Abstract: A boom assembly is provided comprising: an upper boom portion, a base mount, and an adapter coupling the base mount to the upper boom portion. The upper boom portion may be aligned with the base mount when the boom assembly is in a normal operating position. Further provided is an integrity monitoring system comprising at least one sensor associated with the boom assembly.

Abstract: A boom assembly including an upper boom portion, a base mount, and an adapter coupling the base mount to the upper boom portion, in which the adapter is configured to (i) maintain the boom assembly in a normal operating position when the upper boom portion is subjected to one or more external forces causing one or more internal forces in the adapter below a yield force threshold of the adapter; and (ii) yield when the upper boom portion is subjected to one or more external forces causing one or more internal forces in the adapter equal to or in excess of the yield force threshold of the adapter. Also provided is a materials handling vehicle including a boom assembly.

Abstract: A boom assembly including an upper boom portion, a base mount, and an adapter coupling the base mount to the upper boom portion, in which the adapter is configured to (i) maintain the boom assembly in a normal operating position when the upper boom portion is subjected to one or more external forces causing one or more internal forces in the adapter below a yield force threshold of the adapter; and (ii) yield when the upper boom portion is subjected to one or more external forces causing one or more internal forces in the adapter equal to or in excess of the yield force threshold of the adapter. Also provided is a materials handling vehicle including a boom assembly.

Abstract: A steering shaft assembly including an adapter plate; a steer housing spaced apart from and secured to the adapter plate and including a boss extending toward the adapter plate; a bearing secured within the boss; a steering shaft coupled to the bearing to allow rotation about a steering axis; and one or more friction and/or spring discs positioned about the steering shaft between the shoulder and the bearing, in which the steering shaft includes a shoulder extending outwardly from an outer surface of a main body and positioned between the adapter plate and an upper surface of the boss. The shoulder and the bearing exert a load on the one or more friction and/or spring discs such that the one or more friction and/or spring discs provide a constant steering resistance. The steering shaft assembly may include a spacer that is configured to redirect condensation.

Abstract: A method for determining a rate at which solid particles settle from a liquid in a slurry includes (a) mixing the solid particles and the liquid to form the slurry. In addition, the method includes (b) placing the slurry in an inner cavity of a vessel. Further, the method includes (c) measuring a hydrostatic pressure of the slurry at a bottom of the inner cavity over a period of time after (b). The method also includes (d) determining a quantity of the solid particles that settle from the liquid as a function of time over the period of time using the hydrostatic pressure measurements from (c).

Abstract: A test bench for testing a hammer and hammer tool comprising: a bench frame; a load cell assembly mounted on the bench frame for absorbing the impact delivered by the hammer; and a movable mounting deck for securing the hammer to the bench frame and for moving the hammer with the hammer tool into a test firing position against the load cell assembly and delivering an impact force against the load cell assembly. The load cell assembly comprises a pneumatic air bag assembly constructed to dissipate the impact force of the hammer. Other aspects include a load cell assembly for testing a hammer and hammer tool and a method for test firing a hammer tool. Hydraulic hammers generating forces between 200 ft-lb and 12,000 ft-lb can be adequately test fired.

Abstract: A test bench for testing a hammer and hammer tool comprising: a bench frame; a load cell assembly mounted on the bench frame for absorbing the impact delivered by the hammer; and a movable mounting deck for securing the hammer to the bench frame and for moving the hammer with the hammer tool into a test firing position against the load cell assembly and delivering an impact force against the load cell assembly. The load cell assembly comprises a pneumatic air bag assembly constructed to dissipate the impact force of the hammer. Other aspects include a load cell assembly for testing a hammer and hammer tool and a method for test firing a hammer tool. Hydraulic hammers generating forces between 200 ft-lb and 12,000 ft-lb can be adequately test fired.