Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for changing the unwinding direction of wound laps supplied by a delivery station in order to form a group of wound laps in which the face sides of adjacent wound laps are provided with the same distance and the longitudinal axes of the wound laps are disposed in one line. A rotatable vertical shaft is provided with one or more horizontal receivers that receive the laps sequetially and rotate each lap by 90° with the division of a winding group being maintained.

Abstract: A device for supporting a web with a holding device (5), a first spring element (14), which generates a first spring force directed roughly against the force caused by the load in case of a loading of the holding device (5) and with a second spring element (16), which generates a second spring force acting roughly in the direction of the force caused by the loading of the holding device (5).

Abstract: A clamp for handling stacked loads of different sizes has a hydraulic circuit capable of selectively causing closing movement of a pair of clamp arms in synchronized unison with each other and thereafter, automatically in response to resistance to closing movement by one but not the other of the pair of clamp arms, causing unsynchronized closing movement of the other clamp arm. Subsequently, upon opening of the clamp, the hydraulic circuit initially causes opening movement of the previously unsynchronized clamp arm and thereafter, automatically in response to the attainment of synchronized clamp arm positions, causes opening movement of the pair of clamp arms in synchronized unison with each other.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes a hollow transfer device (20), a side translating assembly (40), and a lift mast assembly (90). The transfer device has at least one substantially open end and a longitudinal opening intersecting the substantial open end. The lift mast assembly is cooperatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially vertically, and the side translating assembly is also operatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially horizontally between at least one side of the vehicle and a center of the vehicle. The invention contemplates use in a newsprint roll handling apparatus.

Abstract: A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, a spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to the loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to the loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear having a first end for penetrating a bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the spear member to rotate relative to the back frame. A front end loader having a bale lift device and a method for transporting a bale are provided. A method of assisting the removal of a bale lifting device from a bale without additional levers or hydraulic controls or hydraulic cylinders is provided. The method can utilize the controls already existing in the operational functions of the loader.

Abstract: An internal tube gripping device having first and second gripping arms including elongated sections with a central axis and gripping ends attached thereto and angled sections extending non-parallel to the central axis and including connecting ends attached thereto. Pivotally attached to the first and second gripping arms are separately formed first and second link members each having first and second ends. At least one tensioning member is connected to the second ends of the first and second link members.

Abstract: An improved downender device for translating heavy objects such as steel coils from a vertical configuration to a horizontal configuration. Comprises a downender transport table having a center channel, a drive chain disposed in said center channel, and an arbor for receiving heavy objects. The arbor may extend and retract without interfering with the drive chain, which includes a series of catchers for pushing the heavy objects along a table of rollers.

Abstract: An automatic net and tube feeding system for a sod harvester having a conveyor upon which rolls of sod are formed includes a net feeder comprising a supply roll from which net is dispensed, a pair of feed rollers positioned to engage a portion of the net therebetween and a motor selectively operable to turn one of the feed rollers to eject a length of net onto the conveyor. Also included in the system is a net cutter having a cutting blade pivotally mounted parallel to the feed rollers and a stop bar for locking the supply roll. The system further includes a tube feeder for dispensing core tubes around which the sod rolls are formed, the tube feeder comprising a rack having a discharge opening and a tube dispenser selectively controlling the release of individual core tubes through the discharge opening and onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A lift truck assembly for impaling, lifting, and transporting large bales of hay. The assembly has a frame that is adapted for attachment to a standardized Industrial Truck Association (ITA) carriage. The assembly frame has several forwardly projecting spikes for impaling and carrying the bale of hay.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for changing the winding-off direction of reels (W,W1) which are delivered in succession by a delivery station (1) in order to form a reel group (WG) in which the front faces of adjacent reels (W) are equally spaced (a) and the longitudinal axes (LA) of the reels (W) are in a line. In practice, it is sometimes necessary to arrange the preparation machine for producing a reel (W) in such a way in relation to the combing machine group being used that the reels that are delivered by the preparation machine have a different winding-off direction in the ejected winding-off direction to that necessary for the subsequent combing machine. It is therefore necessary to rotate the reels (e.g. 90° or 180°) while preserving the division of the reel group.

