Abstract: A variable reach rough terrain load lifting apparatus comprising a vehicle having a frame; a boom having innermost, intermediate and outermost telescoping boom segments; and means for pivotally connecting the outermost boom segment to the vehicle frame and capable of reciprocal longitudinal movement therewith. The outermost boom segment has first and second hydraulic cylinders mounted therein for extending and retracting the intermediate and innermost boom segments, respectively. The pivotal connection means facilitates pivotal movement of the boom with respect to the vehicle while preventing buildup of corrosion products which would interfere therewith and further to facilitate repair or replacement thereof due to normal operation. The innermost boom includes end effector means attached to the forward end thereof by means for quick connection and disconnection.

Abstract: Tree planter for mounting on a truck chassis, the tree planter including a four-spade digger reciprocally mounted on an end of an extendable boom, the boom movable at the other end on a self-aligning bushing, the bushing secured in a hoist frame. The boom includes three attached hydraulic cylinders for boom up/down hoist motion, boom roll/twist motion and boom side/side motion, and a fourth internal boom extension hydraulic cylinder for telescoping the boom between a retracted and extended position. The four hydraulic cylinders position the digger with all degrees of radial and axial freedom. A fifth hydraulic cylinder controls tilt of the digger with respect to the boom.

Abstract: Tree planter including a truck having a digger mounted to a boom on a hoist on a frame of the truck, and a trailer which can be towed by the truck and including a plurality of cone-shaped containers axially mounted on horizontal pivots. The digger on the boom of the truck includes four hydraulic cylinders for positioning the digger with all degrees of radial and axial freedom with respect to the truck. The digger per se includes six hydraulic cylinders, one hydraulic cylinder for each of four spades and two hydraulic cylinders to open the rear spades around the tree when either digging or planting a tree from either the ground or one of the cone-shaped containers. The trailer can include a plurality of paired cone-shaped containers with the containers being tiltable either singularly or in pairs. While the digger on the truck and the trailer are intended for use in a combination, the digger or the trailer can be used solely independent of each other.