DESC:CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] The present application does not claim priority from any patent application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present disclosure in general relates to the field of earth moving machinery, and more particularly, the present subject matter relates to a design of new attachment / equipment by developing new concept of free swing loader to mining and construction industry.
BACKGROUND
[003] The new equipment free swing loader will be a great new product for the mining as well as construction industry. This new product will improve the productivity of the surface mine in multiple folds, thereby reduces the cost per ton of the mining cost. This new equipment is built on sturdy crawler track with wide track gauge to give the stability of the machine in all possible working range. The free swing loader is provided with a bottom dump bucket for quick and accurate dumping. The free swing feature of the equipment drastically improves the operator comfort in locating and positioning of the equipment for fatigue free operation. This new equipment is an excellent replacement for excavator and loader.

[004] In the typical mining, hydraulic excavators are used for loading the blasted material either Over burden (OB) or Ore. The hydraulic excavator comes in two configurations either in back hoe (Fig 1) configuration or in Face shovel (Fig 2) configuration. The working range of back hoe will be normally large compared to face shovel and bucket capacities of the Face shovel are bigger than the back hoe. Both configuration comes with large break out force and arm crowd force. Due to its bigger reach and large break out force the bucket capacities offered on the equipment are smaller which reduces the productivity of the machine.

[005] Front end wheeled loader (Fig 3) is also a good mining equipment in combination with dozer for surface mining where the material is loose and fragmented, which does not require large break out forces to penetrate. This equipment comes with bigger bucket but with longer cycle time. The productivity of the wheeled loader is hampered due to its limitation. in addition to the above space required for the operation is large which limits the deployment of the equipment in many places. Fig 4 shows the working space requirement of wheeled loader.
SUMMARY
[006] Free swing loader is a new concept of machine which is conceptualised such that the equipment can be adopted to both mining and construction type of works. The free swing loader derives best features of all the construction machines available in use. Before the working of the free swing loader is explained, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments, which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular implementations, versions, or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to free swing loader attachment. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[007] In one embodiment, free swing loader is disclosed. In the embodiment, the free swing function / feature is used to improve the productivity of the machine significantly higher than the available means of machines like loader, excavator track shovel etc. Due to this free swing feature for loader makes more novel in nature for improvement of the productivity and reduction of operator fatigue.
[008] The new free swing loader is a new concept of equipment which is designed to give higher productivity to the surface mining by incorporating bigger bucket with wider track gauge with 360 degree free swing. The drawbacks of the both mining equipments were studied in detail and new concept is designed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating of the present subject matter, an example of construction of the present subject matter is provided as figures; however, the present subject matter is not limited to the specific method disclosed in the document and the figures.
[0010] The present subject matter is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[0011] Figure 6 illustrates the free swing loader in two different view angles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0012] Figure 7 illustrates the major parts of the free swing loader, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although other methods of mining method or equipments are in use in similar or equivalent working condition to those described herein can be used in the practice for testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, free swing loader are now described.
[0014] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments for free swing loader. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure of free swing loader system and method using the free swing feature is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0015] In one embodiment, free swing loader system and method of working is disclosed. Referring to Figure 6, free swing loader system is illustrated. In the figure 6 The principle components of the system are 1. Bottom Dump Bucket, 2 Lift Arm, 3. Operator Cabin, 4. Track frame, 5. Engine and hydraulic compartment, 6. Hydraulic cylinders, 7.Counter weight
• The free swing loader is a mining / construction equipment suitable for loading the loose fragmented material to tipper / dumper.
• The equipment is built on rigid crawler tracks to give the equipment more stability during working.
• The bucket capacity is higher to give more productivity
• The bucket is provided with bottom dump option to unload the material on a dumper / tipper more effectively and quickly.
• The equipment is fully hydraulic in operation which reduces the operator fatigue.
• The free swing operation makes the operator more comfortable during operation with minimal fatigue.
[0016] The free swing loader is built on square track frame with two travel chains one on left hand side and the other on right hand side. The wider and longer chain gives static and dynamic stability to the machine in all working range. The track is propelled by the hydraulic drive with two speed ratios to meet the working and travel modes of operation. The upper deck is mounted on a heavy duty slew bearing to assist the whole equipment including diesel engine and hydraulic aggregates like pumps, control valves and motors.
[0017] Main problem / limitation of wheeled loader (Fig 3) and track shovel (Fig 5) products are as follows
• Both requires wide platform to scoop and to load (typical V-shaped loading). this is difficult to get in mines and on even road construction or any other construction sites.
• The frequent movement of the equipment reduces the undercarriage life drastically and increases the operating cost to the customer.
• The operator fatigue is very high, which may lead to reduced working hours or accidents.
• The clearance between the dumper and the loader will be very less during centre loading, this often leads to the accidents.
[0018] Main novelty of free swing loader are explained in detail below.
• The use of free swing in combination to bottom dump bucket on wide track gauge is the unique design.
• The operator comfort is increased by reducing Fatigue, by this the equipment can be used for longer duration of the time.
• This new equipment gives higher productivity (Minimum of 50% more) than the existing solutions being used at present.
• The cost per tone is reduced by improving the productivity and smaller capacity power source (In this case Engine).
• The equipment is designed such a way that the customer can convert this machine into conventional digging machine by just replacing the working attachment. The modular construction is the main feature of this equipment which gives customer value for money.
• This modular feature reduces the owing cost of the user by owing lesser number of equipments.
[0019] The free swing loader main usage / application are as given below.
• Removal of over burden (OB) in combination with crawler dozer with ripper to load the ripped material to the dumper at a very quick time to improve the productivity. This product is more suitable in places where the blasting is not allowed.
• Removal of ores like Coal, Bauxite which are available in shallow or small seam and the blasting of the ore makes it impure (since it gets mixed with OB).
• Construction of new roads or widening of the existing roads to make it multilane.
• Construction / renovation of large water bodies by removing the upper soil.
• And finally this equipment using its modular construction feature it can be deployed in all working areas where the hydraulic excavator can be deployed.
[0020] The method of use of free swing loader are explained in detail in conjunction with the figures step wise.
• The loader bucket of the equipment is positioned for loading the material. Material gets into the bucket by moving the equipment in forward direction as shown in the figure below. The high tractive effort of the crawler equipment improves the bucket fill factor. Refer Fig 8
• The loader bucket is turned in the direction of the arrow by using the bucket cylinder and " Z " bar linkage for greater bucket break out force. Refer Fig 9
• The filled bucket is ready for lifting. Refer Fig 10
• The filled bucket is lifted by using two lift cylinders as shown below. Refer Fig 11
• The bucket is in fully lifted condition and ready for swing and dump. Refer Fig 12
• The upper structure is having a free swing (360 Degree) using swing motor and swing machinery. Refer Fig 13
• Equipment is ready for dumping Refer Fig 14
• After the swing of 90 degree (Which is preferred) the material in the bucket is dumped to the dumper / tipper using the bottom dump cylinder mounted inside the rear bucket. Refer Fig 15
• This arrangement of dumping gives maximum dumping height and maximum dumping clearance. This ensures smooth / proper and centre loading of the dumper / tipper. The dumping clearance ensure accident free operation, since the dumping clearance in loader is bare minimum which leads to accident with dumper / tipper. The swing operation ensures uniform loading of the dumper body. The wider track gauge insure stable operation in any position of the equipment. Refer Fig 16.