Abstract: In a storage and handling installation for paper rolls for a printing facility, a storage structure is provided with two parallel storage racks separated by an aisle. The first storage rack provides a series of floor strips interrupted by load stations as well as shelves, each shelf being situated above one of the floor strips. Floor strips and shelves each provide a plurality of storage locations for taking up paper rolls side by side with their axes horizontally oriented transversely to the aisle. The load stations can each take up a wagon transferable to a reelstand via a straight rail section. A storage and retrieval device is movable along the aisle and comprises a vertically movable platform with a support transversely extendable into the storage locations and load stations for taking up or deposing a single paper roll.

Abstract: An industrial roll handling apparatus allows the user to lift and maneuver industrial rolls and other heavy objects without the aid of another individual. It is removably attached to a forklift or tow motor for maneuverability. It has a triangular truss body that provides strength and support and a barrel within a barrel system that allows an industrial roll to turn independently from the truss. Straps used in combination with a buckle fastening system secure the industrial roll to the apparatus. Once fastened, the industrial roll can be manually rotated in a complete circle.

Abstract: A caliper for measuring the thickness of collated printed products and which has a lever arm which is pressed into engagement with each of a plurality of printed products as they are serially conveyed past a measurement station. The lever arm is actuated by a servo motor which includes an encoder, and when the lever arm is pressed into engagement with each product, the position of the lever arm is sensed by the encoder which then delivers a signal to a controller where the thickness is calculated and compared with a predetermined correct value. A method of calibrating the caliper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A loader bucket mounted bale spear comprising an inverted “T” shaped unitary frame having a transverse base adapted to sit on the floor of the bucket and having a stem attached perpendicularly to the base with a free distal end, a plurality of same facing sockets carried by the frame for selectively mounting one or more elongated tines, an anchor bar attached to the loader bucket and a tongue and socket assembly for interconnecting the distal end of the frame stem to the anchor bar on the loader bucket.

Abstract: A pre-starter for starting a turn in the end of a sod strip travelling up a conveyor in a sod harvester. The pre-starter includes a metal plate sloping downwardly and rearwardly with its end pressing against the sod strip to catch the blades of grass on the upper surface of the sod strip, thereby causing the end of the sod strip to curl upwardly. The curled end of the sod strip then moves into a conventional sod roll-up mechanism spaced immediately behind the pre-starter, to roll the sod strip. This forms accurate and consistent rolls suitable for automation.

Abstract: An internal tube gripping device having first and second gripping arms including elongated sections with a central axis and gripping ends attached thereto and angled sections extending non-parallel to the central axis and including connecting ends attached thereto. Pivotally attached to the first and second gripping arms are separately formed first and second link members each having first and second ends. At least one tensioning member is connected to the second ends of the first and second link members.

Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.

Abstract: A corrugator single facer of the type utilizing a large diameter bonding roll and a small diameter corrugating roll provides quick roll change capability by mounting three large diameter bonding rolls on a rotatable turret and carrying corresponding small diameter corrugating rolls in a magazine positioned laterally offset from the machine. By driving the corrugating rolls indirectly through the pressure belt arrangement which supports the lower corrugating roll, roll change is significantly simplified.

Abstract: A sod harvester having a conveyor assembly to receive sod from a cutting head, a roll-up mechanism to form rolls from the cut sod, and a storage conveyor to receive a set of formed sod rolls, with a clamp to clamp the set of sod rolls and transfer it to a pallet. A diverter between the conveyor assembly and the storage conveyor normally allows sod rolls to travel to the storage conveyor but can be moved to create a gap through which defective sod rolls fall and are thereby rejected. A deflector located below the gap deflects scrap sod and defective sod rolls onto the cut portion of the sod field, rater than onto the uncut portion, so that the scrap sod deflected onto the field will not interfere with the next pass of the cutting head.

Abstract: On a machine for producing articles, in particular a packaging machine for producing packets of cigarettes, a reel, laid flat on a support, is fed, by means of a transfer device, to a relative unwinding pin fitted to the periphery of a rotary platform rotating about a substantially horizontal axis; the unwinding pin being set to a substantially radial position with respect to the platform axis; the rotary platform being rotated to set said unwinding pin to a vertical receiving position facing upwards; the reel being fitted downwards onto the unwinding pin in the receiving position; and the unwinding pin being rotated, with respect to the rotary platform, into an axial position with respect to the rotary platform before unwinding the reel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lift-table flatcar conveyor for transferring a roll (3) or, respectively, group of rolls of cardboard, cellulose or paper from a first station to a second station, the lift-table flatcar conveyor comprising a rail (2) arranged between the first station and the second station and, arranged back-and-forth movable along the rail (2) between the first station and the second station, a flatcar (1) onto which the roll (3) or, respectively, a group of rolls is movable. During the transfer operation, the roll (3) or, respectively, the group of rolls moved onto said flatcar (1) is supported by support means (4) that are adapted rotatable for the duration of the return travel of the flatcar (1) from the second station to the first station into a home position, wherein the support means (4) can pass rolls (3) waiting on the stations without making a physical contact with the rolls.

