Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a crane, in particular a tower crane, telescopic boom crane, harbor crane and the like, with a load hook that can be raised or lowered via movable crane elements, and moved within a crane working area by operating drive units associated with the crane elements. The crane is provided with a control unit with input means to control the drive units. According to the present disclosure, the crane uses a mobile portable target signal transmitter that can be variably positioned in the crane working area, and positioning means for automatically determining the current position of the target signal transmitter relative to the load hook and/or a crane element, and target control means for automatically controlling the drive units in response to a signal from the positioning means, such that the load hook is automatically moved to the mobile target signal transmitter.

Abstract: An endless cable winch or hoist which is particularly suited for a service lift comprises a working cable and a safety cable, further comprises a driving cable pulley around at least a part of which the working cable is wrapped, further comprises a drive for driving the driving cable pulley, further comprises a non-driven safety cable pulley, which is rotatably mounted in a housing and around at least a part of which the safety cable is wrapped, and further comprises an arresting device which is coupled via a brake to the cable pulley and which blocks and brakes the safety cable by means of the brake when the safety cable moves with a predetermined speed at least in one direction.

Abstract: A cable winch device, in particular a cable winch device of a crane with at least one cable winch, with at least one cable, wherein the cable is at least partly wound up on the cable winch and/or can be wound up and/or unwound, and with at least one tilting means by means of which the cable which can at least partly be tilted and/or pivoted about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cable winch. A crane is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hoisting winch, in particular to a hoisting gear winch, having a hoisting drum whose winding region is bounded by two lateral flanged wheels, wherein at least one further flanged wheel is provided between the lateral flanged wheels for dividing the winding region into at least two part winding regions, wherein the cable can be guided beyond the named further flanged wheel into the at least two part winding regions. It is suggested in accordance with the invention to move the hoisting drum and/or a transverse cable guide arranged in front of the hoisting drum transversely to the longitudinal direction of the running in/running off cable approximately in the longitudinal direction of the drum and/or to adjust the angular position of the hoisting drum transversely to the longitudinal direction of the drum with respect to at least one transverse axis.

Abstract: A mount for attaching a winch to an all-terrain vehicle. The mount allows the winch to pivot to face the cable anchor during use, thereby preventing improper spooling of the cable. Alternatively, the mount allows the winch to face a predetermined direction during use.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus, especially a cable traction mechanism, comprising a base frame that has at least two base plates, further comprising at least two longitudinal beams which have a first end and an opposite second end and which interconnect the base plates and keep the same apart from each other. The lifting apparatus, especially a cable traction mechanism, comprises a simple design and can readily be mounted, dismounted, or modified by detachably fastening the first end and the second end of the longitudinal beams to the base plates in such a way in an operational state of the lifting apparatus and designing one of the at least two base plates in such a way that the longitudinal beams can be inserted or removed in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof when mounting, dismounting, or modifying the base frame.

Abstract: A method and system for attaching a service device to a wind turbine of a wind power unit, using the wind turbine to rotate the service device into one or more service positions, and using the service device to perform servicing on the wind power unit. In some embodiments, a blade of the wind turbine is removed and the service device is mounted in its place. In other embodiments, the service device is mounted to a device mount approximately in a saddle region between adjacent blades. In one example, the service device is a crane. In another example, the service device is a stator module installation/removal tool.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus, especially a cable traction mechanism, comprising a base frame that has at least two base plates, further comprising at least two longitudinal beams that interconnect the base plates and are spaced apart from each other, and at least one attachable cross-member for cable reeving parts that is fastened to the base plates and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal beams. Multiple mounting points, to which the attachable cross-member for cable reeving parts can be alternatively and detachably fastened, may be arranged on each of the base plates to promote modularity of the lifting apparatus.

Abstract: A portable hoist adapted for attachment to a hand truck nose plate is disclosed. The hoist comprises an adapter that sandwiches the nose plate and a hole or holes may be fabricated in the nose plate for securing hardware to be installed, such as a bolt, bolts, strap, etc. Receivers on the hoist hold removable, load supportive legs securely in place. Casters may be attached to legs to improve mobility. A jib assembly capable of several height settings remains reasonably level at all times when in use, making it ideal for tight spaces. The pivot point of the arm is at the end of the mast opposite the adapter assembly, the other end attaching to the handle of the hand truck and securing with a latch. A winch attached to the arm provides a cable extending to and about a sheave or sheaves, terminating beyond the sheave carried at the free end of the jib boom. A brace on the mast allows the arm latch to secure when the arm is collapsed.

