicator light 40.

[0056] (4) The backhoe 10 of this embodiment further includes an operating pedal 18 located in front of the driver's seat 15, and at least a portion of the indicator lights 40 are positioned offset from the operating pedal 19 in the left-right direction of the machine body 11. With this configuration of the backhoe 10, the indicator lights 40 can be positioned in a location that does not interfere with the operator operating the backhoe 10.

[0057] (5) In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the mask member 50 further includes lateral mask portions 52 positioned to the left and right of the indicator light 40 to block at least a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light 40 in the left-right direction of the machine body 11. With a backhoe 10 configured in this way, it is possible to suppress the light emitted from the indicator light 40 in the left-right direction and reflected by the canopy 14, etc., from entering the operator's eyes. This makes it possible to suppress the light emitted from the indicator light 40 from obstructing the operator's view when operating the backhoe 10.

[0058] (6) In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the front mask portion 51 is made of a flat plate having a plurality of holes 55. With this configuration, the front mask portion 51 can adjust the brightness and light intensity so that the light projected forward from the indicator light 40 is visible even in bright environments such as daytime, and is not dazzling even in dark environments around sunset. With a backhoe 10 having a mask member 50 with this configuration, the light projected from the indicator light 40 can be accurately seen by an external worker.

[0059] (7) In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the side mask portion 52 is made of a flat plate having a plurality of holes 55. The side mask portion 52 with this configuration can suppress the light emitted from the indicator light 40 in the left and right directions that is reflected towards the operator by the windows of the canopy 14. With the backhoe 10 having a mask member 50 with this configuration, it is possible to suppress the light emitted from the indicator light 40 from obstructing the view of the operator operating the backhoe 10.

[0060] (8) In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the mask member 50 includes an inclined portion 53 that extends diagonally upward and rearward from the upper end of the front mask portion 51 and shields at least a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light 40 diagonally upward and front of the machine body 11. The inclined portion 53 with this configuration can suppress the light that is emitted forward from the indicator light 40 and reflected off the rear surface of the front mask portion 51, which is directed toward the operator. With a backhoe 10 having a mask member 50 with this configuration, it is possible to suppress the light emitted from the indicator light 40 from obstructing the view of the operator operating the backhoe 10.

[0061] (9) In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the mask member 50 includes a shielding portion 63 positioned behind the indicator light 40 and shielding at least a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light 40 to the rear of the machine body 11. With this configuration of the backhoe 10, the light emitted from the indicator light 40 to the rear and directed towards the operator can be shielded by the shielding portion 63. This makes it possible to prevent the light emitted from the indicator light 40 from obstructing the view of the operator operating the backhoe 10.

[0062] (10) In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the machine body 11 further comprises a guard bar 17 positioned in front of the driver's seat 15 and a bracket 60 fixed to the guard bar 17, and the indicator light 40 is fixed to the bracket 60. With this configuration, the indicator light 40 can be easily installed on the front side of the backhoe 10.

[0063] (11) In the backhoe 10 of this embodiment, the mask member 50 is fixed to the bracket 60. With this configuration, the mask member 50 can be easily installed in front of the indicator light 40.

[0064] The embodiments described above are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 10. Backhoe (work equipment) 11 aircraft 11A Front 12. Traveling device 13 Working equipment 15. Driver's seat 17 Guard Bar 18. Operating pedals 22 Boom 23 Arms 24 buckets 25 hooks 40 indicator light 50 Mask components 51 Front mask section 52 Side mask section 53 Slope 60 bracket 63 Shield part B (The rearmost position of the area in which the bucket and hook move)

Claims

1. Traveling device and A machine body positioned above the aforementioned traveling device and configured to be rotatable around an axis extending in the vertical direction, The cockpit provided in the aforementioned aircraft, A work device including a boom, arm, and work tool, which is supported by the machine so as to be swingable, An indicator light located at the front of the aforementioned aircraft, A work machine further comprising: a mask member having a front mask portion positioned in front of the indicator light, which allows a portion of the light projected from the indicator light toward the front of the machine to pass through and a portion of the light to block.

2. The arm is equipped with a hook positioned at the tip, It is possible to switch between a standard mode in which work is performed using the aforementioned work tool, and a crane mode in which crane work is performed using the aforementioned hook. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the indicator light is illuminated when the crane mode is activated.

3. The aforementioned indicator light is The work machine according to claim 2, which is positioned in front of the driver's seat and in a position that does not interfere with the work tool and the hook.

4. The vehicle further includes an operating pedal located in front of the driver's seat, The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the indicator light is positioned to be offset from the operating pedal in the left-right direction of the machine body.

5. The mask member is The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising lateral mask portions arranged to the left and right of the indicator light to block at least a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light in the left-right direction of the machine.

6. The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the front mask portion is composed of a flat plate having a plurality of holes.

7. The work machine according to claim 5, wherein the lateral mask portion is composed of a flat plate having a plurality of holes.

8. The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mask member includes an inclined portion that extends diagonally upward and rearward from the upper end of the front mask portion and shields at least a portion of the light projected from the indicator light diagonally upward and front of the machine.

9. The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mask member includes a shielding portion that is positioned behind the indicator light and shields at least a portion of the light emitted from the indicator light to the rear of the machine.

10. The aforementioned aircraft includes a guard bar positioned in front of the driver's seat, The system further comprises a bracket fixed to the guard bar, The work machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the indicator light is fixed to the bracket.

11. The work machine according to claim 10, wherein the mask member is fixed to the bracket.

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