Abstract: A tower for a material handler includes a housing surrounding an interior space. The tower has an interior mounting system including a base plate through which a plurality of interior mount openings pass. The interior mount openings are located at positions of the base plate that are interior of the housing. In some embodiments, the tower is part of a material handler that also includes two stabilizers located on opposite sides of the tower, a platform located above the tower, and a boom projecting away from the platform.

Abstract: A material handler comprises a motor, an interface device, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an input from the interface device and can include a variable frequency drive (VFD). The controller provides a variable frequency drive (VFD) signal to the motor to control movement of one or more components of the material handler. If the interface device is inactive for a predetermined amount of time, the controller adjusts a frequency of the VFD signal from an operating frequency to a standby frequency with the standby frequency being lower than the operating frequency. Adjusting the frequency from the operating frequency to the standby frequency can include adjusting the frequency of the VFD signal to one or more intermediate frequencies. When adjusting the frequency of the VFD signal, the controller can skip at least one frequency or range of frequencies, for example, to avoid undesirable operating characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-layer truck bed. The truck bed includes a frame, a layer of backer plates, and a layer of non-slip plates. The frame is under the layer of backer plates, the layer of backer plates is under the layer of non-slip plates. The truck bed is elongated in a first direction. The frame includes a plurality of metal crossmembers extending crosswise to the first direction. The backer plates are formed of a first metal, and the non-slip plates are formed of a second metal. The first metal has a higher strength than the second metal. In some embodiments, the invention provides a truck that includes the truck bed and has a material handler mounted thereon, and the material handler includes a boom.