Abstract: Apparatus for an integrated winchhead winch are described herein. An integrated winchhead comprising a frame, a winch and a wedge. The frame may include a mounting base at a first end and a bow stop mounting area at a second end of the frame. The winch may be housed within the frame. The wedge may be attached to the mounting base and may also be mountable on a base stand, wherein the wedge may be adjustably mounted to the base stand and the mounting base. The winchhead may be mountable at two different angles and be vertically adjustable along the base stand. A bow stop may be secured to the bow stop mounting area.

Abstract: There is provided a method for hoisting and lowering a device in a rotor head of a wind turbine generator, that can easily perform a device hoisting and lowering operation in the rotor head without an external crane. The method for hoisting and lowering a device in a rotor head includes a step of mounting a temporary winch rail to a rail support portion previously provided in the rotor head, a step of installing a temporary winch on the temporary winch rail, a step of opening a maintenance hatch provided in the rotor head, and a step of hoisting and lowering a replacement device to be attached or removed in the rotor head through a hoisting and lowering opening in the maintenance hatch by the temporary winch.

Abstract: The mid-span winch has a support frame, a reel mounted in this support frame and a handle affixed to the support frame. The mid-span winch has a longitudinal axis extending horizontally from the reel and a vertical axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at a point on the reel. The handle is mounted to the support frame at a location on the support frame which is coincidental with the vertical axis. Wobbling and twisting motions in the winch body are thereby readily perceived with a true amplitude. A corrective action can then be applied to the winch body without using an excessive or a shy force. In another aspect of the present invention, the handle has a hand grip which extends obliquely from the longitudinal axis, whereby both a wobbling motion and a twisting motion on the winch body can be stabilized at once in a same grasp.

Abstract: A cable-wound drum style hoist with a rotating shaft supported by bearings that has both: (i) some freedom of motion in (at least) one of the bearings; and (ii) a pillow block in the shaft to impart some freedom of motion (beyond freedom to rotate about the central axis) in the shaft itself. By allowing some freedom of motion both the bearing(s) and the shaft, the hoist can better accommodate for bent shafts and/or slight misalignment of coaxial bearings. Also, a set of preferred connection hardware for mechanically connecting a hoist reducer box to a hoist backbone with preferred degrees of freedom/constraint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wind-turbine rotor-blade hoisting apparatus that enables attachment and removal of wind-turbine rotor blades without using a plurality of heavy machines and that enables attachment and removal of wind-turbine rotor blades on a site having a complex land shape with little flat land, a method for attaching a wind-turbine rotor blade, and a method for constructing a wind power generator.

Abstract: This invention will assist or allow an operator to easily lift a concrete frame panel into position without much risk of personal injury and with greater efficiency of time. A lifting bar is secured to a vertical frame member through openings in the vertical frame members and a crane or forklift is used to lift the panel prior to setting it to form the wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to lifting gear having a drive unit (2), a drive shaft (3), which has a drive flange (4) fixable thereon and can be driven by the drive unit (2), and a cable drum (5) that can be connected to the drive flange by means of a coupling, said coupling comprising at least one coupling element (10) engaging in a recess (11) in the drive flange (4) and in a hole (12) in the cable drum (5) to transmit torque. In order to equip a lifting gear having a drive unit comprising a motor and a gearbox with a coupling, which ensures simple assembly with a simple and space-saving design, according to the invention the coupling element (10) is movable and fixable radially from an assembly position into an operating position, in which the coupling element (10) connects the drive flange (4) to the cable drum (5) in a driveable manner.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system having a pulley attached to a building. A closed loop of cable is installed around the pulley. The loop is of sufficient length so as to reach, when deployed outside of the building, below the pulley to where emergency personnel gather in an area next to a base of the building (when responding to a disaster situation in the building). A winch around which the loop is to be operatively installed is located in the area next to the base. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A dismantable hoist for storing and transporting wire rope and for lowering and raising the wire rope from a building roof site including a lightweight frame having a base, lightweight reel, for storing the wire rope, having a central drum and a pair of spaced-apart peripheral rings attached to the drum forming opposed side flanges rotatably mounted in the frame, drive means removably attached to the drum for rotating the drum for lowering and raising the wire rope, and brake means operatively connected to the spaced-apart peripheral rings and normally biased into braking engagement with the peripheral rings to stop lowering of the wire rope upon release of the brake means.

