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: Table equipment which comprises a frame, a table that can fix an object and move relative to the frame, a table guide for guiding the movable table on the frame, in a line inclined to the horizontal plane, a power source for driving the table along the table guide, a power drive connection for drivingly connected the driving power source with the table, and a force applying member applying to the table a force which counterbalances the gravity at the table and the object mounted thereon, the force applying member having a counterweight smaller than the total weight of the movable table and the mounted object.

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: The invention provides a system for automatically balancing the jib of cranes of the type with articulated arms or telescopic arms depending on the variation of the reach of this jib.The annular section chambers of the hydraulic cylinder controlling the auxiliary arm of the crane and of the hydraulic cylinder controlling the pivoting arm carrying the counterweight are connected in series by a duct. The full section chambers of the hydraulic cylinders are connected selectively, by actuation of a valve, either to the pressure line or to the return line. In the right-hand position of the valve, the counterweight is pivoted and the arm is raised simultaneously, whereas in the opposite position of the valve the arm is lowered and the counterweight is raised.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle counterweight device (10) with cylinder positioning means (62). The vehicle counterweight device (10) comprises a frame (16) for being secured to a motor vehicle, such as a tractor (12), and comprises a weight member (14) reciprocatably supported by the frame (16) such that the weight member (14) is laterally reciprocatable and selectively positionable along a path of travel substantially parallel to the axis of the axle (13) of the tractor so as to allow the selective alteration of the center of gravity of the tractor (12). The device (10) also includes means for selectively moving the weight member (14) along its path of travel, which, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a hydraulic cylinder (22) provided with cylinder positioning means (62) for adjusting the axial position of the cylinder portion (24) of the hydraulic cylinder (22) to alter the range of travel of the weight member (14).

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for counterweight dolly in a counterbalance type crane, including dolly driving wheels supported vertically movably through wheel supporting hydraulic cylinders at the lower portion of the counterweight dolly which is connected to the rear portion of a crane body; a wheel driving hydraulic motor connected to each of the wheels; a support pressure detecting mechanism for detecting a support pressure for each wheel supporting hydraulic cylinder, the support pressure detecting mechanism being provided in a drive circuit for the cylinder; and a mechanism for controlling the driving pressure for the wheel driving hydraulic motor in accordance with a detected value provided from the detecting mechanism.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for a counterweight dolly in a counterbalance type crane having a crane body provided with a lower travelling structure an upper swivelling structure and the counterweight dolly connected to the rear portion of the upper swivelling structure through a connecting member, characterized by including a swivelling hydraulic motor for swivelling the upper swivelling structure of the crane body; a swivelling control valve for controlling the pressure of hydraulic oil to be fed to the swivelling hydraulic motor; a hydraulic circuit for swivelling operation which controls the amount of operation of the swivelling control valve; a hydraulic motor for the counterweight dolly which drives each wheel of the dolly; a dolly control valve for controlling the pressure of hydraulic oil to be fed to the hydraulic motor for the counterweight dolly; and a control circuit for actuating the dolly control valve in accordance with an operational pressure of the hydraulic circuit for swivelling operation and t

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: A positioning arrangement for use with a device having a fixed or movable crane arm includes a suction device for plate-shaped bodies which hangs from the free end of the crane arm, the suction device being provided with a tilting device. The tilting device is infinitely variable by a setting mechanism. In this way, the center of gravity of the suction device with the plate-shaped body attached by suction may be adjusted such that the plate-shaped body is kept vertically.

Abstract: A stacker-reclaimer with a luffing and slewing mounting supporting a boom structure with a main, forwardly extending boom having a material conveyor running along it, and a rearwardly extending tail boom with a counterbalance weight depending from its rear end. The tail boom is at a higher level than the main boom to provide clearance for a feeder conveyor to the a material conveyor. The counterbalance weight is attached by a pivot on the tail boom and is displaceable about the pivot by a control cable attached to a non-luffing part of the luffing and slewing mounting forwards of the luffing axis whereby the weight is displaced forwards in relation to the pivot in upward luffing movements of the boom structure. This compensates for the rearward displacement of the rear end of the tail boom in such movements, and reduces the maximum overturning moment to be resisted in the working luffing range.

Abstract: A pivoted arm counterbalance system for a self balancing crane provides a counterbalancing moment exactly equal to the overturning moment of the crane by the utilization of a dynamic balancing system in which a drive cable having a tension related to the tension of the support cable runs over and is secured to a constant radius sector secured to the counterbalance arm. The pivot point of the sector corresponds to the pivot point of the counterbalancing arm such that the constant radius sector provides a constant lever arm regardless of the counterbalance arm angle.

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 gravity crane which is manually operated by an operator who is harnessed to one end of a cantilevered balance beam. Clockwise moments are furnished by a fixed counterweight and by a adjustable ballast for coarse balancing. Counterclockwise moment is provided by the weight of the operator. By displacing a control weight located close to the operator the net sum of clockwise and counterclockwise moments may be smoothly shifted so that the operator can raise or lower himself with a minimum of effort, thereby simulating weightlessness. The operating control cord is always within reach of the operator and the entire crane may be swiveled on a rotatable base.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted apparatus is disclosed for supporting ballast weights on the front or rear of the tractor and for elevating the weights relative to the ground. The apparatus includes a pair of U-shaped channels fastened to frame members of the tractor in an upright position. The channels are aligned with their open faces opposite to one another such that the ballast weights can be received therebetween. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are each secured at one end to one of the U-shaped channels and each has an outwardly extending piston rod detachably coupled at its lower end to the ballast weights. The piston rods are moved into and out of the hydraulic cylinders by a control mechanism thereby permitting the ballast weights to be raised and lowered in a substantially vertical fashion. The apparatus also includes means for permanently locking the ballast weights to the U-shaped channels while the ends of the piston rods are connected to the lower links of an attached implement.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle with pivoting motion, on which the forward carriage supports a loading shovel for a forklift and the rear carriage a counterweight, at least a portion of the counterweight being displaceably arranged on a rear guide mounted transversely to the rear carriage and being so connected with the forward carriage that for every pivoting excursion an opposite displacement of the counterweight is achieved.

