Additional boom and method for operating an excavator
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- POHMAKO
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-06
Smart Images
Figure FI2026050034_06082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] ADDITIONAL BOOM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN EXCAVATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to an additional boom that can be fitted to the boom of an excavator and equipped with an additional attachment. The additional boom can be moved relative to the actual boom of the excavator, i.e. the main boom.
[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to an excavator and a method for operating the excavator.
[0004] The object of the invention is described in more detail in the preambles of the independent claims of the application.
[0005] The excavator boom can be equipped with a variety of attachments. However, there are work sites where it is necessary to perform several different work tasks. In such cases, different attachments have to be changed to the boom according to the work task at hand. However, changing attachments takes time slowing down the work. In addition, it is difficult to transport different interchangeable attachments to the work site with the excavator.
[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved additional boom, an excavator, and a method for operating the excavator.
[0008] The characteristic features of the additional boom according to the invention are presented in the characterizing part of the first independent device claim.
[0009] The characteristic features of the excavator according to the invention are presented in the characterizing part of the second independent device claim.
[0010] The characteristic features of the method according to the invention are presented in the characterizing part of the independent method claim.
[0011] The idea behind the presented solution is that the main boom of the excavator is equipped with an additional boom that can be turned relative to the main boom. The first end of the frame of the additional boom has a swivel joint relative to which the additional boom can be moved to the operating position and to the neutral position. The secondend part of the additional boom has an additional coupler to which an additional attachment can be connected. Furthermore, the additional coupler is pivotably fitted to the additional boom so that it can be moved by means of a turning actuator. In other words, the additional coupler and the additional attachment connected to it can be turned to the desired position relative to the basic structure of the additional boom.
[0012] One advantage of the presented solution is that the additional attachment can be moved independently during work by moving the additional coupler. This allows the position of the additional attachment to be quickly and easily adjusted as required by the work task at hand. The turning additional coupler thus increases the degrees of freedom of the additional boom, improves efficiency, and enables more versatile use.
[0013] The rotating additional coupler also facilitates the positioning of the additional attachment, as the excavator boom or the additional boom frame itself does not need to be moved when fine positioning is required. The solution presented also facilitates and speeds up the connection and disconnection of the additional attachment to and from the additional boom.
[0014] According to one embodiment, the turning actuator for moving the additional coupler is a hydraulic cylinder.
[0015] According to one embodiment, the additional coupler is pivotable relative to the frame of the additional boom by a limited angle of rotation. In other words, the additional coupler is adapted non-rotatably to the additional boom. The additional coupler is adapted to turn in the direction of a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the additional boom, whereby the angle of turning is limited at least by the outer surfaces of the additional boom frame that are transverse to said plane. Furthermore, the angle of turning of the additional coupler can be limited by the movement ranges set or enabled by the turning actuator. Alternatively, various range limiters may also be used to limit the turning angle. According to one embodiment, the turning actuator moving the additional coupler can be switched to a neutral position, in which the additional coupler and the additional attachment connected to it have essentially free movement in terms of the articulation. Such a so-called floating connection, or suspension connection, can be useful when using certain additional attachments.According to one embodiment, the additional coupler or additional attachment is connected to a rotary device that enables the additional attachment to be turned or rotated about a rotation axis. Said rotation axis is perpendicular to the connection between the additional coupler and the additional attachment.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the length of the additional boom is at least half the length of the outermost part of the main boom and at most the length is the length of the outermost part of the main boom. In this case, the additional boom provides good reach and still is easy to handle and does not interfere with the use of the main boom when the additional boom is turned to the neutral position.
[0017] According to one embodiment, the additional boom is equipped with hydraulic conduits and hydraulic outlets for supplying operating energy to the additional attachment in use at any given time. The additional boom also has conduits for supplying operating energy to actuators that control the movements and positions of the additional boom and additional attachment. In some cases, instead of hydraulics, some other operating energy, such as electricity or compressed air, can be used, whereby the additional boom is equipped with the necessary means for supplying electricity and compressed air.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the additional boom is an accessory designed to be retrofitted to an existing excavator to improve its capabilities and increase its range of uses. If necessary, the additional boom can be removed later and attached to another excavator, for example, when changing excavators or when the purpose of use of the excavator changes.
