Abstract: A wrecker vehicle includes a chassis, a boom coupled with the chassis, and a hoist device coupled with the chassis, the hoist device configured to engage a line to position a piece of equipment relative to the chassis. The vehicle may also include a controller configured to receive rigging setup data. The controller may further determine a first utilization state, wherein the first utilization state is a line load utilization state of the line, and a second utilization state, wherein the second utilization state is a first block load utilization state of a first sheave block. Further, the controller may be configured to determine, based on a comparison of the first utilization state to a first threshold and the second utilization state to a second threshold, a rigging setup state, and provide an indication of the rigging setup state.

Abstract: A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a main boom of a wheel lift tow vehicle and a first L-arm rotatably coupled to the crossbar at a first pivot point. The first L-arm includes a first extension member and a first wheel brace member. The first wheel brace member is configured to engage a first tire of a towed vehicle when the first L-arm is in an engaged position. The wheel grid further includes a first crossbar end coupled to a first side of the crossbar. The first L-arm is configured to rotate from the engaged position into a stowed position in which the first wheel brace member contacts and displaces the first crossbar end.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder includes a body defining a bore. The hydraulic cylinder further includes a cylinder rod having an central passage. The hydraulic cylinder further includes a piston coupled to the cylinder rod and disposed within the bore. The hydraulic cylinder further includes a central tube coupled to a first end of the bore and extending into the central passage of the cylinder rod. The central tube includes a first flow orifice positioned adjacent the first end of the bore. The central tube further includes a second flow orifice positioned farther from the first end of the bore than the first flow orifice.

Abstract: A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a boom of a tow vehicle, the crossbar extending in a first lateral direction from a centerline to a distal tip, and an L-arm including an extension member rotatably coupled to the crossbar about a fixed rotation axis and a wheel engagement member extending from a distal end of the extension member. The L-arm is rotatable between an engaged position in which the wheel engagement member extends away from the centerline and a second position in which the extension member extends laterally away from the centerline.

Abstract: A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a boom of a tow vehicle, the crossbar extending in a lateral direction from a centerline to a distal tip, and an L-arm rotatably coupled to the crossbar at a proximal end of the L-arm and configured to rotate about a rotation axis from an engaged position to a stowed position. As the L-arm rotates from the engaged position to the stowed position, the L-arm intersects with a line parallel to the rotation axis and passing through the distal tip of the crossbar. In the stowed position, an entirety of the L-arm is positioned closer than the distal tip of the crossbar to the centerline of the crossbar in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a boom of a tow vehicle, the crossbar extending in a lateral direction from a centerline to a distal tip, and an L-arm rotatably coupled to the crossbar at a proximal end of the L-arm and configured to rotate about a rotation axis from an engaged position to a stowed position. As the L-arm rotates from the engaged position to the stowed position, the L-arm intersects with a line parallel to the rotation axis and passing through the distal tip of the crossbar. In the stowed position, an entirety of the L-arm is positioned closer than the distal tip of the crossbar to the centerline of the crossbar in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a boom of a tow vehicle and including a distal tip. The wheel grid further includes an L-arm rotatably coupled to the crossbar at a proximal end of the L-arm and configured to rotate from an engaged position to a stowed position. As the L-arm rotates from the engaged position to the stowed position, a distal portion of the L-arm intersects with a vertical line passing through the respective left or right distal tip of the crossbar. In the stowed position, the distal portion of the L-arm is positioned laterally inward relative to the distal tip of the crossbar.

Abstract: A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a boom of a tow vehicle and including a distal tip. The wheel grid further includes an L-arm rotatably coupled to the crossbar at a proximal end of the L-arm and configured to rotate from an engaged position to a stowed position. As the L-arm rotates from the engaged position to the stowed position, a distal portion of the L-arm intersects with a vertical line passing through the respective left or right distal tip of the crossbar. In the stowed position, the distal portion of the L-arm is positioned laterally inward relative to the distal tip of the crossbar.

Abstract: A wrecker vehicle includes a chassis, a boom coupled with the chassis, and a hoist device coupled with the chassis, the hoist device configured to engage a line to position a piece of equipment relative to the chassis. The vehicle may also include a controller configured to receive rigging setup data. The controller may further determine a first utilization state, wherein the first utilization state is a line load utilization state of the line, and a second utilization state, wherein the second utilization state is a first block load utilization state of a first sheave block. Further, the controller may be configured to determine, based on a comparison of the first utilization state to a first threshold and the second utilization state to a second threshold, a rigging setup state, and provide an indication of the rigging setup state.

Abstract: A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a main boom of a wheel lift tow vehicle; two L-arms, each coupled to the crossbar at a respective pivot point and including an extension member and a wheel brace member; and a crossbar end coupled to each end of the crossbar and including a cantilevered portion, the crossbar ends each configured to engage a tire of a towed vehicle. The L-arms are configured to rotate into a stowed position in which each L arm is positioned under one of the cantilevered portions.

Abstract: A prime mover arrangement includes a prime mover (23) including a first shaft (25) driven by the prime mover, a second shaft (27), and a speed and torque manipulator (29) connected to the first shaft (25) and to the second shaft (27), the speed and torque manipulator permitting manipulation between at least one non-one-to-one ratio or a plurality of different input/output ratios of speeds and torques input by the first shaft and output to the second shaft. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A prime mover arrangement includes a prime mover (23) including a first shaft (25) driven by the prime mover, a second shaft (27), and a speed and torque manipulator (29) connected to the first shaft (25) and to the second shaft (27), the speed and torque manipulator permitting manipulation between at least one non-one-to-one ratio or a plurality of different input/output ratios of speeds and torques input by the first shaft and output to the second shaft. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Heat is transferred away from the rollers and base of a printer heater by introducing chilled water into the rollers and the base. The paper upon which print has been applied remains at an elevated temperature so that the drying of the print is not delayed. A conventional roller is modified by having an annular cavity formed in its interior and providing fluid communication between the cavity and a chiller. A conventional base is modified by the addition of a serpentine passageway formed in its interior and providing fluid communication between the passageway and the chiller. Cold water provided by the chiller to the roller prevents breaking down of oil in the bearings of the roller. Cold water provided by the chiller to the base carries the heat from the base, increasing the safety of the workplace and extending the working lifetime of the base and its related parts.

Abstract: A feeder for sheets of material has belts for driving sheets through the feeder, and a gate above the belts to hold back the stack of sheets to be fed. The gate is elliptical in side elevational view and flat in front and rear elevational views. The major axis of the ellipse is disposed at an acute angle to the feed path, so sheets waiting to be fed engage the large-radius portion of the ellipse and are shingled just before reaching the position to be fed. The wide, flat surface has O-rings of rubber or the like to provide a high coefficient of friction for retarding the stack of sheets to be fed. A sensor detects a sheet that has been fed, and stops the feeder, so the feeder can be used as an on-demand feeder.