Abstract: A system to stabilize a construction vehicle is disclosed having a frame and a pair of stabilizer legs with ground-engaging shoes at the ends of the legs. The stabilizer legs may pivotally connect to the frame on substantially opposing sides, so that the stabilizer legs pivot upwards to a stowed position and pivot downwards to a stabilizing position where the shoe engages the ground. The stabilizer legs may telescope between a retracted and extended position. The retracted position locates the shoe closer to the vehicle and the extended position further from the vehicle. A pair of hydraulic cylinders may be connected to the respective stabilizer legs to power the telescopic movement of the stabilizer legs between the retracted position and extended position. A controller may allow substantially lateral movement of the construction vehicle while the pair of stabilizer legs are engaged with the ground to support the construction vehicle.

Abstract: A variable connection size excavator mast device provides attachment for varied mast sizes and geometries eliminating need for a unique design for each excavator and deck type. The device includes a base plate and a pair of mast plates. The pair of mast plates is coupled to and extends upwardly from the mast plate. The mast plates are perpendicular to the base plate and parallel to each other. A fixed pin is coupled to and extends between the mast plates. A sliding pin is adjustably coupled to and extends between the mast plates. The sliding pin is parallel to the fixed pin.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator is provided with a lower traveling unit, an upper structure, an engine, a hydraulic pump, an engine compartment, a pump compartment and a plurality of filter devices. The upper structure is rotatably disposed on the lower traveling unit. The pump compartment provided on the upper structure for housing the hydraulic pump. The pump compartment has a door that allows access to an interior of the pump compartment. The filter devices, which are disposed adjacent to each other, are disposed at positions that are mutually offset in a height direction of the hydraulic excavator.

Abstract: A sheave includes a hub defining an axis, a rim defining at least one circumferentially extending groove, and two plates oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. Each plate is connected to the hub and to the rim, and a plurality of reinforcing tubular members extend between the plates.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is an apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for a construction machine having a hydraulic pipe clamp fixing a plurality of pipes to a boom structure, including: a lower clamp (20) having a mounting hole (21); a clamp position setting member (22) for fixing the lower clamp (20) to one side of the boom structure (100) through a clamp support member (23) coupled to the mounting hole (21); an upper clamp (30) coupled onto the lower clamp (20) and having an interference prevention groove (31) in which a head portion (23a) of the clamp support member (23) is placed; and vibration-proof members (41,42) attached to the interiors of the clamps (20,30) to absorb vibration of the pipe (10). When the pipes (10) are assembled or disassembled, the lower clamp (20) is fixed to the boom structure to set the positions of the pipe and the clamp, and thus the assembly is greatly improved.

Abstract: A component support device (7) that attaches components (61, 62) on a working structure (41) of a construction machine is formed by bending a plate along at least two bending lines, the component support device (7) including a support (711) formed at a center portion between the two bending lines for supporting the components (61, 62), and a pair of attachment legs (712, 713) formed at both sides of the support (711) to be fixed on the working structure (41), in which at least one of the pair of attachment legs (712, 713) is split into a plurality of portions at a portion to be fixed on the working structure (41), and rigidity of the attachment leg (712, 713) against a bending line direction is less than rigidity of the support (711) in the bending line direction.

Abstract: A center pivot pin support bearing assembly to provide rotatable center restraint for a dragline excavator machine. Multiple center pin bearing support fittings imparts stabilization and additional bearing wear surfaces for increased pin useful service life before replacement. An axially center pin bore receiving fitting is provided for longitudinal spaced multiple support fits combination with a center pin receiving stabilization base and fit.

Abstract: A saddle block assembly including a main body having a shipper shaft opening through the main body bottom end, and an eccentric pin opening in the main body top end, an eccentric pin received in an eccentric pin opening in the top end of the main body, and a wear plate support. The wear plate support has a pin receiving opening, the eccentric pin being received in the pin receiving opening. Wear plates are mounted on the bottom end of the wear plate support and are adapted to bear against the top of a dipper handle.

Abstract: A reinforced cab riser adapter, which adapts to standard roll-over protection structure (ROPS) to a swing frame on a hydraulic excavator resulting in improved rollover load bearing capacity, is disclosed. This invention is also retrofit-able and can be universally adapted to a wide variety of swing frames without cutting or welding of the base machine. The present invention relates to safety features with respect to attaching a cab to a frame on load bearing vehicles.

