A method of operating a loader having a clamshell bucket operationally connected thereto, wherein the clamshell bucket has a first clamshell portion pivotably connected to a second clamshell portion, including positioning the first clamshell portion in contact with the ground, and automatically adjusting the angular relationship between the first clamshell portion and the second clamshell portion as the second clamshell portion is moved through the ground to maintain a predetermined grade.

A front-mounted clamshell scoop or shovel arrangement mounts onto the snowplow mounting bracket of the frame of a snowplow assembly when the blade has been removed. The scoop can be closed and lowered to scoop and pick up work-site debris or other materials, raised so the materials can be transported to a collection site, and the jaw portion is rocked to an open position to allow the material to drop from the clamshell scoop. In controls for the snowplow assembly serve to raise and lower the scoop and to open and close it.

A Variable Geometry Bucket for material handling, such as plowing snow. The Variable Geometry Bucket generally includes four bucket members pivotally attached to each other. A pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders can cause the outer bucket members to rotate on a frame, which in turn moves the inner bucket members. Due to the location of the pivotal connections, the bucket members can be moved into different positions, resulting in a single attachment that can be used as a V-blade, a box plow, and a bucket.

Storage assemblies and bucket accessories for material-handling vehicles are provided. One assembly includes a tool tray mounted above the hood of a front-end loading tractor. The tool tray is supported by tray-supporting members that are secured to tubular implement holders provided along opposite sides of the tractor. The tubular implement holders are coupled to the front bumper of the tractor and extend rearwardly and upwardly at an oblique angle with respect to the front bumper so that they do not interfere with movement of the tractor bucket.

A mining shovel including a base, a boom, a first member moveably coupled to the boom, a bucket, and a pivot actuator. The base includes a hoist drum for paying out and reeling in a hoist rope. The boom includes a first end coupled to the base and a second end opposite the first end. The hoist rope extends over the second end of the boom. The first member includes a first end and a second end. The bucket is pivotably coupled to the second end of the first member. The pivot actuator moves the bucket relative to the second end of the first member, and the pivot actuator includes a first end coupled to the first member.

A material handling bucket apparatus including a material handling bucket and method of use thereof. The material handling bucket includes a bucket back half and a bucket front half. The bucket back half is configured to engage a loader. The bucket back half includes a plurality of guide slots and a dozer scraping lip configured to engage a surface. The bucket front half is pivotally coupled to the bucket back half. The bucket front half includes a plurality of slide members receivable in the plurality of guide slots. The plurality of slide members are configured to slide within the plurality of guide slots to allow the bucket front half to move linearly and pivotally relative to the bucket back half.

A clamp assembly comprising a pair of clamps may couple to an assembly body. The clamps may pivot to receive material beneath the assembly body. The clamps may include opposing surfaces that define a scoop space beneath the assembly body. Each of the clamps may include a cutting plate. The cutting plate may include a perforating edge configured to extend into the scoop space relative to a corresponding one of the opposing surfaces. The clamp may further include a retention plate. The retention plate may include an inner surface that faces the cutting plate. The cutting plate and the retention plate further define the scoop space between the clamps. The clamp assembly may couple to a lift assembly. The lift assembly may include a hydraulic actuator configured to raise and lower the clamp assembly.

An apparatus includes a top assembly having a top member with a front edge and a back edge, and the top assembly is attached to a ground engaging tool. A thumb assembly is attached to the top member, which includes a mount extending from the front edge of the top member, at least one arm attached to the mount, and at least one actuator attached to the mount and the at least one arm. The actuator is configured to move the at least one arm with respect to the ground engaging tool.

A clamp assembly comprising a pair of clamps may couple to an assembly body. The clamps may pivot to receive material beneath the assembly body. The clamps may include opposing surfaces that define a scoop space beneath the assembly body. Each of the clamps may include a cutting plate. The cutting plate may include a perforating edge configured to extend into the scoop space relative to a corresponding one of the opposing surfaces. The clamp may further include a retention plate. The retention plate may include an inner surface that faces the cutting plate. The cutting plate and the retention plate further define the scoop space between the clamps. The clamp assembly may couple to a lift assembly. The lift assembly may include a hydraulic actuator configured to raise and lower the clamp assembly.

A rock bucket attachment for securement with a skid steer unit or tractor front loader, the attachment incorporating a bucket for use in combination with a grapple, the bucket having side walls, back walls, and a bottom wall, the grapple interconnecting by lever arms to the side walls of the bucket, the grapple having a pair of side arms pivotally connected with the front of the lever arms, and hydraulic cylinders interconnecting between the back of the side arms and the back end of the side walls, or the frame structure interconnecting between the two, such that when the hydraulic cylinders are actuated, they initially pivot the lever arms forwardly to their fullest extent to arrange the grapple and its rake over a debris pile, and then further actuation of the hydraulic cylinders pivoting the side arms relative to the lever arms to pivot the rake of the grapple downwardly to urge any debris into the bucket as the rake comes into proximity with the front of the bucket, to retain any raked debris therein.