Abstract: There is disclosed a truck crane of the type having a crane mounted to a truck frame and using wheels for movement which is convertible to a crawler type crane of the type including a truck cab having its own power source and drive train, the frame thereof being split and being engageably disengageable into a forward motive frame section and a rear crane frame section, and the drive train being similarly disengageable to permit the forward motive frame section to be separable from the rear crane frame section, the rear crane frame including a plurality of outrigger jacks positioned on opposed sides of the rear crane frame section, and the frame including a plurality of first mount means positioned on opposing sides thereof, a pair of portable crane tracks, at least one of the pair of crane tracks having an independent power source carried thereon and including flexible motive means for interconnecting the independent power source to a separate control system, and each of the pair of portable crane tracks incl

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a self-undecking crane having retractable legs with extendable jacks for elevating and supporting the crane upper. Hydraulic cylinders move the legs between a retracted position and an extended position in which the jacks are engageable with the ground and isolation valve devices in the hydraulic circuit prevent retraction of said legs when the crane upper is supported on the extendable jacks.

Abstract: An improved swing gear for a power mining shovel which can be removed and replaced simply by partially separating the upper rotatable frame assembly from the lower stationary frame assembly and including upper and lower bearing rails formed of a plurality of arcuate segments and a plurality of arcuate bearing segments removably coupled to each other to form a circular bearing arrangement positioned between the upper and lower bearing rails whereby the bearing segments and bearing rail segments may be removed and replaced in an area exposed by the upper frame assembly without any separation of the upper rotatable frame assembly from the lower stationary assembly.

Abstract: A portable, readily disassembleable, roof hoist mounted on the roof of a building for lifting heavy products, such as heavy rolls of roofing to the roof wherein a first, base, A-frame is disposed transversely to the edge of the roof with the ends of its legs adjacent an edge of the roof, and lies with its apex rearward on the roof, free of any securement to the roof. A second, generally vertically disposed A-frame has its leg ends releasably pivotally connected to the leg ends of the first A-frame for fore and aft vertical swinging movement of its apex from a position above a location spaced substantially inboard of the edge of the roof to a position substantially outboard of the edge of the roof. An elongate forwardly extending hydraulic cylinder has a cylinder rod pivotally releasably connected to the apex of the second A-frame, and its opposite end is pivotally releasably connected at the apex of the first A-frame.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a remotely-controlled remote handling arrangnt for use in large-area radioactively-charged cells of a facility for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel materials. The remote handling means includes a travelling bridge crane and a manipulator carrying apparatus arranged in a plane below the bridge beam of the crane. To improve the self servicing and internal maintenance thereof, the arrangement is made up of various assemblies. The movable assemblies can be separated from their travelling chassis frames. The drive units for driving the chassis frames stay with assemblies when the latter are removed. Accordingly, chassis frames are left on the bridge beam or guide member without their drive units.

Abstract: A hydraulically-operated latch mechanism is disclosed for releasably maintaining a backhoe in its lowered, working position on an associated material handling implement. In the preferred embodiment, the mechanism includes a movable latch member pivotally mounted on the implement for movement between engaged and disengaged positions. A latch pin is provided on the frame of the backhoe for cooperation with the latch member whereby the latch pin is adapted to be received by the latch member in the engaged position thereof for holding the backhoe against movement relative to the implement. A latch hydraulic motor is provided in operative connection to the pivotal latch member for effecting movement between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A modularized pedestal mount crane having a base frame with a pair of fore and aft extending flanges with a boom pinned to the forward end of the flanges and an engine is mounted on the rearward portion of the flanges. A winch frame, carrying a plurality of winches, is pinned to the flanges and extends over the engine with vertical links connected between the rearward end of the winch frame and the flanges. A gantry is pinned to the winch frame, and cat walks are cantilever from three sides of the base frame, a cab included on one cat walk.

Abstract: A crane tool attachment is provided for removable mounting to the arm of a backhoe from which the bucket has been removed. A frame is fittable on the backhoe arm at its outer end and is fastened thereto. A sleeve is mounted to the frame so as to be directed substantially parallel to the backhoe arm, and a boom is insertable through and moveable along the sleeve. The inner end of the boom is connected to a hydraulic cylinder disposed along the backhoe arm normally for pivoting the bucket when in place, for moving the boom along the sleeve. A hydraulically-powered winch with a cable is mounted to the sleeve and is connected to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure within the backhoe machine. A pulley is mounted for rotation at the outer end of the boom for passage of the cable therearound, and a hook is connectable to the free end of the cable.