Abstract: A portable plastic film wrapping system comprises a push-cart having a vertical mast member mounted thereon. A film roll carriage is vertically movable along the mast member, and the film roll carriage is operatively connected to a counterweight which is movably disposed within the mast member. The mast member is provided with a plurality of apertures, and a redundant dual stop pin assembly is engageable within particular ones of the mast member apertures so as to incrementally lockingly retain the film roll carriage at a particular elevations along the mast member such that safe controlled movement of the film roll carriage along the mast member is achieved.

Abstract: A winding roll lifting device is provided in which the base end side of a supporting arm (5), having a tip side installed rotatably on a hook part (34) of the lifting device (1), is installed on the upper side of a main body (2), and a base end (8b) of a chuck part (8a) to be inserted into a winding roll (30) is installed rotatably on the lower side of the main body (2). The supporting arm (5) is rotated about the upper side of the main body (2) in the direction approaching the chuck part (8a) in synchronization with the rotation of the chuck part (8a) about the lower side of the main body (2) by a drive mechanism of the main body (2) from vertical to horizontal state so as to raise the winding roll (30) from the vertical to horizontal state.

Abstract: A light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus (10) that is designed to allow a single person to install, remove and service a light pole (136) that is attached to an above-ground concrete pedestal (130). The apparatus (10) consists of an integrated unit that incorporates three major elements: a transporting dolly (12), a pole platform and pedestal attachment frame (34) and a pivoting pole-securing assembly (70). The dolly (12) includes a set of wheels (28) and casters (30) that allow the apparatus (10) to be transported over various surfaces. The pole platform and pedestal attachment frame (34) allows the apparatus (10) to be placed in either a horizontal storage and transporting position or in a vertical position. The pivoting pole-securing assembly (70) includes a pole securing platform (86) and means for allowing the platform (86) to be rotated to either a horizontal or to a vertical position and to adjust the height of an erected platform (86).

Abstract: In a device according to the invention for the automatic charging of processing stations (1) with printing cylinders (9) a number of charging stations (2) is provided, each being designed as input location for entering the printing cylinder (9) into the device, as storing location for storing the printing cylinder (9) before and after processing, and as output location for delivering the printing cylinder (9) from the device after processing. The printing cylinders (9) may each be supplied to the processing station (1) by means of a crane (3) without being required that the operator must wait at the device until the crane has terminated its operation.

Abstract: To a row of winding stations (1), in which rolls (8) of flat, bendable objects (e.g., printed products) positioned on roll supports (3) are processed or in which such rolls are produced, roll supports (3) are coupled to the winding stations and, if required, are exchanged, the coupled roll supports forming a first row (A) of roll supports parallel to the row of winding stations (1). Roll supports (3) are positioned in readiness for the exchange in a second row (B) of roll supports, which second row (B) is distances from the first row (A) by a transport alley (10). Each roll support in the second row is aligned to the one winding station (1), to which it is to be coupled. For every exchange, the roll support (3) coupled to the winding station (1) is moved transverse to the first row (A) into the transport alley (10) and is transported along the transport alley to its end and there is positioned in a third row (C) of roll supports, which is aligned in the direction of the transport alley (10) and adjoins it.

Abstract: A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, a spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to the loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to the loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear having a first end for penetrating a bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the spear member to rotate relative to the back frame. A front end loader having a bale lift device and a method for transporting a bale are provided. A method of assisting the removal of a bale lifting device from a bale without additional levers or hydraulic controls or hydraulic cylinders is provided. The method can utilize the controls already existing in the operational functions of the loader.

Abstract: A sod harvesting machine comprising a wheeled frame with single or dual cutterheads at the forward end and a sod-receiving wind-up saddle at the rear end. An endless conveyor with a single flight spans the length of the machine and cut sod which is received at the forward end is advanced rearwardly for elevation and transport to the wind-up saddle and discharge at the rear end. The wind-up saddle comprises an expandable frame with pivotally attached supporting arms which commence the wind-up operation in a generally closed “U” configuration, but are controllably adjustably expandable outwardly to open the saddle for continuously accommodating the increase in diameter of the sod roll being helically wound therewithin. When the sod roll reaches its maximum and completed size, the saddle arms are pivoted rearwardly to the horizontal for direct discharge from the harvesting machine onto the ground surface.

