An automatically actuated shunt valve system opens and closes a passage between two chambers of a powered element operated by a power source. The shunt valve system includes a coupler connecting the powered element with the power source through two mating coupling elements. One of the coupling elements includes a valve contact and the other includes a shunt valve assembly. The shunt valve assembly includes a valve chamber connected with both chambers of the powered element, a valve element opening or closing a flow path between the conduits, and a shaft for moving the valve element. The shaft engages the valve contact to move the valve element to close the flow path when the coupling elements are mated together, and moves the valve element to open the flow path when the shaft disengages from the valve contact as the coupling elements are disconnected from one another.

A coupler guard configured to protect an aux coupler assembly from side impacts in the rough use environment of a loader. The coupler guard comprises an encasement and a side plate. The loader comprises the aux coupler assembly and a hinge extension. The encasement wraps around a top portion and interior side of the aux coupler assembly. The side plate attaches to a portion of the encasement and protect an exterior side portion of the aux coupler assembly. A screw assemblies selectively attaches the encasement to the side plate. A ring attaches to a portion of the side plate. The ring selectively wraps around a portion of the hinge extension of the loader. A ring screw assembly selectively holds the ring and the rest of the coupler guard to the hinge extension. An edge trim selectively sits on top of a portion of a first arm.

A system for changing work tools on a loading crane includes a first coupling member on the work tool side or the loading crane side with a receiving opening and a second coupling member on the loading crane side or the work tool side with a guide member extending along a longitudinal axis. The guide member engages in the receiving opening by moving the first and second coupling members toward each other. The first coupling member comprises a support surface for axially abutting the second coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a bearing surface complementary to the support surface and a locking element which is movable by a drive between disengaged and engaged positions. The locking element has a clamping surface for frictionally abutting the first coupling member and the first coupling member has an abutment surface complementary to the clamping surface for zero-play axial clamping of the first and second coupling members.

A method of coupling a tool to a work machine including inserting a front lug of a coupling assembly into a front recess on the tool, inserting a rear lug of the coupling assembly into a rear recess on the tool, moving a retaining member of the coupler assembly to a retaining position relative to the tool to releasably mount the tool to the work machine, while simultaneously preventing movement of a hydraulic coupling manifold on the coupling assembly from moving; and moving the hydraulic coupling manifold to a coupling position with a hydraulic power transmission coupling on the tool to hydraulically couple the tool to the work machine in response to the retaining member reaching the retaining position.

A multi-coupling assembly includes a housing, and a first female coupler and a second female coupler that are housed within the housing. Each of the first female coupler and the second female coupler are moveable between a coupling position connectable to a respective male coupler to permit a flow of fluid through the multi-coupling assembly, and a release position in which the male coupler is releasable from a respective female coupler. A rotational lever has a handle portion that is external from the housing and a shaft portion that extends from the handle portion into the housing. Rotation of the rotational lever moves one of the female couplers from the coupling position to the release position without affecting a connection state of the other of the female couplers. Such independent operation of the female couplers is achieved by rotating cams that are configured such that when one of the cams rotates to interact against its respective female coupler, the other of the cams does not act on its respective female coupler. Pressure relief valves are operated such that internal pressure within a female coupler is released prior to the female coupler reaching the release position during a disconnection operation of the male coupler, and prior to the female coupler reaching the coupling position during a connection operation of a male coupler.

A coupling assembly for releasably mounting, and hydraulically coupling, a tool to a work machine. The coupling assembly includes a mount attachable to the work machine and configured to receive the tool in a mounted position of the tool, a rigid retaining body movable in translation relative to the mount along a translation axis between a retaining position for retaining the tool to the mount and a release position for releasing the tool from the mount, a first and a second actuator operable to move the retaining body between the retaining and release positions, and a hydraulic coupling manifold movable in translation relative to the mount along the translation axis for hydraulically coupling the tool to the machine, wherein the hydraulic coupling manifold uses the first and second actuators as guides for moving along the translation axis.

A method of coupling a tool to a work machine including inserting a front lug of a coupling assembly into a front recess on the tool, inserting a rear lug of the coupling assembly into a rear recess on the tool, moving a retaining member of the coupler assembly to a retaining position relative to the tool to releasably mount the tool to the work machine, while simultaneously preventing movement of a hydraulic coupling manifold on the coupling assembly from moving; and moving the hydraulic coupling manifold to a coupling position with a hydraulic power transmission coupling on the tool to hydraulically couple the tool to the work machine in response to the retaining member reaching the retaining position.

A quick-hitch for coupling a tool to an excavator arm or a similar tool manipulator includes two hitch halves that can be latched together, coupled to one another at a first pair of latching parts, and pivoted together, about the coupled first pair of latching parts, into a coupling position in which a second pair of latching parts of the hitch halves can be latched. Energy coupling parts are provided on and a coupling carrier is attached to each of the two hitch halves.

An adapter for a quick-change system for changing attachments on a construction machine, which contains two parallel pin-like coupling elements arranged between parallel side parts at a stipulated spacing from each other for connection of the adapter to a quick coupler and a coupling element support releasably fastened to one of the coupling elements to secure the coupling elements. In order to permit simplified fastening, the coupling element support is connected directly to the pin-like coupling element secured against torsion via a releasable form-fit connection.

The automatic connection device includes a fixed connection plate, that is attached to or integrated with the tool holder and stationary relative to same, a movable connection plate, that is mounted movably on the tool so as to be able to both pivot and slide relative to same, and a centering device provided on the tool holder and the tool such that, when said tool is mounted and assembled mechanically on the tool holder, the connection plates are mutually centered and the electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic couplers of same are mutually connected so as to connect at least one of the electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of the tool to that of the tool holder.