Abstract: The instant invention relates to the manufacture and/or repair of trailer and truck decks or similar. In particular, the invention relates to the installation of self tapping screws into pre-drilled holes or the installation of self drilling, self tapping screws where no hole yet exists. The machine has a cross beam with rails for a wheeled carriage which supports a linear actuator for an automatic screwdriver or, in another variation, a screw driving machine with an integral linear actuator. This wheeled carriage facilitates the movement of the screwdriver in a straight line in the X direction, laterally, across the deck, while wheeled trucks on the cross beam allow it, along with the carriage, to be moved in the Y direction, longitudinally, down the length of the deck. The actuator moves the screwdriver axially (Z direction) with each installation of a screw. Said movement is facilitated by a linear actuating device, such as a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A mechanized device for externally grabbing and rotating the operating capstan of a railroad car bottom discharge gate is disclosed which utilizes a pair of spaced converging, opposed normally open gripper fingers operable between a closed and an open position, operated between a closed and an open position by a reciprocating fluid cylinder and a motor for rotating the gripper mechanism relative to the cylinder to thereby rotate the capstan to operate the gate.

Abstract: A maneuverable powerjaw apparatus for making and breaking joints of well bore tubular is provided for operation on a rig floor. Preferably a plurality of wheels are mounted to a mobile housing in a reverse tricycle orientation that permits high maneuverability of the mobile housing including rotation in position. Preferably, the two forward wheels are individually powered by hydraulic motors. Vertical orientation of the mobile housing is preferably provided by hydraulic struts that, once the mobile housing is positioned adjacent the pipes on the rig floor, permit the power jaws to be positioned at the correct vertical position on the joints for making, breaking, and spinning of the pipes. In one presently preferred embodiment, a pivotal connection is provided between the mobile housing and a frame to which torque arms are attached. In this embodiment, the frame rotates with respect to the well bore tubular as the joints are made or broken while the mobile housing may remain stationary.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and breaking a threaded connection between a drill head and a stabilizer mounted on an end of a drill string includes a wrench capable of operatively engaging a portion of the drill head so as to substantially prevent rotation of the drill head with respect to the wrench. A gripper assembly is operatively mounted on the wrench. The gripper assembly is capable of operatively receiving a portion of the stabilizer, and releasably locking the stabilizer against rotation relative to the gripper assembly. Finally, at least one drive unit is operatively coupled between the gripper assembly and the wrench for driving rotational movement of the gripper assembly with respect to the wrench.