Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle is provided. The autonomous transport vehicle includes a payload bed and a transfer arm configured to extend along a first axis to transfer a pickface to and from the payload bed, the transfer arm including fingers that are independently movable along a second axis, substantially perpendicular to the first axis for picking and placing the pickface.

Abstract: A grab bucket for making reinforced concrete piles of high load bearing capacity. The grab bucket includes a framework with three wings, a moving assembly movable upward and downward along the length of the framework, a fixed assembly mounted beneath the moving assembly, three grab buckets mounted pivotally to the fixed assembly and having boring teeth oriented outwards, three pushing frames for closing the three grab buckets, and a transmission configured to control opening and closing of said bucket sections in unison.

Abstract: A single line grapple is provided comprising an upper and lower block operatively connected to a plurality of arms and tines whereby drawing the blocks together closes the tines. The blocks are drawn together by a cable reeved between an upper sheave assembly connected to the upper block and a lower sheave assembly which engages the lower block by interlocking mechanical components. When it is desirable to open the tines, the lower block assembly is disengaged from the lower block. An automatic disengagement feature is provided whereby lowering the grapple to the ground provides enough clearance between the interlocking components for the disengagement feature to operate.

Abstract: An improved protective clamp for the root ball portion of a tree is disclosed. The clamp includes a plurality of arcuate plate members, each of which is provided with an outwardly extending foot portion at the lower end thereof. Raised re-inforcing ribs on the sides of each plate and a tie bar at the upper end thereof are additional features which provide a greatly improved protection for the root ball during removal of the tree from the ground, or when the tree is being transported, stored, or other-wise handled prior to planting, compared with the traditional "ball-burlapping".