Abstract: A cable-wound drum style hoist with a rotating shaft supported by bearings that has both: (i) some freedom of motion in (at least) one of the bearings; and (ii) a pillow block in the shaft to impart some freedom of motion (beyond freedom to rotate about the central axis) in the shaft itself. By allowing some freedom of motion both the bearing(s) and the shaft, the hoist can better accommodate for bent shafts and/or slight misalignment of coaxial bearings. Also, a set of preferred connection hardware for mechanically connecting a hoist reducer box to a hoist backbone with preferred degrees of freedom/constraint.

Abstract: A well head attachment is provided having an elongated casing or housing structure in which the tool string, including the entire cable or wire line supply, is pressurized, the housing structure being arranged to place the interior thereof in communication with the well bore in a manner whereby well pressure is equalized throughout the assembly during all operations, utilizing a unique pressure-tight adjustably articulated riser assembly with off-set pivotal radial connections for connection between the wellhead attachment and the pressurized cable-supply reel, thus the need for lengthy sinker weights, lubricators and stuffing boxes is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winch comprising a drum, a rotary drum bearing, on which the drum is supported in a rotating manner, a supporting device, on which the rotary drum bearing is supported in a pivotable manner by means of at least one pivot joint, and an actuating drive for the active pivoting of the drum. The pivot axis extends inside the drum and the actuating drive is arranged at least partially inside the drum.

Abstract: The mid-span winch has a support frame, a reel mounted in this support frame and a handle affixed to the support frame. The mid-span winch has a longitudinal axis extending horizontally from the reel and a vertical axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at a point on the reel. The handle is mounted to the support frame at a location on the support frame which is coincidental with the vertical axis. Wobbling and twisting motions in the winch body are thereby readily perceived with a true amplitude. A corrective action can then be applied to the winch body without using an excessive or a shy force. In another aspect of the present invention, the handle has a hand grip which extends obliquely from the longitudinal axis, whereby both a wobbling motion and a twisting motion on the winch body can be stabilized at once in a same grasp.

Abstract: A winch for moving a patient laying on a pad is disclosed. The winch includes an enclosure that has a winching mechanism fixed within the enclosure, a power means, a motor, a gearing means, a power switching means, and a spool means. Preferably the winch further includes a bedrail hook attached to the front wall, the hook comprising at least one rigid U-shaped member. As such, the enclosure may be fixed to a bedrail of a bed to move the patient laying on the pad on the bed. A winching strap is connected at one end thereof to the spool means. The winching strap traverses an aperture in the at least one side wall of the enclosure, and a distal end of the winching strap terminates in a pad clamping means. The pad clamping means is preferably a clamping bar having at least two clamps, such that when the winching mechanism pulls the clamps towards the enclosure the clamps are further tightened upon the pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winch (6) for raising and lowering persons, of the type that comprises a housing with an attachment member (16), an electric motor (39) driving a reel (27), a lifting strap (7) connected to the reel for winding and unwinding the lifting strap whereby the lifting strap is guided through one of two openings (17,19) formed in the housing.

Abstract: A lifter including tongs; an electric motor having a stator, a rotor, and one or more windings and a shaft operatively coupled with the first tongs for actuating the first tongs to an open position for receiving a load and actuating the first tongs to a closed position for engaging the load; and a vector drive controller electrically coupled to the electric motor for controlling the operation of the electric motor. A method of handling a load with a motorized lifter including at least one set of tongs and an electric motor coupled to the tongs, the method including moving the tongs of the motorized lifter to a home position by operation of the electric motor, wherein the electric motor is controlled by a vector drive controller; moving the tongs out of the home position; placing the tongs over the load; and positioning the tongs against the load by operation of the vector drive controlled electric motor so as to frictionally engage the load with the tongs.

Abstract: A load arrestor for use in conjunction with a primary lift, the load arrestor comprising a spool about which winds a safety line attached to a load supported at least in part by the primary lift, a lock mechanism comprising a lock plate connected to and rotatable with the spool, the plate defining a plurality of slots; and at least one cylinder having a locking pin for insertion into at least one of the plurality of slots to inhibit rotation of the lock plate and the spool; a sensor for sensing motion of the spool; and a controller which sends a signal to the at least one cylinder to activate the locking pin when the motion of the hoist drum exceeds a predetermined limit. Alternate aspects of the load arrestor are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sleeve comprising a nub, the sleeve sized to receive a bar. The apparatus further includes a movable spindle with a bracket. The bracket is sized to fit over either of the bar and the nub.