[0019] According to one embodiment, the main boom of the excavator is equipped with an additional boom already at the factory. In this case, the placement and operation of the components and actuators related to connecting, moving, and locking of the additional boom can already be taken into account in the design of the main boom.
[0020] According to one embodiment, the additional coupler is a quick-mount adapter equipped with coupling surfaces and at least one coupling actuator for moving the coupling surfaces to connect the additional attachment to the additional boom and to disconnect it from the additional boom. In other words, thanks to the quick-mount adapter, the additional attachment can be connected to the additional boom and disconnected from the additional boom remotely without manual connection operations and without leaving the ex-cavator cab. This facilitates and speeds up operations and improves work safety. The coupling actuator can be, for example, a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder or a hydraulic motor.
[0021] A further general advantage of the quick-mount adapter is that a wide variety of additional attachments, which are equipped with coupling devices compatible with the quickmount adapter, can be attached to the additional boom.
[0022] According to one embodiment, the coupling surfaces on the adapter are designed to form a form lock with the other coupling surfaces on the additional attachment. The quick-mount adapter may be based on a commonly used adapter design or, alternatively, it may be designed on a case-by-case basis.
[0023] According to one embodiment, the additional coupler is rotatably equipped with bearings on a transverse pivot shaft at the second end of the additional boom, the longitudinal axis of which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the additional boom frame. In other words, the pivot shaft is parallel to the swivel joint at the first end of the additional boom. According to an embodiment, the mentioned pivot shaft extends as a one-piece through the structure of the second end of the additional boom. Alternatively, the pivot shaft is formed by two shorter separate shaft parts that are arranged coaxially but on different sides of the side surfaces of the second end of the additional boom.
[0024] According to one embodiment, the pivot shaft is connected immovably to the second end of the additional boom. In this case, the additional coupler comprises a bearing with which it is rotatably connected to the pivot shaft.
[0025] According to one embodiment, the frame of the additional boom is a one-piece, uniform and rigid body. In other words, the frame of the additional boom has no swivel joints between its first end and its second end. In this case, the structure of the additional boom is simple, sturdy, and durable.
[0026] According to one alternative embodiment, the frame of the additional boom is in two parts, comprising a first additional boom part and a second additional boom part, which are connected to each other by a folding joint transverse to the longitudinal axis of the additional boom. In this case, the outer second additional boom part, together with the additional coupler part, can be turned in the lateral direction of the additional boom andrelative to the first additional boom part. Such a sideways-turning or folding additional boom increases the degrees of freedom and movement possibilities of the solution, allowing the additional boom to be moved and controlled in a variety of ways. The turning movement can be utilized, for example, when avoiding obstacles in the work area.
[0027] According to one alternative embodiment, the frame of the additional boom comprises a linear joint, allowing its length to be adjusted. The frame of the additional boom can thus be telescopically extended and shortened. In this case, the reach of the additional boom can be increased if necessary. Furthermore, the additional boom can be moved to a shortened, compact position when the reach is not needed and when, for example, there is a need to minimize the torque caused by the length of the additional boom.
[0028] According to one embodiment, the additional coupler has a locking device that is adapted to lock the additional coupler in at least one position with a mechanical retaining member. In other words, the additional coupler can be locked in place using the locking device, giving it a rigid mechanical connection to the frame of the additional boom. This allows the additional coupler to transmit even large forces between the additional attachment and the frame. Such a rigid connection may be appropriate, for example, when said additional attachment is another bucket or a grapple for handling material.
[0029] According to one embodiment, the locking device comprises a locking actuator, which may be, for example, hydraulically operated, and which is adapted to move a retaining member, which may be, for example, a retaining pin, a locking tongue, or other similar mechanical member.
