Highway barrier transporter

A transporter for a length of highway barriers, of the type having a lifting surface comprising:

• a plurality of barrier transporting units, each comprising:
• a spine;
• at least one pair of wheels coupled to the spine and positioned each on a respective side of the spine to straddle the barriers;
• means, coupled to the spine, for engaging at least one of the barriers at the respective lifting surface;
• and
• means, coupled to the spine, for lifting the engaging means and engaged barriers;
• means for pivotably coupling the spines of adjacent transporting units together to form a train configured to straddle the length of highway barriers such that the train can be moved over a length of highway barriers to be transported;
• and
• automotive tractor means positioned at and coupled to at least one end of the train in line with the train to move the train;

A method for transporting a length of highway barriers of the type having a lifting surface, said method comprising the following steps:

• a) providing a transporter comprising a train of barrier transporting units, each comprising a longitudinal element, at least one pair of wheels coupled to the longitudinal element and positioned to straddle a length of barriers, at least one engaging device configured to engage one of the barriers at the respective lifting surface, and at least one lifting device coupled to the longitudinal element and to the engaging device to lift the engaging device and engaged barriers;
• a plurality of articulating couplings, each mounted to a respective end of a respective longitudinal element and interconnecting axially adjacent transporting units;
• a set of at least one automotive tractor, each positioned at and coupled to a respective end of the train in line with the train to move the train;
• and means for powering the lifting devices and the engaging devices;
• b) driving the set of at least one tractor to move the train over a length of highway barriers in straddling relation therewith;
• c) engaging the engaging devices with at least selected ones of the highway barriers;
• d) operating the lifting devices to lift the engaging devices and the engaged barriers;
• e) driving the set of at least one tractor to transport the train and the engaged highway barriers to a new location;
• f) operating the lifting devices to lower the engaging devices and the engaged barriers;
• g) releasing the engaging devices from the barriers;
• and
• h) driving the set of at least one tractor to move the train, thereby leaving the highway barriers at the new location.