Abstract: A method of building a levee or an island is disclosed. The method includes dredging material from a surface of a body of water with a dredge assembly mounted to a hull and supporting a hopper with the hull. The hopper is adapted to receive the material. The hopper includes a floor with a portion of the floor moveable to permit movement of the material in the hopper, and depositing at a desired location dredge material from the dredge using a transfer conveyor.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vessel for use when recovering material from a bottom surface of a body of water. The vessel includes a hull and a dredge assembly mounted to the hull. The dredge assembly is adapted to recover the material from the bottom surface. A conveyor system is provided, with the conveyor system including a first portion adapted to receive the material from the dredge assembly, a moveable second portion, and a distribution portion. The second portion is moveable to a first position in which the second portion is adapted to receive the material from the first portion and to convey the material to a first desired location disposed a first distance away from the hull. The second portion is further moveable to a second position in which the second portion is adapted to convey the material to the distribution portion. The distribution portion is adapted to convey the material a second distance greater than the first distance away from the hull.

Abstract: A universal trailer for transporting a variety of longwall roof supports for a longwall underground mine is disclosed, along with a method of using such a trailer. The trailer includes a wheeled, U-shaped frame that can be raised and lowered relative to the ground to lift and off-load a roof support. The trailer includes forward and rearward supports, either of which may be shiftable.

Abstract: A material distribution vessel for distributing material recovered in a dredging operation is disclosed. The material distribution vessel includes a hull; a propulsion system for selectively moving the hull through a waterway; and a conveyor system supported by the hull. The conveyor system has a first end for receiving recovered material and a second end for depositing the recovered material. At least a portion of the conveyor system is movable relative to the hull to move the second end to a desired position. The material distribution vessel also includes at least one support pad. The at least one support pad is movable in at least a vertical direction to support the hull on a bottom of the waterway. The recovered material may be deposited into the waterway to form an island (which may be a levy), into another water-borne vessel, or into an on-shore station such as a wheeled transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A material distribution vessel for distributing material recovered in a dredging operation is disclosed. The material distribution vessel includes a hull; a propulsion system for selectively moving the hull through a waterway; and a conveyor system supported by the hull. The conveyor system has a first end for receiving recovered material and a second end for depositing the recovered material. At least a portion of the conveyor system is movable relative to the hull to move the second end to a desired position. The material distribution vessel also includes at least one support pad. The at least one support pad is movable in at least a vertical direction to support the hull on a bottom of the waterway. The recovered material may be deposited into the waterway to form an island (which may be a levy), into another water-borne vessel, or into an on-shore station such as a wheeled transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A system for transporting material recovered in a dredging operation performed by a dredge is disclosed. The system includes a water-borne material distribution vessel including a conveyor system for receiving and depositing the recovered material. It also includes at least one water-borne material transportation vessel for transporting recovered material from the dredge to the material distribution vessel. The water-borne material distribution vessel can deposit the material into the waterway to form an island (which may be a levy), into another water-borne vessel, or into an on-shore station such as a wheeled transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A self-propelled, steerable straddle carrier (10) includes a main frame (12) supported on transport wheels (14) with a tong table (20) and a plurality of hydraulic lift actuator (34) for raising and lowering the tong table (20) relative to the main frame (12). A pair of front and rear slab tongs (42, 44) are pivotally mounted on the tong table (20) with a pair of front and rear pinch cylinders (43, 45) for opening and closing the slab tongs (42, 44). A pair of coil tongs (52) arm disposed between the front and rear slab tongs (42, 44) with a pair of inverted yoke assemblies for pivotally supporting the coil tongs (52) and a center pinch cylinder (60) for opening and closing the coil tongs (52). A pair of hydraulic actuators (34) interconnect the yoke assemblies and the main frame (12) for raising and lowering the coil tongs (52) relative to the slab tongs (42, 44) to permit the straddle carrier (10) to transport either stacks of steel slabs or a steel coil.

