Abstract: An exemplary embodiment may provide a robotic powered cargo handling system. An embodiment may implement a pallet-lift mechanism to lift cargo or pallets. Powered rollers may be embedded into the forks of a pallet-lift mechanism and on top of the vehicle body. An exemplary embodiment may be fully autonomous. A user or software may direct the vehicle to a pallet or piece of cargo and set a destination for the cargo. Sensors, cameras, GPS, and computer vision may be implemented to navigate and avoid obstacles. An exemplary embodiment may include independent 4-wheel steering, 4 corner height adjustment, in-hub electric motors, and pneumatic or solid tires.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a particulate material onto mushroom compost has a distributor box configured to receive the particulate material, such as mushroom casing, and a moving belt that is fed from a roller into the bottom of the box and exits from a discharge opening of the distributor box. A net pulley roller associated with the moving belt is pulled to advance the moving belt. A ribbed roller mounted for rotation at or near the discharge opening of the distributor box scrapes the particulate material out of the distributor box and deposits the particulate material onto the top surface of the moving belt. The particulate material then rides on the top surface of the moving belt until it drops off the belt onto the mushroom compost at the belt reversal point.

Abstract: An apparatus facilitates the deployment and retrieval of highway panels and includes a work basket mountable on the rearward end of a truck to be vertically moveable relative thereto. A ramp member is detachably mounted on a selected side of the work basket to be movable therewith. A lift member is detachably mounted on a four-bar lift linkage carried by the truck along the selected side thereof. The lift member is vertically movable by the lift linkage to raise the highway panels from the ramp member to the level of the truck bed on which the highway panels are transported. Both the ramp and lift members are formed with rollers on the top surface to facilitate the movement of the highway panels in both deployment and retrieval. Retrieval is accomplished by moving the truck rearwardly and tipping the highway panel so the ramp member can slide underneath the base.

Abstract: A cart for collecting and unloading agricultural bales, the cart including a cart body; a hitch, wherein the hitch includes a first end that is configured to operatively connect to a baler and a second end that is configured to operatively connect to the cart body, wherein the hitch provides a pitch degree of freedom to the cart relative to the baler, and wherein the hitch provides a roll degree of freedom to the cart relative to the baler; an automated conveyor device operatively connected to the cart body and configured to move the agricultural bales to a back end of the cart body; and at least one swivel wheel operatively connected to the cart body. In some embodiments, the automated conveyor device includes an apron-chain conveyor powered by a hydraulic motor controlled by hydraulic valves in a cab of a tractor being used to pull the baler and cart.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing cones onto a surface and for retrieving cones from the surface includes a cone transfer device having a tower with a platform moveable to and from a lower transfer position for dispensing and retrieving cones from the surface. The platform is movable in a vertical direction between the lower transfer position and an upper transfer position for receiving a stack of cones from a storage area and for returning a stack of cones to the storage area. The tower includes a device for holding one or more cones in an elevated position and for releasing cones onto and receiving cones from the platform in the elevated position. The apparatus may include a lamp transfer device for attaching a lamp unit to a cone when the cone is dispensed and for removing the lamp unit from the cone when the cone is retrieved.

Abstract: Seed tender apparatus for holding one or more seed containers and including an inclined conveyor apparatus pivotable between a stowed configuration and a discharged configuration.

Abstract: A storage cart for transporting bulk goods has a floor conveyor belt disposed within a container and serving as a floor surface, and a transfer conveyor belt positioned at a front end of the cart and protruding beyond the end. A loading conveyor belt is displaceable in a longitudinal axis of the cart. A lifting device and an operator cab are provided at a rear end of the cart. The above are disposed directly on the loading conveyor belt in a segment of the loading conveyor belt directly adjacent to a receiving end.

Abstract: The steerable conveyor includes a conveyor frame supported on a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels at laterally opposed first and second sides of the conveyor. The conveyor includes a hitch for connection to a towing vehicle such that the conveyor is pivotal relative to the towing vehicle about a vertical steering axis. A steering mechanism is arranged to pivot all of the steerable wheels relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright steering axes in a common direction of rotation such that the conveyor is arranged to be steered relative to the towing vehicle about the vertical steering axis by steering the conveyor wheels relative to the conveyor frame when the conveyor is towed by the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile system for improving the picking and preliminary processing of apples, citrus, stone fruit and the like is disclosed and claimed. The system comprises a mobile chassis upon which can be mounted picking stations, pneumatic tube transport subsystems, receiving and conveying subsystems, object scanning subsystems, cull diverter subsystems, labeling subsystems, and subsystems for relatively gently placing the objects in a predetermined location in a receiving bin. The system can also include a subsystem for gently placing diverted objects in a receiving bin.

