Apparatus for lifting, handling and transporting a container

An apparatus for lifting, handling and transporting a container having right and left sides and front and rear ends, the apparatus comprising:

• a carrier frame including right and left longitudinal elements juxtaposed with the right and left sides, respectively, of the container to be handled and transported, each longitudinal element extending between opposite first and second ends, the carrier frame having selectively adjustable in length front and rear transverse elements juxtaposed with the front and rear ends, respectively, of the container to be handled and transported, each transverse element extending between opposite right and left ends, the left ends of the front and rear elements being adjacent to the first and second ends, respectively, of the left longitudinal element, and the right ends of the front and rear elements being adjacent to the first and second ends, respectively, of the right longitudinal element, the carrier frame further including a plurality of generally vertical upright members, each upright member extending between opposite upper and lower ends;
• bearing means attached to each upright member lower end, for ground bearing and relative movement of the upright members with the ground, the bearing means being one of a single wheel assembly and a dual wheel single axle assembly;
• elevating means for elevating and lowering the carrier frame with respect to the ground;
• a fixed laterally directed wheel assembly extending downwardly a predetermined distance from each of the right and left longitudinal elements near the front transverse element, the fixed laterally directed wheel assemblies for allowing selective lateral expansion of the carrier frame to clear a transport vehicle platform, the container or both for positioning, and for allowing contraction of the carrier frame into close juxtaposition with the transport vehicle platform, the container or both for transporting;
• supporting means connected to the carrier frame and to the container for supporting the container to the frame;
• means for providing hydraulic power to actuators;
• and
• steering and mobility means at the upright member lower ends, the steering and mobility means including a swivel connection between the bearing means and the corresponding lower end of the rear upright members, a non-swivel connection between the bearing means and the corresponding lower end of the front upright members, a hydraulic motor with a drive shaft for mounting a sprocket gear, and a corresponding sprocket gear attached to the bearing means at the lower end of the front upright members for connecting a sprocket chain between the hydraulic motor drive shaft and the bearing means at the lower end of the front upright members,
• wherein the carrier frame is capable of being elevated to be moved over the container and is capable of being lowered around the container for attaching the carrier frame to the container for subsequent lifting, handling, and transporting of the container.