Abstract: A portable knockdown trolley hoist, comprising: an overhead trolley support member having a top portion and bottom portion opposing one another; a trolley having a plurality of upper roller bearings and a plurality of lower roller bearings, opposing first mounting plates, an extension boom, and hoist, the plurality of upper and the plurality of lower roller bearings opposing one another and adjacent the top portion and the bottom portion of the overhead trolley support member, respectively, each having shafts transversely mounted to the opposing first mounting plates, opposing raised mounts, each of which have opposing second mounting plates removably fastened one to other and sandwiching the overhead trolley support member therebetween, the trolley rollably mounted to the overhead trolley support member between the opposing raised mounts; opposing substantially upright legs, each of the opposing raised support members having at least two of the opposing substantially upright legs removably fastened thereto.

Abstract: A pin removal assembly for use with an upper block of a crane includes a sheave support and a pin support. The upper block includes a frame, a plurality of sheaves, and a removable sheave pin that defines and axis of rotation for the sheaves and supports the sheaves within the frame. The pin removal assembly includes a sheave support mountable to the frame of the upper block and a pin support mountable to the frame of the upper block. The pin support is configured to support the sheave pin when the sheave pin is removed from the upper block.

Abstract: A boom hoisting device comprising a mast having a pivotable front end portion connected to a front end portion of a boom through a guy line, a mast-side spreader provided at the front end portion of the mast, a frame-side spreader removably mounted to an upper rotating body and with a hoisting rope being stretched between and spread on both mast-side spreader and frame-side spreader, and a hoisting winch adapted to unwind and wind the hoisting rope to raise and lower the mast and the boom, the hoisting winch being mounted to the mast so that the mast and the hoisting winch are together removed from the upper rotating body by separation of a base end portion of the mast from the upper rotating body.

Abstract: A portable knockdown trolley hoist, comprising: an overhead trolley support member having a top portion and bottom portion opposing one another; a trolley having a plurality of upper roller bearings and a plurality of lower roller bearings, opposing first mounting plates, an extension boom, and hoist, the plurality of upper and the plurality of lower roller bearings opposing one another and adjacent the top portion and the bottom portion of the overhead trolley support member, respectively, each having shafts transversely mounted to the opposing first mounting plates, opposing raised mounts, each of which have opposing second mounting plates removably fastened one to other and sandwiching the overhead trolley support member therebetween, the trolley rollably mounted to the overhead trolley support member between the opposing raised mounts; opposing substantially upright legs, each of the opposing raised support members having at least two of the opposing substantially upright legs removably fastened thereto.

Abstract: A process for changing an anode of a cell for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis including a plurality of anodes. According to the invention, an anode handling tool is used including a positioning device, a gripping device and a sensor detecting the vertical position of the gripping device, and the position sensor is used to measure the vertical distances traveled by the gripping device with respect to a reference level N. At least one sound or electromagnetic waves beam is then produced in a determined reference line or plane and the passage of the anode in the beam is used to measure the distances. The vertical position of the replacement anode in the cell is determined starting from the values obtained for the traveled distances and the replacement anode is put into this position in the place initially occupied by the spent anode.

Abstract: A portable knockdown trolley hoist, comprising: a trolley support member having opposing ends; a trolley having a plurality of upper roller bearings and a plurality of lower roller bearings, the trolley rollably sandwiching an upper portion and a lower portion of the trolley support member between the plurality of upper roller bearings and the plurality of lower roller bearings, the trolley having a telescoping extension boom fastened thereto and extending therefrom, which has a plurality of extension boom sections and a sheave mounted thereto, the trolley having a hoist having a winch and a hoist cable extending from the winch and about the sheave and having a lifting end; opposing end supports, each having an opposing support member and opposing substantially upright legs removably fastened to the opposing support member; opposing end mounts, each releasably sandwiching an opposing end of the trolley support member and an opposing support member therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic LPG tank insertion apparatus for automobiles has a rotary column provided with a lift body, which has a support arm. A rotating plate is rotatably mounted to the support arm such that yaw, pitch, and roll of the rotating plate can be controlled separately. Clamping devices are mounted on the rotating plate to selectively clamp an LPG tank. A trunk opening area measuring device includes a base unit, a guide shaft, a ruler shaft, and an encoder. Trunk opening sizes and LPG tank dimensions for various vehicle models are stored in a control computer. When vehicle model is input to the control computer, yaw, pitch, and roll of the rotating plate are adjusted so that the LPG tank can be inserted into a vehicle trunk.