Abstract: A pole extractor having a base and a hydraulically operable cylinder and ram assembly. The base is coupled to an attachment means to define a slot for accepting a mobile positioning device. The cylinder and ram assembly have a proximal end coupling said assembly to the base. The ram has a distal end remote from the base, which has a connecting means to accept a holding means. In use, the holding means releasably holds a pole. The cylinder and ram assembly has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet to communicate with an actuating means that controls extension of the ram within the cylinder, which in turn extracts the pole. In use, a pole is choked to the ram and the ram is actuated in order to extract the pole from a substrate.

Abstract: Bobbins containing convoluted webs of sheet material, particularly wrapping material for smokers' products, are transferred from a stack—wherein the axes of the cores of bobbins are vertical—onto the horizontal stub of a receiver in a web processing machine by an apparatus wherein a first set of jaws serves to engage the core of a fresh bobbin from within preparatory to transfer to the receiver and simultaneous pivoting of the first set of jaws through 90°. When the supply of web on the core borne by the stub of the receiver is exhausted, the external surface of the thus exposed core is engaged by a second set of jaws which transport the core to a collecting station or the like. Sheet-like partitions which are disposed between neighboring layers of fresh bobbins in the stack are removed by suction cups which are mounted on a reciprocable pusher together with the jaws of the second set.

Abstract: A sod-laying machine having a low center of gravity and a seated operator position adjacent the roll of sod being placed is disclosed. The superior visibility available to the operator makes it possible to place the sod more accurately and with less need for subsequent adjustment than has been possible previously. The machine has sod roll lifting arms that can be spaced apart to lift and place rolls having any of the common large sod roll widths. The machine can be configured to lay sod that is rolled with either the grass side or the dirt side outermost. Propulsion, roll lifting and roll width adjustment is hydraulic with continuously variable speed drive. Turf scuffing is minimized by trailing caster wheels and independently controllable drive wheels mounted close to the location of the sod roll.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying at least one supply roll, comprising a roll support surface on which the supply roll can be placed with its longitudinal axis extending essentially horizontally. The supply roll can be rolled out in at least one conveying direction with its lateral surface on said roll support surface. The device has at least one transport element with at least one rotating drive device. The carrying run of said drive device can be brought into contact with the lateral surface of the supply roll from below, directly or indirectly, and can be driven in at least one conveying direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a handling device for loading and unloading a sheet metal coil. The sheet metal coil may be loaded or unloaded from a storage pallet to a machine such as reel without manual handling in a safe manner for the operator and the material, using an apparatus such as a fork lift truck. This handling device has a gripping member for gripping the coil and a frame bearing the gripping member by a first pivoting pin. The handle device is mounted on a lift truck table by a second pivoting pin. The device also has a controller coupled with the frame designed to move between an inoperative position where the gripping member is placed inside a fixed mast and an operative position where the gripping member is lowered between one or more forks.

Abstract: A sod roll installation device for mounting to a mini skid steer utility loader, wherein a steel frame, having extended, braced arms with integrally defined locking wells therein, secures an elongated rod having a large roll of sod mounted thereon, thereby enabling one individual to quickly move, unload and install large rolls of sod.

Abstract: An apparatus and process of loading rolls of roofing material onto a stationary pallet, wherein the process performs a series of operations, in accordance with the present invention. Each operation includes the steps of: (a) loading rolls of roofing material onto an upwardly inclined conveyor; (b) depositing the rolls of roofing material onto a downwardly inclined-table; (c) dropping the rolls of roofing material onto a sloped, rotating table until the desired number of rolls of roofing material are accumulated; (d) rotating the table and then tilting the plate until it is nearly upright into a vertical position; (e) traversing the rotating table over the pallet conveyor; and (f) unloading the roll of roofing material from the rotating table onto the pallet.

Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.