The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been
described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and
any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the
embodiments.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.

,CLAIMS:A free swing loader comprising of Bottom Dump Bucket (1), Lift Arm (2), Operator Cabin (3), Track frame (4), Engine and hydraulic compartment (5), Hydraulic cylinders (6), Counter weight (7) wherein said loader is built on rigid crawler tracks to give the equipment more stability , with higher bucket capacity and bucket is provided with bottom dump option to unload the material on a dumper / tipper more effectively and quickly; the loader is hydraulic in operation and having free swing operation.
2. A free swing loader as claimed in claim 1 wherein free swing loader is built on square track frame with two travel chains one on left hand side and the other on right hand side, the wider and longer chain gives static and dynamic stability to the machine in all working range, the track is propelled by the hydraulic drive with two speed ratios to meet the working and travel modes of operation, the upper deck is mounted on a heavy duty slew bearing to assist the whole equipment including diesel engine and hydraulic aggregates like pumps, control valves and motors.
3. A free swing loader as claimed in claim 1 wherein method of use of said loader comprises of:
• The loader bucket of the equipment is positioned for loading the material. Material gets into the bucket by moving the equipment in forward direction as shown in the figure below. The high tractive effort of the crawler equipment improves the bucket fill factor;
• The loader bucket is turned in the direction of the arrow by using the bucket cylinder and " Z " bar linkage for greater bucket break out force;
• The filled bucket is ready for lifting;
• The filled bucket is lifted by using two lift cylinders ;
• The bucket is in fully lifted condition and ready for swing and dump;
• The upper structure is having a free swing (360 Degree) using swing motor and swing machinery;
• Equipment is ready for dumping;
• After the swing of 90 degree (Which is preferred) the material in the bucket is dumped to the dumper / tipper using the bottom dump cylinder mounted inside the rear bucket;
• This arrangement of dumping gives maximum dumping height and maximum dumping clearance, this ensures smooth / proper and centre loading of the dumper / tipper, the dumping clearance ensure accident free operation, since the dumping clearance in loader is bare minimum which leads to accident with dumper / tipper, the swing operation ensures uniform loading of the dumper body, the wider track gauge insure stable operation in any position of the equipment.

4. A free swing loader as claimed in claim 1 wherein free swing is in combination to bottom dump bucket on wide track gauge.