Manitowoc Crane Companies, Inc.

Other

The Manitowoc Company, Inc.

Manitowoc Crane Group, LLC

Robert J Walker

Michael J Wanek

David J Pech

Nathan P Holly

Daniel L Krajnik

Feng Pan

William J O'Neil

Trevor D Mentink

Darin J Geiser

A mast-raising mechanism for raising a mast of a mobile lift crane to an operating position includes a hydraulic cylinder extendable to raise the mast. The hydraulic cylinder includes a first end pivotally coupled to a rotating bed of the crane and a second end spaced apart from the first end. A first arm includes a first end pivotably coupled to the second end of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder extends to press the first end against a bearing surface on the mast. The first arm also includes a second end spaced apart from the first end. A second arm includes a first end proximate the second end of the first arm and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The second end of the second arm is pivotably connected to the rotating bed. A biasing mechanism urges the first arm towards the second arm.

Lift crane with mast-raising mechanism

A crane column segment connection system includes first and second column segments with a connector on the second end of the first segment mating with a connector on the first end of the second segment. The connectors each include at least one extension having a through-hole. The through-holes have an axis and are positioned in the extensions such that all through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. In one aspect, the connectors include alignment surfaces cooperating such that when the first and second connectors are being brought together during column assembly, the alignment surfaces guide the column segments in two dimensions within a plane transverse to the axis of the through-holes into a relative position such that the through-holes through the extensions in the connectors are aligned.

Connection system for crane column segments

A method of connecting sections of a crane suspension assembly together includes attaching a frame to a member of a first section; connecting a tension member between the frame and a connector used in the assembly; moving the tension member so that the connector pivots about a pin to a position where a second hole in the connector is in alignment with a hole in a second section member; putting a second pin through the hole in the connector and the hole through the second section member; and disconnecting the tension member from the connector. The method may also include attaching a frame with a winch to a section of the crane suspension assembly; connecting a line from the winch to the connector; activating the winch to move the connector so that it pivots about a pivot axis; and securing the connector in its second position.

Method of connecting crane suspension assembly sections together and frame mounted assembly used therefore

A mobile lift crane includes a carbody having movable ground engaging members; a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody; a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed; a first hoist drum mounted in a first frame connected to the rotating bed; a second hoist drum mounted in a second frame connected to the rotating bed. Connectors used to connect the load hoist drum frames to the rotating bed include engagement members and alignment surfaces such that as the two crane components are brought close to their operational position during an assembly operation, the engagement member and the alignment surface of the connectors come into contact with one another to guide the crane components into their operational orientation so that a main pin can be placed through the through-holes of the extensions of the connectors.

Connection system for crane components

A connector for a column segment, such as a boom segment, of a crane includes n extensions, where n is a positive integer. Each extension has a first base and an aperture extends through the extension from a first side to a second side. The first connector also includes at least (n+y) plates, where y is selected from the group consisting of (&#x2212;1, +1) such that the sum of (n+y) is a positive integer. The plate or plates are positioned in and coupled to the extensions in an alternating arrangement. Each plate includes a plate base aligned substantially in a plane with the first base of the extension to form a first connector mounting surface. A plurality of welds couple the plates to the extensions and the fabricated connector is then welded to the column segment. At least one extension is formed of steel having a grain structure elongated in a direction of rolling that is substantially perpendicular to the first base.

Column connector system

A method of assembling a mobile lift crane that includes, during operation, i) a rotating bed having attached thereto a luffing jib hoist drum and line, and a rigging winch drum and line, ii) a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed, iii) a luffing jib pivotally mounted to the end of the boom, iv) a first strut also pivotally connected to the end of the boom, and v) a second strut connected to the boom below the connection point of the first strut, the method including: a) pivotally connecting the first strut to the end of the boom; b) pivotally connecting a first section of the second strut near the top of the boom; c) connecting the rigging winch line to the top of the first section; d) pivotally attaching a second section of the second strut to the first section such that the second section lies folded onto the first section, forming a folded second strut; and e) lifting the second section while retracting the rigging winch line to thereby bring the first and second sections into alignment with each other.

Folding jib main strut and transportable reeved strut caps

A crane includes first and second column segments. At least a first, third and fifth connector are located on the first segment, respectively mating with at least a second, fourth and sixth connector on the second segment. Each of the connectors includes at least a first extension having a through-hole positioned in the extension such that the through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. A first pin fits tightly through the through-hole of the first extension on the first connector and the through-hole of the first extension on the second connector to hold the first and second connectors together. A second pin fits loosely through the through-hole of the first extension on the third connector and the through-hole of the first extension on the fourth connector to hold the second and fourth connectors together. The connectors also include a compressive load bearing surface.

