US 4,653,974 A · System for transporting and erecting very large and heavy construction equipment

Abstract

A system for transporting and erecting very large, very heavy construction equipment such as cranes, earth augers or the like. Basically, the system consists of three components. The first component is an on-site movable support which can mount the working component such as a crane, auger, or the like during the construction work and which is movable with the working component at low speeds off-road at the construction site and at higher highway speeds on-road when the working component is removed. The second or working component consists of a crane, earth auger or the like and associated control drives. The third component is a large highway qualified truck which includes a mechanism for mounting the working component. In use, the working component is mounted on a truck which is driven to the construction site. The first component is also driven to the construction site and is aligned with the truck. A transfer mechanism then slides the working component from the truck to the on-site movable support. The construction equipment is then ready for work with a minimum of set-up activity. After the work is completed, the working component is returned to the truck for transport to the next working site.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A system for transporting and erecting very large and heavy construction equipment which comprises:

a working component comprising the entire heavy construction equipment mounted on a sled like base;
a carrier vehicle comprising means for moving a very heavy load off the normal vehicle roadway, said vehicle including a base and a turntable means supported by said base adapted to receive and support said working component;
a transport vehicle capable of traveling on a vehicle roadway while carrying heavy construction equipment, including a bed positioned at an elevation substantially lower vertically than said turntable means and adapted to receive and support said working component;
means on both said carrier vehicle and said transport vehicle to align said bed base and turntable means along a substantially straight line, said straight line declining in vertical elevation toward said transport vehicle;
and
transfer means to slide said sled like base and working component from one of said turntable means and bed to the other.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for transporting and erecting very large and heavy construction equipment

Life of this patent

System for transporting and erecting very large and heavy construction equipment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10