[0030] According to one embodiment, the additional boom comprises at least one locking means for locking the additional boom in place in the neutral position. In other words, the locking means can be used to ensure that the additional boom remains in place in line with the excavator's main boom. The locking means on the additional boom may comprise a locking stop to which the locking device on the actual boom of the excavator, i.e. the main boom, engages. Alternatively, the locking means on the additional boom may comprise a locking device that is adapted to lock into the locking stop on the main boom. The locking device may be, for example, a hydraulically operated device, and the locking stop may be, for example, an opening, a projection, or another locking surface.Yet another option is to arrange the locking means at the swivel joint between the additional boom and the main boom.
[0031] According to one embodiment, the additional coupler has shaped surfaces that are adapted to lock onto corresponding surfaces on the main boom when the additional coupler is turned relative to its articulation by means of a turning actuator. The additional coupler may have one or more hook-like members or shapes that can be locked to a pin or similar member on the main boom. This creates a form lock that keeps the additional boom in a neutral position. When the turning actuator of the additional coupler is used for locking, no separate actuator is needed for locking, which means that the structure can be simple, inexpensive, and durable.
[0032] According to one embodiment, there are two cantilever flanges at the swivel joint at the first end of the frame, which are spaced apart in a transverse distance from each other in relation to the longitudinal axis of the additional boom and thus form a branch-like portion at the first end of the frame. The outermost portions of the cantilever flanges are equipped with transverse openings to receive the pivot shaft. In other words, there is free space between the cantilever flanges, which allows the swivel joint to be connected by means of the swivel shaft to the coupler at the outermost end of the excavator's main boom. The cantilever flanges of the additional boom swivel joint are then positioned on the outer surfaces of the actual coupler so that the additional boom can be connected even if an attachment, such as a bucket, is installed on the actual coupler. Furthermore, the same pivot shaft is adapted to simultaneously connect both the additional boom and the attachment to the main boom coupler. In this case, the additional boom and bucket are adapted to turn relative to the same pivot shaft. When the additional boom is connected to the normal bucket pivot shaft, connecting the additional boom does not require any modifications to the main boom or the actual coupler on it. This makes it quick and easy to connect the additional boom to the main boom of any excavator. The additional boom is therefore well suited for retrofitting.
[0033] In some cases, however, it is possible to arrange a separate connection point for the additional boom on the outermost end portion of the main boom, or alternatively, to connect a coupler to the main boom, the coupler equipped with its own connection points for the additional boom and for the attachment to be connected to the main boom.According to one embodiment, the first end portion of the additional boom has a transmission surface that is adapted to receive a turning force to turn the additional boom from the operating position to the neutral position by moving the attachment connected to the main boom of the excavator. In other words, the additional boom can be moved between its operating position and neutral position by transmitting the required movement to the additional boom using a bucket or other attachment connected to the main boom. In this case, the turning of the additional boom relative to the pivot shaft is arranged to be performed by the turning cylinder of the bucket or other attachment, so that no separate actuator is required to turn the additional boom. The structure can thus be simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The additional boom may have a transmission surface that is in contact with the outer surface of the bucket during the turning of the additional boom and when the additional boom is supported in its operating position. Said transmission surface may be curved in shape and may substantially correspond to the shape of the rear surface of the bucket connected to the main boom.
[0034] Furthermore, the additional boom may comprise transmission members for transmitting the movement of the bucket or other attachment connected to the main boom to the additional boom so that the additional boom can be turned in a controlled manner from the neutral position to the operating position. Thanks to the transmission members, the movement of the main boom attachment can be transmitted in both directions of movement.
[0035] Alternatively, the main boom can be turned to a position where the additional boom can be turned from the neutral position to the operating position by the force of gravity. The bucket or other attachment can support this movement from below.
[0036] It is also possible to arrange a separate actuator between the additional boom and the main boom to move the additional boom between different positions.
[0037] According to one embodiment, the presented solution also applies to an excavator comprising: a movable carrier; a main boom connected to the carrier and comprising at least two boom parts pivotably connected to each other; a coupler at the free end of the outermost boom part of the main boom for connecting the attachment to the main boom; an additional boom comprising an elongated frame with a first end and a second end; a swivel joint at the first end of the additional boom for pivotably connecting the additional boom to the outermost boom part of the main boom, whereby the additional boom has anoperating position in which the additional boom is adapted to be turned transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the outermost boom part, and a neutral position in which the additional boom is adapted to be turned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outermost boom part; and wherein the second end portion of the additional boom has fastening means for detachably fastening an additional attachment to the additional boom; and wherein the additional boom is arranged to the main boom on the side facing away from the carrier. Furthermore, the additional boom of the excavator is in accordance with the embodiments and features presented in this document. In this case, the additional coupler belonging to the additional boom is pivotably arranged at the second end of the additional boom.