Abstract: The bulk materials cart has a dual unload system including at least two inclined belt conveyors bounding an enclosed cavity. A first belt conveyor is operable for conveying bulk materials from the cavity to an unloading conveyor extendable from that side of the cart. A second belt conveyor is operable for conveying bulk materials upwardly and over another side of the cart. The dual unload system is automatically operable in a first mode operating the first belt conveyor and the unloading conveyor for conveying the bulk materials away from the cart, and in a second mode operating the second belt conveyor for conveying the bulk materials over the side of the cart.

Abstract: In a movable conveyor belt storage installation including a belt storage means (4), conveyor belt support structures (29) following the belt storage means (4), and a movable takeover car (7) including a deflection means (43) for the conveyor belt and a takeup chute (8) for taking over excavated material, the belt storage means (4) is comprised of at least two segments (13, 20, 22, 26) which are connected with one another so as to be pivotable about an axis extending transversely to the belt running direction and passing through the plane of the floor (31), wherein at least a portion of the support structures (29) are capable of being carried along in or on the takeover car (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting traffic cones from a surface to a vehicle, or dispensing traffic cones onto the surface from the vehicle, includes a conveyor disposed in use between the vehicle and the surface for transferring cones therebetween. The apparatus further includes means for actuating the conveyor in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular with the direction of movement of the vehicle during use. This allows the apparatus to lift and lay cone tapers.

Abstract: A grain cart or similar device for receiving and moving granular agricultural product from a harvester includes bulk filling structure for directly loading an elongated intermodal container. The cart has a frame supported on wheel structure at generally a constant height relative to the surface of the ground, and a grain tank is fixed to the frame. A lift assembly connected to the cart frame adjacent the tank supports a vertically adjustable high speed filling conveyor above the cart hitch. The filling conveyor is operable at a speed sufficient to throw the material along an arcuate path through a side opening in the intermodal container towards the opposite end of the container. The intermodal container can be filled directly from the grain cart with the end of the filling conveyor located outside of the container.

Abstract: A dump trailer having a box for storing material therein, a first conveyor for conveying the material out of the forward end of the box, a second conveyor pivot able from a storage position beside the box to a position across the front end of the first conveyor for receiving material from the first conveyor. Said second conveyor being pivotal at an angle for transporting material from the first conveyor at different heights to another object at different heights. Said second conveyor being slidable along its length to different locations on either side of the box.

Abstract: A mobile feeder has a distributor conveyor band which is adjustable in at least a height direction. The distributor conveyor band is connected to a carrier frame and can be removed with the carrier frame from the mobile feeder. The mobile feeder is equipped with a mounting device for the distributor conveyor band. The mounting device at least temporarily is provided at the mobile feeder, can be set on the ground, and engages the carrier frame from below. Matching connection assemblies releasably connect the carrier frame to the mounting device. Drive assemblies at the mounting device adjust the carrier frame relative to the mobile feeder to a ground contact position of the distributor conveyor band.

Abstract: A self-unloading grain cart having a horizontal auger and a vertical auger for unloading grain from the cart. The cart having a plurality of gates for accessing a portion of the auger at one time so as not to overload the auger. The cart also having a clutch for engaging or disengaging the horizontal auger so that the vertical auger can be turned independently from the horizontal auger. The starting and stopping of the movement of grain when unloading the cart is thereby enhanced to prevent spillage and for quicker restarts with lower power requirements.

Abstract: A vehicle for the harvesting of plants bearing fruit or vegetables and particularly strawberries is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a conveyor belt system which is a pair of conveyors each comprising a belt assembly and an elongated trough positioned in a fixed relation above the belt assembly. Each conveyor is configured so that it can span many rows of fruit. Workers stand behind a conveyor and follow the vehicle picking strawberries. When the vehicle reaches the end of a row, the conveyor belt system is arc displaced over the vehicle to the opposite side using hydraulic power or some other appropriate means for displacement. The vehicle wheels are orientated for travel along the access road along the end of a field, for example, 90 degrees when the road is perpendicular to the rows of fruit. The vehicle then travels along the end of the field until it is again aligned with rows of fruit to be picked. The wheels are then orientated back for travel across the field.