Abstract: The present invention is a lightweight apparatus related generally to lifting heavy objects of construction materials by a single individual, such as panels of sheetrock to inside or outside walls, easily accommodating walls up to 12 feet in height, including angled walls. It is more particularly directed to raising panels of sheetrock to upper portions of a wall and holding the panel in place while an individual nails or screws the sheetrock to the wall studs. A triangular sling-like attachment secures a panel of drywall being lifted by turning the winch. Another attachment on the top section allows the apparatus to lean against the studded wall. The vertical panel lift allows the worker to handle with ease drywall panels that are ¼?, ??, ½? and ?? thick, in addition to holding in place drywall panels as large as 54? wide and 16 feet long.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sleeve sized to receive a bar, the sleeve having a nub. The apparatus includes a movable assembly including a spindle, a drive axle to receive the chuck of a drill, and a bracket, the bracket sized to fit over either of the bar and the nub. A power relay of the apparatus receives a power cord of the drill and applies power from an electrical source to the power cord of the drill upon the operation of a power relay switch. A retainer, separate from the movable assembly, retains a drill power switch in an ON position.

Abstract: A winch spooled with a cable is provided for mounting on the boom of a host vehicle. The winch is surrounded by a frame housing that is capable of withstanding the forces applied by the host vehicle. A braking mechanism is provided for controlling the spooling and unspooling of the cable. The winch is mounted on the boom of a host vehicle by a conventional attachment that is used for other custom tools such as buckets of a backhoe.

Abstract: The invention is a system for removing dead animals from a building having a ceiling structure, a plurality of parallel elongated pens, and a dead animal depository station. The system includes a track that extends horizontally over the pens and is suspended from the ceiling structure. A carriage assembly is mounted on the track for travel along the track. Rotatably secured to the carriage assembly about a vertical axis is a winch apparatus that extends downwardly from the carriage. Secured to the winch is a flexible means that moves vertically with respect to the winch which is attached to dead animals for raising the animal above the pen and lowering the animal to the dead animal depository.

Abstract: A robot with at least one at least partly externally positioned protective hose, particularly a cable guidance hose receiving robot tool supply cables has a winding guide located in the vicinity of a tool assembly flange for winding and unwinding the protective hose length necessary as a function of the tool positions.

Abstract: A winch spooled with a cable is provided for mounting on the boom of a host vehicle. The winch is surrounded by a frame housing that is capable of withstanding the forces applied by the host vehicle. A braking mechanism is provided for controlling the spooling and unspooling of the cable. The winch is mounted on the boom of a host vehicle by a conventional attachment that is used for other custom tools.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus is provided for a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and includes a support bracket assembly for mounting on the vehicle. The support bracket assembly includes a horizontal support plate and a hoist-axle-reception channel depending downward from the horizontal support plate. A hoist assembly is provided and is supported by the support bracket assembly. The hoist assembly includes a hoist axle received in the hoist-axle-reception channel and includes a hoist base plate supported by the horizontal support plate. Game, such as a deer, can be supported by the hoist assembly and rotated around the support bracket assembly on the hoist axle and the hoist base plate. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the support bracket assembly includes mounting plates for mounting on the rear of the vehicle. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the support bracket assembly is mounted on a side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A drum winch is replaced with a traction winch module. The traction winch module is mounted on and supported by the existing mooring winch frame of the drum winch. The traction winch module includes a traction frame, a front traction drum, and a rear traction drum. A portion of the drive system from the drum winch may be retained and used to drive the traction winch module. In one embodiment, the traction winch module is designed to mount between pillow blocks from the existing mooring winch frame. In addition, the power train and load-sensing systems from the existing drum winch may be used with the converted traction winch to drive the drive shaft and to provide the converted traction winch with tension information, respectively.

