Tool for an excavator
A tool for an excavator has a primary engagement arrangement, a secondary engagement arrangement rotatable about an axis of rotation, and a connection arrangement for connecting the tool to an excavator. The axis of rotation of the secondary engagement arrangement passes through the connection arrangement and aligns with the axis of rotation of the tool relative to the excavator. The tool has two hydraulic actuators. The secondary engagement arrangement and the primary engagement arrangement mutually rotate about the same axis of rotation by the hydraulic actuators.
1 . A tool for an excavator, the tool comprising: a primary engagement means; a secondary engagement means rotatable about an axis of rotation; and a connection means for connecting the tool to an excavator, wherein the axis of rotation of the secondary engagement means passes through the connection means and aligns with an axis of rotation of the tool relative to the excavator; at least one actuation means wherein the at least one actuation means is a hydraulic actuator which is connected to the primary engagement means at one end and the secondary engagement means at other end for moving the tool between an open and closed position; wherein the secondary engagement means and primary engagement means mutually rotate about the same axis of the rotation by the same actuation means mounted on the primary engagement means; wherein the connection means comprises one or more mounting members; wherein the at least one actuation means is connected to the primary engagement means via a mounting pin located in at least one mounting plate mounted on the primary engagement means; wherein the one or more mounting plates are located spaced apart from the connection means; wherein the secondary engagement means comprising a plurality of engagement elements; wherein the at least one actuation means is connected to the secondary engagement means via a further mounting pin located in at least one engagement element; wherein the secondary engagement means comprises a plurality of spacing means; wherein the spacing means is a bar; wherein all engagement elements are rigidly connected to the same spacing means.
2 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the tool is adapted for releasable attachment to an excavator boom.
3 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the connection means comprises at least a first mounting member and a second mounting member.
4 . The tool according to claim 3 , wherein each mounting member is an elongate member which extends along a longitudinal axis.
5 . The tool according to claim 4 , wherein each mounting member comprises a mounting pin.
6 . The tool according to claim 5 , wherein the axis of rotation of the secondary engagement means and the longitudinal axis of the first mounting member are aligned or substantially aligned.
7 . The tool according to claim 3 , wherein the axis of rotation of the secondary engagement means and the longitudinal axis of the first mounting member are coincident.
8 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the tool is movable between open and closed positions.
9 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuation means is connectable to a hydraulic system of the excavator.
10 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuation means is pivotably connected to the primary engagement means and the secondary engagement means.
11 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein, in use, extension of the at least one actuation means causes the tool to move from the open position to the closed position.
12 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein, in use, contraction of the at least one actuation means causes the tool to move from the closed position to the open position.
13 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the primary engagement means and secondary engagement means define a jaw for gripping an object.
14 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the tool is a claw bucket.
15 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the primary engagement means is a bucket.
16 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary engagement means is a thumb.
17 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the connection means is directly connected to the primary engagement means via one or more welded joints.
18 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises two hydraulic actuators; wherein the two hydraulic actuators are operably connectable to the hydraulic system of the excavator for moving the tool between the open and closed positions.
19 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuation means is located on either side of the connection means.