Abstract: The dump body of a dump truck includes an opening in the bottom of the dump body through which material in the receptacle can be deposited onto an endless conveyor below the dump body. A spreader is removably mounted on the conveyor whereby material moved by the conveyor onto the spreader is discharged rearwardly of the dump truck. The conveyor and spreader unit can be extended and retracted relative to the dump body and can be completely removed from the dump body and the opening in the bottom of the dump body covered when using the dump truck in a dumping mode of operation.

Abstract: In the conventional air cargo transportation system, the transportation of the cargo that is stored inside of the airport terminal building, to the area of the loading/unloading door is normally performed using the package/cargo carts. However, numerous workers were needed to load the cargo and drive the carts, which is very labor intensive and entails high manpower costs. The conventional system is also dangerous as they move along the complex tarmac markings.

Abstract: A flowable material delivering vehicle in combination with a material dispensing system including a fixed conveyor extending continuously from a position located adjacent a vehicle container outlet aperture to a position located adjacent a vehicle cab front end. A dispensing adapter is attached to the vehicle for receiving a portion of the flowable material when the latter emanates from the fixed conveyor. In one embodiment, the dispensing adapter includes a pivotable conveyor pivotally attached to the vehicle and a configuring mechanism. The configuring mechanism allows the pivotable conveyor to pivot between a stowed configuration wherein it lies in a generally proximal and parallel relationship relative to an edge of the vehicle and a working configuration wherein the pivotable conveyor extends away from the vehicle so as to allow discharging of the flowable material away from the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for modifying conventional automatic three table bale wagons handling small bales to load, transport, and stack big bales with dimensions in excess of 3 feet×4 feet ×8 feet. With the apparatus a modified bale wagon picks up and handles big bales during traversal of a field in which big bales of vegetative material have been deposited. The modified bale wagon with its apparatus loads the big bales one at a time and orders them without rotation, two at a time, on a loading table of a conventional three table automatic bale wagon which pivots vertically, placing the two big bales on end on the bale wagon load bed side-by-side in the bale wagon load bed. When the load bed reaches capacity, six to eight big bales, the bale wagon is driven to a storage area where the load bed pivots 90°, allowing the big bales to be pushed off the load bed, forming a compact stack of six to eight big bales.

Abstract: A railroad vibratory system having a hopper, a shaker, a conveyor assembly and a handling device that fastens railroad material to secure a railroad track onto a railroad track system. The hopper releases the railroad material, through an aperture. The shaker oscillates the hopper so the railroad material releases, controlled and orderly, through the aperture. The conveyor assembly receives the railroad material through the aperture and transports the railroad material to the handling device.

Abstract: A coal charging car for a coke-oven battery has a screw-type feeder beneath the coal hopper shiftable on the chassis of the car to allow positioning of the outlet of that feeder over the hole communicating with the coking chamber without moving the car.

Abstract: A trailer for dispensing different types of bulk material such as seed into planting equipment is disclosed, the trailer including a pair of substantially planar platforms with an elongated conveying bin disposed below and between the platforms. Seed from one or more of the bulk bags falls into the bin and is conveyed by way of an auger forward to a hopper located at the ends of the platforms. From the hopper, the seed is dispensed into planting equipment by way of a pivotally mounted elevated auger which swings in about a 180.degree. arc so as to dispense seed on both sides of the trailer. The elevated auger and corresponding tube are mounted to the trailer by way of a hanging pivot member which enables the auger to pivot between a dispensing position in which the intake end of the auger is located in the hopper and a storage position where the auger tube extends rearwardly above the platforms.

Abstract: A cart for storing and transporting granular material comprises a storage bin having sidewalls which converge inwardly and downwardly to a trough and a sump. The trough extends across a portion of the bottom of the storage bin and opens into the sump which extends at least partially below the trough. A drag auger is rotatably secured in the trough. An unloading auger assembly is secured to the storage bin and extends from the sump, upward along the front left corner of the bin and therebeyond. A lower portion of an auger of the auger assembly extends into the sump. Grain stored in the bin flows by gravity into the sump where it is advanced out of the bin by the unloading auger assembly. The drag auger may be independently engaged to advance grain to the sump which would not otherwise advance to the sump by gravity feed alone.

