Abstract: Two sets of fork units are dependingly supported from a suspension frame for engagement with a stack of cargo units, such as bags. The ends of the fork units are articulated so as to be positioned in either a perpendicular position relative to the upper portion of the fork unit or a longitudinally aligned position. End plates on the suspension frame cooperate with a special pallet to vertically and horizontally align the tip ends of the forks with openings in the special pallet.

Abstract: Portable cargo loading apparatus capable of being placed into the hold of a ship for loading and unloading cargo respectively to and from the wing areas of the hold. Comprising the apparatus is a loading section formed of three large area relatively slidable trays arranged in a nesting relation capable of being power extended and retracted in a controlled operating sequence. During tray extension, cargo which has for example been delivered by a dockside crane directly into the uppermost tray is relocated by the apparatus from the delivery location for placement into a paired loading site within the wing. After loading of a localized wing site is completed, a transport section is operable to enable incremental lateral displacement of the loading section to a new paired location relatively juxtaposed to the wing site in which loading was just completed.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating peanuts and like commodities from vines and debris entrained with the peanuts during the harvesting process includes an endless conveyor forming a screen structure made up of elongated platelike members interconnected by spaced apart endless roller chains trained over a triangular arrangement of drive shafting and supporting sprockets. The conveyor screen members are formed by the elongated plates which include horizontally projecting spaced apart tines and vertically extending rake teeth aligned with the tines. The adjacent tines and adjacent plates form openings of predetermined size for allowing peanuts to drop through the conveyor screen into a first receiving hopper while retaining stems, vine parts and other debris on the conveyor screen to be deposited in a second receiving hopper.

Abstract: A cargo suspension frame apparatus from which an aggregated or unitized block of discrete cargo units may be suspended by flexible straps so that the block of cargo is held immediately below the suspension frame and free of any lower pallet. The suspension frame has been adapted for use in conjunction with an ordinary forklift and is fitted with a sling for use in cooperation with a dockside crane. On the upper edge of at least two sides of the suspension frame, cylindrical reels are rotatably disposed at spaced positions to wind and unwind the straps. A manual or power actuated set of locking cams releasably connects the opposite ends of the straps to the suspension frame. The reels are turned in a winding or unwinding direction by an electric gear motor or a hydrostatic drive unit.