Abstract: A crane comprising a traveling body and a turning body turnably supported by the traveling body, the crane performing power feeding and communication between the traveling body and the turning body. The traveling body is provided with: a power supply; a lower controller which controls the traveling body and transmits power to the devices included in the traveling body; and a lower transmitter-receiver which wirelessly transmits and receives the power and data signal from the power supply. The turning body is provided with: an upper controller which controls the turning body and transmits power to the devices included in the turning body; and an upper transmitter-receiver which wirelessly transmits and receives the power and data signal to and from the lower transmitter-receiver.

Abstract: Provided is a hoist arm structure having top and bottom ends, and an attachment element to releasable attach the bottom end of the hoist arm structure to an attachment location of a utility vehicle whereby the hoist arm is able to pivot relative to said attachment location, the hoist system further comprising an adjustment winch having an adjustment cable extending therefrom with adjustment cable having a distal end opposite the crank, and such distal and adjustment winch adapted for securing to respective structural elements of a structural frame system, wherein such structural elements are located on opposite lateral side of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket support system to connect a hoist to a connector rod and at least one hoist connector of a tractor, the bracket support system including an upper mask bracket removably disposed on a mounting mask to connect to the connector rod, at least one lower bracket removably disposed on a rear of the hoist, a stiffener bracket disposed on at least a portion of the hoist to prevent damage to the mounting mask in response to lifting at least one object on the hoist, and a support shaft disposed within at least a portion of the rear of the hoist.

Abstract: A method for determining stability of a vehicle having a load suspended from the vehicle is provided. The method can include obtaining measurements from a plurality of sensors positioned on the vehicle, obtaining a measurement from a vehicle accelerometer operative to determine an inclination of the vehicle, determining a position of the load suspended from the vehicle, determining a slung load of the load suspended from the vehicle, using the determined slung load and the determined position of the load suspended from the vehicle, determining tipping moments acting on the vehicle, determining righting moments acting on the vehicle and determining a tipping stability based on the determined tipping moments and determined righting moments.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle has a container collection arm with a telescoping boom coupled with a refuse stowage unit of the vehicle. A grasping mechanism is coupled with an end of the boom. A rotary actuator couples the grasping mechanism with the boom to enable a waste container to be moved between a pick up position and a dump position.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer boom comprises vertically spaced upper and lower beams extending along the boom and connected by brace members formed from a unitary bent tubular member that is secured to the upper and lower beams, and gripped, by clamps.

Abstract: A tactical vehicle incorporates a line deployment tower adapted for use by personnel transferring between an elevated location on the vehicle and a remote target location. The line deployment tower includes a base mounted to the vehicle at the elevated location. An elongated line boom has a proximal end attached to the base, and an opposite distal end. A flexible line is secured to the distal end of the line boom, and is adapted for extending downward from the elevated location when deployed.

Abstract: A pipelayer providing higher lifting capacities without adding weight or size to an undercarriage or boom of the pipelayer is disclosed. The pipelayer is designed and sized to have a maximum lifting capacity when the boom is extended from the undercarriage a predetermined, relatively short distance. However, in use the boom often needs to extend further away from the undercarriage, and in so doing the lifting capacity of the pipelayer decreases. The present disclosure provides additional lifting capacity in that extended range by selectively deploying a counterweight away from the undercarriage once the boom is extended past the predetermined distance. In so doing, not only is the lifting capacity of the pipelayer increased, but the size and weight of the undercarriage and boom are not increased. This enables standard sized undercarriages and other supporting structure to be used, thereby aiding in maneuverability and shipping of the pipelayers, while at the same time reducing manufacturing and usage costs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a pipelayer and a method for of loading a pipelayer or excavator for transportation. One embodiment includes a method for transporting a pipelayer or excavator from a first work site to a second worksite via a public road. The method includes acts of: raising the pipelayer or excavator off of track shoes of the pipelayer or excavator; removing a first track assembly from the pipelayer or excavator using a boom of the pipelayer or a boom assembly of the excavator; loading the first track assembly onto a first trailer of a first tractor-trailer using the boom of the remaining pipelayer or the boom assembly of the remaining excavator; removing the second track assembly from the pipelayer using the boom of the remaining pipelayer or the boom assembly of the remaining excavator; and loading the second track assembly onto the first trailer using the boom of the remaining pipelayer or the boom assembly of the remaining excavator.

Abstract: A pipe-laying machine includes a self-propelled tracked vehicle, on one side of which is fitted a crane designed for lifting and laying pipes. The machine is also fitted with a counterweight constituted by a plate made of a heavy material that moves between a rest position in which it retracts fully into the vehicle and an operational position in which it projects from the vehicle on the opposite side to the crane. In the machine according to the invention, engine unit and control cab are located at each end of chassis, projecting slightly from it, to leave a free space in the central part of the vehicle for the installation of all the mechanisms designed for the movement and control of the crane.