Abstract: A bulk granular material transport system having multiple compartments with a detachable elevating conveyor to permit the conveyor to assist with unloading as well as loading of the transport device. Each compartment may be individually discharged onto a horizontal conveyor which delivers the seed to the elevating conveyor when the elevating conveyor is in its first position. The elevating conveyor is suspended from an adjustable crane which is pivotable on the frame of the transport system. The elevating conveyor may be released from its first position such that the discharge of the elevating conveyor may be positioned over a compartment of the transport device. All mechanisms are individually actuable through a remote control device.

Abstract: A system and method for loading cargo as cargo units in an aircraft cargo handling system having a cargo loading bay that opens laterally of the aircraft and at least one cargo stowing bay adjacent to the cargo loading bay longitudinally of the aircraft. Two self-erecting power drive units are disposed in the cargo loading bay such that the associated rollers are oriented to propel cargo units in orthogonal directions. The two power drive units in the loading bay are also disposed adjacent to each other such that, when both are in the erected position, the rollers of each unit simultaneously engage a single overlying cargo unit. The power drive units may be simultaneously placed in the erected position with the motors de-energized, such that orthogonal orientation of the de-energized drive rollers effectively prevents movement of an overlying cargo unit engaged by both rollers, whereby the cargo unit so engaged is prevented from inadvertent movement out of the loading bay.

Abstract: A turret deck for a telescopic conveyor comprises a platform which is longitudinally and translationally movable relative to the chassis of a vehicle on which it is supported. The platform supports a base plate and a supporting yoke on which the telescopic conveyor is pivotally mounted about a horizontal shaft. The conveyor is tilted by means of two hydraulic cylinders, one of which is located between the base plate and a second supporting yoke for placing the conveyor in a transport position, while the other cylinder tilts the conveyor to allow unloading. An additional hydraulic cylinder on the conveyor retracts automatically during operation of the first hydraulic cylinder in order to prevent the conveyor from interfering with obstacles or power lines while it is being placed in the transport position. The telescopic conveyor comprises devices for storing the lower band of the endless belt conveyor during the retraction of the various sections of the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor for particulate material such as grain comprises a conveyor duct with an improved hopper section which has side walls which can fold down flat to allow passage over the hopper section of a vehicle. The conveyor is the type including a belt Which passes through a tube. The belt passes underneath the side walls of the hopper section to carry the material out of the hopper section. The side walls are mounted for pivotal movement about pins at a bottom edge of the side walls and are held in an upwardly and outwardly inclined position by springs. The structure is mounted on a base frame with ramps so that the vehicle can pass over the base frame and flatten the side walls, following which the side walls are pulled upwardly to the hopper position by the springs.

Abstract: A mobile metering and storage apparatus which includes a mobile unit such as, for example, a tractor of a tractor-trailer unit adapted to transport, store and meter material accommodated in the mobile unit. A discharge conveyor is provided at a floor level of the mobile unit for receiving and discharging material from the mobile unit. At least one feed conveyor is disposed at a floor level of the mobile unit for feeding material to the discharge conveyor. The feed conveyor may take the form of a single tapered screw supported in a cantilever fashion along one side of the mobile unit or may be fashioned as two cantilevered tapered screw conveyors supported on a head assembly disposed substantially centrally of the mobile unit and extending in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing and retrieving road signs has a conveyor for conveying a group of road signs, a pair of group of signs-conveying members for conveying the group of road signs while supporting both sides of a bottom portion of the group of road signs, a driving device for changing over the road sign to a support-releasing condition, a pair of sign-receiving elements arranged at sign-separating positions, a moving device for causing the pair of sign-receiving elements to approach and separate, a sign-ascending and descending device for supporting and causing the road sign to ascend and descend, a device for correcting the posture of the road sign, a sign-holding device for releasably holding the road sign, a position-changing device for shifting the sign-holding device from a position where the sign is separated to a position where the sign is installed and retrieved, and a holding device-ascending and descending mechanism for causing the sign-holding device to ascend and descend at the position whe

