1) The document proposes a design for a wearable suit that functions like an exoskeleton to operate heavy equipment like front-end loaders. 2) The suit would use arm movements to directly control the loader's lifting arm and bucket in a 1:1 ratio, making it easier for inexperienced operators to learn. 3) A joystick would control steering and propulsion, with a long throw to help stabilize operation in rough terrain.

1. When IVT editor Richard Carr proposed a “wearable suit” for industrial purposes, the first thing that came to mind was the cargo loader suit that was used in the movie “Aliens”. That machine was my first memory of a really cool “wearable suit” that was used for industrial purposes and killing aliens. Over the years while avidly reading “Popular Science” and “Popular Mechanics” I have also seen more then one “wearable suite machine” meets “Transformers” that was made by some guy in his backyard (or garage) as a hobby or to drive his wife and or neighbors crazy. What could be more inspiring then that? So I decided to set 2 major criteria that my concept wearable suit design had to achieve. 1st, unlike today’s controls and machines it had to be more like the cargo loader in Alien in that it had to help the operator do heavy lifting while moving in a more human like way. The idea would be a machine that acts more like an extension of the operator’s arm and arm movements. This could make it easier to learn for a more novice or completely inexperienced operator in the small equipment rental market. 2nd criteria, like the awe inspiring home made backyard wearable suit machines it had to be something I could realistically build today in my back yard with today’s technology along with several thousand dollars for a drive train and lots of off the shelf components along with most of my free time for many, many weekends... The 2nd criteria just about completely killed any previous grandiose futuristic Aliens cargo loader like wearable suit ideas I had… But what I did take out of the Aliens cargo loader was a stand up machine that could make for an easier operator ingress and egress. To me, the logical fit for such a stand up machine with arm movements to control an articulated powered arm with parallel 1 to 1 ratio of Backyard Dream IVT 09-09 issue

2. arm movement for industrial use in the small equipment rental market would be a front end loader. Today’s front end loader joystick controls for bucket control and lift control have come a long way from 2 separate linkage controls to operate the loader and bucket. New joystick controls are not that hard to figure out or use, especially for an experienced operator. But for those who have never used a front end loader before, some my find they have more control and accuracy at a much faster rate if their forearm moved up and down at the exact same rate as the mono loader arm. So my loader arm’s lift control is parallel linked to the mono loader arm and pivots right at the operator’s right elbow pivot point. Since the loader arm control would not be able to adjust up and down, the floor adjusts up and down for proper operator fit and comfort. When you pull up on the loader control using your right forearm, the mono loader arm moves up and the loader control moves parallel with it. When you push down on the loader control using your right forearm, the mono loader arm moves down. To operate the bucket, pull the loader control back towards you with your right forearm and the bucket curls back. When you push the loader control forward with your right forearm, the bucket tips forward. A joystick at the left hand controls the loader’s propulsion and steering just like most of today’s track machines do. The joystick has a longer throw and the hand rests on top of the horizontal control joystick grip. This makes the joystick a little less responsive. That helps in 2 ways. The inexperienced operator will be less likely to over react like they might with sensitive short throw joysticks. It also helps while driving a stand up tracked machine in rough terrain which can become difficult while being bounced around. The longer throw joystick

3. will help in rough terrain operation by allowing for some “slop” in the controls while the operator’s hand is being jostled around. This machine would compete in the 20 to 30 hp walk behind loader and small skid steer rental market. Since it’s a “cab forward” operator’s station and is designed for the less experienced operator, it would be impossible to back the machine over yourself like you could on a walk behind loader machine. You also can’t get yourself pinned or crushed between the loader and a house or tree like you can on a walk behind machine. The operator driving at the front of the machine while standing up also gives superior visibility all around the machine. Easy and quick access to the operator’s station and low learning curve intuitive controls also make it ideal for landscape and small nursery use.