Abstract: A portable jib for movably mounting to a crane girder includes a base frame configured for traveling along a girder and a support member coupled to the base frame, wherein the support member extends substantially upward from the base frame. A boom is coupled to a free end of the support member and the boom extends substantially radially outward from the support member. The base frame, the support member and the boom are assembled and mounted to the girder for use and disassembled and removed from the girder after use.

Abstract: Manual boom lift apparatus and method involve a base having three support legs, a fulcrum configured to fixedly mount the legs, a boom member detachably mounted on the fulcrum, the boom member including on either end a counterbalance arm configured for detachably mounting one or more counterweights and a lift arm configured for hoisting a load, the lift apparatus enabling lift and placement of the load by pivotal manipulation of the boom member. Assembly of the detachable boom lift apparatus components is performed on the work site (in situ) and involves removably pinning aligned hole pairs to join the components and filling one or more containers with ballast to act as counterweights to the hoisted load. The apparatus is lightweight and durable, is easy to transport through small openings and can be used in rooftop installations of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) equipment.

Abstract: A crane performs a self-assembling/disassembling operation using a hoisting winch, a hoisting rope, and a hanging hook, and includes a sheave device for guiding the hoisting rope on an upper portion of a lower boom. The sheave device includes a first sheave on a rear side of the lower boom and second and third sheaves on a front side of the lower boom. The second and third sheaves are arranged next to each other in the left-right direction, and the rope end is attached to the lower boom at a position near the top end of the lower boom. Accordingly, a lifting height in the self-assembling/disassembling operation is increased and the rope end can be attached/detached easily and safely from the front side of the lower boom when the lower boom is laid on the ground.

Abstract: A crane tower device includes a basket that supports a tower crane and sits within a bay formed by the vertical columns of a building under construction. The basket and the tower crane are supported by support stubs that are attached to the vertical columns. Because the lateral and vertical load is principally distributed vertically to the vertical columns rather than horizontally, no reinforcement of the horizontal beams, floors or any other portion of the building structure are needed, which results in substantial cost savings.

Abstract: A portable knockdown trolley hoist, comprising: a trolley support member having opposing ends; a trolley having a plurality of upper roller bearings and a plurality of lower roller bearings, the trolley rollably sandwiching an upper portion and a lower portion of the trolley support member between the plurality of upper roller bearings and the plurality of lower roller bearings, the trolley having a telescoping extension boom fastened thereto and extending therefrom, which has a plurality of extension boom sections and a sheave mounted thereto, the trolley having a hoist having a winch and a hoist cable extending from the winch and about the sheave and having a lifting end; opposing end supports, each having an opposing support member and opposing substantially upright legs removably fastened to the opposing support member; opposing end mounts, each releasably sandwiching an opposing end of the trolley support member and an opposing support member therebetween.

Abstract: This invention provides with a travelling working machine comprising an upper rotating body with a rotating frame and winches, a pair of right and left boom support frames formed in the rotating frame, and axial portions of the winches mounted inside rear portions of the boom support frames, characterized in that the boom support frames have openings formed by being cut out along small-diameter portions of the winches than maximum-diameter portions thereof, thereby capable of providing with the travelling working machine having the rotating frame in such a manner that the strength of the frame can be enhanced and a load bearing force can be strengthened highly without enlarging a rear swing radius of the upper rotating body.

Abstract: The cab/pivot unit comprises an upper mast element associated with a pivot, an access platform which extends horizontally at one side of the mast element, and a driver's cab mounted pivotably about a vertical axis located at the side of the mast element and linked to this element. The cab is orientable manually (arrows F1, F2) through approximately 90° between an operating position, in which it is located in the extension of the access platform, in front of the mast element, and a transport position, in which this cab is folded above the platform, against the mast element. The invention is used for tower cranes with a “suspended” cab.

Abstract: A davit arm system includes a base that supports a davit arm and engages an underlying ground surface. The system components are preferably designed for arrangement in alternative ways to accommodate different installation environments, and/or for packaging in a bag that may be carried by a single person. The relative positions of the components are preferably adjustable relative to the base to further accommodate different applications. Yet another desirable option is to mount the davit arm on the support base in a manner that allows rotation about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. A winch is preferably mounted on the davit arm in a manner that counterbalances the davit arm relative to its vertical axis of rotation.