Abstract: A compost supplement spreader for delivering supplement to the top of an elongated compost pile, the spreader being formed of a frame having spaced apart sides, wheels mounted on the frame for movement of the frame on the earth with the compost pile being positioned between the frame sides, a hopper elevationally supported between the frame sides, the hopper having a lower position whereby supplement may be deposited in the hopper open top and having an upper operating position whereby the hopper bottom clears the top of the compost pile and a conveyor belt in the bottom portion of the hopper for controllably discharging supplement from the hopper onto a compost pile.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the luggages' loading into and the unloading out of aircraft holds consisting of a movable truck which is located in the aircraft hold and receives in succession from the conventional belt elevator the luggages or packages to be conveyed to the operators within the aircraft hold, whereupon the movable truck is returned to the starting point to receive another luggage and so on until the loading operation is completed. The luggages' unloading operation is performed in the reverse direction.

Abstract: This shipper is constituted by a movable platform (1) which is provided with a loading hopper (3) having a suitable capacity, from which platform (1) projects a support (7) for a bulk elevating system (9) which may be coupled to one of the ends of the hopper (3) and which in turn extends into another discharge tube (14), such that these tubes, when in an inactive position, are horizontally folded on each other, while when in a working position they form an angle capable of overcoming obstacles of considerable height and width and the discharge tube (14) ending in a discharge nozzle (17) which may be pointed in any direction. A cabin (21) is also established on this platform (1) housing the control device of the assembly and the roof of which is provided with a support (22) for the bulk elevating system (9) and the discharge tube (14), when the latter are inactive or when the assembly is being transported.

Abstract: An improved mobile batch plant that is entirely self-erecting and completely contained as operated between transport and functional modes by a single operator. A truck-towed main frame hingedly supports a tower assembly that includes cement storage and weigh bins and water storage and weigh tanks proximate a materials release point to be received by a mixer. An aggregate and/or sand hopper and conveyor are located forward on the main frame and these serve to move aggregate materials to the release point. A hydraulic linear actuator system operates to move the tower assembly between the vertical operational position and the horizontal transport position where conveyor and tower are compacted against the main frame.

Abstract: An unloading system for a container, such a forage box, includes a floor and a pair of parallel sidewalls. An auger is located in the container and a hydraulic motor on the auger rotates the auger to convey material in the container toward one end thereof. The auger is mounted on movable carriages and a second hydraulic motor drives the carriages to advance the auger transversely across the floor of the container between the sidewalls while the auger is rotating. A second cross auger is positioned adjacent the discharge end of the aforementioned auger and extends transversely of the container to receive the material conveyed by the first auger and discharge it from the container, and the second auger is also driven by a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor which transversely advances the first auger includes a relief valve which controls the hydraulic fluid pressure of that motor to vary the speed of the transverse movement across the floor of the container.

Abstract: Drive transmission from the bottom auger of a combine grain tank to an outwardly and upwardly inclined swinging unloading auger-conveyor by means of (sequentially) a telescoping, double U-jointed drive shaft, an acute angle bevel gear box, and a jack shaft, permit the enclosure of the drive components in a compact housing while retaining a desirably, relatively unobstructed flow channel from the grain tank into the unloading conveyor housing. Bevel gear box and U-joint locations are chosen so that the unloading auger may be driven, if desired, in any position in its normal range of swing.

Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement for the auger and auger drive mechanism of a floating screed type asphalt paver. A drive box, pivotally mounted at the back of the paver, supports and drives the inboard ends of left side and right side augers. A cantilever beam, mounted on the drive box, extends laterally over both augers and provides outboard bearing support. Actuator means is provided for controllably pivoting the entire assembly about an axis located in front of the augers, enabling the augers to be lifted and lowered for loading/unloading operations, clearing obstructions, etc., and also enabling the auger to be adjusted vertically during paving.