Abstract: A hoist system including a roller assembly which is allowed to pivot as a suspending member is rolled up around a drum compensates for lateral forces and allows a load on the suspending member to remain centered under the roller assembly. The drum has a shaft mounted through the center with a resilient coupling between the shaft and the drum which allows transfer of rotational torque while allowing the drum to pivot. Such a coupling can be furnished by a pair of concentric rings around the shaft having pivot holes orthogonal to the shaft axis. The innermost ring is connected by a pair of pivot pins to the shaft. The outermost ring is connected to the innermost ring by another pair of pivot pins perpendicular to the pivot pins through the shaft. The outermost ring is attached to the inside of the drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting modular furniture including panels to allow access to a floor for reflooring or the like, and suitable for supporting a panel end while providing a clear space under said panel end. The apparatus has a bridge member capable of spanning a distance of several feet and end supports engageable with outer end portions of the bridge member for supporting it clear of the floor. A carrier slidably mounted on the bridge member between its end portions has a support which is connectable to a lifting jig engaged with the panel end. A tensioning or jacking device is provided for applying force to the support so that the panel end may be supported while allowing access to a floor area between said end supports.

Abstract: A method for supporting modular furniture including panels to allow access to a floor for reflooring or the like, and suitable for supporting a panel end while providing a clear space under said panel end. The method uses a bridge member capable of spanning a distance of several feet and end supports engageable with outer end portions of the bridge member for supporting it clear of the floor. A carrier slidably mounted on the bridge member between its end portions has a support which is connectable to a lifting jig engaged with the panel end. A tensioning or jacking device is provided for applying force to the support so that the panel end may be supported while allowing access to a floor area between said end supports.

Abstract: Quadrapod (12) having a central vertical support column (20) and a horizontal plate (22) fixed to the upper portion is disclosed. A slide ring (30) surrounds the column (20) and is movable substantially throughout the length thereof from the bottom of the column to the undersurface of the plate (22). Four pairs of legs (52, 54) extend outwardly from the ring (30) and the plate (22) and terminate in four different feet (56). Each pair of legs includes an upper leg (52) pivotally connected between the plate (22) and the foot (56) and a lower leg (54) pivotally connected between the movable ring (30) and the foot (56). In its operative position, the ring (30) is moved downwardly so that the legs extend outwardly and the quadrapod rests on the four feet. In its collapsed position, the ring (30) is moved upwardly so that the legs and feet are moved inwardly so as to be substantially parallel to the center column. Each of the feet includes a vertical adjusting means (58).

Abstract: A manual swivel winch is pivotally attached to a D-ring of a barge deck, boat deck or the like. The manual swivel winch includes a pair of spaced side plates defining a substantially open bottom, a drum rotatably supported between the side plates, and a rotatable handle attached to the drum and extending from one of the side plates. A swivel link is attached to the side plates for pivotally attaching the winch to the D-ring. Each side plate may include a pair of spaced feet extending down at a lower edge thereof with a recess extending between the pair of feet. The recess combined with the open bottom provides a self-cleaning action to the manual swivel winch.

Abstract: Driving machine for lifts. In this simply and compactly constructed driving machine, damages caused by axle sagging and deformations of teeth, which occur during peak loadings, of a transmission are avoided and for this purpose, in the drive unit of this invention the drive pulley is rotatably journalled on one end of a stationary axle, which in turn is fastened on a bearing block arranged on the base plate of a machine frame with the drive unit including a transmission, an electrical motor, a brake and a rotation transmitter being arranged co-axially overhung or cantilevered at the drive pulley and secured against rotation by two elastic torque stays attached to the machine frame, with adjustable damping elements installed in the torque stays enabling a load-moment-dependent deflection of the drive unit in the sense of rotation and thereby also providing a load measurement at the drive unit.

Abstract: An image reading and recording apparatus such as an electronic blackboard includes a reading unit movable along a guide rail for reading information written on a board, a drive motor integral with the reading unit and operative to move the reading unit relative to the board, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force of the drive motor to the reading unit so as to move the reading unit relatively to the board. The power transmission mechanism is composed of a pulley fixed to a drive shaft of the motor and a wire rope extending along the guide rail in a stretched condition and wound around the pulley by one turn. Upon rotation of the motor, the pulley rolls on and along the wire rope, thereby moving the reading unit relative to the board. Due to a large contact area provided between the pulley and the wire rope, the movement of the reading unit is highly reliable and hence the information on the board can be read with high accuracy.