[0038] In other words, the additional boom is movable as if on the outer surface of the main boom and, in the operating position, points away from the carrier. In this case, the additional boom has a greater reach during operation than the main boom.
[0039] The swiveling additional boom can be kept in a neutral position during transport and when the task does not require the use of the additional attachment. When the additional boom is in the neutral position, it does not interfere with working on the main boom and the attachment connected to it.
[0040] According to one embodiment, the invention also relates to a method of using an excavator, in which method: connecting an attachment to a coupler on a main boom of the excavator; moving the main boom relative to the excavator carrier and moving the attachment relative to the main boom in order to perform work task with the attachment; connecting an additional boom to the main boom; connecting an additional attachment to the additional boom; turning the additional boom to the operating position, transversely relative to the main boom, in order to use the additional attachment; and turning the additional boom into the neutral position, parallel to the outermost part of the main boom, when the additional attachment is not needed. Furthermore, according to the method, the additional attachment is connected to the additional coupler on the additional boom, and the desired position of the additional attachment is set relative to the additional boom by turning the additional coupler relative to the swivel joint at the outermost end of the additional boom.
[0041] According to one embodiment, the method may also comprise the following features: equipping the excavator as a forestry machine; connecting a bucket to the main boomcoupler and using the bucket to level the track for the excavator; and connecting one of the following additional attachments to the additional coupler of the additional boom: a timber grapple for handling cut timber; a harvester head for cutting and delimbing tree trunks; a grapple equipped with a cutting blade for cutting and handling small trees. In other words, the bucket connected to the main boom can be used to remove stumps and stones from the track, thus facilitating the movement of the excavator around the work site. The track leveled in this way can also be used for later forestry work, such as logging, timber transport, fertilization, and establishing of new forests.
[0042] Furthermore, the forestry device connected to the additional boom can be used for actual forestry work. The forestry device can be connected to the additional boom as an additional attachment according to the needs and forestry site in question. The additional boom gives the forestry device a good reach, whereby the excavator needs to be moved less often at the work site and work becomes more efficient. Furthermore, as the reach is long, fewer tracks are needed in the forest, which means less forest floor damaged. According to one embodiment, the method comprises also the following features: equipping the excavator as a demining machine; connecting a bucket to the main boom coupler for leveling the ground and removing landmines; and connecting a demining device to the additional boom additional coupler for detecting and deactivating landmines.
[0043] In other words, the bucket connected to the main boom can be used to remove deactivated landmines and level out the pits left by exploded landmines. The demining device connected to the additional boom can be used to search for landmines, detonate them intentionally, or deactivate them in some other way. The demining device may comprise, for example, a metal detector or an electronic or mechanical device for detonating mines. Since the demining device is located at the end of the additional boom, away from the cab of the excavator, demining can be carried out safely. In addition, the additional boom increases the reach and thus the operating range. This allows for efficient demining. According to one embodiment, the method may also comprise the following features: equipping the excavator as a demolition machine; connecting a demolition device to the main boom coupler for demolishing buildings, structures, and their parts; and connecting a collector to the additional boom additional coupler for handling the demolished material components.In other words, a breaking hammer, pulverizing plier, or demolition hook connected to the main boom is used to break structural components into smaller pieces so that the different materials in them can be separated into different material fractions for further use or transportation as waste. The additional boom can be equipped with various collectors that can be used to grab the desired material components and transfer them to the collection site. The collector can be a grapple that can be used to mechanically grab the material being handled. Furthermore, the collector can be a magnet that can be used to collect ferromagnetic materials, such as concrete reinforcement, when dismantling reinforced concrete structures.
[0044] According to one alternative embodiment, the main boom is equipped with a collector, and the additional boom is equipped with a demolition device. This solution is advantageous, for example, when additional reach is needed to demolish the upper parts of buildings and structures.
