Abstract: A power system including a pump drive having a first side and a second side, a motor that is operationally connected to the first side of the pump drive, an engine that is operationally connected to the second side of the pump drive, and a pump that is operationally connected to the pump drive. The preferred power system is adapted to power the item of equipment with either the motor or the engine. A method for providing power to an item of equipment by engaging the pump drive with the engine and/or the motor.

Abstract: An apron return assembly having a pump that is adapted to convey a fluid, an apron actuator having an apron actuator cap side and an apron actuator rod side and being in fluid communication with the pump, an accumulator that is in fluid communication with the apron actuator cap side, a reservoir that is in fluid communication with the apron actuator, and a tension rod having a frame end and an apron end. In the preferred apron return assembly, the apron actuator and the tension rod are adapted to move the apron between a closed position and an open position. A method for moving the apron from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A tramp iron relief system for a crusher. The preferred system includes a tramp iron relief cylinder, a relief valve adapted to open when oil pressure within said tramp iron relief cylinder exceeds a pre-designated limit, a tramp iron relief cylinder manifold block that is adapted to control the flow of oil into and out of the tramp iron relief cylinder, a tension cylinder, a tension cylinder manifold block adapted to control the flow of oil into and out of the tension cylinder, a tank line accumulator, and a hydraulic line to convey oil between the tank line accumulator, the tramp iron relief cylinder, and the tension cylinder. A method for controlling the movement of the tramp iron relief cylinder including reducing the pressure in the rod end of the tramp iron relief cylinder during normal operations of the crusher.

Abstract: An apron assembly comprising an apron mounted to the crusher and adapted to be moved between an operating position and an open position, a tension rod operatively attached to and disposed between the shock absorber mount and the apron, a spring seat mounted to the crusher and adapted to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position, a spring operatively disposed between the tension rod base and the spring seat, an actuator mounted to the crusher and the spring seat and adapted to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position, a shock absorber operatively attached to and disposed between the spring seat and a shock absorber mount. The shock absorber reduces the pressure applied to the actuator. A method for controlling the opening in a crusher comprising providing an apron assembly and moving the shock absorber between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a rock crusher having an eccentric shaft. The housing assembly has an interior side and an exterior side and comprises a first housing portion having an inner side, an outer side, and a plurality of grooves and being removably attached to the rock crusher, and a second housing portion having a plurality of grooves and being removably attached to the first housing portion. The housing assembly also comprises an inner ring having at least one inner ring housing groove and at least one inner ring pitman groove and being disposed on the interior side of the housing assembly, and an outer ring having at least one outer ring groove and being disposed on the exterior side of the housing assembly. The housing assembly is disposed around the eccentric shaft. A method for removably housing a bearing assembly on a rock crusher.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting an actuator having a base end and a piston end on an item of equipment. The mounting assembly comprises a plate that is adapted to be mounted to the item of equipment at a first location, a pin hole that is disposed on the plate and has a raised portion, and a pin that is disposed in the pin hole and has a pin diameter, a longitudinal axis, and a channel. The pin is affixed to the cap end of the actuator, the piston end of the actuator is mounted to the item of equipment at a second location, and the channel of the pin is seated on the raised portion of the pin hole. A method for mounting an actuator comprising providing a mounting assembly and moving the actuator between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: An apron return assembly having a pump that is adapted to convey a fluid, an apron actuator having an apron actuator cap side and an apron actuator rod side and being in fluid communication with the pump, an accumulator that is in fluid communication with the apron actuator cap side, a reservoir that is in fluid communication with the apron actuator, and a tension rod having a frame end and an apron end. In the preferred apron return assembly, the apron actuator and the tension rod are adapted to move the apron between a closed position and an open position. A method for moving the apron from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An actuator mounting assembly comprising a base mounted to an item of equipment and having a pivoting plate hole and a locking pin hole, a pivoting plate having a base hole, a locking pin hole, and a actuator hole, a base pin disposed in the pivoting plate base hole, a locking pin adapted to be removably disposed in the pivoting plate locking pin hole, and an actuator pin disposed in the actuator hole. The pivoting plate is pivotally connected to the base at the pivoting plate hole, the cap end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the pivoting plate at the actuator hole, the piston end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the item of equipment, and the base locking pin hole and the pivoting plate locking pin hole are aligned when the locking pin is inserted therethrough.

