Abstract: A drum tensioning method is provided for operating a crane having a continuously reeved load hoist line, with a first end of the load hoist line connected to a first drum and a second end of the load hoist line connected to a second drum, with the load hoist line reeved through boom sheaves and a hook block. The method includes the steps of applying a hold-back force to the second drum; applying a winding force to the first drum greater than the hold back force on the second drum; and applying the winding and hold back forces while limiting movement of the hook block, thereby spooling the load hoist line from the second drum through the boom sheaves and hook block to the first drum while maintaining tension in the load hoist line such that the load hoist line is wound under more tension on the first drum than it had previously been wound on the second drum.

Abstract: A method of assembling a hook block for a crane includes: providing a sheave housing containing a plurality of sheaves with a pivotal connection link secured to the top of the sheave housing, the sheave housing including extended portions each with a hole therethrough and a housing frame positioned below the plurality of sheaves, the housing frame having a locking surface; placing a cross beam on its side, the cross beam having stabilizing feet resting on the ground; positioning the extended portions of the sheave housing within a plurality of brackets of the cross beam, each bracket with a hole therethrough; aligning the holes of the extended portions of the sheave housing with the holes of the brackets; inserting a shaft through the aligned holes; securing a cap to an end of the shaft to resist lateral movement relative to the holes; and inserting a locking bar between the locking surface of the housing frame and a surface of a bracket of the cross beam, to resist relative movement between the sheave housin

Abstract: A crane includes i) a lower structure comprising ground engaging members ii) an upper structure rotatably connected to the lower structure such that the upper structure can swing with respect to the lower structure, wherein one of the lower structure and upper structure comprises a first structure having a ring gear having teeth on a surface thereof, and the other of the lower structure and upper structure comprises a second structure; and iii) a boom pivotally mounted on the upper structure. The crane further includes a drive system comprising at least two pinion gears mounted on a common frame and in driving contact with the ring gear teeth; and a link connecting the frame to the second structure with two pivot axes between the frame and the second structure.

Abstract: A method of assembling a hook block for a crane includes: providing a sheave housing containing a plurality of sheaves with a pivotal connection link secured to the top of the sheave housing, the sheave housing including extended portions each with a hole therethrough and a housing frame positioned below the plurality of sheaves, the housing frame having a locking surface; placing a cross beam on its side, the cross beam having stabilizing feet resting on the ground; positioning the extended portions of the sheave housing within a plurality of brackets of the cross beam, each bracket with a hole therethrough; aligning the holes of the extended portions of the sheave housing with the holes of the brackets; inserting a shaft through the aligned holes; securing a cap to an end of the shaft to resist lateral movement relative to the holes; and inserting a locking bar between the locking surface of the housing frame and a surface of a bracket of the cross beam, to resist relative movement between the sheave housin

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. In one method of operation, the counterweight is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody. One embodiment includes a counterweight movement structure having a rectangular rack with at least first and third pinion gears engaged with teeth on one side and second and fourth pinion gears engaged with teeth on the opposing side.

Abstract: A hook block for a crane includes a sheave housing containing sheaves, extended portions with a hole through each, and a housing frame with a locking surface; a cross beam has multiple brackets each with a hole; a bracket has a plurality of surfaces corresponding to a plurality of angles of relative position between the sheave housing and the first cross beam, wherein the plurality of surfaces correspond to the locking surface and form a gap therebetween at each of the plurality of angles; a shaft rotatably captured within the holes of the extended portions of the housing and of the multiple brackets; and a locking bar sized to be placed in the gap between the locking surface and any of the plurality of surfaces to immobilize movement of the sheave housing relative to the cross beam.

Abstract: A drum tensioning method is provided for operating a crane having a continuously reeved load hoist line, with a first end of the load hoist line connected to a first drum and a second end of the load hoist line connected to a second drum, with the load hoist line reeved through boom sheaves and a hook block. The method includes the steps of applying a hold-back force to the second drum; applying a winding force to the first drum greater than the hold back force on the second drum; and applying the winding and hold back forces while limiting movement of the hook block, thereby spooling the load hoist line from the second drum through the boom sheaves and hook block to the first drum while maintaining tension in the load hoist line such that the load hoist line is wound under more tension on the first drum than it had previously been wound on the second drum.

Abstract: A hook block for a crane includes a sheave housing containing sheaves, extended portions with a hole through each, and a housing frame with a locking surface; a cross beam has multiple brackets each with a hole; a bracket has a plurality of surfaces corresponding to a plurality of angles of relative position between the sheave housing and the first cross beam, wherein the plurality of surfaces correspond to the locking surface and form a gap therebetween at each of the plurality of angles; a shaft rotatably captured within the holes of the extended portions of the housing and of the multiple brackets; and a locking bar sized to be placed in the gap between the locking surface and any of the plurality of surfaces to immobilize movement of the sheave housing relative to the cross beam.

Abstract: A crane includes i) a lower structure comprising ground engaging members ii) an upper structure rotatably connected to the lower structure such that the upper structure can swing with respect to the lower structure, wherein one of the lower structure and upper structure comprises a first structure having a ring gear having teeth on a surface thereof, and the other of the lower structure and upper structure comprises a second structure; and iii) a boom pivotally mounted on the upper structure. The crane further includes a drive system comprising at least two pinion gears mounted on a common frame and in driving contact with the ring gear teeth; and a link connecting the frame to the second structure with two pivot axes between the frame and the second structure.

Abstract: A drive shaft connection comprises a) a first rotational member having a first flange with first and second surfaces and a perimeter; b) a second rotational member having a second flange with a surface frictionally engaging the first surface of the first flange; c) a compression member having a surface frictionally engaging the second surface of the first flange; and d) a connection system connecting the second flange and the compression member together outside the perimeter of the first flange such that they clamp the first flange between them with a clamping force producing the frictional engagement. A method of transmitting torque between a first member and a second member is also included, as is a method of assembling a drive shaft connection between first and second rotational members, a method of connecting first and second rotational members together to form a drive shaft for a piece of equipment, and a crawler vehicle utilizing the invention.

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 is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody. The linear actuation device can include at least one rack and pinion assembly or hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A crawler that includes a first crawler assembly and a second crawler assembly attached to the first crawler so that the first crawler assembly is aligned with the direction of travel of the second crawler assembly.

Abstract: A crawler that includes a first crawler assembly and a second crawler assembly attached to the first crawler assembly so that the first crawler assembly is aligned with the direction of travel of the second crawler assembly.

Abstract: A crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a lower works and a boom pivotally mounted on the upper works, wherein the crane further comprises an apparatus and method for lifting, positioning, and assembling a counter weight to the upper works. The apparatus and method includes pivotally connecting a counter weight pivot frame between the counter weight and the upper works and lifting the counter weight into position with the hydraulic boom hoist cylinder. The crane further comprises a boom parking device.