[0045] According to one embodiment, the method may also comprise the following features: equipping the excavator as a dredging machine; connecting a first bucket to the main boom coupler; connecting a second bucket to the additional boom additional coupler; removing underwater soil in the dredging machine's working area with the second bucket; pulling the removed soil towards the excavator carrier with the second bucket; and transferring the loosened soil away from the working area with the first bucket.
[0046] In other words, the second bucket connected to the additional boom can be used to scrape the bottom and move the material to a pile closer to the excavator carrier. The second bucket may be shaped and sized specifically for this purpose. The second bucket can be designed to be wider than a conventional bucket, allowing it to handle the bottom effectively. The second bucket does not necessarily need to have a dome-shaped volume, as the loosened soil can be pulled along the bottom without lifting it. The first bucket connected to the main boom may be a conventional earthmoving bucket, or alternatively, a sieve bucket or similar may be used, from which excess water is drained off when the bucket is lifted.
[0047] According to one alternative embodiment, the additional boom is equipped with a rock claw, a crushing device, or a similar device for handling rocks and other hard objects and materials on the bottom. The device is also suitable for breaking up ice layers on thewater surface. The first bucket connected to the main boom is used to remove the loosened and broken pieces from the water.
[0048] Furthermore, the embodiments presented above and the features presented therein can be combined to achieve desired solutions.
[0049] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] Some embodiments of the presented solution are shown in more detail in the following figures, wherein
[0051] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an excavator, the main boom of which is equipped with an additional boom,
[0052] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of an additional boom turned to the operating position,
[0053] Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of an excavator and an additional boom connected to its main boom, which is turned to the neutral position,
[0054] Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of an additional boom in the neutral position, turned parallel to the outermost part of the main boom,
[0055] Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of an additional boom and an arrangement for turning it by means of a separate turning actuator,
[0056] Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of an additional boom connected to the main boom by means of its own separate joint,
[0057] Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of an additional boom that is locked in a neutral position to the main boom by means of a separate locking device,
[0058] Figure 8 shows a schematic side view of an additional boom that is locked in the neutral position to the main boom by turning an additional coupler and using the locking members in the additional coupler,
[0059] Figure 9 shows schematically an additional boom, which is in the operating position and equipped with a bucket,Figure 10 shows schematically an additional boom, which is in the operating position and equipped with a timber shear device,
[0060] Figure 11 is a diagram showing features for equipping an excavator as a forestry machine,
[0061] Figure 12 is a diagram showing features for equipping an excavator as a demining machine,
[0062] Figure 13 is a diagram showing features for equipping an excavator as a demolition machine, and
[0063] Figure 14 is a diagram showing features for equipping an excavator as a dredging machine.
[0064] For clarity, some embodiments of the solutions presented are shown in simplified form in the figures. In addition, an attempt has been made to use the same reference numbers in the figures to refer to the same features and entities.
[0065] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0066] Figure 1 shows an excavator 1 comprising a movable carrier 2, which may be, for example, a crawler-tracked carrier, or alternatively it may be equipped with wheels. Furthermore, the carrier 2 may be rotatable and thus comprise a lower carriage and a rotatable upper carriage. However, the solution presented in this document is also suitable for use in connection with other types of excavator carriers and structures.
[0067] The excavator 1 has a main boom 3 that is movably connected to the carrier 2. The main boom 3 comprises at least two boom parts 3a, 3b, which are pivotably connected to each other. The free end of the outermost boom part 3a has a coupler 4 for connecting an attachment 5 to the main boom 3. In Figure 1, the attachment 5 is a bucket 6. An additional boom 7 is pivotably connected to the outermost boom part 3a of the main boom 3, the additional boom 7 having an elongated frame 8, the first end 8a of which having a swivel joint 9 for turning the additional boom and connecting it to the main boom 3. As can be seen from Figure 1 , the additional boom 7 is arranged to the surface side of the main boom 3 facing away from the carrier 2, whereby in the operating position K according to the figure it substantially increases the reach of the excavator 1 and expands the working area. The second end 8b of the additional boom 7 has an additional coupler 10to which an additional attachment 11 can be connected. The additional boom 7 has one or more turning actuators 12, which can be used to move the additional coupler 10 and the additional attachment 11 connected to it in relation to the second end 8b of the additional boom 7.