Abstract: A pedestal crane mounting system utilizes a spherical thrust bearing, for vertically supporting the crane gantry on the pedestal, and a spherical radial bearing, for eliminating radial loading on the thrust bearing. The upper race of the spherical thrust bearing and the outer race of the spherical radial bearing have common points of origin for the generatrices defining the race guide surfaces. The thrust and radial bearings are carried in a cartridge which mounts in a yoke connectable to a crane gantry by support pins at first and second points of attachment. Disposition of the bearing cartridge in the yoke is such that the centerline of the support pins coincides with the centerline of the spherical radial bearing. The bearing cartridge is fitted onto a vertical shaft fixed in the upper end of the pedestal.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a crane are described and require a minimum of set up and strip down time. Each embodiment includes auxiliary frame means that is slightly wider in outside dimension than the tracks for supporting the main boom and gantry at its forward end, and supporting counterweights at its rear end with rollers on both ends permitting rotation of the auxiliary frame and vertically movable components supported thereon about a vertical axis. The rollers rest upon a horizontal steel ring supported by the ground during working of the crane, and the auxiliary frame and vertically movable components operatively connected thereto are moved upwardly to provide adequate road clearance when it is desired to move the vehicle from one site to the next. In one embodiment the ring is an inexpensive thin steel ring secured to a previously constructed concrete foundation and permits the relatively narrow vehicle to be driven over a portion of the ring onto and off of each preconstructed foundation.

Abstract: In a crane having an upper works rotatably supported on a lower works by an anti-friction bearing, a quick removal assembly structure includes an upper mounting ring affixed to the lowermost portion of the upper works and having teeth extending radially outwardly from the axis of the ring, a lower mounting ring mounted to the uppermost portion of the lower works and having teeth extending axially outwardly along a circle concentric with the center of that ring. The teeth of the upper and lower mounting rings fit snugly together when the upper works is assembled to the lower works, and radially outwardly opening horizontal slots in each tooth combine to define a horizontal retaining ring groove which is concentric with the rings. A retaining ring constituted as four retaining ring segments is of configuration to fit into the retaining ring groove, and when so fitted, prevents relative movement between the upper and lower mounting rings.

Abstract: A basic crane capable of lifting a predetermined load is equipped with an outrigger unit which, in one orientation, engages the ground to increase the lifting capacity of the crane to an intermediate level and, in a second orientation relative to the crane, is arranged to coact with members of heavy duty equipment which may be added to the basic crane to give it a heavy duty lifting capacity.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for connecting and disconnecting crane sections having a split locking ring positionable when contracted within a groove in one crane section and expandable into a groove in one crane section and expandable into a groove in the other crane section, with a double-acting ram connected at the free ends of the locking ring to control contraction and expansion thereof. A single acting ram is connected to provide a radial force at the heel of the locking ring when the latter is expanded.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a pedestal crane including at least one arcuate shoe adapted to be disposed about the pedestal and mounted with the upperworks of the pedestal crane, with mounting members for releasably mounting the arcuate shoe with the upperworks of the pedestal crane, and further having bearing means with the arcuate shoe for engaging the outer surface of the pedestal for reducing friction between the upperworks and the pedestal when rotating the upperworks of the pedestal crane about the pedestal.

Abstract: A crane of the type having a slewing upper chassis 5 carrying a jib, the lowermost component of which is shown at 10, and an erection column 12 for raising the jib from a horizontal assembly position into an upright operating position, has a hydraulic cylinder 11 connected to the component 10 and a cable 13 connecting the component 10 to the column 12. The column 12 is raised from the lowered position shown to an upright position, in which subsequently a tackle 14 swings the column 12 rearwards and raises the jib to its upright operating position, by means of the cylinder 11. A better purchase can be obtained by the cylinder 11 acting on the component 10 than by a cylinder acting directly on the column 12 which is usual, and therefore a smaller cylinder can be used.

Abstract: A walking dragline excavator massive hollow internally reinforced base frame has built-in annular rail girder means over which annular track means are carried for running thereon of roller means adapted for supporting the revolving frame on the annular track means. Load stress distribution between the base frame and the revolving frame is attained by having an annular area contiguous to the perimeter of the base frame of greater resilient flexibility than the remainder of the base frame. Means comprising either bolts or clips are provided for releasably connecting the track means to the base frame and for permitting load stress relief circumferentially directed relative movement of the track means and the base frame under load transmitted through roller means by the revolving frame during load lifting and operational revolving of the revolving frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing a slewing ring (3) from a pedestal-mounted crane (2). A carriage (14) is positioned on a pair of elongate guide members (9) which lie substantially parallel, both to one another and to the plane of the slewing ring (3), and which extend alongside the pedestal (14). The crane (2) is raised relative to the pedestal (4) by means of jacks (7) and the carriage (14) is moved to a position beneath the crane (2). The slewing ring (3) is then positioned on the carriage and withdrawn on the carriage from beneath the crane.

Abstract: In a self-propelled crane with a crane frame constituting the base for a telescopic boom an additional boom articulatedly supported to any other part of the telescopic boom than the upper end thereof or to the crane frame and an additional supporting arm mounted to the telescopic boom on the opposed side thereof in relation to the additional boom, said additional boom being supported by a wire which is supported both in a point of the telescopic boom above the mounting point of said additional boom and by the additional supporting arm. Both the additional boom and the additional supporting arm are preferably mounted in the same or separate mounting elements which are adjustably and controllably movable along the telescopic boom or the crane frame.