Abstract: This invention provides with a travelling working machine comprising an upper rotating body with a rotating frame and winches, a pair of right and left boom support frames formed in the rotating frame, and axial portions of the winches mounted inside rear portions of the boom support frames, characterized in that the boom support frames have openings formed by being cut out along small-diameter portions of the winches than maximum-diameter portions thereof, thereby capable of providing with the travelling working machine having the rotating frame in such a manner that the strength of the frame can be enhanced and a load bearing force can be strengthened highly without enlarging a rear swing radius of the upper rotating body.

Abstract: A method of assembling a heavy duty mobile crane having a load handling boom that has a boom base section and other component parts. The method includes positioning the component parts adjacent said crane, such as on a truck, raising the parts from the truck bed in sequence with a self-contained lifter associated with said base section, lowering and placing each part in a position adjacent ground level for connection to said crane, and then connecting the parts to the crane so as to provide a complete working crane. The method applies particularly to assembling the boom sections and connecting them to the crane. Extension sections of the boom are handled by placing them at ground level and preassembling the sections to form an upper boom, and then connecting the upper boom to the base section. The method steps are reversed to disassemble the crane. The method also includes transporting the crane to a work site with the boom base section connected to the mobile crane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile crane comprising a telescopic jib (1) that can be telescopically extended by means of a drive located on the inside, has a basic box section (6) that is connected via a rotary joint (2) to the superstructure (7) of the mobile crane (10) and has one or more sections (inner box sections 3, 4, 5) that can be extended and retracted telescopically and, by means of a tilting cylinder (8), can be erected from a substantially horizontal position for the transport into a working position, the telescopic jig (1), when retracted telescopically, being longer than the length of the chassis LF and at least substantial telescopic parts of the telescopic jib (1), when retracted telescopically, being displaceable rearward in the substantially horizontal position with respect to the superstructure (7).

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a lift crane, and in particular to a lift crane jack-up structures, including rigs, platforms, barges, boats or the like, wherein the lift crane is positioned about a leg of the jack-up structure atop the jack-house. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a system for elevating a lift crane above the deck and about the leg of the jack-up structure, without relying upon the leg for structural support. A structurally reinforced jack-house having jacking units interfacing with the leg is provided at the deck of the vessel the jack-house configured to engage and support a crane tube column upon the roof of the jack house, which crane tube column in turn has situated thereupon the lift crane.

Abstract: A crawler that includes a first crawler assembly and a second crawler assembly attached to the first crawler assembly so that the first crawler assembly is aligned with the direction of travel of the second crawler assembly.

Abstract: The chassis of a mobile crane, which supports a revolving superstructure having a jib and a counter-jib, is detachably connected to lateral crawlers. To create a favourable stabilisation area for the crawler-mounted crane, cantilevering stabilisers are attachable to the outsides of the crawlers.

Abstract: A system of multiple concentric annular support pedestal rings for providing load and counterweight support for a ring supported crane. The pedestal rings are fabricated from uniform sections of steel, which are mated at preferably triangular shaped ends. A top rail is secured on the ring segments to complete the pedestal ring. At least two rings support the crane through rocker beam assembly structures for powered and idler rollers, providing additional strength and stability to the crane through the distribution of weight forces down through a larger support footprint. Additional stability is also provided by substantially increasing the weight of counterweight that can be utilized. Weight distribution from the boom and mast is enhanced with an inventive boom foot carrier, that distributes the weight of the boom and/or mast through multiple concentric rings. Weight distribution from the counterweight is similarly distributed through the inventive counterweight carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for drilling rig mobilization and demobilization. The rig is assembled or constructed at a remote site. It is later taken apart and transported to another remote site or back to a staging point. The rig itself comprises a rig floor which is supported on a set of vertical rig legs which support the rig floor for movement between raised and lowered positions. An equipment module is preferably installed on the rig floor. It goes above the rig floor while other modules are attached under the rig floor and provide additional equipment and service space. The method involves the transportation of the rig floor, the legs, equipment module and other modules to and from the rig site by hover craft while riding on a top deck on the hover craft for lateral transfer and installation.

Abstract: A platform assembly designed for use in supporting a crane during the construction of a multi-story building is described. The assembly includes a platform for supporting a crane and means for fixedly attaching the platform to differing locations along the length of a structural column of such building during construction of the latter.