[0068] Figure 2 shows a pivot shaft 13, with which the additional coupler 10 is connected to the end of the additional boom 7 so that the additional coupler 10 can be turned through a limited angle of rotation by means of the turning actuator 12. The pivot shaft 13 is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the additional boom 7. Furthermore, it can be seen from Figure 2 that the additional coupler 10 is a quick-mount adapter 14 equipped with coupling surfaces 15 and at least one coupling actuator for moving the coupling surfaces so that the additional attachment can be connected to the additional boom 7 and disconnected from it. The coupling actuator is typically protected within the adapter structure, which is why it is not visible in the figure.
[0069] At the first end 8a of the frame 8 of the additional boom 7, there are cantilever flanges 16, which are spaced apart in a transverse distance from each other in relation to the longitudinal axis of the additional boom 7 and thus form a branch-like portion at the first end 8a of the frame 8. This can be seen even more clearly in Figures 9 and 10. The outermost portions of the cantilever flanges 16 are provided with transverse openings to receive the pivot shaft 17. The attachment 5 and the additional boom 7 are connected to the main boom 3 by the same pivot shaft 17.
[0070] In Figures 3 and 4, the additional boom 7 is turned to the neutral position V, in which its frame 8 is essentially parallel to the outermost boom part 3a of the main boom 3. The additional boom 7 can be turned from the operating position K shown in Figures 1 and 2 to the neutral position V by means of the bucket 6 connected as the attachment 5. In this case, the bucket 6 acts on the transmission surface 18 located at the first end 8a of the additional boom 7 and the additional boom 7 is turned. In this solution, no separate actuator is required for turning the additional boom 7, but the actuator 19 intended for moving the attachment 5 is also utilized for moving the additional boom 7. The transmission surface 18 may be arranged to correspond in shape to the counter surface 20 of the bucket 6, which faces away from the carrier.
[0071] The solution shown in Figure 5 differs from the solutions shown in Figures 1 to 4 in that a dedicated actuator 21, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is provided for turning the additionalboom 7. Furthermore, the additional boom 7 may have a linear joint 22 for shortening and lengthening its length. Unlike the solutions shown in Figures 1 to 4, the additional coupler 10 can be turned by means of a rotary motor 23 instead of a hydraulic cylinder. For example, a hydraulic motor can thus function as the turning actuator 12. Figure 5 also shows that the coupler 4 connected to the outermost boom part 3a of the main boom and the additional boom 7 have a common swivel joint 9.
[0072] The solution shown in Figure 6 differs from the solution in Figure 5 in that the additional boom 7 is connected to the outermost boom part 3a of the main boom by means of its own swivel joint 24.
[0073] Figure 7 shows that the additional boom 7 can be locked in the neutral position V by a locking means 25. The locking means 25 may comprise a locking device 26 and a locking stop 27, by the cooperation of which the additional boom 7 can be locked to the main boom and released from it. The locking device 26 may be a hydraulic actuator and may be mounted on the outermost boom part 3a of the main boom, and the locking stop 27 may be mounted on the additional boom 7. Alternatively, the locking device 26 is fitted to the additional boom 7 and the locking stop 27 is fitted to the outermost boom part 3a. Furthermore, the figure shows the turning of the additional coupler 10 by means of a hydraulic cylinder 28, which acts as a turning actuator 12 and is connected to the additional coupler 10 by a joint 29.
[0074] Figure 8 shows an alternative arrangement for locking the additional boom 7 to the main boom 3 in the neutral position by means of the locking device 26. The locking device 26 comprises hook-like shaped members 30 arranged on the additional coupler 10, which lock onto one or more pins 31 supported on the main boom 3 when the additional coupler 10 is turned relative to the rotation axis 13 by means of a hydraulic cylinder 28 or another turning actuator. Instead of hook-like shaped members 30, other shaped surfaces can be formed either directly on the structure of the additional coupler 10 or on a separate piece attached to it. Also in this case, locking takes place by turning the additional coupler 10.
