Abstract: A crop bucket having an aux-bail release mechanism wherein movement of the chains is restrained such that an auxiliary hook actuating the release mechanism can do so in a smooth and controlled manner from a variety of angles and positions, while reducing or eliminating bucket roll from offset pulling. The release mechanism can include a carriage configured to translate along at least a portion of a mast and operatively connected to first and second clamshell portions such that movement of the carriage away results in rotation of the clamshell portions toward the open position.

Abstract: A grabbing device having a plurality of jaws which can be moved between an open position and a closed position to enable the device to grasp an object(s). The technology finds particular application in the forestry industry and moving logs.

Abstract: A material handling bucket apparatus and method comprising a material handling bucket having a bucket front half to haul application material, a horizontally sliding mechanism allowing the bucket front half to slide horizontally, a pair of linkage systems secured to the bucket front half, a loader tractor, a boom, a hydraulic power unit, and a power source. The pair of linkage systems laterally move the bucket front half forward beyond and independent of the opposing bucket back half, parallel to the ground surface, leaving the opposing bucket back half tilted back to be loaded. The bucket front half slides forward; and pivots upward to open with respect to the opposing bucket back half and subsequently reversing or pivoting downward to close against the opposing bucket back half, allowing the material handling bucket to doze, having the bucket front half to slide forward to scoop more application material.

Abstract: A BiBlade sampler may include a first blade and a second blade in a retracted position. The BiBlade sampler may also include a gripper, which is driven by an actuator. The gripper may include a plurality of fingers to force the first blade and the second blade to remain in a retracted position. When the fingers are unhooked, the first blade and the second blade penetrate a surface of an object.

Abstract: A side wall of a movable part of an excavator bucket is disclosed. The side wall may have a sheet metal base. The sheet metal base may have an attachment portion for attaching the side wall to a rear wall of the excavator bucket. The sheet metal base may also have a cranked portion extending from the attachment portion. Further, the sheet metal base may have an extension portion extending from the cranked portion to a distal end of the sheet metal base.

Abstract: Disclosed a device for digging diaphragms, including a framework and a half-shell support body, fixed in the lower part of the framework, which supports a first pair of half-shells moved to open and close by a first actuation system. The device also has a reservoir operatively connected to the first pair of half-shells to contain the soil dug by half-shells. The reservoir is normally positioned between the framework and the half-shells and has a volume configured to contain an amount of soil corresponding to the amount of soil dug by such half-shells during a single operating cycle of the device. The device can also include separation means actuated for isolating the soil contained in the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soil stripping device, in particular a trench wall grab, comprising a base body, which can be connected to a carrier implement, a work unit, on which soil working tools are arranged and which is supported on the base body in a rotatable manner by means of a bearing device, and a rotary device for rotating the work unit with respect to the base body. The rotary device has at least one linear drive and a rope or chain transmission, through which a linear movement generated by the linear drive can be translated into a rotating movement.

Abstract: This unit for the collection, cleaning and calibration of electrolysis pots and, in particular, of the anodic orifices, as the anodes of an installation for the production of aluminium by igneous electrolysis are replaced, comprises two buckets (16, 17) hinge-mounted at the level of the lower end of a chassis (10) movable in vertical displacement, the lower edge (31) of each of the said buckets (16, 17) being liable to be bestowed with a circular movement by means of a closing and opening connecting rod assembly (14, 14′).

Abstract: The planting of individual sea grass plants or small bunches of sea grass plants is known in the prior art. In the prior art these plantings are made either manually or with appropriate machinery. This invention deals with the digging, transporting and planting of large slabs of sea grass. The process of the invention comprises the steps of digging a slab of sea grass, transporting the slab of sea grass to a new location, digging a furrow with the same apparatus that is used to dig the slab of sea grass and depositing the slab of sea grass in the furrow.

Abstract: A power bucket is disclosed having a first and second bucket half, each forming a scoop. The bucket halves are pivotally secured together along their top so that the bucket halves are movable between an open position and a closed position. A pair of bearing assemblies is provided for pivotally securing the bucket halves together with the bearing assemblies being provided on opposite sides of the bucket halves. Each bearing assembly includes a cylindrical body having a smaller diameter pin extending coaxially outwardly from one side. The pin is positioned within an opening in the first bucket half and the cylindrical body is removably secured to the first bucket half by bolts. The cylindrical body of the bearing assembly is also positioned within a circular opening formed through the other bucket half so that the bucket halves can pivot relative to each other. An improved cantilevered axle assembly is also disclosed for the bucket closure line.

