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: An apparatus and method for providing a boom extension for retractable booms of gantry cranes which does not require lowering the boom during attachment of the extension, or increasing the lift capacity of the boom hoist machinery, nor does the boom extension add bending moment to the retractable boom.

Abstract: A pivotally-mounted reeved counterweight system for a counterbalance-type crane which includes a wheeled counterweight carriage supporting a counterweight. A yoke provides the coupling means pivotally connecting the carriage and the rearward end of the platform or deck also known as the counterweight arm. A sheave is mounted on the yoke. The rope, which manipulates the boom upwardly and downwardly, retractably and extensibly extends from a hoist drum on the platform upwardly and is reeved about a mast sheave and extends downwardly, rearwardly and upwardly between the yoke sheave and a plurality of platform sheaves and mast sheaves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crane truck with a drivable undercarriage and a superstructure supported on the undercarriage to be rotatable by means of a slewing rim, the superstructure having a counterweight, which is movable by an elevating mechanism consisting of two piston-cylinder drives between an elevated operation position and a driving position when it rests lowered onto a support on the undercarriage. The piston rods of the piston-cylinder drives are drivable to rotate between a locking and unlocking position referred to the counterweight. The desired positions of the piston rods in their positions of crane operation and release as well as their locking and unlocking position are displayable by means of proximity switches on the piston-cylinder drives, so as to eliminate operation errors and disturbances in the hydraulic system of the piston-cylinder drives by way of various control units.

Abstract: A crane, particularly a large mobile crane, including an undercarriage (1); a revolving joint (3) on the undercarriage (1); and a superstructure on the revolving joint (3). The superstructure includes a central part (5) rotatably mounted on the revolving part (3), a boom connected to the central part (5), a swing part (6), and a horizontal swing bearing (9) pivotally mounting the swing part in upwardly swingable manner on the central part (5). The crane further includes at least one winch mounted on the swing part (6) and a retraction mechanism at the end of the swing part (6) opposite the swing bearing (9). The retraction mechanism includes a pulley head (16) and a bracing (25) for the boom.

Abstract: A portable crane having an outwardly-extending counterweight arm and detachable counterweight for detachment therefrom, for transport of said crane separate from transport of the counterweight. The counterweight has a base which may be extended and retracted from the counterweight, to provide a variable support for the counterweight.

Abstract: A crane and an attachment comprising a counterweight support beam including a plurality of connected segments movable relative to each other, and having a fore end adapted to be connected to the crane upper works, and an aft end rearward from the rear portion of the upper works. The attachment also includes a moveable counterweight carrier adapted to carry a counterweight when the counterweight is supported thereon. The carrier is mounted on the support beam for movement along the length thereof. The attachment also includes a cylinder for selectively moving the counterweight carrier fore and aft along the beam, landing gear for normally supporting the aft end of the beam on the ground, and a backhitch pendant and a pendant cylinder interconnecting the aft end of the beam and the top of the mast for raising the landing gear from the ground incident to lifting a heavy load from the boom.

Abstract: A portable, backpackable crane lift involving a retractable boom, boom cable, winch and winch cable mounted to a wheeled frame with extendable axles all which fold into a compact unit. A shoulder harness apparatus which attaches to the folded unit for carrying converts to a ballast carrying extension of the frame during operation. Such a lift is readily carried up a ladder for use on flat roofs to raise and place air conditioning heat exchangers and the like.

Abstract: A counterbalancing type crane including a crane body provided with a travelling unit and a swing unit, a tiltable boom for hanging a load through a hoisting line, a tiltable mast, a boom guy line disposed between an upper portion of the mast and an upper portion of the boom, the boom guy line being changeable in length, a mast guy line attached at an upper end thereof to the upper portion of the mast, a gantry disposed at a rear portion of the swing unit, and a counterweight car with a counterweight placed thereon.

Abstract: Front and rear pairs of crawler assemblies are provided for supporting concentric ring segments disposed forwardly under the boom and rearwardly under the counterweight so the crane can travel under load and swing through at least a partial horizontal arc. One and preferably both crawler assemblies are selectively and reversely powered to facilitate forward and reverse as well as turning movement during travel under loaded and unloaded conditions. The inner ring segment is at least partially surrounded by a rotatable cage structure which provides a connection point for a frame element extending to the forwardly disposed crawler assembly to permit independent steering of the rear crawler assembly.