[0075] Figure 9 shows an additional boom 7, the first end of which has cantilever flanges 16 with openings 32 at their outer ends so that the pivot shaft can be fitted through them. Between the cantilever flanges 16 there is a space 33, into which the outermost boom part of the main boom and the coupler connected to it fit when the additional boom 7 isconnected in place. The frame 8 of the additional boom 7 narrows towards the second end 8b, which has an additional coupler 10 that is a quick-mount adapter. A bucket 6a is connected to the adapter, which may be a different bucket than the actual earthmoving bucket to be connected to the main boom.
[0076] The structure of the additional boom 7 shown in Figure 10 corresponds to that shown in Figure 9. In Figure 10, a shear device 34 is connected to the additional coupler 10 as an additional attachment 11 for cutting timber. The shear device 34 can operate, for example, on the guillotine principle, in which case it has at least one movable blade. The shear device 34 can also be equipped with a hydraulic grapple for handling the cut timber. Figure 11 shows the features for equipping an excavator as a forestry machine 35. A normal earthmoving bucket 6 can be connected to the main boom 3 as an attachment 5. Various forestry devices, such as a timber grapple 36, a harvester head 37, and a shear device 34, can be connected to the additional boom 7 as an additional attachment 11. Figure 12 shows the features of a demining machine 38. A normal earthmoving bucket 6 can be connected to the main boom 3 as an attachment 5, and a demining device 39 can be connected to the additional boom 7 as an additional attachment 11.
[0077] Figure 13 shows the features of a demolition machine 40. For example, a pulverizer 41 or a breaking hammer 42 can be connected to the main boom 3 as an attachment 5, and a grapple 43 or a magnet 44 can be connected to the additional boom 7 as an additional attachment 11.
[0078] Figure 14 shows the features of a dredging machine 45. A first bucket 6 may be connected to the main boom 3 as an attachment 5, and a second bucket 46 or a rock claw 47 may be connected to the additional boom 7 as an additional attachment 11.
Claims
CLAIMS1. An additional boom (7) that is connectable to a main boom (3) of an excavator (1), and the additional boom (7) comprising:an elongated frame (8) having a first end (8a) and a second end (8b);and wherein the first end (8a) of the frame is equipped with a swivel joint (9) for turning the additional boom (7) between an operating position (K) and a neutral position (V); and wherein the second end (8b) portion of the frame is provided with fastening means for fastening an additional attachment (11 ) to the additional boom (7);the fastening means at the second end (8a) portion of the frame comprising an additional coupler (10) which is pivotably mounted at the second end (8b) of the additional boom (7);and which additional boom (7) comprises at least one turning actuator (12) for moving the additional coupler (10) relative to the second end (8b) of the additional boom;characterized in thatthe first end (8a) portion of the additional boom has a transmission surface (18) adapted to receive a turning force for turning the additional boom (7) from the operating position (K) to the neutral position (V) by moving the attachment (5) connected to the main boom (3) of the excavator (1).
2. The additional boom according to claim 1 , characterized in thatthe additional coupler (10) is a quick-mount adapter (14) equipped with coupling surfaces (15) and at least one coupling actuator for moving the coupling surfaces (15) to connect the additional attachment (11) to the additional boom (7) and to disconnect it from the additional boom (7).
3. The additional boom according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe additional coupler (10) is turnable in relation to a transverse pivot shaft (13) which is located at the second end (8b) of the additional boom, and the longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame (8) of the additional boom.
4. The additional boom according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe frame (8) of the additional boom is a one-piece, uniform and rigid body.
5. The additional boom according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatin connection with the additional coupler (10) is a locking device that is adapted to lock the additional coupler (10) in at least one position by means of a mechanical retaining member.
6. The additional boom according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthe additional boom (7) comprises at least one locking means (25) for locking the additional boom (7) in place in the neutral position (V).
7. The additional boom according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe additional coupler (10) has hook-like shaped members (30), which are adapted to lock into the counter surfaces of pins (31) on the main boom (3) when the additional coupler (10) is turned relative to the articulation by means of the turning actuator (12).
