Abstract: A demolition machine includes a deck having a front edge, a rear edge, a left side, and a right side, with the deck defining a central axis along a direction extending from the rear edge to the front edge and equally spaced from the left side and the right side of the deck, a drive assembly secured to the deck, with the drive assembly rotatable relative to the deck, an engine received by the deck and positioned at one of the left side and right side of the deck, an energy reservoir and hydraulic reservoir each received by the deck and positioned on an opposite side of the deck from the engine, and a boom assembly secured to a boom support structure of the deck. The boom assembly is moveable relative to the deck, with the boom support structure positioned on the central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a tap hole insert in a furnace includes a drill detachably mounted to a drive shaft in a boom arm of a utility machine with the drill adapted to remove the existing tap hole inserts to be replaced from outside of the furnace interior, and a tap hole insert tool detachably mounted to the boom arm of the utility machine with the tap hole insert tool adapted to hold and insert tap hole inserts into the furnace tap hole from outside the furnace interior. The drill is provided with a locking pattern having alternating inserts.

Abstract: A crustbreaking assembly comprising elongated rails supported on a frame and a carriage moveable along the length of the rails. A slide assembly pivotally mounted on the carriage for rotation about an axis which is substantially parallel to the rails. A hammer assembly mounted on the slide assembly with a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the rails and including a reciprocable cutting bit which reciprocates along the longitudinal axis of the hammer assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing deposits from the interior surface of a vessel wall including an elongated support column having its upper end attached to a cable to position the support column vertically within the vessel. A hammer assembly pivotally and rotatably attached to the lower end of the support column and a plurality of cylinders having one end pivotally connected to the lower end of the support column and a contact member at the other end for contacting the inner surface of the vessel wall to position the hammer assembly horizontally within the vessel. A motor on the lower end of the support column to rotate the hammer assembly about the longitudinal axis of the support column and hydraulic cylinders connected to the hammer assembly to pivot the hammer assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the support column and to slide the hammer assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the support column to position the bit on the hammer relative to the inner surface of the vessel wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning hard deposits from the interior wall of a digester vessel. The apparatus includes a work platform assembled within the interior of the vessel from a plurality of prefabricated frame elements introduced into the vessel through a limited access port formed in the vessel wall. The work platform has an open central region to permit passage around a central shaft and radial paddles vertically disposed within the vessel. The platform is raised and lowered within the vessel by cables attached to motors. The apparatus further includes a ring-shaped guide rail on the work platform and a hydraulically activated impact hammer carried on a support arm assembly. The support arm assembly has one end releasably secured to the central shaft within the vessel and the other end supports a motor-driven roller cluster for travel along the guide rail.