Abstract: A connection for connecting a crawler to a carbody of a crane vehicle. The connection employs a vertical pin and a horizontal pin to carry the various forces present during the operation of a crane. The vertical pin allows for the crawler and carbody to be connected or disconnected by pivoting the crawler about the vertical pin.

Abstract: A crane boom top is disclosed in which a sheave assembly having a number of sheave sets is supported on the crane boom top by boom sheave supports. Each sheave set is mounted on an individual shaft and connectors connect the individual shafts to the boom sheave supports.

Abstract: A truck mounted crane assembly includes a turntable lock, a boom rest which interacts with the piston and cylinder device, and a swing away hoist mount. The turntable lock includes a pin which is manually retractable upon rotation of a handle from a position preventing relative rotation between a turntable and a pedestal to a position allowing such relative rotation and which can be secured in the first and second positions. The boom rest is mounted on the boom and rests on the cylinder of the piston and cylinder device when the boom is lowered to a predetermined position, thus taking much of the pressure off the piston. The boom rest is movable from a position in which it is capable of supporting the boom to a position in which it is incapable of supporting the boom and in which the boom is thus lowerable below the predetermined position. The provision of the turntable lock and boom rest obviates the need for a cradle rest for the boom.

Abstract: A ring for supporting a lift crane includes at least two ring segments each having two ends, the ends of the ring segments comprising at least one horizontal plate and at least one vertical plate. The horizontal plates and the vertical plates of adjacent ends of the ring segments are disconnectably secured to one another to form the ring support. In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal plates are connected by a vertical pin and the vertical plates are connected by a horizontal pin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-assembling and self-disassembling a large capacity crawler crane. The method uses the load hoist line of a crane to remove the equalizer from the boom. The method also uses a hydraulic cylinder to support, raise and lower the boom after the equalizer has been removed from the boom. Finally, the boom butt can be disassembled into several parts.

Abstract: A platform assembly is designed for use in supporting a crane during the construction of a multi-story building. The assembly includes a platform for supporting a crane and means for cantilevering the platform from differing locations along the length of a structural column of such building during construction of the latter.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning the upper works assembly to the lower works assembly of a crane to facilitate redecking of the assemblies. The system and method involves suspending, preferably by pendants, the lower works from the upper works in such a manner that the influence of gravity will automatically level and align the lower works with the upper works. Alignment and redecking are accomplished without transferring the weight of the upper works assembly to lower works assembly.

Abstract: A truck mounted crane assembly includes a turntable lock, a boom rest which interacts with the piston and cylinder device, and a swing away hoist mount. The turntable lock includes a pin which is manually retractable upon rotation of a handle from a position preventing relative rotation between a turntable and a pedestal to a position allowing such relative rotation and which can be secured in the first and second positions. The boom rest is mounted on the boom and rests on the cylinder of the piston and cylinder device when the boom is lowered to a predetermined position, thus taking much of the pressure off the piston. The boom rest is movable from a position in which it is capable of supporting the boom to a position in which it is incapable of supporting the boom and in which the boom is thus lowerable below the predetermined position. The provision of the turntable lock and boom rest obviates the need for a cradle rest for the boom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient hoist for use in a room having a floor and at least one pair of parallel spaced walls at opposite sides of the floor. The hoist includes a frame having a pair of track beams and a pair of connecting beams, and a plurality of legs for supporting the frame elevated above the floor, four of the legs being corner legs having first and second beam engagement members extending therefrom for slidably engaging respective ones of the beams. Each corner leg is connected respectively to an end extremity of one track beam and an end extremity of one connecting beam for joining the beams. The connections between the corner legs and the beams are telescopically adjustable for locating at least one pair of the beams proximate the walls at opposite sides of the floor.

Abstract: A traveling crane incorporates a self-retracting/erecting live mast or the like, pivotally mounted on the base unit and capable of moving to and from a flipped, stowed position on the opposite side of vertical from the positions of the normal operating mode. A cable and winch is provided to raise and lower the mast during the normal operating mode and to move the mast toward the stowed position. A power cylinder operates to control the mast during retraction and to erect the mast from the stowed position. A control system operates the power cylinder to controllably move the mast during retraction/erection. Flexible pendants and telescopic guide links interconnect the cylinder with the mast and the base unit. Optimum operating angles are provided. The control system includes an electrical circuit and a hydraulic circuit, the hydraulic circuit having a restricted orifice to resist movement of the mast by gravity during retraction.

