Abstract: In an electric rope shovel, the dipper handle must support significant weight, which presents the potential of fatigue cracking at interfaces between sections of the dipper handle. Accordingly, embodiments of a dipper handle are disclosed that reduce stress at the interface between the tube section and the intermediate section, to which the crowd control is coupled. In particular, spacing is provided between the interface and the crowd bores, to separate the interface from the stiffness of the coupling. In addition, the walls of the dipper handle may be thickened, proximate the interface, with beveled edges at the interface, to provide a stronger, more durable, weld.

Abstract: A yoke of a dipper handle comprises a collar and a crowd pin aperture extending along a crowd pin aperture axis. First and second arms of the yoke include dipper pin lug apertures aligned along a dipper pin aperture axis parallel to the crowd pin aperture axis. The first and second arms of the yoke further include first and second pitch brace lug apertures aligned along a pitch brace aperture axis parallel to the crowd pin aperture axis. A first virtual reference line extends between the crowd pin aperture axis and the dipper pin aperture axis, while a second virtual reference line extends between the crowd pin aperture axis and the pitch brace aperture axis. An included angle ? between the first virtual reference line and the second virtual reference line is between approximately 25 to approximately 51 degrees.

Abstract: A dipper handle assembly includes a tube coupled to a yoke. The yoke has a collar extending along a collar axis, a transition portion, a first arm and a second arm. The transition portion includes a distal end having first and second lateral sections and first and second transverse sections. The first and second lateral sections and the first and second transverse sections all lie in a virtual transition portion distal end plane, and the virtual transition portion distal end plane intersects the collar axis at an oblique angle.

Abstract: A retention system for a line on a spool is disclosed. The retention system may include a base component that includes a retention receiving element within a line-side surface of the base component. The retention system may include a line engagement component that includes an engagement surface, wherein the engagement surface includes a portion that is perpendicular to the base component to engage a line, wherein the engagement surface abuts the line-side surface. The retention system may include a removable retention component that is configured to retain the line between the engagement surface and the removable retention component when the removable retention component is installed within the retention receiving element.