Abstract: A lifting machine with a counterweight includes a sensing system for assisting in ensuring proper operating conditions are reliably achieved. The machine includes a lifter for moving the counterweight from a lowered position to a raised position. A first sensor is associated with the lifter for sensing a parameter corresponding to an amount of the counterweight (such as a pressure value associated with the rod end of a lifting cylinder), and a second sensor is provided for sensing a condition of the lifter (such as the position or extended length of the lifting cylinder). The amount of counterweight present may be determined by the output of the first sensor when the lifter is in a pre-determined (e.g., midpoint) position. The operator may be polled to verify the amount of counterweight present, thus providing a check against unintended operating conditions and ensure that reliable operation of the lifting machine is achieved.

Abstract: An Internet customer service system (10) includes a product database (22) storing product data (24,26,28,30) associated with products available to a customer. The system (10) also includes an interface agent database (68) storing available interface agents (80) for interacting with the customer. The system (10) also includes a server (16) operable to access the product database (22) and display the product data (24,26,28,30) to the customer through interface web pages (18). The server (16) is further operable to access the interface agent database (68) and display the available interface agents (80) to the customer through the web pages (18). The system further includes a customer database (34) storing customer data (36) generated in response to displaying one or more profile screens (44) to the customer via the web pages (18). The customer database (34) also stores configured product data (54) generated in response to receiving selected product data (24,26,28,30) from the customer via the web pages (18).