Abstract: A device for guiding bundles of parallel ropes, cables, or pipes according to a three-dimensional (or non-planar) path in an earth-digging machine of the type in which provided downstream of the winder assembly (9) for the ropes are at least two sets (5, 7) of guiding sheaves; at least one (7) of the two sets is made up of sheaves of different diameters.

Abstract: A machine (A) includes a frame (16) and a platform (58) on which a boom assembly (B) is mounted. Two arms (332) of a U-shaped pivotal member (330) are pivotably mounted to the frame (16) about a first pivot axis (380) perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the frame (16). A front end (302) of a mounting plate (310) is pivotably connected to an intermediate section (336) of the pivotal member (330) about a second pivot axis (382) perpendicular to and spaced from the first pivot axis (380). Two rams (400) are mounted on opposite sides of a rear end (304) of the mounting plate (310). Each ram (400) includes a lower end (404) pivotably connected to the frame (16) and an upper end (402) pivotably connected to one of the sides of the mounting plate (310). The boom assembly (B), the mounting plate (310), and the pivotal member (330) pivot about the first pivot axis (380) and/or the second pivot axis (382) relative to the frame (16) due to relative movement of the rams (400).

Abstract: A saddle block assembly including a main body having a shipper shaft opening through the main body bottom end, and an eccentric pin opening in the main body top end, an eccentric pin received in an eccentric pin opening in the top end of the main body, and a wear plate support. The wear plate support has a pin receiving opening, the eccentric pin being received in the pin receiving opening. Wear plates are mounted on the bottom end of the wear plate support and are adapted to bear against the top of a dipper handle.

Abstract: An upper frame for an excavator is provided to smoothly transmit the load and shock which is transmitted through a mounting portion of a working device during operation (e.g., a lifting operation mode), to an upper frame by integrally installing a bracket for mounting a fuel tank or the like on an upper plate of the upper frame. The upper frame includes a center frame having a bottom plate and a pair of side plates and vertically welded to the bottom plate, a left side frame welded to the side plate of the center frame, a right side frame welded to the side plate of the center frame, an upper plate placed in the front of the center frame for supporting a bracket for a working device, to which a boom is pivotally secured, and an extended member integrally extended from one end of the upper plate for supporting desired parts.

Abstract: A saddle block assembly including a main body having a shipper shaft opening through the main body bottom end, and an eccentric pin opening in the main body top end, an eccentric pin received in an eccentric pin opening in the top end of the main body, and a wear plate support. The wear plate support has a pin receiving opening, the eccentric pin being received in the pin receiving opening. Wear plates are mounted on the bottom end of the wear plate support and are adapted to bear against the top of a dipper handle.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a construction machine which precipitates the removal of earth that is churned up onto a vehicle body from the vehicle body, which reduces transfer loads on a blade bracket, which improves the attachability of the blade bracket, and which achieves standardization of the blade bracket. The construction machine according to the present invention is constituted such that a frame of a crawler belt-type traveling body comprises a center frame, a pair of truck frames disposed on the outside of two side portions of the center frame, a connecting member which connects the center frame to the truck frames, and a blade bracket which is joined to the center frame and the connecting member.

Abstract: A method of converting off-shore installed pedestal crane from a mechanical to a hydraulic operation includes the steps of determining a load limit capable of being lifted by the hooks of the existing crane, ascertaining structural condition of the existing crane, determining operating performance parameters for and selecting various members of a hydraulic system, defining configuration and position of mounting members to mount each selected hydraulically operated member, removing existing mechanically operated components, rigidly securing the mounting members to the existing winch frame, affixing hydraulically operated members to respective mounting member and interconnecting them therebetween with hoses, and testing and certifying performance of the hydraulically operated system.

Abstract: Improved connection systems for pinned connections are disclosed Although the connection systems may be utilized in dragline excavating systems, the connection systems may also be utilized for pinned connections in a variety of other types of mining, dredging, forestry, and construction equipment. An insert utilized in the connections systems has a frustroconical shape that joins with an aperture in an element being joined by the connection system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a mining dump bucket to a set of drag chains and a set of dump ropes is provided. A metallic nugget is fused to a drag rope. The metallic nugget is then inserted into a novel coupler or socket attached to a dump bucket. Also provided is a set of frustoconical wedges adjacent the nugget and a frustoconical receiver used to secure the rope to the coupler or socket.

