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: A fitting for a wire rope with a diameter, the fitting including a stiff support and being adapted to hold and to attach the wire rope to the stiff support, the fitting further comprising an elongated flexible enclosure adapted to surround the wire rope, the flexible enclosure having a length more than 2 times longer than the diameter.

Abstract: A dragline comprising a main housing including a generally horizontal platform, a boom extending forwardly from the main housing, a bucket suspended from the boom, a winding drum mounted on the platform for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, a fairlead mechanism mounted on the platform forward of the drum, the fairlead mechanism including an upper sheave mounted on a generally C-shaped upper bracket for rotation relative thereto about a generally horizontal upper axis, the upper bracket opening rearwardly and being mounted on the platform for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis, and a lower sheave mounted on a generally C-shaped lower bracket for rotation relative thereto about a generally horizontal lower axis rearward and below the upper axis, the lower bracket being substantially identical to the upper bracket, opening forwardly and being mounted on the platform for pivotal movement about the generally vertical axis, such that the vertical axis extends between the upper and lower shea

Abstract: A journal bearing including a generally cylindrical outer surface, and a generally cylindrical inner surface including an inner edge, an outer edge, a midline defined as a circumferential line midway between the inner edge and the outer edge, a least-loaded region and a highest-loaded region, and a first groove pattern symmetric about the midline, the pattern extending from the least-loaded region to the highest-loaded region, the pattern including a lubricant entry point on the midline in the least-loaded region, a lubricant reservoir on the midline on the opposite side of the highest-loaded region from the lubricant entry point, and substantially more grooving in the least-loaded region than in the highest-loaded region.

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 dragline comprising a main housing, a moving mechanism for moving the main housing over the ground, and a planetary transmission driving the moving mechanism, the planetary transmission including a transmission housing, a sun gear, a ring gear and planet gears centered on a center axis, the planet gears meshing with the ring gear and the sun gear so that the planet gears rotate about the center axis, the planet gears drivingly connected to a carrier, the carrier including a low-friction coating on a carrier annular surface and a carrier cylindrical surface, the low-friction coating reducing friction between the carrier and the transmission housing.

Abstract: A rope clamp for clamping a rope to a winch drum surface comprises first and second bolts, each of which has a head and a threaded end, an upper clamp having two opposed ends and a first hole receiving the first bolt near the one end thereof and a second hole receiving the second bolt near the other end thereof. The clamp further includes a lower clamp having two opposed ends and a first indentation open from the one end thereof and receiving the first bolt, and a second indentation open from the other end thereof and receiving the second bolt. The lower clamp further has a bottom adapted to be secured to the surface and having first and second bolt head receiving slots, each of which is wider than its respective one of the first and second indentations, the first and second slots each being open at its respective lower clamp end and receiving a respective bolt head and preventing the respective bolt head from rotating.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a lower support structure having an upper surface, a circular lower rail which is mounted on the upper surface of the lower support structure and which is centered on a generally vertical axis, an upper structure having a lower surface, a circular upper rail which is mounted on the lower surface of the upper structure and which is centered on the axis, a plurality of rollers which are located between the upper and lower rails and which support the upper structure for rotation relative to the lower structure about the axis, the rollers being rotatable about respective generally horizontal axes intersecting the vertical axis at a common point, one of the rails including an inwardly facing surface defining a portion of a sphere centered on the point, and each of the rollers including an outwardly facing surface which engages the inwardly facing surface and which defines a portion of a sphere centered on the point.

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 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: A "pancake-like" thrust bearing arrangement with gravity-fed lubrication is angular to a horizontal plane and has a top edge above such plane. A load-support structure oscillates on the bearing. Such bearing has a lubricant feed aperture at the top edge and plural lubrication grooves formed in the flat bearing face and connected to such aperture by feed passages. The grooves are oriented so that they "run downhill," i.e., so that they intersect a circle concentric with the bearing center. Grease moves by gravity along the grooves which are "closed-ended" to help prevent premature expulsion of grease from the bearing face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to mount a machine component, e.g., an electric motor, in alignment with another component such as a gear shaft of a gear transmission. The apparatus includes a bolt-attached U-shaped clamp device straddling a "foot-like" transmission mounting base. The legs are spaced greater than the horizontal thickness of the base to permit slight base movement during mounting. The clamp device has an interior height somewhat less than the vertical height of the base. The base is shimmed so that the motor shaft is vertically aligned with the gear shaft, horizontal and angular alignment is performed and then the clamp legs are shimmed. Leg shimming is to a height such that when the clamp bolts are tightened, the base shims are under substantial compressive force and the leg shims are under only somewhat less compressive force. One or more chock blocks are welded to the machine deck to help maintain base position.