Abstract: The hoisting assembly comprises a boom, a counterweight support extending in a direction opposite to the boom in the same vertical plane as the boom, and interconnecting device therebetween for selectively adjusting the angular relationship between the boom and the counterweight support, said different elements forming a pendular assembly idly swinging about a horizontal swing shaft to assume a steady, balanced position. The boom is further hingedly connected at a hinge point remote from the swing axis to an intermediary structure pivotingly connected to said swing axis and further connected to the counterweight support by adjustable connecting member. A second adjustable connecting member interconnects the boom and the support of the pendular assembly to selectively vary the span of the boom.

Abstract: A lift crane having a separated transporter-supported front ring segment and a transporter-supported rear works including a counterweight. The front ring segment is connected by a frame element to the rear works and supports a carrier which pivotally mounts a forwardly-inclined boom and a rearwardly-inclined mast. Movement of the carrier across the front ring segment is permitted by two equal-length links pivotally connected to opposite sides of the carrier and the respective opposite sides of a horizontal bracket mounted on the frame element. The center of rotation of the carrier as it traverses the front ring segment is substantially coincident with the imaginary vertex of a truncated isosceles triangle formed by the carrier and lines running axially along the links. When the carrier is centered on the front ring segment, the center of rotation is also substantially coincident with a vertical axis running through the rearward-most point of the mast.

Abstract: A hoisting assembly comprising a boom and a counterweight support extending in opposite directions and forming an assembly pivotally mounted on a supporting member for pivoting in a same vertical plane, adjustable connecting device interconnecting the boom and the counterweight being provided for selectively adjusting the respective positions of the boom and of the counterweight. The counterweight may be slidingly mounted on a prolongation portion of the main portion of the boom.

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: A mobile crane having a telescopic jib 15 which is mounted on an upper chassis 8 has a cantilever counterweight 14 and an additional removable counterweight 27. The additional counterweight 27 is carried on a holder 28 which is mounted on a strut 21 which is directly pivotally connected to the jib 15. The strut 21 can be pivoted to raise and lower the holder 28 to enable the additional counterweight 27, which is removable, to be picked up and deposited. The additional counterweight 27 is deposited and removed to lighten the crane for road travel, but when operative, increases the lifting capacity of the crane.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for inhibiting the oscillation of a vertical crane or similar structure with a horizontal main jib supporting a load hoist apparatus. The main jib has a counter jib which supports a counterweight mass by a linkage system. The linkage system permits the counterweight mass to swing through an arc so that it dampening the swinging movement of the crane. The linkage system also permits the counterweight mass to be vertically adjustable relative to the main jib so as to accommodate crane structure of different sizes.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00080 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 9, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 9, 1979 PCT Filed Feb. 9, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO80/01682 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 21, 1980An adjustable double link mounting for interconnecting a pair of structures, such as structures (37, 51) mountable on a crawler vehicle (10), including at least a pair of spaced-apart lugs (44, 82, 83, 84, 85) on each of the structures and each having a bore, a pair of spaced-apart links (80,81) having a pivotal connection at each end to at least one lug as provided by a pin-receiving opening (91, 92, 105, 107) for receiving a pin (93, 94, 104, 106) which also extends through an apertured lug, and one (81) of the links including a turnbuckle (110, 111, 112) for adjusting the effective length thereof.

Abstract: A wheel-mounted load lifting and transporting machine having load engaging elements at its front end and a counterweight at its rear end, is distinguished by a novel interacting mobility between the counterweight and the load-engaging elements by which the tilting moments imposed upon the machine by the counterweight and by a load suspended from the load engaging elements, at all times offset one another with the result that throughout changes in the location of the picked up load with respect to the wheel locations, a line that passes vertically through the center of gravity of the loaded machine is substantially equispaced from the points at which the wheels of the machine rest upon the ground. For optimum handling of the machine, each of the wheels on which it is mounted is steerable and power driven to the end that the machine can be moved in any direction and along any defined path.

Abstract: A vertical tower and lifting boom are counterbalanced by a separately supported counterweight unit. The counterweight unit is self-propelled and connected to a mobile tower platform by a horizontal stinger. A diagonal tower brace extends between the outer end of the stinger and the upper end of the tower for transmission of rotational forces about the vertical tower axis. A vertical counterweight strut is connected between the counterweight unit and the outer end of a pivoted staymast that extends rearwardly in opposition to the boom.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus comprising an object-suspending rod, upper and lower support rods whose one ends are pivotally connected to the object-suspending rod, and a connecting rod pivotally connecting the other ends of the support rods. The object-suspending rod, the connecting rod and the upper and lower support rods are disposed in parallel to constitute two pairs of opposite sides of a parallelogram link mechanism. An object hanger is attached to the lower end of the object-suspending rod. The other end of the upper support rod is connected to a balance weight which is guided in a vertical guide slot in a suspended support member so as to be movable up and down by a fluid cylinder device. The lower-support rod and connecting rod are connected by a pivot shaft which is movably guided in a horizontal guide slot in the support member. Another balance weight is connected to the other end of the lower-support rod.