Abstract: A mast-raising mechanism for raising a mast of a mobile lift crane to an operating position includes a hydraulic cylinder extendable to raise the mast. The hydraulic cylinder includes a first end pivotally coupled to a rotating bed of the crane and a second end spaced apart from the first end. A first arm includes a first end pivotably coupled to the second end of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder extends to press the first end against a bearing surface on the mast. The first arm also includes a second end spaced apart from the first end. A second arm includes a first end proximate the second end of the first arm and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The second end of the second arm is pivotably connected to the rotating bed. A biasing mechanism urges the first arm towards the second arm.

Abstract: A crane column segment connection system includes first and second column segments with a connector on the second end of the first segment mating with a connector on the first end of the second segment. The connectors each include at least one extension having a through-hole. The through-holes have an axis and are positioned in the extensions such that all through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. In one aspect, the connectors include alignment surfaces cooperating such that when the first and second connectors are being brought together during column assembly, the alignment surfaces guide the column segments in two dimensions within a plane transverse to the axis of the through-holes into a relative position such that the through-holes through the extensions in the connectors are aligned.

Abstract: A method of connecting sections of a crane suspension assembly together includes attaching a frame to a member of a first section; connecting a tension member between the frame and a connector used in the assembly; moving the tension member so that the connector pivots about a pin to a position where a second hole in the connector is in alignment with a hole in a second section member; putting a second pin through the hole in the connector and the hole through the second section member; and disconnecting the tension member from the connector. The method may also include attaching a frame with a winch to a section of the crane suspension assembly; connecting a line from the winch to the connector; activating the winch to move the connector so that it pivots about a pivot axis; and securing the connector in its second position.

Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody having movable ground engaging members; a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody; a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed; a first hoist drum mounted in a first frame connected to the rotating bed; a second hoist drum mounted in a second frame connected to the rotating bed. Connectors used to connect the load hoist drum frames to the rotating bed include engagement members and alignment surfaces such that as the two crane components are brought close to their operational position during an assembly operation, the engagement member and the alignment surface of the connectors come into contact with one another to guide the crane components into their operational orientation so that a main pin can be placed through the through-holes of the extensions of the connectors.

Abstract: A mast-raising mechanism for raising a mast of a mobile lift crane to an operating position includes a hydraulic cylinder extendable to raise the mast. The hydraulic cylinder includes a first end pivotally coupled to a rotating bed of the crane and a second end spaced apart from the first end. A first arm includes a first end pivotably coupled to the second end of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder extends to press the first end against a bearing surface on the mast. The first arm also includes a second end spaced apart from the first end. A second arm includes a first end proximate the second end of the first arm and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The second end of the second arm is pivotably connected to the rotating bed. A biasing mechanism urges the first arm towards the second arm.

Abstract: A connector for a column segment, such as a boom segment, of a crane includes n extensions, where n is a positive integer. Each extension has a first base and an aperture extends through the extension from a first side to a second side. The first connector also includes at least (n+y) plates, where y is selected from the group consisting of (?1, +1) such that the sum of (n+y) is a positive integer. The plate or plates are positioned in and coupled to the extensions in an alternating arrangement. Each plate includes a plate base aligned substantially in a plane with the first base of the extension to form a first connector mounting surface. A plurality of welds couple the plates to the extensions and the fabricated connector is then welded to the column segment. At least one extension is formed of steel having a grain structure elongated in a direction of rolling that is substantially perpendicular to the first base.

Abstract: A method of assembling a mobile lift crane that includes, during operation, i) a rotating bed having attached thereto a luffing jib hoist drum and line, and a rigging winch drum and line, ii) a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed, iii) a luffing jib pivotally mounted to the end of the boom, iv) a first strut also pivotally connected to the end of the boom, and v) a second strut connected to the boom below the connection point of the first strut, the method including: a) pivotally connecting the first strut to the end of the boom; b) pivotally connecting a first section of the second strut near the top of the boom; c) connecting the rigging winch line to the top of the first section; d) pivotally attaching a second section of the second strut to the first section such that the second section lies folded onto the first section, forming a folded second strut; and e) lifting the second section while retracting the rigging winch line to thereby bring the first and second sections into alignment with each ot

Abstract: A connector for a column segment, such as a boom segment, of a crane includes n extensions, where n is a positive integer. Each extension has a first base and an aperture extends through the extension from a first side to a second side. The first connector also includes at least (n+y) plates, where y is selected from the group consisting of (?1, +1) such that the sum of (n+y) is a positive integer. The plate or plates are positioned in and coupled to the extensions in an alternating arrangement. Each plate includes a plate base aligned substantially in a plane with the first base of the extension to form a first connector mounting surface. A plurality of welds couple the plates to the extensions and the fabricated connector is then welded to the column segment. At least one extension is formed of steel having a grain structure elongated in a direction of rolling that is substantially perpendicular to the first base.

Abstract: A crane includes first and second column segments. At least a first, third and fifth connector are located on the first segment, respectively mating with at least a second, fourth and sixth connector on the second segment. Each of the connectors includes at least a first extension having a through-hole positioned in the extension such that the through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. A first pin fits tightly through the through-hole of the first extension on the first connector and the through-hole of the first extension on the second connector to hold the first and second connectors together. A second pin fits loosely through the through-hole of the first extension on the third connector and the through-hole of the first extension on the fourth connector to hold the second and fourth connectors together. The connectors also include a compressive load bearing surface.

Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a boom pivotally mounted on a rotating bed and a boom hoist drum mounted in a frame connected to the rotating bed. A boom hoist line is wound on the boom hoist drum and connected to an upper equalizer and a lower equalizer, with the upper equalizer connected to the top of the boom, such that rotation of the boom hoist drum changes the amount of boom hoist line between the lower equalizer and the upper equalizer, thereby changing the angle between the rotating bed and the boom. The boom hoist drum frame, the lower equalizer and the upper equalizer each include cooperating attachment structures whereby the equalizers can be detachably connected to the frame so that the boom hoist drum, the lower equalizer, the upper equalizer and the boom hoist line can be transported between job sites as a combined assembly.

Abstract: A crane column segment connection system includes first and second column segments with a connector on the second end of the first segment mating with a connector on the first end of the second segment. The connectors each include at least one extension having a through-hole. The through-holes have an axis and are positioned in the extensions such that all through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. In one aspect, the connectors include alignment surfaces cooperating such that when the first and second connectors are being brought together during column assembly, the alignment surfaces guide the column segments in two dimensions within a plane transverse to the axis of the through-holes into a relative position such that the through-holes through the extensions in the connectors are aligned.

Abstract: A crane column segment connection system includes first and second column segments with a connector on the second end of the first segment mating with a connector on the first end of the second segment. The connectors each include at least one extension having a through-hole. The through-holes have an axis and are positioned in the extensions such that all through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. In one aspect, the connectors include alignment surfaces cooperating such that when the first and second connectors are being brought together during column assembly, the alignment surfaces guide the column segments in two dimensions within a plane transverse to the axis of the through-holes into a relative position such that the through-holes through the extensions in the connectors are aligned.

Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody having movable ground engaging members; a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody; a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed; a first hoist drum mounted in a first frame connected to the rotating bed; a second hoist drum mounted in a second frame connected to the rotating bed. Connectors used to connect the load hoist drum frames to the rotating bed include engagement members and alignment surfaces such that as the two crane components are brought close to their operational position during an assembly operation, the engagement member and the alignment surface of the connectors come into contact with one another to guide the crane components into their operational orientation so that a main pin can be placed through the through-holes of the extensions of the connectors.

Abstract: A method of connecting sections of a crane suspension assembly together includes attaching a frame to a member of a first section; connecting a tension member between the frame and a connector used in the assembly; moving the tension member so that the connector pivots about a pin to a position where a second hole in the connector is in alignment with a hole in a second section member; putting a second pin through the hole in the connector and the hole through the second section member; and disconnecting the tension member from the connector. The method may also include attaching a frame with a winch to a section of the crane suspension assembly; connecting a line from the winch to the connector; activating the winch to move the connector so that it pivots about a pivot axis; and securing the connector in its second position.

Abstract: A crane includes first and second column segments. At least a first, third and fifth connector are located on the first segment, respectively mating with at least a second, fourth and sixth connector on the second segment. Each of the connectors includes at least a first extension having a through-hole positioned in the extension such that the through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. A first pin fits tightly through the through-hole of the first extension on the first connector and the through-hole of the first extension on the second connector to hold the first and second connectors together. A second pin fits loosely through the through-hole of the first extension on the third connector and the through-hole of the first extension on the fourth connector to hold the second and fourth connectors together. The connectors also include a compressive load bearing surface.

Abstract: A backstay spreader attachable between a pair of backstay sections on a crane includes first and second members each having a backstay section connector at a first end and a pivoting joint connector at a second end, the pivoting joint connectors being used to hold the first and second members together with a pivotal connection and each having an extending portion extending away from the pivotal connection, with an angle between the extending portions. The backstay spreader also includes an actuator mounted between the pivoting joint connectors. The actuator controls the angle between the extending portions of the two pivoting joint connectors, which defines an angle between the first and second members.

Abstract: A crane has a boom with a boom segment connection system. The boom includes at least a first and second boom segment each with a longitudinal axis and a first and second end, the second end of the first segment being coupled to the first end of the second segment, and at least one first connector on the second end of the first segment respectively mating with at least one second connector on the first end of the second segment. The first and second connectors each include at least one extension having a through-hole there through. The through-hole has an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and positioned in the extensions such that all through-holes of mating first and second connectors are aligned when the boom segments are aligned.

Abstract: Material usage tracking systems for monitoring and optimizing usage of stretch film on a stretch wrapping machine is provided. A system includes a rotary encoder collar securable to a pre-stretch roller of a stretch wrapping machine and a proximity sensor securable proximate to the rotary encoder collar. Upon installation, the proximity sensor measures the revolutions of the pre-stretch roller when the stretch wrapping machine is wrapping a product or pallet. The system also includes a controller in communication with the proximity sensor. The controller converts the revolutions of the pre-stretch roller to measurements of the amount of stretch film pulled off a film roll in the stretch wrapping machine based on data received from the proximity sensor. Different uses for the data collected by the material usage tracking system and different ways of presentation of the data are also provided.

Abstract: The boom includes at least a first and second boom segment each with a longitudinal axis and a first and second end, the second end of the first segment being coupled to the first end of the second segment, and at least one first connector on the second end of the first segment respectively mating with at least one second connector on the first end of the second segment. The first connector includes a first alignment surface and the second connector includes a second alignment surface that engages with the first alignment surface such that when the first and second alignment surfaces are fully engaged, the apertures through the extensions in the connectors are aligned such that a main pin can be inserted through the apertures of all extensions in the first and second mating connectors even if the boom segments are not axially aligned.

Abstract: A backstay spreader attachable between a pair of backstay sections on a crane includes first and second members each having a backstay section connector at a first end and a pivoting joint connector at a second end, the pivoting joint connectors being used to hold the first and second members together with a pivotal connection and each having an extending portion extending away from the pivotal connection, with an angle between the extending portions. The backstay spreader also includes an actuator mounted between the pivoting joint connectors. The actuator controls the angle between the extending portions of the two pivoting joint connectors, which defines an angle between the first and second members.