Abstract: A digging tooth assembly has first and second wedged members retaining a digging tooth tip on a tooth base. The improvement comprises a tension member, e.g., a bolt, coupled to the first member and engaging the second member. The bolt has an adjustable effective length so that the first member can be drawn into wedged engagement with the second member. Other aspects of the invention involve a method for assembling a digging tooth assembly having an apertured tooth tip on an apertured, supporting tooth base. The method includes the steps of inserting a first wedge-like member into the aperture, inserting a second wedge-like member into the aperture and drawing the first member upward into wedged engagement with the second member.

Abstract: The new method relates to a machinery assembly having (a) a housing, (b) an eccentric confined in the housing, (c) a shaft extending into the eccentric and (d) a shaft axis of rotation. A method for moving the shaft with respect to the housing includes the steps of applying a support force at a point on the housing so that such force places the housing substantially in equilibrium with respect to the axis. A withdrawing force is then applied to the shaft in a direction generally parallel to the axis. A jacking mechanism contacts the housing at a point to apply a support force to such housing. The force magnitude and direction place the housing substantially in equilibrium with respect to the axis to reduce or eliminate frictional forces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for machining a component using a CNC or an NC machine. The method includes the steps of mounting the component at a location on the machine and providing a pair of datum points, e.g., "locating holes" or dowels, on the component. A first base line is defined to extend through the datum points and a second base line is defined to intersect the first base line at an intersection. While retaining the component at its mounting location, such component is machined using dimensions measured from the base line intersection. The new method avoids the inaccuracies, e.g., tolerances and tolerance "buildup," that often results from the use of jigs, fixtures and the like. In other words, the component itself becomes the reference for machining. The method is particularly useful in making parts such as detachable, unevenly-wearing gear segments which can be turned end-for-end for greatly improved service life.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a machine having a housing and a pin received in the housing and coupled to a link-like movable part, either directly or with a bushing interposed between the part and the pin the improvement comprises a retainer, preferably of cruciform-shape, which is attached to one end of the and has a plurality of radially-extending retaining arms. The improvement also includes a plurality of arc-shaped abutment members, each of which extends between and is in torque-absorbing contact with a pair of arms. The pin, a wearing component like the movable part or the busing, is intended for eventual replacement when sufficiently worn. The pin is prevented from rotating with respect to the housing which is a non-wearing part expensive to replace or repair. The invention also includes a method for assembling machine components including a housing and a pin so that there is substantially zero clearance between each abutment member and a retainer arm.

Abstract: A limit device for preventing travel of a hoist lift rope load above a predetermined height. The limit device includes an actuator mounted at a reference position adjacent the hoist lifting rope as it is raised and lowered by a prime mover. A switch is connected in a control circuit for the prime mover to place the prime mover in either a raise-lower mode or a raise-prevent mode. A switch actuating mechanism is connected between the actuator and the switch and is operatively connected to maintain the prime mover in its raise-lower mode when the actuator is in its reference position. A follower is mounted at any desired fixed position on the lift rope for travel therewith. Lifting of a load above a predetermined height will result in the follower contacting the actuator to move it from its reference position and cause the switch to place the prime mover in its raise-prevent mode and stop further lifting of the load.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention is an improved method for servicing a gear assembly having a gear segment and a spider for supporting the segment. The method includes the steps of providing a jack assembly with a jacking bolt mounted for radial outward movement, moving the jacking bolt radially outward, applying a separating force to the segment and disengaging the segment from the spider. Further steps involve providing a drawtight assembly with a coupler attached to the segment, applying a force to the coupler, moving the coupler radially inward and engaging the segment with the spider. Other aspects of the invention include the "jacking" apparatus for separating a segment from the spider (for service purposes) and the "drawtight" apparatus for re-attaching the segment to the spider. The invention is particularly useful in connection with large machinery, e.g., a walking dragline, involving heavy and/or unevenly-wearing gear parts and difficult field service conditions.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a machine having a bushing-type journal bearing and a bearing-supported component relatively rotatable one to the other. The bearing has a surface contacting the component and at least one lubrication groove formed in such surface. The improvement comprises a plurality of lubrication grooves spaced along the surface and defining first and second groove sets. Each groove in at least the first set (and preferably in both sets) includes a segment angular to the direction of rotation so that lubricant is distributed both circumferentially and axially on the surface. Groove exit runners are provided so that grease is urged outward toward the bearing edges. The highly preferred embodiment is suitable for uni-directional or bi-directional rotation and other embodiments are disclosed which can be used for uni-directional rotation.