Abstract: A vertical hole excavating machine having a cutter head comprising: a first head supported rotatably about the axis of a cylindrical shield body at the lower end of the cylindrical body and having a central space vertically extending therethrough; at least one first cutter mounted on the first head to excavate earth under the first head; a second head disposed coaxially in the central space so as to be mounted or dismounted from above, and having a cylindrical portion for receiving matter excavated by the first cutter therein and a bottom plate for closing the lower end of the cylindrical portion; and at least one second cutter mounted on the second head to excavate earth under the second head. It is characterized in that the second head is further provided with a notch to receive matter excavated by the second cutter into the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A single line grab system including a grab suspended by a single line from a carrier. A head assembly is connected to the grab from above the grab and is vertically movable with respect thereto. A first end of the line is anchored and second end of the line is selectively extensible and retractable. A retarder system selectively engages a portion of the line. In one embodiment of the grab system the retarder is mounted on the head assembly and the first end of the line is anchored to the carrier. In an alternate embodiment of the grab system the retarder is mounted on the carrier and the first end of the line is anchored to the head assembly. A method for operating a grab system essentially involves two variables: first, the line may be selectively withdrawn or fed and, second, the retarder may be selectively disabled or applied to a portion of the line. Using these two variables, the grab or bucket may be selectively opened or closed and selectively raised or lowered.

Abstract: A bucket for power shovels is disclosed having a first bucket half and a second bucket half. Each bucket half includes a pair of spaced side walls and an end wall extending between the side walls which together forms a scoop for each bucket half. The bucket halves are pivotally secured together so that the scoops face each other and are movable between an open position in which the scoops are spaced apart from each other and a closed position in which the scoops space each other and form a load carrying chamber. The side walls of the bucket half overlap each other upon closure to minimize the spillage of the load out through the sides of the bucket during a scooping operation. Furthermore, a flap valve is mounted to an upper side of at least one of the bucket halves to allow water and air to freely escape from the interior chamber of the bucket as the bucket is lowered. This valve, however, prevents spillage of the load from the interior of the bucket.

Abstract: A bucket for power shovels is disclosed having a first bucket half and a second bucket half. Each bucket half includes a pair of spaced sidewalls and an endwall extending between the sidewalls which forms a scoop. The bucket halves are pivotly secured together so that the scoops face each other and are movable between an open position, in which the scoops face downwardly, and a closed position in which the scoops face each other and form a load carrying chamber. A swiper plate is attached to one sidewall on each side of the bucket. This swiper plate overlaps a portion of the other sidewall on its associated side of the bucket as the bucket halves pivot between a partially closed and a fully closed position.

Abstract: An earth moving and tamping apparatus rig is provided which can backfill a trench and compact the backfill materials up to 95% compaction. A bucket and a vibrator are attached to a backhoe. The bucket retrieves the filling material and either dumps the material into a trench or sifts it through adjustable screening blades that form the bottom of the bucket. The apparatus includes a means to swivel the bucket 360.degree. with respect to the boom. The end of the bucket then compacts the filling materials into the trench. Each moving rig apparatus may also be equipped with an alternative two-bucket system, where one bucket fits inside the other one or is along side thereof. For trenches as wide as two feet to increase the area of dirt tamped, the two-bucket may be secured in juxtaposition to each other. For more narrow trenches, the second bucket may be closed inside the first bucket and the area tamped will only be the width of a single bucket.

Abstract: A power bucket for loading and unloading cargo. The bucket includes a first and second bucket half wherein each bucket half has a top, a closed bottom, an open inside end and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. The buckets are pivotally secured together at their top by two spaced apart trunnions so that the bucket halves are movable between an open and a closed position. A head is disposed above the bucket while at least one cable extends between the head and each bucket half. A closure cable extends around at least one pulley rotatably mounted to one bucket half and is secured to the other bucket half for moving the bucket halves between an open and a closed position. This closure cable also extends through a guide loop attached to the head.

Abstract: A grab for a sugar can loader suspended from the boom of a tractor having an improved fastening system formed of two mechanical arms that automatically elevate the grab during its closing movement, so that the tips of the grab's tines trace a path parallel to and along the surface of the ground. This avoids ground penetration by the grab's tips, decreasing the pick up of soil and other undersirable materials with the can during its loading.

Abstract: A bucket for a power shovel is disclosed which includes a first and second bucket half. Each bucket half includes a pair of elongated pivot arms having a scoop secured to one end of the pivot arm. The scoop includes spaced apart front and back walls, a bottom wall and a generally horizonal cutting edge which extends along one edge of the bottom wall between the front and back walls. The other ends of the pivot arms on one bucket half are pivotally secured to the pivot arms on the other bucket half so that the bucket halves are movable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the open sides of the bucket halves register with each other to contain cargo within the interior of the bucket whereas, in their open position, the open ends and the digging edges of the bucket are spaced apart from each other. A head is disposed above the bucket halves and is secured to the bucket halves by cables which extend from the head and to each scoop.

