US 7,997,432 B2 · Trunnion transportation system and crane using same

Abstract

A mobile lift crane includes a carbody and at least four crawlers attached to the carbody, each crawler having a crawler frame attached to the carbody by a trunnion having an axis. The crawler frame is attached to the carbody so as to be able to pivot with respect to the carbody about the axis of the trunnion. The crane also includes a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody such that the rotating bed can swing with respect to the crawlers and a boom pivotally mounted on a front portion of the rotating bed. A linear actuator is connected between the crawler frame and the carbody and extends through the trunnion. The linear actuator is part of a self attachment mechanism. The trunnion includes a tubular member with a longitudinal axis, a first end configured for connection to the crane carbody and a second end configured for connection to the crawler frame. At least one of the ends is configured to allow rotational movement of the crawler frame relative to the carbody about the longitudinal axis. The linear actuator is mounted within the hollow central tubular member. The linear actuator is preferably a hydraulic cylinder. A carbody connector is attached to one end of the hydraulic cylinder, and a crawler frame connector is attached to the other end of the hydraulic cylinder.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A mobile lift crane comprising:

a) a carbody;
b) at least four crawlers attached to the carbody, each crawler having a crawler frame attached to the carbody by a trunnion having a horizontal axis, the crawler frame being attached to the carbody so as to be able to pivot with respect to the carbody about the horizontal axis of the trunnion;
c) a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody such that the rotating bed can swing with respect to the crawlers;
and
d) a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed;
e) a linear actuator connected between the crawler frame and the carbody and extending through at least one of the trunnions.

3 more elements

A method of assembling a mobile lift crane having, during operation, i) a carbody, ii) at least four crawlers each connected to the carbody through a trunnion, each trunnion comprising a hollow central tubular member, the trunnion allowing the crawler to pivot with respect to the carbody, and the crawlers allowing the crane to travel over the ground, iii) a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody such that the rotating bed can swing with respect to the crawlers, and iv) a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed, with a load hoist line extending there from;

the method comprising:
a) providing each trunnion with a self attachment mechanism comprising i) a linear actuator mounted within the hollow central tubular member, the linear actuator having a first end and a second end, ii) a carbody connector attached to the first end of the linear actuator, and iii) a crawler frame connector attached to the second end of the linear actuator;
b) placing the trunnion adjacent the carbody;
c) extending the linear actuator to a point at which the carbody connector can be connected to the carbody, and connecting the carbody connector to the carbody;
d) retracting the linear actuator, thereby pulling the trunnion into a working position with respect to the carbody;
e) placing the crawler adjacent the trunnion;
f) extending the linear actuator to a point at which the crawler frame connector can be connected to the crawler frame, and connecting the crawler frame connector to the crawler frame;
and
g) retracting the linear actuator, thereby pulling the crawler frame into a working position with respect to the trunnion.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Trunnion transportation system and crane using same

Life of this patent

Trunnion transportation system and crane using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21