8. The additional boom according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe swivel joint (9) at the first end (8a) of the frame comprises two cantilever flanges (16), which are spaced apart in a transverse distance from each other in relation to the longitudinal axis of the additional boom (7) and thus form a branch-like portion at the first end of the frame (8a), and the outermost portions of the cantilever flanges (16) are equipped with transverse openings (32) to receive the pivot shaft.
9. An excavator (1), which comprises:a movable carrier (2); anda main boom (3) connected to the carrier (2) and comprising at least two boom parts (3a, 3b) pivotably connected to each other; anda coupler (4) at the free end of the outermost boom part (3a) of the main boom (3) for connecting the attachment (5) to the main boom (3);an additional boom (7) comprising an elongated frame (8) having a first end (8a) and a second end (8b);a swivel joint (9) at the first end (8a) of the additional boom for pivotably connecting the additional boom (7) to the outermost boom part (3a) of the main boom, whereby the additional boom (7) has an operating position (K) in which the additional boom (7) is adapted to be turned transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the outermost boom part (3a), and a neutral position (V), in which the additional boom (7) is adapted to be turned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outermost boom part (3a);and wherein the second end (8b) portion of the additional boom has fastening means for detachably fastening the additional attachment (11) to the additional boom (7);and wherein the additional boom (7) is arranged to the main boom (3) on the side facing away from the carrier (2);characterized in thatthe additional boom (7) is in accordance with any of the preceding claims 1 to 8; and wherein the additional coupler (10) belonging to the additional boom (7) is pivotably mounted to the second end (8b) of the additional boom.
10. A method for operating an excavator (1), wherein the method comprises: connecting an attachment (5) to a coupler (4) on the main boom (3) of the excavator (1); moving the main boom (3) relative to the excavator carrier (2) and moving the attachment (5) relative to the main boom (3) in order to perform work task with the attachment (5);connecting an additional boom (7) to the main boom (3);connecting an additional attachment (11) to the additional boom (7);turning the additional boom (7) into an operating position (K), transversely relative to the main boom (3), in order to use the additional attachment (11);turning the additional boom (7) into a neutral position (V) parallel to the outermost part (3a) of the main boom when the additional attachment (11 ) is not needed;and connecting the additional attachment (11) to the additional coupler (10) on the additional boom (7) and setting the additional attachment (11) to the desired position relative to the additional boom (7) by turning the additional coupler (11) relative to a swivel joint (13) at the outermost end of the additional boom (7);characterized bymoving the additional boom (7) between its operating position (K) and its neutral position (V) by moving the attachment (5) connected to the main boom (3) and transmitting the turning movement to a transmission surface (18) provided on the turning boom (7).
11. The method according to claim 10, characterized byequipping the excavator (1) as a forestry machine (35);connecting a bucket (6) to the main boom (3) coupler (4) and using the bucket (6) to level the track of the excavator; andconnecting one of the following additional attachments (11) to the additional coupler (10) provided on additional boom (7): a timber grapple (36) for handling cut timber; a harvester head (37) for cutting and delimbing tree trunks; a grapple equipped with a cutting blade for cutting and handling small trees.
12. The method according to claim 10, characterized byequipping the excavator (1) as a demining machine (38);connecting a bucket to the main boom coupler for leveling the ground and removing landmines; andconnecting a demining device (39) to the additional coupler (10) provided on the additional boom (7) for detecting and deactivating landmines.
13. The method according to claim 10, characterized byequipping the excavator as a demolition machine (40);connecting a demolition device (41, 42) to the main boom coupler for demolishing buildings, structures, and parts thereof; andconnecting a collector (43, 44) is to the additional coupler provided on the additional boom for handling the demolished material components.
14. The method according to claim 10, characterized byequipping the excavator as a dredging machine (45);connecting a first bucket (6) to the main boom coupler;connecting a second bucket (46) to the additional coupler of the additional boom; loosening the underwater soil in the dredging machine's working area with the second bucket;pulling the loosened soil towards the excavator carrier with the second bucket;and transferring the loosened soil from the working area with the first bucket.