US 2010/0072158 A1 · Drum Frame System For Cranes

Abstract

A mobile lift crane includes a carbody having moveable ground engaging members; a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody such that the rotating bed can swing with respect to the ground engaging members; 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; and a third hoist drum mounted in a third frame indirectly connected to the rotating bed by being connected to at least one of the first and second hoist drum frames. Preferably load hoist drum frames are connected to the rotating bed by removable pins, the hoist drum and frame thus being detachable from the rotating bed as a combined unit. Further a major crane component, such as a mast, a mast stop, a backhitch or a boom stop, is connected indirectly to the rotating bed such that forces directed along a line of action of the major crane component are transferred to the rotating bed through at least one of the drum frames.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of transporting and assembling a mobile lift crane, the lift crane comprising, during operation, i) a rotating bed, ii) a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed, iii) a first hoist drum mounted in a frame secured to the rotating bed, iv) a second hoist drum mounted in a frame secured to the rotating bed, and v) at least a first other major crane component selected from the group consisting of a mast, a mast stop, a backhitch and a boom stop, the method comprising:

a) transporting the first hoist drum mounted in its frame to a job site;
b) transporting the second hoist drum mounted in its frame to the job site;
c) transporting the rotating bed to the job site without either of the first hoist drum or second hoist drum being connected to the rotating bed;
d) pinning the first hoist drum frame to the rotating bed at the job site;
and
e) pinning the first other major crane component indirectly to the rotating bed at the job site such that forces directed along a line of action of the major crane component are transferred through the frame of the first hoist drum to the rotating bed.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drum Frame System For Cranes

Life of this patent

Drum Frame System For Cranes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20