Abstract: A boom configured to maneuver large objects, such as sections of pipe, which comprises a machine guard assembly having a support member. The support member includes an outer support surface with a protective layer disposed thereon.

Abstract: A pipelayer frame for a track-type machine having an engine compartment, a first track frame, and a second track frame is disclosed. The frame has a center frame removably attachable within the engine compartment, a first side frame removably attachable to the first track frame and to the center frame, and a second side frame removably attachable to the second track frame and to the center frame. The frame also has a spacer assembly removably attachable to the first side frame. The frame further has an adjustable assembly located between the second side frame and the center frame, the adjustable assembly being configured to adjust a distance between the second side frame and the center frame.

Abstract: A pipelayer having an undercarriage with at least two tracks and a main assembly. Each track has a track frame coupled to the undercarriage and a track shoe supported by and movable around the track frame. The main assembly is supported by and rotatable relative to the undercarriage, and has a main frame, a boom pivotally mounted to the main frame, an operator cab, and a cab riser connecting the operator cab to the main frame. The cab riser is operable to selectively raise and lower the operator cab relative to the main frame. Also provided is a movable cab assembly having an operator cab, an adjustment mechanism to connect the cab to a vehicle frame and move to change the operator's view, and a guide to align the cab. A method for laying pipe using a pipelayer having a movable cab is also provided.

Abstract: A conversion kit for converting a pipelayer frame of a first width to a different width is disclosed. The conversion kit has a spacer, removably attachable to a first side of the pipelayer frame, and a first plurality of replacement brackets for removably attaching the first side to a first track frame. The first plurality of replacement brackets have a different length than a first plurality of existing brackets that the first plurality of replacement brackets replace. The kit also has a second plurality of replacement brackets for removably attaching a second side of the pipelayer frame to a second track frame. The second plurality of replacement brackets have a different length than a second plurality of existing brackets that the second plurality of replacement brackets replace.

Abstract: A pipelayer frame for a track-type machine having an engine compartment, a first track frame, and a second track frame is disclosed. The frame has a center frame removably attachable within the engine compartment, a first side frame removably attachable to the first track frame and to the center frame, and a second side frame removably attachable to the second track frame and to the center frame. The frame also has a spacer assembly removably attachable to the first side frame. The frame further has an adjustable assembly located between the second side frame and the center frame, the adjustable assembly being configured to adjust a distance between the second side frame and the center frame.

Abstract: An apparatus transforms a motorized frame mounted on crawler tracks and having a rotatable horizontal platform, into a pipeline laying machine or the like. A first structure is hinged to the platform on a horizontal axis at one end, at its other end, has a coupling intended to be secured to a track guide carriage. A second structure which, at its free end carries a lifting member, is hinged on a horizontal axis to the coupling.

Abstract: A combination bulldozer and pipelayer includes a front mounted blade, or scoop, and a side mounted pipelayer attachment. When operated as a bulldozer, a pair of endless track roller frames are free to oscillate up and down about a horizontal axis passing through the bulldozer's main frame for improved traction and grading characteristics, reduced stress on the tractor structure, and a more comfortable ride for the operator. When operated in the pipelayer mode, the track roller frames are locked in fixed position to the vehicle's main frame to provide a stable platform for lifting and transporting a heavy load such as sections of pipe. The side mounted pipelayer attachment includes a folding boom which can be stowed in a retracted position or extended to the use position by the operator using only the boom and load controls.

Abstract: A combination bulldozer and pipelayer includes a front mounted blade, or scoop, and a side mounted pipelayer attachment. When operated as a bulldozer, a pair of endless track roller frames are free to oscillate up and down about a horizontal axis passing through the bulldozer's main frame for improved traction and grading characteristics, reduced stress on the tractor structure, and a more comfortable ride for the operator. When operated in the pipelayer mode, the track roller frames are locked in fixed position to the vehicle's main frame to provide a stable platform for lifting and transporting a heavy load such as sections of pipe. The side mounted pipelayer attachment includes a folding boom which can be stowed in a retracted position or extended to the use position by the operator using only the boom and load controls.

Abstract: A loading device for containers (C) comprises a pair of loading units (2), each having a telescopic column (4) supported on a bracket (3) so as to be swivelled about a common swivel axis (I). The telescopic column consists of a lower portion (9), an upper portion (11) and a column cylinder (17) moving the upper portion (11) with respect to the lower portion (9). Actuating cylinders (5) are connected to the lower portion (9) on both sides, and the upper portion (11) accommodates an extension arm (14) which can be swivelled about a swivel axis (III) parallel to the swivel axis (I) of the telescopic column. To expand the loading possibilities, the upper portion (11) carries a column head (12) which forms a slot-shaped swivel guide (18) with cam tracks (19) limiting the swivelling of the extension arm (14).