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: In a crawler frame in which legs in a center frame are formed from cast steel, a simple structure is achieved by reducing the number of components. To this end, the crawler frame, which has a center frame composed of a central frame section for supporting a swing bearing and legs located on the right and left sides of the central frame section; and track frames disposed on the sides of the distal ends of the legs, respectively, of the center frame, is designed such that each of the legs is bifurcated into front and rear leg sections and the front and rear leg sections are respectively formed from cast steel.

Abstract: A crawler frame includes a center frame and right and left track frames disposed at right and left sides of the center frame so as to extend in a back and forth direction, wherein legs for connecting a central frame section of the center frame to the track frames are formed from cast steel in order that washing can be easily done by reducing the amount of mud to be adhered to and deposited on the legs and in order that easy manufacture may be possible.

Abstract: A large electric dragline having a housing (35) and boom (37) is provided with spaced apart in-line sheaves (34) and (36) at boom point to separate hoist ropes (31) and (32) which are led to the front and rear of bucket (30) respectively. Differential hoist rope control allows accurate and continuous adjustment of the bucket carry angle during all modes of operation. Also described is a computer control system giving continuous accurate control of carry angle by differential hoist rope operation, with manual selection of mode of operation.

Abstract: An auxiliary hoist sheave assembly comprising a sheave support frame, a mechanism for mounting the sheave support frame to a boom, a lower sheave shaft mounted on the sheave support frame, and a grooved hoist sheave, rotatably supported by and slidable along the lower sheave shaft, the hoist sheave being in contact with a hoist rope, and the hoist sheave fleeting side to side along the lower sheave shaft as the hoist rope follows the hoist drum.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to a work vehicle includes limiting an unauthorized operator's access to the work vehicle by disabling an engine subsystem and additionally limiting access to another vehicle system such as an auxiliary fluid actuator, by disabling at least one of the auxiliary fluid actuators. In this manner, even if a thief hot wires the engine of the work vehicle, he will not be able to use the work vehicle since the engine and the fluid actuators and the fluid controller that controls the actuators are independently disabled.

Abstract: In the operation of work machines of the type having an extensible arm, the maximum reach of the arm for a given work machine is limited by such factors as the vehicle's weight, body size and engine placement. The present invention provides for a work machine arrangement in which a work machine has an engine cooling apparatus mounted to the work machine body such that the engine cooling apparatus's longitudinal axis is oriented substantially parallel to the arm longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A boom body comprises a boom front member, a boom intermediate member and a boom rear member. An arm-connection bracket is jointed to the boom front member and a vehicle body-mounting bracket is jointed to the boom rear member, thereby forming a boom. With this structure, a cross section of the boom body is less prone to be deformed and therefore, the plate thickness can be reduced, the rigidity of the boom body can be increased without mounting a cross section restraint material and the cross section of the boom is not deformed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the boom in weight.

Abstract: A dragline excavation bucket control system including a pair of hoist ropes and a drag rope, the hoist ropes being coupled adjacent opposite ends of the bucket. The hoist ropes are supported on spaced sheaves on an excavation boom whereby the hoist ropes extending between the boom and bucket are substantially parallel and the boom support points and bucket attachment points for the hoist ropes are controllable to maintain an optimal carry attitude for a bucket when in use.

Abstract: A winch attachment for a backhoe replaces a bucket normally carried on the backhoe boom to allow the backhoe to engage in winching operations. The winch attachment includes a winch bracket which is detachably secured to the mounting bracket on the end of the boom where the bucket is normally mounted. The winch bracket includes a pivotally mounted frame carrying the winch drum and cable so that the winch can be pivoted to the side when necessary. Quick connect hydraulic couplings are applied to the hydraulic winch motor to allow the backhoe hydraulic system to control the operation of the winch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dragline rigging system (10) which includes a pair of drag lines (12) connected to drag connection points (24) on a dragline bucket (18) for dragging the bucket through material to be excavated, a pair of hoist lines (14) connected to trunnions (30) on the dragline bucket for hoisting the bucket with excavated material during excavation, and a dump line (16) for lowering the front of the bucket (18) during dumping of excavated material. The dump line (16) is arranged to extend from the drag lines (12) over a pulley (52) linked to the hoist lines (14) and to a dump connection point (48) on the dragline bucket (18), and is in the form of a composite belt (42) which includes an inner material for receiving loads and an outer protective cover for resisting wear.