Pinned connection system for crane column segments

A mobile lift crane includes a boom pivotally mounted on a rotating bed and a boom hoist drum mounted in a frame connected to the rotating bed. A boom hoist line is wound on the boom hoist drum and connected to an upper equalizer and a lower equalizer, with the upper equalizer connected to the top of the boom, such that rotation of the boom hoist drum changes the amount of boom hoist line between the lower equalizer and the upper equalizer, thereby changing the angle between the rotating bed and the boom. The boom hoist drum frame, the lower equalizer and the upper equalizer each include cooperating attachment structures whereby the equalizers can be detachably connected to the frame so that the boom hoist drum, the lower equalizer, the upper equalizer and the boom hoist line can be transported between job sites as a combined assembly.

Boom hoist transportation system and crane using same

Connection system for crane boom segments

A backstay spreader attachable between a pair of backstay sections on a crane includes first and second members each having a backstay section connector at a first end and a pivoting joint connector at a second end, the pivoting joint connectors being used to hold the first and second members together with a pivotal connection and each having an extending portion extending away from the pivotal connection, with an angle between the extending portions. The backstay spreader also includes an actuator mounted between the pivoting joint connectors. The actuator controls the angle between the extending portions of the two pivoting joint connectors, which defines an angle between the first and second members. When the actuator forces the two extending portions towards each other, the first and second members pivot around the pivotal connection to force the first and second backstay sections further apart from one another, and when the actuator allows the two extending portions to pivot away from each other, the first and second members pivot towards each other, allowing the backstay sections to come closer together.

Crane backstay spreader

The boom includes at least a first and second boom segment each with a longitudinal axis and a first and second end, the second end of the first segment being coupled to the first end of the second segment, and at least one first connector on the second end of the first segment respectively mating with at least one second connector on the first end of the second segment. The first connector includes a first alignment surface and the second connector includes a second alignment surface that engages with the first alignment surface such that when the first and second alignment surfaces are fully engaged, the apertures through the extensions in the connectors are aligned such that a main pin can be inserted through the apertures of all extensions in the first and second mating connectors even if the boom segments are not axially aligned. In another aspect of the invention, the connectors include stop surfaces, and the placement of the stop surfaces on the connectors is such that, when identical boom segments are positioned such that a main pin can be inserted through the apertures in the extensions of the connectors on some chords of the boom segments, the stop surfaces cooperate to align the apertures in the extensions of the connectors on other chords when the stop surfaces contact one another.

A crane has a boom with a rotatable boom section connection system. The crane has an upper works rotatably mounted on a lower works, the upper works including a load hoist winch. The boom comprises at least a first and second boom section each with a longitudinal axis and a first and second end, the second end of the first section being coupled to the first end of the second section. At least one male connector on the second end of the first section is coupled to a female connector on the first end of the second section. The male connector comprises a base and a protrusion, the base and protrusion each have an extension in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first boom section. The extensions and protrusion define a socket. The female connector comprises two protrusions spaced apart at a distance such that the protrusion of the male connector fits between the two protrusions. The female connector further comprises a coupler connected to at least one of the protrusions that extends toward the other protrusion. The coupler fits within the socket of the male connector. A retainer connected between the extensions of the male connector prevents the male and female connectors from uncoupling.

Rotatable connection system for crane boom sections

A crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a lower works, a boom comprising a boom butt and a boom top, a load hoist line, and a wire rope guide connected to the boom butt. The wire rope guide is pivotable between a first position on the end of the boom butt and a second position on the upper side of the boom butt. While in the first position, the wire rope guide permits the load hoist line to be used to lift objects when the boom top has been removed from the crane. The crane also comprises a method of repositioning the wire rope guide during assembly of the crane.

Multiple position wire rope guide

A crane boom and luffing jib assembly have an offsetting link to allow the luffing jib to fold back and under the main boom for assembly of the boom and luffing jib assembly on a construction site where the entire length of the boom and luffing jib cannot be laid out during assembly. A method of assembling the crane boom and luffing jib comprises the steps of assembling the luffing jib and boom, the luffing jib pivotally attached to the jib connection pivot, the luffing jib folded back and under the boom along a ground surface, the hinged connection allowing neutral axis of the jib boom section to be offset relative to the boom connection pivot; attaching the boom to a crane; raising the boom top upwardly, allowing the jib top to travel along the ground surface until the luffing jib is lifted off the ground surface; causing the jib boom section to be aligned with the jib connection pivot; and inserting hinge pins into the hinged connection to lock the jib boom section in axial alignment with the jib connection pivot. wherein the luffing jib is initially folded back and under the crane boom.

Offsetting link assembly for folding luffing jib

A longitudinally divisible crane boom segment includes at least a first and a second section that are easily nested together for transport. The sections each include at least one chord member, at least one bracket attached to the section, and a plurality of partial lacing elements. Each partial lacing element has a first end permanently attached to the at least one chord member and a second end. The second end of at least one of the plurality of partial lacing elements of the first section is connectable to a bracket attached to the second section to hold the sections in a nested fashion.

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Manitowoc, WI, United States of America

Robert J Walker