Abstract: An apparatus attached to a main frame of a vehicle for handling straddled loads including coil-shaped loads and slab-shaped loads entered into a load carrying space of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a moveable lift frame having both a tong assembly and probe assembly suspended therefrom. The tong assembly includes tong actuators and depending tongs for clamping a slab-shaped load, while the probe assembly includes a displaceable probe for penetrating coil shaped loads. When the apparatus is used for engaging a slab-shaped load, the probe is displaced so as to be withdrawn from the load carrying space, and the depending tongs are actuated to clamp the load. When the apparatus is used for engaging a coil shaped load, the probe is displaced into the load carrying space and the vehicle is moved to penetrate the load with the probe. With either load, the lift frame is then raised to elevate the engaged load.

Abstract: A self-propelled straddle carrier for straddling, lifting, supporting and carrying heavy loads directly under the structure of the vehicle. A main frame including a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending side beams and arch-shaped cross beams is supported on wheels and strut assemblies. The interior sides of the wheels, strut assemblies, side beams and the cross beams form a tunnel-shaped load carrying space defining the inner envelope of the carrier, while their exterior sides define the outer envelope of the carrier. A tong assembly, including a tong actuator and a pair of depending tongs is suspended from the main frame for vertical movement up and down in the tunnel-shaped load carrying space. All components are removable from the tunnel for straddling loads, yet remain within the outer envelope during normal transport.

Abstract: A carrier for lifting, transporting and dumping a large load box or the like is provided including a wheeled trailer having a forwardly projecting tongue for pivotal connection to a tractor, a central longitudinal frame rigidly connected to the tongue and a rear cross member rigidly connected to the central frame member. A cross tube for journalling the trailer wheels is attached to a support arm pivotally connected at one end to one of the trailer frame members and rigidly connected at the other end to the cross tube and a first hydraulic cylinder interconnects the cross tube and another one of the trailer frame members for swinging the support arm about its pivotal connection so as to raise and lower the rear end of the trailer frame member with respect to the trailer wheels.

Abstract: A carrier for lifting, transporting and dumping a large load box or the like is provided including a wheeled trailer having a plurality of frame members and a forwardly projecting tongue for pivotal connection to a tractor. A first hydraulic cylinder is provided for raising and lowering the trailer frame with respect to the trailer wheels. A pair of laterally spaced jaw members are secured to the rear cross frame member of the trailer to receive transverse hinge pins secured to the underside of the load box adjacent its rear end and a latch plate is provided to lock the transverse hinge pins in the jaws.

Abstract: A heavy duty slab carrier for lifting and transporting a stack of steel slabs or the like is provided including a self-propelled tractor and a trailer having a longitudinally extending frame supported in front by a tractor hitch and at the rear by a rear wheel assembly having at least two steerable tandemly arranged wheels on each side of the trailer, a plurality of hydraulically controlled tong arms extending downwardly from the trailer frame for gripping a stack of slabs, hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the trailer frame and tong arms relative to the tractor and rear wheel assembly, and an arrangement of steering links and a hydraulic actuator for steering the tandemly arranged wheels of the rear wheel assembly in opposite directions.

Abstract: A carrier for lifting and transporting a heavy ladle including a tractor and a trailer having a longitudinal center line and a U-shaped frame and a rearwardly opening cradle pivotally mounted on the frame for embracing the ladle and with hooks suspended from the cradle for engaging and lifting the ladle by its trunnions provided with a hydraulic lift cylinder for vertically pivoting the cradle with respect to the trailer frame and wherein the cradle legs have extension members hinged thereto and are interconnected by a hydraulic swing actuator for selectively swinging the legs and extension members about the hinges so as to shift the cradle and hooks laterally with respect to the trailer center line.

Abstract: A reach back carrier includes a self-propelled tractor and a wheeled trailer having a generally U-shaped frame with rearwardly projecting side members and a forwardly projecting integral gooseneck pivotally connected to the tractor to permit turning thereof at substantially right angles, a cradle is pivotally mounted adjacent the rear ends of the side members and adapted to engage trunnions on the pot.

