Abstract: An apparatus including a main housing including a generally horizontal platform, a boom extending from the platform, a bucket suspended from the boom, and a mast extending from the platform. The apparatus further includes a boom support strand extending between and attached to the mast and the boom, and a boom support strand oscillation dampening mechanism. The boom support strand oscillation dampening mechanism comprises a left brace and a right brace spaced apart from the left brace, and a polyester rope extending between each of the braces and the boom. Each of the ropes is attached to the boom. A device attaches the rope to the brace, and a boom support strand clamp mechanism is connected to the brace and includes a first clamp block, a second clamp block, and a flexible enclosure placed between the first clamp block and the second clamp block.

Abstract: A fitting for a wire rope with a diameter, the fitting including a stiff support and being adapted to hold and to attach the wire rope to the stiff support, the fitting further comprising an elongated flexible enclosure adapted to surround the wire rope, the flexible enclosure having a length more than 2 times longer than the diameter.

Abstract: An end fitting for a wire rope with a diameter, the fitting being adapted to securely hold and to attach the wire rope to a structure, the end fitting comprising a stiff support having a support first end adapted to be connected to the structure and a support second end adapted to securely hold the wire rope end. The end fitting further includes an elongated flexible enclosure surrounding the wire rope, the flexible enclosure having a length more than 2 times longer than the diameter. The flexible enclosure has a first enclosure end and a second enclosure end, the enclosure being attached to the stiff support by the first enclosure end surrounding and holding the support second end.