Abstract: A bolting system for securing a first weldment including two spaced apart wall members, and a cross member connected to and extending between the wall members, to a second weldment including a wall member adjacent and in face to face contact with one of the first weldment wall members. The bolting system comprises a first plurality of least two openings in the one of second weldment wall member and the adjacent first weldment wall member, and a second opening in the other of the spaced apart first weldment wall members. The first plurality of openings are larger than the second opening. The bolting system further includes a rod bolt dowel in a tight fit in the first plurality of openings, the rod bolt dowel having an enlarged end which will not pass through the first plurality of openings, and having an opening through its center aligned with the second opening.

Abstract: A belt drive including a first belt sheave having a center, the first belt sheave having a center, the first belt sheave being pivotally mounted on a member, and a motor base pivotally connected at one end to the member. The belt drive further includes a motor mounted on the other end of the motor base, and a second belt sheave rotatable by the motor. A belt is trained around the first and the second belt sheaves. The belt also includes an adjusting mechanism extending between the motor base and the member for fixing the position of the motor base relative to the member and for fixing the center to center distance between the first and the second belt sheaves. The adjusting mechanism comprises a cylinder assembly including a cylinder housing and a piston rod extending from the housing and being extendable from and retractable into the housing, with the housing being connected to the member and the piston rod being connected to the motor base.

Abstract: A dragline excavation bucket control system comprising a pair of hoist ropes and a drag rope, the hoist ropes being coupled adjacent opposite ends of the bucket. The hoist ropes are supported on spaced sheaves on an excavation boom whereby the hoist ropes extending between the boom and bucket are substantially parallel and the boom support points and bucket attachment points for the hoist ropes are controllable to maintain an optimal carry attitude for a bucket when in use.

Abstract: A control system for an electric lift truck that controls a traction motor and a hydraulic pump motor is disclosed. The speed of rotation of both motors is controlled by a pulse width modulated current supplied from a battery source by the controller in direct response to a demand communicated to the controller through an interface manipulated by an operator. A pump driven by the pump motor supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to a lift mechanism and a power assisted steering unit. A joystick with function switches mounted thereto is provided so that the operator steers with one hand while controlling truck propulsion and all functions of the lift mechanism with the other hand. The direct control of the pump motor speed enables a fully proportional control of the hydraulic system. The control system is a compact structure that requires minimal cabling and ensures that the hydraulic system operates with energy efficiency and minimal wear.

Abstract: A crowd rope take-up mechanism is mounted on the end of a shovel handle remote from the dipper bracket. The mechanism includes a cylinder with external screw threads engaged by a nut wheel. The cylinder mounts a sheave that received a loop of the crowd rope. A worm gear engages gear teeth on the outside of the nut wheel. The cylinder is restrained against rotation and the nut wheel is captured longitudinally so that rotation of the worm gear by a power wrench is translated into longitudinal movement of the cylinder and sheave. The worm gear is locked against rotation by a removable plug.

Abstract: A machine for heavy loads comprising a rope support sheave mounted on a boom between upper and lower ends of the boom for movement between a raised position wherein the sheave supports a hoist rope above the boom and a lowered position wherein the rope support sheave is accessible for maintenance.

Abstract: A control system for a rope bucket, the rope bucket being designed for the hoisting and transfer of materials and adapted to be suspended from a hoist trolley transferable along an essentially horizontal travel path. The control system includes a hoist mechanism for hoisting the rope bucket, and a close mechanism for closing and opening the scoops of the rope bucket, and also for hoisting and lowering the rope bucket. The hoist mechanism includes two separate mechanisms, and similarly the close mechanism includes two separate mechanisms which also form the transfer mechanism of the hoist trolley.