Abstract: An assembly is provided that enables the operation of all hydraulic sidebooms to be achieved while simultaneously inherently avoiding commonly recurring problems attributable to inadvertent contact between the hook block and the upper block or to an impending tipping condition. Application of joystick technology is provided to enable simultaneous manipulation of the boom and load, wherein a long-established, routinely-accepted combinatin of two to three controls is replaced by a single joystick control. A fail-safe thumb actuator is also provided for a single joystick control. An anti-contacting feature is provided that stops the upward travel of the hook block if it is about to come in contact with the sideboom's stationary upper block, and thus preventing consequent damage that wound result if contact took place.

Abstract: A replacement assembly is provided for retrofitting old, discontinued, mechanically-operated, low-drive, Caterpillar sidebooms with a hydraulically-operated fail-safe sideboom system. Conversion of discontinued, mechanically-operated, low-drive, Caterpillar sidebooms is accomplished by replacing the entire existing mechanical assembly with a single frame-mounted hydraulic assembly comprising a boom winch, a load winch, and preferably a single hand-operated joystick control. This single frame assembly is configured to be received by the existing foundation on discontinued Caterpillar sidebooms. Joystick technology is provided which negates cumbersome clutches and related multiple controls by affording a sideboom operator the ability to completely control the functions of both the boom and the load with a single joystick control which replaces the six conventional hand-operated mechanical controls that exist on the discontinued Caterpillar sidebooms.

Abstract: A pipelayer machine including a tractor with rubber mounted tracks and a boom supported by the tractor for lifting and lowering the pipe to be laid. The boom is pivoted on one side of the tractor, and the boom line winch is supported on the other side. The boom line crosses in front of the windshield of the tractor and there are specially designed boom line cable fairleads at each front corner of the cab to prevent damage to the windshield and to the driver within the cab.

Abstract: A tractor having a pair of endless, segmented, high drive tracks includes a side boom and a side-mounted counterweight. Boom angle is controlled by a boom winch with a load winch provided for lifting a load. Both winches are hydraulically driven and provide positive drive in raising and lowering. A boom automatic stop arrangement detects full-up boom position and actuates a release valve for dumping hydraulic pressure and preventing further retraction of the boom. The counterweight is pivotally coupled to the tractor by means of a support frame which provides for outward and upward as well as downward and inward displacement of the counterweight over an arc-like path to compensate for boom inclination and the weight of a load.

Abstract: A vehicle for manipulating large diameter pipe includes a vehicle frame assembly which supports an auxiliary pipelayer frame. The pipelayer frame supports various components for manipulating the pipe, including a boom arm and a fluid cylinder for raising and lowering the boom arm. During transportation of the vehicle, certain components must be removed from the vehicle to make the vehicle conform to width and height restrictions. Normally, the boom arm and the fluid cylinder would be removed. The subject invention provides for storage of the fluid cylinder on the vehicle during transportation, without the necessity to disconnect fluid lines. Considerable time and effort is saved during dis-assembly and re-assembly of the vehicle components.

Abstract: A crawler crane made up of a crane frame and body on tracks, a telescoping boom projecting from the body, a fixed-length A-frame boom with rotatable arms, a mechanism for lifting the telescoping boom and a device for extending the telescoping boom.

Abstract: A load handling device for transferring ISO flat racks, containers or the like, to and from a support comprising two spaced lifting arms (11) pivotally connected adjacent their lower ends (at 9) to said support (13) and hydraulic rams (40,41) for rocking said arms (11) in a vertical arc, and an extension arm (53) pivotally connected to the end of each lifting arm (11) remote from its pivotal connection (9) to the support (13) and further hydraulic rams (55,57) for rocking each extension arm (53) about its pivotal connection to its lifting arm (11) through a vertical arc extending to either side of the longitudinal axis of the lifting arm (11).

Abstract: A mower has a system of levers carrying the cutting head to project it laterally of the tractor on which it is mounted, the actual mounting for the levers being adjustable along the length of a beam extending across the tractor while the tractor is in motion, by means of a motor driving a rack and pinion on the mounting and beam respectively.

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: A hoist that includes a winding drum for a load-lift cable mechanism. The um has two drum sections of slightly different diameter; end portions of the cable are wound in different directions on the drum sections, so that one cable section winds onto a drum section while the other cable section winds off the other drum section. The effect is to provide a very slow net cable motion related to the difference in drum section diameters. The hoist includes a latch mechanism adapted to suspend the load from the boom during certain periods of a load transfer operation.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated hoist adapted for mounting on a farm tractor, the hoist including a base of generally inverted T-shaped configuration having a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion, a telescopic boom having one end portion pivotally connected to the vertically extending portion of the base, the hoist also including a pair of downwardly extending support legs fixed to the horizontally extending portion of the base, and an elongate support post pivotally connected to the end portion of the boom remote from the base, the post being adapted to overlie the boom and being pivotable to a vertically extending position whereby the post and the legs cooperate to form a tripodal support for the hoist.