Abstract: A machine comprises a body (10) having a ground engaging propulsion means (11) and a base frame (14) mounted on the ground engaging means (11), the base frame (14) being movable relative to the ground engaging propulsion means (11) about a first generally vertical axis (V), a boom (30) extending outwardly of the body (10) and mounted on the base frame (14) for movement about a second axis (B) transverse relative to the first axis (V), the boom (30) having mounted at an outer end (36) thereof for movement about a third axis (71) also transverse to the first vertical axis (V), a dipper arm (37), an implement (43) mounted at an outer end (42) of the dipper arm (37) for movement about a fourth axis (T2), also generally transverse relative to the vertical axis (41), a cable (47) secured to the dipper arm (37) and connected to a winch means (50) to effect movement of the dipper arm (37) relative to the boom (30) to effect movement of the implement (43) towards the body (10), a hydraulic ram (38) mounted between the

Abstract: A pivoted arm counterbalance system for a self balancing crane provides a counterbalancing moment exactly equal to the overturning moment of the crane by the utilization of a dynamic balancing system in which a drive cable having a tension related to the tension of the support cable runs over and is secured to a constant radius sector secured to the counterbalance arm. The pivot point of the sector corresponds to the pivot point of the counterbalancing arm such that the constant radius sector provides a constant lever arm regardless of the counterbalance arm angle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for counterbalancing a load carried by a crane by a counterweight suspended from the mast of the crane. A counterweight height control system is provided for maintaining the counterweight a few inches above the ground during operation, which system may be manually overridden by operator actuated controls. A pair of spaced counterweight positioning winches on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the crane's upper works move the counterweight toward or away from the vertical axis of rotation of the upper works in response to operator actuated controls and also provides side forces on the counterweight for minimizing swinging of the counterweight.

Abstract: A tower crane with a counterweighted luffing boom has its counterweight lines and pulleys so arranged that, in normal operating positions of the boom, the counterweights and lines tend to swing the boom upwardly, but when the boom angle is steep, beyond about 70.degree. from the horizontal, the counterweights and lines then pull on the boom in the opposite direction, tending to retard further upward travel. The boom and supporting structure are thereby protected against overbooming by wind forces when the boom is inclined at a very steep angle facing into the wind.

Abstract: An earthmoving machine primarily for land drainage and irrigation purposes has a pivotally mounted boom (8) carrying an arm (12) pivoted at one end to one end of the boom and having a bucket (14) or the like attached at its other end. At the end of the arm which is pivoted on the boom a quadrant (20) is formed around which passes a pendant cable (18) attached to a counterweight (22) which is slidable on the rearwardly extending end of the boom, the counterweight, and thus the arm, being moved by a ram (24) so that radially outwards movement of the arm (12) is accompanied by outwards movement of the counterweight (22) along the end of the boom in the opposite direction to balance the machine. A draw-in rope or cable (26) is attached to the free end of the arm in order to draw-in the arm towards the pivot axis of the boom, the ram (24) and draw-in rope winch (25) being hydraulically connected so that the one is operative when the other is in neutral and vice versa.

Abstract: A counterweight arrangement for mobile vehicles including a pair of transversely spaced support members having notches formed therein. The counterweight has a pair of transversely spaced rod members secured thereto which are selectively received in the notches. A pair of transversely spaced cables are secured to the counterweight to raise and lower the counterweight. The cables are received around corresponding sheaves which may be repositioned to control the movement of the rod members into and out of the notches and around the support members.

Abstract: In a heavy-duty crane particularly suitable for lifting heavy loads over tall buildings, a substructure supports a rotatable main boom. A jib for carrying the load and a secondary spar for carrying a counterweight by means of a cable are hinged to the tip of the main boom. The counterweight swivels together with turning of the loaded crane. The jib is guyed by way of the secondary spar which overhangs so far that the counterweight is disposed beyond the confines of the substructure.

Abstract: An auxiliary counterweight arrangement resists lateral as well as forward tipping of a mobile crane that has a platform rotatable about a vertical axis and a boom mounted on the platform to swing in a vertical plane containing said axis. The boom normally projects at a forward and upward inclination from the platform, and its top, from which a load line depends, may be connected with the top of a mast that is behind it, in the same vertical plane. Two surface-supported counterweight carriers are rigidly attached to the platform, spaced equal distances to the rear of it and at equal distances to opposite sides of said vertical plane. Each carries a counterweight. With a mast on the platform, a guy line extends from its top to each counterweight; otherwise, a guy line extends from the top of the boom to each counterweight. Lengthening the arms of the V-shaped rigid connection between platform and counterweight carriers increases resistance to lateral tilting in step with increased resistance to forward tilting.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus comprising an object-suspending rod, upper and lower support rods whose one ends are pivotally connected to the object-suspending rod, and a connecting rod pivotally connecting the other ends of the support rods. The object-suspending rod, the connecting rod and the upper and lower support rods are disposed in parallel to constitute two pairs of opposite sides of a parallelogram link mechanism. An object hanger is attached to the lower end of the object-suspending rod. The other end of the upper support rod is connected to a balance weight which is guided in a vertical guide slot in a suspended support member so as to be movable up and down by a fluid cylinder device. The lower-support rod and connecting rod are connected by a pivot shaft which is movably guided in a horizontal guide slot in the support member. Another balance weight is connected to the other end of the lower-support rod.