Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating and transporting equipment such as electronic equipment racks is engageable with a rack in either its upright position or its horizontal position and is controllably positionable to rotate the engaged rack to a horizontal position for transport and vertical position for installation. The apparatus comprises a horizontal mainframe which is supported on casters and powered by a steerable pallet truck so as to be easily rollable and maneuverable. The mainframe supports a battery-powered drive unit coupled to a first piston manipulator, one end of which is pivotally attached to the mainframe and the other end of which is pivotally attached to a rotatable rack-support mast. The rack support mast unit contains a second piston manipulator one end of which is attached to the support mast and the other of which is attached to a translatable rack engagement subframe having an engagement footplate at one end of the rack support mast.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating and transporting equipment such as electronic equipment racks is engageable with a rack in either its upright position or its horizontal position and is controllably positionable to rotate the engaged rack to a horizontal position for transport and vertical position for installation. The apparatus comprises a horizontal mainframe which is supported on casters so as to be easily rollable. The mainframe supports a battery-powered drive unit coupled to a first piston manipulator, one end of which is pivotally attached to the mainframe and the other end of which is pivotally attached to a rotatable rack-support mast. The rack support mast unit contains a second piston manipulator one end of which is attached to the support mast and the other of which is attached to a translatable rack engagement subframe having an engagement footplate at one end of the rack support mast.