Abstract: A mobile crane comprising a chassis, which has at least two axles and on which a revolving superstructure is movably mounted by means of a slewing bearing consisting of an outer ring and an inner ring, a preferably telescopic boom, which is pivoted to the revolving superstructure and which is adapted to be supported on a supporting bracket of the crane in position for road travel, and a cabin for use during crane and road travel operations. A carrying ring is rotatably mounted on that ring of the slewing bearing which is connected to the revolving superstructure, the cabin is secured to said carrying ring, and the cabin or the carrying ring can selectively be connected either to the chassis or to the revolving superstructure.

Abstract: A crane has a generally horizontally disposed main boom arm centrally pivotally mounted on a turret supported for rotation atop a central column. The main boom arm supports a load at one end and a counterweight at its other end. The main boom arm load support end has a depending vertical arm, linked in parallelogram fashion with the turret, and with a lower rotatable load carrying swing arm movable through a full 360.degree. arc without interference with the column and turret. The column may be mounted on a dolly. A rack and worm pinion arrangement are provided on either the main boom or the counterweight for adjusting the distance of the counterweight from the column and turret, thus to balance the crane in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A quick-connect system is disclosed for sectional boom members for cranes and the like. The sectional boom members comprise chords for carrying compressive loads, each chord terminating in an end configured to abut against an end of a chord of an adjacent sectional boom member. The quick-connect system comprises at least one easily alignable connector secured to the ends of at least one of the chords, the connector comprising a compressive load bearing surface intersected by the intersection of the vertical and horizontal neutral axes of the chord to which the connector is attached.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a concrete placing boom assembly for use with two trucks. The assembly includes a base frame and a rotatable turret rotatably mounted on the base frame. A foldable boom is pivotally connected to the turret and includes a plurality of boom arms articulately connected one with the other so as to be unfoldable to define an extended boom and foldable to define a stack. The foldable boom is separable at a separation location into two sections transportable on respective ones of the trucks. The assembly of the invention makes it unnecessary to provide auxiliary assembly apparatus for coupling the two sections together.

Abstract: A portable wheeled hoisting frame includes two winches. The hoist disassembles, and the parts fit into a backpack. When assembled the frame has an open rectangular base with corner wheels, two upright members, and a top bar between the upper ends of the two upright members extending across above the open base. The primary winch is mounted on the top bar. There are top bar extensions. The hoist can vertically lift objects under the frame, as when straddling a scuttle hole, with the primary winch. A secondary winch attached to the hoisting frame can exert a sideways or downward force for cantilever lifting. The force of the secondary winch will then balance the weight of the object held by the primary winch. The extension bars allow hoisting in numerous ways. An object may also be supported on the frame base for rolling on supporting surfaces. There are two fixed wheels and two swivel castors on the frame.

Abstract: A method of installing a boom on the top of a high vertical tower comprising vertically positioning a first tower section and securing the tower section to a base; installing a plurality of additional tower sections in consecutive order on top of the first tower section and securing the adjoining sections together until a tower is erected having a desired height; a boom having a base section, at least one extendable section and a load lifting end; releasably attaching the boom in vertical position to and along side the tower as it is erected with the boom load lifting end at the bottom; jumping the boom vertically upwardly by alternately extending and retracting various boom sections as the tower sections are installed; positioning the boom base end adjacent the boom turret, tilting the boom turret into close contact with the boom base end and joining the turret to the boom base end by a horizontal boom footpin; releasing the boom lifting end from the tower; tilting the turret into contact with the adapter up

Abstract: A crane house includes an operator cabin mounted on the house, and an opening permitting access to the crane house from without for the purpose of minimizing the openings in a crane house of this kind, which is achieved by closing the access opening to the crane house with a hinged cover carrying the operator cabin, a door opening provided in the cabin for a door lying within the area of the crane house define by the cover and co-acting with an opening provided in the cover for permitting entry to the cabin from within the crane house.

Abstract: A walking dragline excavator construction wherein both of the frames have rail beams and wherein at least one of the rail beams comprises a continuous series of vertical tubular rail girders disposed in mutually load sharing relation and cooperating in load sharing relation with the reinforcing grid of the associated frame structure. Certain of the web plates in the reinforcing grid are oriented in a triangular pattern with apices of the triangles anchored within the rail beam. Bottom plate stiffeners are attached to the bottom plate of the base frame and also attached to certain of the web plates in the reinforcing grid within the base frame for transmitting soil pressure directly to the grid plates.