Abstract: A lifting unit for a vehicle wheel designed to cooperate with a tire changing machine and a balancing machine arranged on opposite sides thereof and located at a respective operating level, said lifting unit comprising at least one support frame, guide means vertically extending from said support frame, a cross-member guide slidingly mounted on said guide means and arranged to be moved up and down thereon, driving means carried by said support frame and arranged to move said cross-member guide on said guide means, a bracket means slidingly supported on said cross-member guide and designed to carry a vehicle wheel to be processed, a limiting means slidably carried on a vertical guide means, supported by said support frame, and arranged to engage with said guide means to act upon said driving means, wheel detecting means carried by said support frame and arranged to detect the diameter of a wheel standing on said bracket means, and control means arranged to position said limiting means depending upon the diamet

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically marking paper, board or cellulose web rolls at a slitter for the purpose of identifying the rolls during later finishing steps. Such finishing operations include, e.g., roll transport, rewinding, sheeting or other finishing steps and roll packaging. The roll identification code is also used for material management related to customer rolls. The roll identification information of a roll set leaving the slitter, that is, the sequence of rolls exiting from the slitter as a group is transmitted for the use of the roll marking equipment and the customer rolls are moved away from the slitter area only via the roll marking equipment and new rolls are prevented from entering the slitter area in any other form except as a new roll set. As a result, the correct identification data for each roll set is continuously available to the marking equipment.

Abstract: A roll of wound material is upended or turned 90° by a pivotable cart and a conventional forklift apparatus. The roll is supported on a pallet and has a central opening which extends substantially vertically. The cart includes a pair of perpendicular walls and a roller which is mounted on the walls adjacent the intersection between the walls. The forklift first loads the pallet and the roll onto one of the walls of the cart which extends horizontally. The forklift is then arranged so that one of its tines is below said one horizontal wall and a second tine is laterally outward of the roller. The forklift is raised to pivot said one wall about the roller until the second wall pivots into engagement with the second tine. The fork lift is then lowered so that the second wall pivots into a horizontal position. The roll is then supported on the second wall with the central opening extending horizontally.

Abstract: A forklift attachment for rolled flooring including a pair of hollow supports each having open inner ends. The pairs of hollow supports are arranged in a side-by-side orientation. The open inner ends receive the pair of drive forks of the forklift therein. Pairs of support braces are secured to and extend upwardly from the pair of hollow supports. An elongated pole is secured to and extends laterally from the support braces. The elongated pole has an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is secured to an inner most of the support braces. The outer end extends outwardly to a position beyond the hollow supports whereby a free length of the elongated pole can support a roll of flooring thereon.

Abstract: An improved roll cart that allows an individual to move and transport a large roll of paper. The roll cart includes a rolling frame that supports a pivoting carriage for holding and stabilizing a large roll of paper. The pivoting carriage is pivotally attached to a frame so that the carriage can pivot within the frame to allow a roll of paper to be rolled on to or off of the carriage with minimal effort and without lifting or damaging the roll of paper. The roll cart also includes a unique combination braking/locking mechanism and can be securely maintained stationary with respect to a surface by engaging the brake portion of the mechanism. When the brake is engaged, rolling of the device is impeded and the carriage tilts to facilitate loading and unloading of a roll by rolling the roll on to or off of the carriage. When the brake is disengaged, the device is free to roll but the carriage is restricted from tilting by a locking mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a roll of material having a cylindrical bore from a vertical position on a surface to a horizontal position at a height above the surface includes a support mandrel for positioning in the bore in advance of moving the roll. An expansion assembly cooperates with the support mandrel for varying a lateral dimension of the support mandrel between a bore insertion dimension at which the support mandrel is inserted into and withdrawn from the bore, and a bore engaging dimension at which the support mandrel engages the walls of the roll defining the bore and locks the support mandrel and the roll together against relative movement. A swivel assembly to which the support mandrel is connected, rotates the support mandrel from the vertical position to the horizontal position. The swivel assembly is vertically moveable along a stanchion, enabling positioning of the roll at a desired height.

Abstract: A method of introducing/discharging a heavy article is provided that allows for introducing and/or discharging a coil-shape heavy article to and from a transporting receptacle. The method includes utilizing a pallet, a stage, and a carrying vehicle to introduce/discharge the coil-shape heavy article. A coil-shape heavy article is secured to the pallet using a securing member and is transported, while secured to the pallet, between the stage, which is secured to the transporting receptacle, and the transporting receptacle. The stage includes a table having a height that is adjustable relative the floor surface of the transporting receptacle. Movement of the pallet between the stage and the transporting receptacle is performed by levitating a support frame of the carrying vehicle on which the pallet has been positioned using a controllable discharge of gas exiting from exhaust nozzles of the carrying vehicle.