Abstract: A hoisting assembly for use with a dragline bucket that includes a compensator for generally stabilizing the attitude of the bucket. The compensator is operably coupled to the lift, hoist and dump lines. The connector for the lift line(s) defines a fulcrum about which the compensator turns during use. As the tension in the dump line increases relative to the tension of the hoist lines, the compensator turns about the fulcrum to lift the hoist lines and shift the sheave supporting the dump line forward. As the tension in the dump line decreases relative to the tension of the hoist lines, the compensator turns about the fulcrum in the opposite direction to lower the lift lines and shift the sheave supporting the dump line rearward.

Abstract: An integral dump block for use in a dragline bucket that comprises a sheave to movably support a dump line, a central pin rotatably supporting the sheave, and a housing to couple the pin to lift lines. Bearings are disposed within the sheave and each side of the housing for receiving the pin for free rotation. Hoist lines for supporting a dragline bucket are connected to each end of the pin. In this way, moment forces in the hoisting assembly can be substantially eliminated. Further, a number of parts can be eliminated to provide a reduction in weight and height of the hoisting linkage assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a working vehicle having high visibility and transportability and is capable of providing a large excavation force over a wide range. To this end, a working unit (30) is provided with a boom (31), which is divided into a first boom (31a) and a second boom (31b), and an arm (32), which is fixed to a front end portion of the second boom (31b). The first boom (31a) is free to be swung by a first boom hydraulic cylinder (36) and the second boom (31b) is free to be swung by a second boom hydraulic cylinder (37). One end portion of a first arm link (33a) is attached to a front end portion of the second boom (31b), and one end portion of a second arm link (33b) is attached to a rear end portion of the arm (32), with one end portion of an arm hydraulic cylinder (38) and the other end portions of the first arm link (33a) and the second arm link (33b) being connected together.

Abstract: A draglined bucket having first and second contoured dumping rails respectively supported on first and second spaced apart opposite sidewalls and a rear wall. Each dumping rail extends from above the sidewall on which it is supported to the rear wall on which it is also supported. Rollers are connected to a hoist rope and support the bucket in a suspended manner. The rollers engage the first and second dumping rails and are movable along the dumping rails from a forward position in which an open end of the bucket faces substantially horizontally, to a rearward position in which the open end of the bucket faces downwardly to dump material in it. The dumping rails adjacent to the rear wall of the bucket are preferably spaced from the rear wall of the bucket. The rollers include first and second rollers which respectively engage the undersides of the first and second dumping rails.

Abstract: Heavy machinery comprising a lower support structure having an upper surface, and an upper structure having a generally horizontal lower surface facing the upper surface of the lower structure, the upper structure being supported above the lower structure for rotation relative to the lower structure about a generally vertical axis, and the lower surface of the upper structure having therein an upwardly extending recess surrounding the axis to provide space for a person working on the machinery, the recess being defined at least in part by an upper wall above and generally parallel to the lower surface, and by a plurality of generally planar facets surrounding the axis, each of the facets extending transversely to the upper wall and to the lower surface.

Abstract: A dragline comprising a main housing, a bucket hoist mechanism mounted on the housing, a bucket drag mechanism mounted on the main housing, a moving mechanism for moving the main housing over the ground, a boom having upper and lower ends and a rectangular cross-section, the lower end being connected to the main housing, the upper end having thereon a sheave, the boom having a longitudinal axis and including a center section having top and bottom members parallel to the longitudinal axis, the center section having a neutral axis above the longitudinal axis, structure supporting the boom relative to the main housing, a bucket, a hoist rope extending between the bucket and the bucket hoist mechanism and over the sheave for causing vertical movement of the bucket, and a drag rope extending between the bucket and the bucket drag mechanism for causing horizontal movement of the bucket.

Abstract: A dragline comprising a main housing, a bucket hoist mechanism mounted on the housing, a bucket drag mechanism mounted on the main housing, a moving mechanism for moving the main housing over the ground, a boom which is supported on the main housing and which has an upper end, a bucket, a hoist rope having one end connected to the bucket hoist mechanism, extending over the sheave, and having an opposite end, a drag rope extending between the bucket and the bucket drag mechanism, a dump block including a frame having a main portion connected to the opposite end of the hoist rope, and a cantilevered spindle extending from the main portion, and a dump block sheave mounted on the spindle for rotation about a sheave axis, and a dump rope extending over the dump block sheave and having one end connected to the drag rope and an opposite end connected to the bucket, such that the dump rope can be removed from the sheave in the direction away from the frame main portion.