Abstract: A carrier for lifting and transporting a scrap bucket supported in a stand having a substantially rectangular lower frame with depending ground engaging legs is provided including a self-propelled tractor and a wheeled trailer having a main frame cross member dimensioned to fit between the stand legs and an integral forwardly projecting tongue with a gooseneck pivotally connected to the tractor to permit turning thereof at substantially right angles, a rear frame member secured to the main frame by a plurality of vertical plates, the trailer wheels being journalled on a plurality of trailing arms each pivotally connected at one end to the main frame and interconnected at the other end to the rear frame by a first hydraulic actuator and links and a second hydraulic actuator interconnecting the gooseneck to the tractor for raising and lowering the trailer tongue to maintain the trailer substantially level as the first and second hydraulic actuators are extended and retracted and the trailer and stand being prov

Abstract: A load handling apparatus particularly suited for incorporation into a vehicle for lifting and transporting heavy loads such as steel billets, comprising a main frame to straddle a load, pivotally mounted lift frame assembly providing the lifting capability to raise a steel billet and suspend it during transport, suspended load engaging and clamping members, hydraulic cylinders to actuate the clamping and lifting members and an hydraulically actuated drag link for stabilizing the load while transporting over uneven terrain. The drag link is pivotally connected at its one end to the main frame and at its other end to the suspended load engaging and clamping assembly so that these pivot points, in conjunction with the pivot points of the lift frame assembly, substantially define a parallelogram relationship. By varying the length of the drag link, the clamping assembly is maintained in proper orientation relative to the ground.

Abstract: A load handling apparatus particularly suited for incorporation into a vehicle for lifting and transporting heavy loads such as steel billets, comprising a main frame to straddle a load, pivotally mounted lift frame assembly providing the lifting capability to raise a steel billet and suspend it during transport, suspended load engaging and clamping members, hydraulic cylinders to actuate the clamping and lifting members and an hydraulically actuated drag link for stabilizing the load while transporting over uneven terrain. The drag link is pivotally connected at its one end to the main frame and at its other end to the suspended load engaging and clamping assembly so that these pivot points, in conjunction with the pivot points of the lift frame assembly, substantially define a parallelogram relationship. By varying the length of the drag link, the clamping assembly is maintained in proper orientation relative to the ground.

Abstract: A straddle carrier for heavy loads of the type which is driven over a load so that the load is generally beneath the carrier and straddled by the wheels of the carrier. The carrier includes a main frame which has a gripping tong mechanism integrally mounted thereon for clamping the load. The entire main frame and tong assembly may be raised and lowered to permit handling the load by means of cylinder/strut arrangements at each of the four wheels. A linkage comprising extensions from the wheel carrying members and a steering cross bar associated with each of the front and rear pairs of wheels is hydraulically activated independently of the main frame to permit steering the vehicle from any elevation. Mounted on the main frame, and like the main frame lowered and raised relative to the wheels, are an operator's cab and a motor and pump housing for driving the straddle carrier and actuating the various hydraulic cylinders of the carrier.

Abstract: A transport vehicle particularly useful for industrial uses and adapted to pick up, carry and subsequently dump a load-carrying receptacle comprising a U-shaped wheel-carried outer frame towed by a tractor which supports an inner U-shaped frame for picking up the receptacle. Vertical rear hoist cylinders elevate the inner U-shaped frame and rotate it about retracted dump cylinders to raise the inner U-shaped frame from an initial horizontal ground-level position to a forwardly tilted travel position. The dump cylinders can then tilt the inner frame about a pivot axis at its rear end to empty cargo from the receptacle. Latching and restraining mechanisms are provided to prevent the receptacle from tipping backward and sliding rearwardly with respect to the inner frame when dumping its load. The latching and restraining mechanisms are gravity-controlled and become inoperative when the inner frame resumes its forwardly tilted travel position.