Caterpillar Inc.

Sean D Lawson

Curtis John Caldwell

Simon Tabutin

Robert Alan Jackson

Aaron J Gnagey

Aaron M Brames

James Michael Dunn

Dana John Willer

Shikha Pokharel Thapa

In some implementations, a counterweight assembly, for a lifting machine, includes a plurality of counterweight slabs, including first and second outer counterweight slabs, and one or more inner counterweight slabs sandwiched between inner lateral surfaces of the first and second outer counterweight slabs. A center slab, of the one or more inner counterweight slabs, includes a lifting eye embedded in a body of the center slab.

Lifting eyes for counterweights

An assembly, for securing a tank to a tank mount of a mobile machine, includes a band clamp surrounding a periphery of the tank, a mounting block coupled to the band clamp, and a bracket. The mounting block includes first mounting holes defined in a first surface and second mounting holes defined in a second surface that is angled relative to the first surface by a first angle. The bracket includes a first portion coupled to the tank mount and a second portion coupled to the first portion and angled relative to the first portion by a second angle. The mounting block is engaged with the first portion of the bracket, via the first mounting holes, to set a tension of the band clamp. In addition, the mounting block is engaged with the second portion of the bracket, via the second mounting holes, to support a load of the tank.

System for securing tanks to mobile machines

In some implementations, a counterweight assembly, for a lifting machine, includes a plurality of counterweight slabs, including first and second outer counterweight slabs and one or more inner counterweight slabs sandwiched between inner lateral surfaces of the first and second outer counterweight slabs, wherein an outer lateral surface of each outer counterweight slab includes one or more recesses having one or more respective reflective decals disposed therein.

Highly visible counterweights for lifting machines

A system for determining a lifting capacity of a pipelayer is provided. The system includes a load sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a load suspended from a lifting hook, an angle sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of a chassis relative to ground surface, a boom position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a boom relative to an undercarriage, and a counterweight position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a counterweight relative to the undercarriage. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signal from each of the load sensor, the angle sensor, the boom position sensor, and the counterweight position sensor. The controller is also configured to determine the lifting capacity of the pipelayer based, at least in part, on the received signal.

System and method for determining a lifting capacity of a machine

A boom for a pipelaying machine includes a pair of posts located in a first plane and disposed in a tapered configuration with respect to a second plane transverse to the first plane. The boom also includes a cross-brace disposed between the pair of posts and located partway along a length of the pair of posts. The cross-brace includes a first link member and a second link member disposed along the first plane. Further, each of the first and second link members are angularly offset from each other and the second plane respectively. Furthermore, ends of the first and second link members are rigidly attached to the pair of posts. The cross-brace further includes a first rib member and a second rib member disposed along the second plane and rigidly attached to the first link member and the second link member respectively.

Growing community of inventors

East Peoria, IL, United States of America

Sean D Lawson