Abstract: A remotely controlled winch designed for use with a tower crane located at a building site to enable a building panel to be raised from the bed of a truck into the proper position for installation on the side of the building. The building panel normally rests on one of its side edges on the truck bed. The winch includes a frame which is secured to the hoisting cable of the tower crane. A sheave is secured to the lower end of the frame and has a first cable mounted thereon with the ends thereof being removably secured to the upper end of the building panel. A remotely controlled hydraulic winch is mounted on the frame and has a winch cable extending therefrom which is operatively secured to the other side edge of the building panel adjacent the lower end thereof. The tower crane is initially operated to cause the hoisting cable thereof to be moved upwardly which causes the building panel to be raised from the truck.

Abstract: An improved cable hoist apparatus has a sheave movably connected relative to a frame to bias the cable in a circumferential groove in the sheave. A biasing means on the frame compresses the cable in the sheave groove with the amount of force depending upon the tension in the cable. In this regard, the sheave is positioned relative to the frame as a function of the cable tension such that the greater the cable tension, the greater the biasing force on the cable. However, the biasing means can include a plurality of rollers to regulate the biasing force. A reeving spring can be used in conjunction with the biasing means to allow reeving of the hoist when the cable is unloaded. The hoist apparatus optimally incorporates certain advantageous safety features. These include a cable brake activated and released depending upon the position of the sheave and a motor shutoff as a function of overload and/or underload.

Abstract: A single head capstan winch comprises a capstan head which is movably arranged on a supporting frame for being guided relative to a pressing roller and is also rotatably arranged on this supporting frame and provided with a dynamically balanced surface of a shape that complements the enveloping surface of a multiplicity of windings of a cable or rope of the winch to thereby obtain a load-controlled clamping force necessary for the hauling-in of a load by means of the forward extending portion of the cable or rope the rearward extension of which runs off free of any load from the capstan head.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting or displacing elongated objects in a direction longitudinal to the object comprises a rotatable traction wheel including a first and a second disc. A plurality of arcuately shaped ridges are defined on opposing surfaces of the discs. The ridges extend substantially axially from the center of the discs to the circumferences of the discs. The first and second discs are journalled to a rotatable shaft. The axial and angular positions of one or both of the discs with respect to the shaft may be adjustable. The shaft may include an articulated joint to permit the angle of rotation of the first disc to be displaced from the angle of rotation of the second disc.

Abstract: A light weight, portable, self-contained pipe joining device and system for installing succeeding, very heavy, concrete pipe sections into the end of a preceding pipe section positioned in a trench. The pipe joining device includes a power operated winch which is mounted on an adjustable height stand which may be mounted on a sled. The adjustable height stand allows the positioning of the winch inside the initial pipe section at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical centerline of the pipe section. The winch cable is anchored to the winch stand, passed through a snatch-block and secured to the winch drum. Secured to the snatch-block is a two part sling with a hook at the free end of each part. The winching cable assembly is led through the interior of the succeeding pipe section being installed, and the hooks are placed over the pipe wall at the far end. The pipe joining device is anchored in the initial pipe section by means of a static two part sling.

Abstract: A truck mounted hydraulic cable reel apparatus for heavy power cable includes bed frame members supporting a circular turntable. A motor rotates the turntable 45.degree. to either side of a longitudinal center line. Two vertical stanchions are mounted on the turntable. One stanchion supports a tail stock assembly, and a second supports a reel drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a reel drive shaft connected at one end to a hydraulic motor and having a reel drive face plate on the other end. The face plate has lugs which engage lugs on an end of the cable reel spool shaft. The hydraulic motor reversely rotates the cable spool to wind in or pay out power cable. Vertical guide rollers are disposed at either end of the horizontal cable roller. Telescoping outrigger booms are adjustably positioned on either side of the bed frame. Multiple guide rollers on the ends of the booms open and lock closed to capture the power cable and to act as outriggers when laying or retrieving cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for unwinding underground cables includes a framework chassis which is open ended and open bottomed and rests on the ground such as a trench bottom. Mounted on the chassis are horizontal support rollers which support the horizontal cable as it is propelled through the chassis by a peripherally grooved driven pulley applied against the upper side of the cable. The pulley is driven about a horizontal axis by an electric motor via a gearbox. The chassis carries vertical guide rollers on either side of the cable to constrain it to a given path. The guide rollers on one side are movable to permit release of the cable from that path when a support arm carrying the pulley, gearbox and motor is pivoted upwardly, by manual action on a pivotable handle, to lift the pulley off the cable.