Abstract: A power shovel is disclosed for loading and unloading cargo. The bucket includes a first bucket half and a second bucket half wherein each bucket half has a top, a closed bottom, a front wall and a back wall which are spaced apart from each other, a closed outside wall and an open inside. The bucket halves are pivotally secured together at their tops so that the bucket halves are movable between an open and a closed position. In their closed position, the open inside of the bucket halves register with each other so that cargo is contained within the bucket. A head is disposed above the bucket and is attached to the bucket by four elongated cables. Two cables are attached to the outside corners of one bucket half while, similarly, the other two cables are secured to the outside corners of the other bucket half.

Abstract: Covers are mounted so as to cooperatively close and seal the mouth or opening into conventional backhoe and clam-shell excavating buckets with the covers being positioned or positionable so as to engage the buckets after the buckets have been operated or manipulated to excavate earthen material or debris to thoroughly enclose such materials within the buckets until such time as the material is deposited into an appropriate receptacle or deposit site.

Abstract: An open ended cylindrical casing is provided with a pair of semicircular blades rotatably mounted to the lower open end of the casing so that the blades may be rotated from a digging position where they project downward from the lower end of the casing to a flat position, substantially forming a bottom to the lower end of the casing. To excavate a cylindrical hole the casing is dropped with the blades in the projecting position into the ground causing the blades to dig in a shovel-like manner. By rotating the blades upward substrate is lifted into the casing, and the casing is pulled deeper into the substrate. Lifting the casing out of the hole, the blades act as a bottom to the casing carrying dirt within the casing.

Abstract: A self-contained system eliminates need for hydraulic or other lines from a crane to a grapple or clamshell bucket on the end of the crane hoist line. A wireless (radio or sonic) portable remote-control unit sends signals to a hydraulic power system carried above the grapple or clamshell bucket, either as an integral part of the bucket or spaced a distance up the line from the bucket suitable for avoiding damage when the grapple or clamshell bucket is used in dredging or is otherwise submerged.

Abstract: A single line deep-sea bucket and release is provided for mining operations and emergency fouling situations at extreme depths. A clamshell mechanism is provided with a bucket support frame and a hoisting frame with coupling means maintaining a fixed connection on descent. The clamshell, descending in the normally open position, is closed on ascent by an operating cable actuated to close by a measured withdrawal of the two frames and coupling means to which the actuating cable is fastened. Emergency shell release opening is caused by gravity force of a descending messenger on the single hoisting cable to trip a release of the coupling means and thereby the attached withdrawn operating cable to descend and open the shell.

Abstract: A rope-actuated load lifting and carrying assembly is characterized by the provision of at least one first rope guide disposed so that its axis of rotation is disposed at all times below a reference plane defined perpendicularly to the joinder plane between the gripping elements and containing the axis of rotation of the center pin. The assembly is also characterized by a head arrangement wherein at least three first rope guides are disposed in a semicircular arrangement below the reference plane, the guides being angularly separated by a predetermined amount. A head assembly includes at least three second rope guides disposed in a semicircle at or above the plane containing the connection of the head with the corner arms, the second rope guides being angularly separated by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The one ends of the closing rope and holding rope of the jib or other hoisting gear-suspended grab of a winch are wrapped about a common drum and travel equivalent paths for syncronization of rope movement as the grab is raised and lowered. The opposite end of the closing rope is wrapped about an auxiliary drum or other extensible, retractible load rope anchoring device, equipped to be rotated, on command by an amount sufficient to open or close the grab.

Abstract: An underpinning excavator which comprises a crane having a horizontal beam and a boom extending angularly upwardly and outwardly above the beam and a digging assembly which includes a vertical rod suspended from the boom and a clamshell digger affixed to the bottom of the rod, the rod being engaged by means on the horizontal beam to move the rod inwardly or outwardly along the beam and to rotate the rod about its own axis to effect the excavation of an opening contiguous to and at least partially under the wall to a sufficient depth to permit underpinning to be installed.

Abstract: A grab bucket for a grab dredger having a vibrator of waterproof construction mounted on the interior of a bucket shell for causing forced vibration of the grab bucket.

Abstract: A scissors-type, free-fall grab is disclosed for picking up ground samples from a sea bed. The grab includes two grab halves which may pivot relative to one another. A transverse bar engages the upper ends of the grab halves to hold the grab in its opened position. This transverse bar is attached by a cable arrangement to a buoyancy member. Upward movement of the buoyancy member causes the transverse bar to become disengaged from the upper ends of the grab halves and forces the grab halves to move to their closed position. The grab carried weights which fall off of the grab as the grab moves from its opened to its closed position.