Abstract: A portable, adjustable structure for supporting an equipment unit at a distance above a support surface has a lower tower structural member placed on the support surface. Pivot support structural members are affixed to the lower tower structural member in a manner whereby the pivot support structural members are upright relative to the support surface. A plurality of struts are utilized to stabilize the lower tower structural member and the pivot support structural members on the support surface. A tower member is pivotally mounted on the pivot support structural members. The tower member has spaced opposite first and second ends. The equipment unit is affixed to the tower member at the first end thereof. The tower member is pivotally movable to a position substantially perpendicular to the support surface with the first end thereof spaced farther from the support surface than the second end thereof. Ballast is affixed to the tower member at the second end thereof.

Abstract: A self-erecting traveling crane having a machinery platform rotatably mounted with respect to a carbody utilizes a concentric support ring, a boom foot carrier pivotably mounted to the platform and rolling on the support ring, and a counterweight carrier with trailing counterweight pivotably mounted to the platform and rolling on the ring. A mast and boom are mounted near a forward end of the boom foot carrier. To change location for use, the crane can be rigged to move in forward or rearward direction carrying its support ring. A travel strut is pivotably mounted to an inner end of the boom foot carrier. A boom foot carrier tension pendant extends from the top of the travel strut to an outer end portion of the boom foot carrier. A live boom suspension linkage connects the points of the mast and the boom. Boom suspension pendants extend from the mast point to the trailing counterweight. A gantry is mounted on the machinery platform over a platform counterweight.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crane wherein a trailer-like counterweight carrier has a horizontal motion transmitting connection with a platform which is swivelably mounted on a crane base and which supports the boom and the mast of the crane. Guy connections between the counterweight carrier and the top of the mast and between the mast and the boom translate forward tilting force that a lifted load imposes upon the boom into lifting force on the counterweight carrier. A lost motion connection between the counterweight carrier and the platform comprises rigid members. It allows the carrier to be lifted to a predetermined height above the ground and at that point imposes upon the crane chassis further lift force upon the counterweight carrier, so that the crane base cooperates with the counterweight in resisting forward tilting of the boom under heavy loads. The lost motion connection requires no adjustment to adapt it for different loads and different inclinations of the boom and mast.

Abstract: A windlock for selectively preventing relative pivotal movement between a mobile platform and a horizontal interconnecting stinger at the base of an elevated crane. The stinger is normally interconnected to one load platform for relative pivotal movement about the stinger central axis. Outer horizontal surfaces on the stinger structure are longitudinally movable relative to the platform to a position between adjustable screws which engage them to lock the stinger against rotational movement. This locking arrangement applies the heavy weight of a remote counterweight unit to assist in preventing lateral tipping of the load platform on which the elevated boom is supported. Outboard jacks on the platform further stabilize it against lateral tipping movements.

Abstract: A counterweight arrangement for mobile vehicles including a pair of transversely spaced support members having notches formed therein. The counterweight has a pair of transversely spaced rod members secured thereto which are selectively received in the notches. A pair of transversely spaced cables are secured to the counterweight to raise and lower the counterweight. The cables are received around corresponding sheaves which may be repositioned to control the movement of the rod members into and out of the notches and around the support members.

Abstract: An extremely massive mobile crain counterweight requiring demounting from the crane rotary superstructure for separate transport or storage has self-contained raising and lowering mechanism which may be powered from the crane carrier and which forms a part of the counterweight mass. The internal counterweight mechanism is shielded from ballast, such as shot, which fills the interior of the counterweight. A foot plate forming a part of the raising and lowering mechanism of the counterweight is lockable in extended and retracted positions and is constructed for interlocking engagement with a locator structure on the crane carrier. An efficient and simplified sequence of counterweight manipulating steps is enabled.

