A method and apparatus assists coupling a loader with a work vehicle. A pre-position instruction signal is generated to pre-position the loader in a predetermined orientation to facilitate the coupling. A forward movement instruction signal is generated for initiating movement of the associated work vehicle 1 towards the loader. A coupled confirmation signal representative of the loader being coupled with the associated work vehicle is received. A forward movement pause instruction signal for pausing the movement of the associated work vehicle towards the loader is generated responsive to receiving the coupled confirmation signal. One or more of the pre-position instruction signal, the forward movement instruction signal, and/or the forward movement pause instruction signal may be automated signals delivered to the work vehicle for executing the commands or images rendered on a human readable display unit for instructing an operator actions to take for coupling the loader with the work vehicle.

A stand 18 is maintained under a stored posture when the stand 18 is pivoted toward the stored posture side in association with a dumping action of a bucket 13 and a lock mechanism 25 is switched to a locking state. The stand is switched to an in-use posture when the lock mechanism 25 is switched to a releasing state while the stand 18 is maintained under the stored posture by the lock mechanism 25.

A work vehicle including an attachment mechanism for attaching a backhoe to a vehicle body. The attachment mechanism includes a pin provided in the vehicle body, an engaging body provided in the backhoe and engageable with the pin, and a locking body for fixing the engaging body to the pin under mutually engaged state. As the engaging body comes into engagement with the pin, the engaging body and the pin are fixed under the mutually engaged state.

A front loader includes a boom, a first pivotal shaft disposed on a tip portion of the boom, a bucket supported by the first pivotal shaft to be capable of performing a shoveling movement and a dumping movement, a boom cylinder to swing the boom, a bucket cylinder to move the bucket to make the bucket perform the shoveling movement and the dumping movement, a control valve to be switched to any one of a first state supplying an operation fluid to the bucket cylinder and a second state stopping supplying the operation fluid to the bucket cylinder, a first movable member to turn around the first pivotal shaft in accordance with the movement of the bucket, and a wire connecting the first movable member to the control valve.

A work machine is formed from a self-propelled land travel vehicle and an attachment. The vehicle and attachment have interlocking coupling assemblies. The attachment has a positioning arm, a pivot fixture and a ground-engageable frame. The positioning arm and frame allow the attachment to pivot about the pivot fixture to couple and decouple with the vehicle. Coupling and decoupling of the vehicle and apparatus can be achieved without the use of separate lifting equipment.

A mast coupling arrangement for mounting a front loader to a work vehicle at a mounting frame defining connection points and a load point includes a mounting bracket mounted at an end of a mast of the front loader, and a first mast connector removably coupling the mounting bracket and one of the connection points of the mounting frame when the front loader is attached. The mast coupling arrangement includes a load element mounted to the mast that, when the front loader is attached, is in load transferring contact with the load point of the mounting frame. The mast coupling arrangement includes a second mast connector removably coupling the mounting bracket and another of the connection points of the mounting frame when the front loader is attached to. The second mast connector and the associated connection point of the mounting frame are separable when the front loader is attached.

A front loader including: a pair of masts provided to a machine body frame of a work vehicle in a detachable manner; a pair of lifting arms coupled to the masts in a vertically rotatable manner; and a work equipment mounted to the lifting arms. Each lifting arm includes a front lifting arm attached to one of the masts and a rear lifting arm attached to the work equipment, each of the front lifting arm and the rear lifting arm has a hollow, rectangular cross-section. The rear end portion of the front lifting arm is inserted into the front end portion of the rear lifting arm, and is welded. The side plate of the rear lifting arm at a location corresponding to the insertion portion has a protruding portion that extends along the side plate of the front lifting arm, and the protruding portion is welded.

A stand 18 is maintained under a stored posture when the stand 18 is pivoted toward the stored posture side in association with a dumping actin of a bucket 13 and a lock mechanism 25 is switched to a locking state. The stand is switched to an in-use posture when the lock mechanism 25 is switched to a releasing state while the stand 18 is maintained under the stored posture by the lock mechanism 25.

A link operating mechanism is provided spanning a bucket and a stand. The link operating mechanism causes, using a swing force of the bucket, a bending/stretching link to bend so that propping and supporting of the bending/stretching link are released.

A work machine is formed from a self-propelled land travel vehicle and an attachment. The vehicle and attachment have interlocking coupling assemblies. The attachment has a positioning arm, a pivot fixture and a ground-engageable frame. The positioning arm and frame allow the attachment to pivot about the pivot fixture to couple and decouple with the vehicle. Coupling and decoupling of the vehicle and apparatus can be achieved without the use of separate lifting equipment.