Abstract: A dragline comprising a main housing, a bucket hoist mechanism mounted on the housing, a bucket drag mechanism mounted on the main housing, a walking mechanism for moving the main housing over the ground, the walking mechanism including a motor mounted on the main housing, a planetary transmission which is mounted on the main housing and which is driven by the motor, a transmission output shaft driven by the transmission, a walk leg housing connected to the output shaft via an output pinion, a driven gear, and a driven eccentric such that rotation of the output shaft causes walking movement of the walk leg housing, and a shoe fixed to the walk leg housing for engaging the ground during walking movement of the walk leg housing, a boom extending from the main housing, a bucket, a hoist rope extending between the bucket and the bucket hoist mechanism and over the sheave for causing vertical movement of the bucket, and a drag rope extending between the bucket and the bucket drag mechanism for causing horizontal m

Abstract: A dragline comprising a main housing, and a moving mechanism for moving the main housing over the ground, the moving mechanism including a drive mechanism mounted on the main housing, an output shaft which extends along an axis and which is driven by the drive mechanism, the output shaft having inner and outer ends, the inner end of the output shaft being spline fit to the drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism causes rotation of the transmission output shaft, a pedestal fixed to the main housing, the pedestal including a leg which has therein a bore centered on the axis, an output pinion mounted on the output shaft intermediate the inner and outer ends thereof for common rotation therewith, and a bearing capsule housed in the bore, the bearing capsule rotatably supporting the outer end of the output shaft, the leg of the pedestal including base and cap portions respectively defining lower and upper halves of the bore, the cap portion being removably fixed to the base portion, such that removal of the

Abstract: The dragline bucket has a basket (12) with an open from end and an open top defined by bottom, side and rear walls (14, 16, 18). Cheek plate structures (44) of fabricated steel plate construction are carried by the side walls at the front end of the basket and themselves carry drag attachment points (46). There is a lip plate assembly (52) of fabricated steel plate construction at the front of the bottom wall (14) and carrying attachment points for excavating teeth. An arch (38) of hollow, fabricated steel plate construction which spans over the front end of the basket and carries dump rope attachment points. The cheek plate structures, the lip plate assembly and the arch are connected to one another to form a ring of continuous, fabricated steel plate construction at the front end of the basket.

Abstract: An excavating hoe or bucket includes a hoe or bucket body which is movable across an excavation area, and a structure for providing the hoe body or bucket body with a variable load capacity. The variable load capacity may be provided by a network of flexible line members such as chains, which may be disconnected from each other and reattached at different attachment or insertion locations, to increase or decrease the load capacity of the hoe or bucket.

Abstract: A fairlead mechanism for guiding a dragline drag rope includes a support on the chassis of the dragline and a guide mechanism mounted on the support. The guide mechanism includes at least one pair of guide sheaves each having an annular groove. The guide sheaves are rotatably mounted on the support to present the grooves in facing relation to define between the sheaves a guide path through which the drag rope passes in primary frictional contact with at least one of the guide sheaves to cause the contacted guide sheave to start-stop cycle between rotating and nonrotating modes as the drag rope reciprocates during operation of the machine. The fairlead mechanism further comprises a synchronizing mechanism utilizing gears or belts for causing the pair of guide sheaves to simultaneously stop or counterrotate in unison in response to rope contact with either one of the guide sheaves to minimize wear that would be induced by scrubbing between the rope and the guide sheaves.

Abstract: A bucket arch, used on dragline buckets, has a pair of side sections and an arch center section disposed therebetween. At least one lug is attached to the arch center section and exerts a force on the center section along a force axis. In the improvement, the center section is angled with respect to the side sections and has an axis generally coincident with the force axis. Such angled center section at least greatly reduces the twisting forces imposed on the arch by the lug. Such center section also greatly reduces the wear or friction on the center section of the arch resulting from the drag chain rubbing thereon during tipping of the bucket.

Abstract: A dragline excavation bucket control system including a pair of hoist ropes and a drag rope, the hoist ropes being coupled adjacent opposite ends of the bucket. The hoist ropes are supported on spaced sheaves on an excavation boom whereby the hoist ropes extending between the boom and bucket are substantially parallel and the boom support points and bucket attachment points for the hoist ropes are controllable to maintain an optimal carry attitude for a bucket when in use.