Abstract: A lightweight, self-powered, transportable crane assembly is disclosed which includes a frame that can be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the bed of a transport vehicle or carrier, such as a pick-up truck or trailer. The frame assembly also includes stabilizing legs which can be extended laterally from the frame assembly to stabilize the crane during use and further to allow the crane assembly to be self supporting apart from the truck or trailer. The crane assembly also can be coupled to a ballast structure such as a water tank or the like, to permit its use apart from the transport vehicle.

Abstract: A process for mooring a crane having a crane jib which is hingedly connected to a slewing frame, luffing wires for luffing the crane jib in and out, and a guy mast hingedly connected with the top of the frame, the luffing wires passing about hoisting blocks at the top of the frame. The process comprises positioning the crane jib in a fully luffed-in position, and connecting at least one guy wire between a fixed point at a distance from the crane and the free end of said guy mast. Some of the luffing hoisting blocks are then detached from the frame and are shifted toward the free end of the guy mast and are attached to that free end of the guy mast. The luffing wires are then tightened to swing the guy mast to a position to tension the guy wire by raising that end of the guy wire which is secured to the guy mast, after which the crane jib is luffed out.

Abstract: A wheel chair is provided which is adapted to permit the chair to be separated from the wheeled chassis so that the chair may be positioned on a seat of an automobile. The wheeled chassis provides support for the chair on the side of the chair so that the chair may be brought into the automobile through the open door with the wheeled chassis moving beneath the automobile. The support for the chair is rotatably on the wheeled chassis so that the chair can be rotated into alignment with the seat in the automobile. The support for the chair is also vertically adjustable so that the chair may be lowered to rest on the automobile seat. The wheeled chassis and support for the chair may then be disassembled and stored in the automobile.

Abstract: An articulated arm-type excavator machine has a hydraulically actuated main boom and a side boom which is detachably mounted at its proximal end to the side of the tractor of the machine, and at its distal end to a trolley arrangement on the underside of the main boom. The detachable sideboom arrangement permits the machine to be employed either as an excavator or as a sideboom lifting device.

Abstract: To permit an increase of the maximum permissible load of a crane for heavy loads, in particular an offshore crane, some of the luffing wires for luffing in and out the crane jib (4), are extended by guy wires (17); to avoid the disadvantage that the frame (3) of the crane with tie-back system can not slew, the part of the luffing wires connected with the guy wires, on the one hand, and the part of the luffing wires not connected with said guy wires, on the other, form part of separate hoists (6, 5) which can be operated by separated winches (14, 13).

Abstract: An air transportable gantry-type crane has a pair of collapsible side frames adapted to be releasably interconnected by a pair of elongate cross members. Each side frame has an extended operating state and a collapsed transportable state. One of the cross members includes relatively short transversely extending coupling members adapted to interconnect the side frames for maintaining the same in closely spaced parallel relation. Each side frame is also provided with wheels and a support for supporting each side frame when disconnected from the cross members.

Abstract: A separate boom vehicle is provided for transporting a telescopic boom, which is adapted to be coupled to a revolving superstructure and to be detached from it for transporting. The boom vehicle is provided in its forward portion with a coupling structure for retaining a telescopically extensible part of the telescopic boom, and is provided in its rear portion with a lifting structure for supporting the boom. The lifting structure is so arranged that when it has been longitudinally aligned with the revolving superstructure, a coupling yoke, provided at the lower end of the telescopic boom, is adapted to be displaced by extending and retracting cylinders along tracks provided on the revolving superstructure to a position in which bearing eyes of the telescopic beam register with bearing bores of the revolving superstructure. The revolving superstructure is provided with a pivot pin for coupling the boom to the revolving superstructure.

Abstract: A hydraulic latch arrangement is disclosed for facilitating efficient movement of a backhoe between working and transport positions relative to an associated material handling implement upon which the backhoe is mounted. The arrangement includes an upper pivot which pivotally connects the frame of the backhoe to the implement for relative movement of the backhoe about a horizontal axis. The arrangement further includes a pivotally movable latch member preferably mounted on the associated implement, and a latch pin mounted on the backhoe frame for cooperation with the pivotal latch member. A hydraulic latch motor is provided for selectively moving the pivotal latch member between engaged and disengaged positions, wherein in the engaged position the latch member cooperates with the latch pin for effecting a substantially rigid connection between the backhoe and the associated implement.