Abstract: A rock crusher having a base frame with a rear section, an eccentric shaft assembly which is mounted on the base frame, and a common tension assembly which is housed in the rear section of the base frame. In the preferred embodiments of the rock crusher, the rear section of the base frame is configured to house a toggle plate/wedge assembly or a tramp iron relief system. A method for converting a rock crusher between a toggle plate/wedge adjust assembly and a tramp iron relief system.

Abstract: A conveyor lift assembly adapted for use on a conveyor assembly having a frame, and at least one main conveyor cylinder for moving the frame between a substantially horizontal position and an elevated position. The conveyor lift assembly includes a lower member disposed on the undercarriage of the conveyor assembly, an upper member adapted to be moved substantially vertically relative to the frame, and an actuator having a first end and a second end and being adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The first end of the actuator is attached to the lower member and the second end is attached to the upper member, the actuator is adapted to move the upper member relative to the lower member, and the upper member is adapted contact the frame. A method for moving the frame between the substantially horizontal position and the elevated position.

Abstract: A power system including a pump drive having a first side and a second side, a motor that is operationally connected to the first side of the pump drive, an engine that is operationally connected to the second side of the pump drive, and a pump that is operationally connected to the pump drive. The preferred power system is adapted to power the item of equipment with either the motor or the engine. A method for providing power to an item of equipment by engaging the pump drive with the engine and/or the motor.

Abstract: A stockpile control system adapted for use on a stockpile conveyor comprising a sensor that is disposed on the stockpile conveyor, a limit switch that is disposed on the stockpile conveyor, a pile probe that is disposed on the stockpile conveyor, and a microprocessor that is in operative communication with the limit switch and the sensor. The stockpile conveyor is adapted to move, the sensor is adapted to measure the location of the stockpile conveyor, the limit switch is adapted to limit the movement of the stockpile conveyor, the pile probe is adapted to measure a distance between the stockpile conveyor and a stockpile, and the microprocessor is adapted to control the movement of the stockpile conveyor. A method for controlling the production of a stockpile comprising providing a stockpile control system, calculating one or more stockpile boundaries, and controlling the movement of the stockpile conveyor.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting an actuator having a base end and a piston end on an item of equipment. The mounting assembly comprises a plate that is adapted to be mounted to the item of equipment at a first location, a pin hole that is disposed on the plate and has a raised portion, and a pin that is disposed in the pin hole and has a pin diameter, a longitudinal axis, and a channel. The pin is affixed to the cap end of the actuator, the piston end of the actuator is mounted to the item of equipment at a second location, and the channel of the pin is seated on the raised portion of the pin hole. A method for mounting an actuator comprising providing a mounting assembly and moving the actuator between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A stockpile control system adapted for use on a stockpile conveyor comprising a sensor that is disposed on the stockpile conveyor, a limit switch that is disposed on the stockpile conveyor, a pile probe that is disposed on the stockpile conveyor, and a microprocessor that is in operative communication with the limit switch and the sensor. The stockpile conveyor is adapted to move, the sensor is adapted to measure the location of the stockpile conveyor, the limit switch is adapted to limit the movement of the stockpile conveyor, the pile probe is adapted to measure a distance between the stockpile conveyor and a stockpile, and the microprocessor is adapted to control the movement of the stockpile conveyor. A method for controlling the production of a stockpile comprising providing a stockpile control system, calculating one or more stockpile boundaries, and controlling the movement of the stockpile conveyor.