Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed; a boom; a moveable counterweight unit; at least one linear actuation device; and at least one arm pivotally connected at a first end to the rotating bed and at a second end to the linear actuation device. The arm and linear actuation device are connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit such that extension and retraction of the linear actuation device changes the position of the counterweight unit compared to the rotating bed. In one method of operation, the counterweight unit is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody.

Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit includes a trolley, the counterweight unit being in a movable relationship with respect to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. Other embodiments include a counterweight support beam movably connected to the rotating bed, the counterweight support beam including another rack coupled to a lower surface of the counterweight support beam. A counterweight support beam movement device is connected between the counterweight support beam and the counterweight support frame.

Abstract: A method for calculating a crane capacity for a crane having a variable position counterweight at a locked position includes determining a boom combination and determining a maximum capacity at a hook position for the boom combination. A maximum target value for an operating condition dependent on a balance of the crane is determined. An indication of the locked counterweight position is received. At least one new target value for the operating condition dependent on the balance of the crane between the variable position counterweight at the locked counterweight position is established. A new capacity of the crane is calculated by decrementing the maximum capacity of the crane proportionally to a difference in the maximum target value and the at least one new target value. Cranes and crane control systems employing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intermediate suspension connection column segment designed for use in constructing a column which is supported by a suspension that includes a first end having a first connection configured to connect to a first adjacent column segment; a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a second connection configured to connect to a second adjacent column segment; and an intermediate suspension connection between the first connection and the second connection, the intermediate suspension connection configured to couple an intermediate suspension between the suspension and the column.

Abstract: A system and method for retaining a linear actuator on a crane component such as a mast is disclosed. In the system a retaining mechanism is mounted on either a body of the linear actuator or the crane component and a catch is mounted to the other of the body or the crane component. Retraction of a rod of the linear actuator causes a cap on the rod to contact the retaining mechanism, which causes the retaining mechanism to move into a latched configuration securing the linear actuator.

Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. At least one auxiliary member includes a counterweight pad that is configured to not touch the ground during a pick, move, and set operation. A linear actuator is configured to adjust a distance that the counterweight pad is above the ground.

Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit includes a trolley, the counterweight unit being in a movable relationship with respect to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. Other embodiments include a counterweight support beam movably connected to the rotating bed, the counterweight support beam including another rack coupled to a lower surface of the counterweight support beam. A counterweight support beam movement device is connected between the counterweight support beam and the counterweight support frame.

Abstract: A gravity actuated crane stop for a crane is disclosed. The gravity actuated crane stop has a first connector at a first end configured to couple to a first crane member and an interface at a second end configured to interface with a second crane member. A gravity actuated mechanism is disposed on the body and has a first configuration in which gravity actuated mechanism disables the interface, and a second configuration in which the gravity actuated mechanism does not disable the interface. The gravity actuated mechanism is automatically changeable from the first configuration to the second configuration as the body is moved from a first orientation relative to a horizontal plane to a second orientation relative to the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A cab support assembly supports and moves an operator's cab relative to a frame of a construction machine. The cab support assembly includes a cab support coupled to the frame of the construction machine. The operator's cab is mounted to a cab support mounting frame, which in turn is pivotably coupled to the cab support. An actuation device is coupled to the cab support and to the cab support mounting frame. The actuation device includes a first actuation device position in which the cab support frame is in a first position in which the cab support mounting frame defines a first plane, and at least a second actuation device position in which the cab support mounting frame is in a second position such that the cab support mounting frame defines a second plane that intersects the first plane at a negative angle.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating a crane capacity for a crane having a variable position counterweight at an intermediate position is disclosed. In the method a boom combination is determined and a maximum capacity at a hook position is determined for the boom combination. A target value for an operating condition is established dependent on a balance of the crane between the variable position counterweight and a load on the hook. An indication is received of an intermediate counterweight position, and a load is calculated for the hook at the hook position for the boom combination and the intermediate counterweight position that results in the operating condition having the target value to determine an intermediate capacity. The intermediate capacity is compared with the maximum capacity and the lower of the maximum capacity and the intermediate capacity is output.

Abstract: A remote diagnostic system for remotely diagnosing and developing a dynamic system including a dynamic system being controlled by a first control system and a device model being controlled by a second control system. The device model simulates the dynamic system and inputs and corresponding outputs are recorded to test the control system and operation of the dynamic system. During operation the dynamic systems inputs and outputs are recorded. The dynamic system input and outputs may then be compared to the device model inputs and outputs to check the accuracy of the device model. The device model may then be updated based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: An intermediate suspension connection column segment designed for use in constructing a column which is supported by a suspension that includes a first end having a first connection configured to connect to a first adjacent column segment; a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a second connection configured to connect to a second adjacent column segment; and an intermediate suspension connection between the first connection and the second connection, the intermediate suspension connection configured to couple an intermediate suspension between the suspension and the column.

Abstract: A ruggedized packaging assembly for a linearly extending crane component measurement device includes an outer sleeve, an inner member slidably disposed in the outer sleeve, a target coupled to at least one of the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, and a non-contact measurement instrument. Either the outer sleeve or the inner member is coupled to a linearly extending component, and the other part is coupled to a component from which a distance is being measured.