Abstract: A pipelayer includes an undercarriage, a boom movable relative to the undercarriage in a first lateral direction, and a counterweight movable relative to the undercarriage in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction and ranging between a deployed position and a retracted position. A counterweight position sensor is configured to determine a current position of the counterweight and generate a counterweight position signal, and an operator interface is operably coupled to the counterweight position sensor and configured to display counterweight position information based on the counterweight position signal.

Abstract: A pipelayer providing higher lifting capacities without adding weight or size to an undercarriage or boom of the pipelayer is disclosed. The pipelayer is designed and sized to have a maximum lifting capacity when the boom is extended from the undercarriage a predetermined, relatively short distance. However, in use the boom often needs to extend further away from the undercarriage, and in so doing the lifting capacity of the pipelayer decreases. The present disclosure provides additional lifting capacity in that extended range by selectively deploying a counterweight away from the undercarriage once the boom is extended past the predetermined distance. In so doing, not only is the lifting capacity of the pipelayer increased, but the size and weight of the undercarriage and boom are not increased. This enables standard sized undercarriages and other supporting structure to be used, thereby aiding in maneuverability and shipping of the pipelayers, while at the same time reducing manufacturing and usage costs.

Abstract: A boom configured to maneuver large objects, such as sections of pipe, which comprises a machine guard assembly having a support member. The support member includes an outer support surface with a protective layer disposed thereon.

Abstract: A pipelayer providing higher lifting capacities without adding weight or size to an undercarriage or boom of the pipelayer is disclosed. The pipelayer is designed and sized to have a maximum lifting capacity when the boom is extended from the undercarriage a predetermined, relatively short distance. However, in use the boom often needs to extend further away from the undercarriage, and in so doing the lifting capacity of the pipelayer decreases. The present disclosure provides additional lifting capacity in that extended range by selectively deploying a counterweight away from the undercarriage once the boom is extended past the predetermined distance. In so doing, not only is the lifting capacity of the pipelayer increased, but the size and weight of the undercarriage and boom are not increased. This enables standard sized undercarriages and other supporting structure to be used, thereby aiding in maneuverability and shipping of the pipelayers, while at the same time reducing manufacturing and usage costs.

Abstract: A boom configured to maneuver large objects, such as sections of pipe, which comprises a machine guard assembly having a support member. The support member includes an outer support surface with a protective layer disposed thereon.

Abstract: It is desirable in many applications to have a bulldozer assembly that can be angled and/or tilted without having interference between elements of the bulldozer assembly and the machine on which it is mounted. In the subject arrangement, a bulldozer assembly has a blade connected to a U-shaped frame through a universal connector. The blade is angled by a pair of angle cylinders connected between the U-shaped frame and a pair of spaced apart angle cylinder brackets located on the blade. The universal connector is connected to the blade generally midway between the pair of spaced apart angled cylinder brackets and generally aligned therewith. The pitch of the blade is maintained at a preselected position by a pitch control mechanism and mechanically adjusted by the pitch control mechanism.

Abstract: Mounting arrangements are required to mount and stabilize a bulldozer blade on a vehicle when it is desirable to both angle and tilt the bulldozer blade relative to the vehicle. During the angling and tilting of the bulldozer blade, it is desirable to control the pitch of the blade without inducing unnecessary stresses in the mounting arrangement or high cylinder pressures in the angle cylinders. The present mounting arrangement includes a bracket apparatus which is utilized to allow normal pitching of the bulldozer blade but limit any abnormal pitching thereof during tilting and/or angling thereof. The bracket apparatus utilizes a first bracket assembly secured to a mounting frame and having a transverse slot defined therein. The bracket apparatus further includes a second bracket assembly secured to a rear central portion of the bulldozer blade and has a pin assembly secured thereto and disposed in the transverse slot.