Abstract: A valve operating apparatus with controls may include a speed control engageable by a hand of an operator of the apparatus to control a speed characteristic for operating the valve. The speed control may have a zero position corresponding to a zero speed of rotation of a shaft for connecting to the valve, with the speed control being movable out of the zero position to a nonzero position corresponding to a nonzero speed of rotation. A degree of movement of the speed control from the zero position may correspond to a speed of rotation of the shaft such that further movement of the control away from the zero position increases the speed of rotation. Movement of the speed control from the zero position may be characterized by the speed control maintaining the position of the speed control when engagement of the control by the hand of the operator is discontinued.

Abstract: A pivoting support assembly with a selective position locking capability may comprise a base, a first support arm movable with respect to the base, a first pivot joint pivotally mounting the first support arm to the base, and a first position locking assembly configured to lock a selected position of the first support arm with respect to the base. The first position locking assembly may comprise a first hydraulic motor mounted on the first pivot joint and having a fluid input and a fluid output with a fluid path defined therebetween such that fluid movement on the fluid path between the fluid input and the fluid output operates the first hydraulic motor. The first position locking assembly may comprise a first lock valve in communication with the first hydraulic motor and configured to selectively block fluid movement through the fluid path of the motor.

Abstract: A pivoting support assembly with a selective position locking capability may comprise a base, a first support arm movable with respect to the base, a first pivot joint pivotally mounting the first support arm to the base, and a first position locking assembly configured to lock a selected position of the first support arm with respect to the base. The first position locking assembly may comprise a first hydraulic motor mounted on the first pivot joint and having a fluid input and a fluid output with a fluid path defined therebetween such that fluid movement on the fluid path between the fluid input and the fluid output operates the first hydraulic motor. The first position locking assembly may comprise a first lock valve in communication with the first hydraulic motor and configured to selectively block fluid movement through the fluid path of the motor.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester assembly is disclosed that includes an articulated arm assembly having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the articulated arm assembly being movable away from and toward the first end such that when the first end of the articulated arm assembly is connected to a vehicle, the second end of the articulated arm assembly is movable away from and toward the vehicle. The assembly includes a rotation mechanism that is mounted on the articulated arm assembly toward the second end of the articulated arm for rotating a shaft for exercising a valve. The assembly further includes a moving mechanism that is mountable on a vehicle for moving the first end of the articulated arm assembly away from and towards the vehicle.

Abstract: The system for suspending a valve exerciser from a support comprises a base element for mounting on the support, a first support element pivotally mounted on the base element, a second support element pivotally mounted on the first support element, a linking element pivotally mounted on the first support element, a first stabilizing element linking the base element and the linking element, a mounting element pivotally mounted on the second support element, a second stabilizing element linking the linking element and the mounting element, and a multiple stage assistance assembly for applying multiple degrees of assistance to movement of the first support element with respect to the base element.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.