Abstract: A moving gate discharge system designed to prevent product-breakage while discharging particulate products, particularly non-free flowing and inter-engaging particulate products, in a more uniform flow from a receptacle having a moving bottom, is disclosed. The system includes an endless circulating feeder mounted across the discharge of the receptacle with its lower end portion oscillating upwardly and downwardly and traveling at a horizontal speed more rapid than that of the product on the moving bottom of the receptacle. Product-progressing finger assemblies are mounted in transverse rows on the feeder, spaced distances equal to the longitudinal distance the feeder moves during one period of vertical movement of the lower end portion thereof, and located such that each will be disposed directly below the lower end portion of the feeder when the latter reaches the lower portion of its downward movement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for collection, compaction, and ejection of refuse wherein refuse initially dumped into a forward hopper compartment is conducted through an opening in a compaction plate into a storage compartment. A shredding device such as an auger-type impeller is formed as part of the compaction blade assembly and is moveable therewith between a forward position in the hopper compartment and a rearward, compaction position in the storage compartment. The combined impeller and compaction blade assembly permits initial shredding and compaction of refuse during transmission to the storage compartment, with periodic compaction of the storage compartment contents by displacement of the compaction blade assembly rearward. Ejection of refuse from the storage compartment is also accomplished by rearward displacement of the impeller and compaction blade assembly, thereby forcing the contained refuse through a rearward ejection door.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a round bale wagon is disclosed wherein at least two hydraulic cylinders are connected hydraulically in series. A relief valve redirects the flow of hydraulic fluid to continue the operation of subsequent hydraulic cylinders in the series circuit and to continue the flow of hydraulic fluid through the circuit when one of said hydraulic cylinders reaches the end of its stroke. The hydraulic cylinders corresponding to a bale pickup and the bale handling mechanism are connected in series in such a manner that, when the bale pickup is doing work in elevating a bale onto the load bed, the bale handling mechanism is returning to its home position without doing work and, when the bale pickup returns to its first position adjacent the ground, it does no work, while the bale handling mechanism works to arrange the deposited bales in a preselected position on the load bed.

Abstract: A bale wagon comprising a main frame and bale pick-up apparatus mounted on the main frame, the bale pick-up apparatus comprising a subframe, bale elevator apparatus mounted on the subframe and operable to lift a bale from the ground on being engaged thereby, and conveyor apparatus to which bales lifted by the elevator apparatus are delivered, the conveyor apparatus comprising in effect two separate conveyors operable to handle a bale successively with the directions of movement imparted by the two conveyors to a bale lying in different planes inclined relative to, and intersecting, each other.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable conveyor to load hay bales onto a bale wagon. The chain conveyor with cleats to catch the bales is held to the bale wagon frame by bolts which pierce slots on the conveyor support. Adjustment of the distance of the extension of the cleats through the support table on which the bales move is accomplished by moving the slots relative to the bolts.

Abstract: An improved reciprocatory self-loading dual-ended earth excavation vehicle pivotally connected to two or more unmanned self-leveling and self-maneuvering telescopic conveyor vehicles, the latter in turn are pivotally connected to a multi-function dual-ended distribution vehicle capable of conveying, spreading, wetting, impacting and grading the earth fill. The above-mentioned articulated vehicles provide the means to excavate, convey and discharge a virtually continuous flow of earth while traveling in a forward or rearward direction. The excavation and telescopic conveyor vehicles are readily adaptable to surface mining of various minerals including coal and oil shale by simply exchanging the above-mentioned distribution vehicle for a pivotally connected boom conveyer vehicle which provides the means for discharging the ore at a mill site or for the loading of long haul ore carriers.

Abstract: An adjustable drag feed device for a mobile grinder-mixer machine is mounted on the chassis of the grinder-mixer machine by a support arm which permits lateral swinging movement of the drag feed device between a transport position and selected operative positions. A short pivot arm pivotally interconnects the drag feed device with the support arm. The drag feed device may shift longitudinally a short distance about the short pivot arm to thereby permit the infeed end of the drag feed device to be optimally positioned with respect to the discharge chute of a bin from which material is discharged into the drag feed device.

Abstract: A method of loading and unloading an open top or gondola railroad car utilizes a mobile, wheeled apparatus having power actuated front and rear boom structures. A front supportive foot engageable with the upper surfaces of the railroad car sidewalls is connected to free ends of the front boom structure and similarly engageable rear supportive feet are connected to the ends of outrigger arms movable outwardly from the sides of the rear end of the mobile apparatus. The rear boom structure includes an articulated material engaging grapple for loading and unloading operations. During operation, the operator positions the mobile apparatus adjacent an end of the railroad car with the front boom raised and the front supportive foot engaged with the top surfaces of the car sidewalls.

Abstract: A truck loader is provided for loading tomatoes from a harvester machine onto a truck and includes means for extending or retracting the loader to different positions so that the harvester machine may pass through different rows of crop and load the truck traveling along the same path at different distances.