Tapered channel modular main frame

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Looking first to FIG.
1 an industrial tractor generally 10 including a loader assembly 12 for supporting and positioning a bucket shovel 14 and a backhoe assembly 16 for supporting and positioning a bucket 20 is presented.
The vehicle is supported on a plurality of wheels 22 and 24 supported on a rear axle 26 and a front axle 30 respectively.
The axles are attached to and support a frame generally 32 while the frame supports the tractor running gear such as the engine 34 as well as an operator's station 36.
The frame 32 further carries the backhoe 16 at a rear section 40 thereof as well as a pair of deployable outrigger stabilizers one 42 shown deployed.
As is typical practice one outrigger or stabilizer is mounted on each side of the rear frame section.
Other significant features discernable in FIG.
1 are the loader tower generally 44 and the front yoke generally 46.
The important details and significant features of the frame can best be seen in FIGS.
2 through 7 to which the reader is directed.
In FIG.
3 it can be seen that the frame generally 32 has a left side generally 50 and a right side generally 52 on each side of a longitudinal center line 54.
The equipment carried on each side of the center line may be considered the mirror image of its counterpart for purposes of this specification.
The FIG.
2 elevation view clearly shows the various components that make up the general frame 32.
The rear section 40 of the frame provides the mounting location for the backhoe, the outrigger stabilizers and the rear axle.
The forward extreme of the rear section is the rounded end 56 of the right side transition plate 60.
The front section 62 of the frame generally 32 includes a left (FIG.
3) and a right tapered channel side member 64 and 66 respectively, the loader tower generally 44 and the front yoke generally 46 and the transverse front axle carrier 74.
Each of these components can be described individually as follows.
The rear section of the frame, as shown in all the figures, and most easily envisioned in FIG