Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes two lifting hoists which are respectively associated with two cables. These cables are lowered in parallel with one another, and are connected to a fixed part of a rotating apparatus. The rotating part of this apparatus moves along longitudinal rails of a secondary frame which is attached to the carrier of the container. The lifting operation may be performed as the container's gravity center reaches the perpendicular axis of the center of a quadilateral defined by four points established by an electronic device which detects the various loads within the lifting cables and is adapted to actuate appropriate hydraulic means to maintain a load differential between the cables below a predetermined value. In this respect, the apparatus balances the containers to be lifted before lifting them.

Abstract: The bucket lift of a distribution crane is controlled by a device which includes a single drum hoist. A second single drum hoist is used to shut the bucket by means of two cables routed on the two pulleys located on the tip of the boom. The movement of the distribution carrier along the boom of the crane is controlled by a distribution hoist which includes two drums that are bound in rotation with the two drums of the lifting and shutting, through an epicyclic gear set. As the dsitribution hoist is activated, the bucket moves horizontally, thus reducing the amount of strain put on the distribution hoist, as well as the cable wear.

Abstract: The invention is an improved control mechanism for winches as used on cranes and similar devices having a single motor driving the shaft of a winch drum through a pair of eddy current clutches. Gear trains attached to the two clutches are operative to drive the drum's shaft in opposite directions. An electronic control generates an output signal indicative of a commanded speed and direction of drum rotation while a tachometer generates a signal indicative of the actual speed and direction of drum rotation. The electronic control system compares the commanded and actual speed as well as the direction of rotation and generates signals energizing the two clutches. The combined action of the two clutches stabilizes the rotational speed of the drum and its direction of rotation in accordance with the commanded input.