Abstract: The invention relates to the chassis of a public works machine, constituted by a central frame joined with two side-members.After assembly with the two side-members, the central frame constitutes a girder comprising a lower plate, an upper plate, two cross-plates, and two longitudinal plates, which plates are joined together as follows:each cross-plate to the upper plate, to the lower plate and to each one of the longitudinal plates,and the upper plate and the lower plate to the longitudinal plates, so as to constitute a closed compartment.The invention finds an application in the construction of a chassis for a mechanical shovel.

Abstract: A counterbalanced crane structure having an upright boom and diverging staymast mounted to a ground supported mobile crane base. An independent mobile counterweight unit has a vertical counterweight strut connected to the outer end of the staymast. The counterweight unit is interconnected with the crane base by an elongated horizontal stinger assembly. The counterweight unit is powered to move in an arc, the center of which is determined by the crane base. Turning motion is transmitted from the moving counterweight unit to the main boom and staymast by the stinger. Movable connections on the stinger permit pivotal movement of the counterweight unit about an axis that is substantially radial with the center turning axis of the mainboom and staymast and another pivot axis that is transverse to the radial axis. Limited movement of the counterweight unit toward or away from the crane base is permitted to eliminate direct transfer of tension and compressive stresses through the stinger.

Abstract: A ring supported, self-propelled truck crane and method of operation is disclosed wherein a boom is mounted on the chassis for pivotal movement only about a horizontal axis. The chassis is driven into an incomplete segmented ring set up at a working site with rollers on end portions of the chassis projecting downwardly and overlying the ring when the ring opening is closed by adding an additional segment thereto. The ring is then elevated to lift the wheels of the chassis completely off the ground and drive means interconnect the ring and the chassis to rotate the chassis about the vertical axis of the ring. Flanged rollers journaled on the chassis engage the ring to center the chassis on the ring and to rotatably interconnect and support the ring on the chassis for transportation therewith to the next site when the ring and chassis are lowered for support entirely upon the wheels of the truck crane.

Abstract: Mobile cranes have a jib mounted on a platform or deck of a road vehicle so that the crane can be transported from one working site to another. Such a crane may have a counterweight on the rear of the crane jib superstructure and mounted so that it can be moved inwardly and outwardly relative the superstructure to balance the load on the jib. When the crane is to be driven along the rod, however, the jib is folded over the platform of the vehicle and in addition the counterweight is desirably removed from the jib superstructure and carried in a position on the vehicle platform where its weight best suits the vehicle suspension. In order to remove the counterweight, the superstructure is slewed to bring the counterweight to a position adjacent an upwardly inclined surface carried by the platform of the vehicle, the bottom surface of the counterweight being inclined at a corresponding angle to the horizontal equal to that of the inclined surface.

Abstract: The upper works of a boom machine such as a crane is supported for rotation about a vertical axis on a lower portion of modular construction. The lower portion comprises a hub-like member having four leg module holders which are equidistant from said axis and spaced around it at uniform intervals and to each of which a leg module is detachably securable. To outer ends of the leg modules can be secured pad modules or extension leg modules that have ground engaging pads at their outer ends; or laterally opposite pairs of leg modules can be detachably connected to crawler modules. The hub-like member also has a pair of body module holders at opposite sides thereof, each laterally intermediate a pair of leg module holders, to which wheeled transporter modules can be detachably secured. Alternatively, with crawler modules installed, a hydraulic power module for energizing them can be secured to one body module holder.

Abstract: An auxiliary counterweight arrangement resists lateral as well as forward tipping of a mobile crane that has a platform rotatable about a vertical axis and a boom mounted on the platform to swing in a vertical plane containing said axis. The boom normally projects at a forward and upward inclination from the platform, and its top, from which a load line depends, may be connected with the top of a mast that is behind it, in the same vertical plane. Two surface-supported counterweight carriers are rigidly attached to the platform, spaced equal distances to the rear of it and at equal distances to opposite sides of said vertical plane. Each carries a counterweight. With a mast on the platform, a guy line extends from its top to each counterweight; otherwise, a guy line extends from the top of the boom to each counterweight. Lengthening the arms of the V-shaped rigid connection between platform and counterweight carriers increases resistance to lateral tilting in step with increased resistance to forward tilting.