Abstract: A method the method of transferring a roll of sod while inhibiting an unwinding of the roll of sod comprising the steps of: (a) rolling a slab of sod into a first sod roll; (b) forcing the first sod roll onto a sod roll handling mechanism containing a second sod roll with the first sod roll forming pressure contact with the second sod roll on the sod roll handling mechanism; and (c) advancing the sod roll handling mechanism with the second sod roll while maintaining the first sod roll and the second sod roll in pressure contact to thereby inhibit the unwinding of the first sod roll as the first sod roll is transferred to the handling mechanism and an sod harvester guidance system for maintaining a full cut.

Abstract: A sod cutting apparatus includes a cutting head positioned to cut grass sods from grass land and a sod receiving conveyor positioned adjacent the cutting head for receiving the cut grass sods from the cutting head. The sod receiving conveyor has a discharge end which extends away from the cutting head and which is moveable between a first position and a second position. An intermediate conveyor is positioned adjacent the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor for receiving a first cut grass sod from the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor in the first position. An offset conveyor is positioned in spaced relation to the intermediate conveyor adjacent the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor for receiving a second cut grass sod from the sod receiving conveyor in the second position. The intermediate conveyor and the offset conveyor are operable so that the offset conveyor stacks the second cut grass sod on the first cut grass sod.

Abstract: A lift truck or an attachment for a lift truck incorporating a rotating device with which loads are to be transported on or between receiving elements, particularly between two clamping jaws (15), whereby said loads can be held in various orientations, is characterised in that the rotating device (30) is rotatable in both directions and by more than 180°, in that a hydraulic fluid (31) is provided for the drive means for producing the rotary movement, in that one or more cam members (40) are arranged on the rotating member of the rotating device (30), in that one or more elements (41) are arranged on the fixed parts of the lift truck (10) or the attachment (14) opposite the rotating device (30) at those particular locations through which the cam member (40) or the cam members on the rotating device (30) pass shortly before the arrival thereof at the two vertical positions of the rotating device, in that the cam members (40) thereby actuate the elements (41) and in that a signal is produced by virtue of th

Abstract: A self-propelled, steerable straddle carrier (10) includes a main frame (12) supported on transport wheels (14) with a tong table (20) and a plurality of hydraulic lift actuator (34) for raising and lowering the tong table (20) relative to the main frame (12). A pair of front and rear slab tongs (42, 44) are pivotally mounted on the tong table (20) with a pair of front and rear pinch cylinders (43, 45) for opening and closing the slab tongs (42, 44). A pair of coil tongs (52) arm disposed between the front and rear slab tongs (42, 44) with a pair of inverted yoke assemblies for pivotally supporting the coil tongs (52) and a center pinch cylinder (60) for opening and closing the coil tongs (52). A pair of hydraulic actuators (34) interconnect the yoke assemblies and the main frame (12) for raising and lowering the coil tongs (52) relative to the slab tongs (42, 44) to permit the straddle carrier (10) to transport either stacks of steel slabs or a steel coil.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling reels (10) by means of a vertical reel conveyor (15). The latter is provided with a lifting head (18) which can be moved up and down on a vertical bearing column (17) and has a projecting conveyor journal (19) for moving into a centre opening (11) in a reel (10) which is to be picked up. The reels (10) are arranged one above the other in the region of a stock of reels (13), with their centre openings (11) running vertically. The lifting head (18) or part of this head can be rotated in order to transfer the reel (10) to the working journal (16).

Abstract: A sod cutting apparatus includes a cutting head positioned to cut grass sods from grass land and a sod receiving conveyor positioned adjacent the cutting head for receiving the cut grass sods from the cutting head. The sod receiving conveyor has a discharge end which extends away from the cutting head and which is moveable between a first position and a second position. An intermediate conveyor is positioned adjacent the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor for receiving a first cut grass sod from the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor in the first position. An offset conveyor is positioned in spaced relation to the intermediate conveyor adjacent the discharge end of the sod receiving conveyor for receiving a second cut grass sod from the sod receiving conveyor in the second position. The intermediate conveyor and the offset conveyor are operable so that the offset conveyor stacks the second cut grass sod on the first cut grass sod.

Abstract: An assemblage for aligning a roll to a chucking device has at least two flexibly movable, spaced roll support members arranged planarily for supporting the roll for alignment with a fixed positioned chucking device. Each roll support member has a compression head biased for movement by a plurality of cooperating spring members. Precise alignment of the core with the chucking device results from the force imparted to the flexibly movable support member bearing the roll by the chucking device engaging the core.