A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

A vehicle and method of tending to an elevated agriculture includes a base extending from a forward base portion to a rearward base portion, a support frame, an elevated platform, a guide rail, and a drive unit. The elevated platform is connected to the support frame such that the elevated platform is positioned vertically above the base and horizontally between the forward and rearward base portions. The elevated platform is configured to selectively, vertically raise upward from a lower height toward a higher height. The guide rail extends vertically upward from the elevated platform and horizontally surrounds at least a portion of the elevated platform for bounding an operator atop the elevated platform. The drive unit is configured to selectively direct horizontal movement of the base with the elevated platform thereon for supporting the operator on the elevated platform while moving the elevated platform within the agriculture facility.

A vehicle and method of tending to an elevated agriculture includes a base extending from a forward base portion to a rearward base portion, a support frame, an elevated platform, a guide rail, and a drive unit. The elevated platform is connected to the support frame such that the elevated platform is positioned vertically above the base and horizontally between the forward and rearward base portions. The elevated platform is configured to selectively, vertically raise upward from a lower height toward a higher height. The guide rail extends vertically upward from the elevated platform and horizontally surrounds at least a portion of the elevated platform for bounding an operator atop the elevated platform. The drive unit is configured to selectively direct horizontal movement of the base with the elevated platform thereon for supporting the operator on the elevated platform while moving the elevated platform within the agriculture facility.

An access system (10) for an earth moving equipment (100) to allow a person to travel from ground level to an elevated position, said access system (10) includes an access means (12) mountable on to the earth moving equipment (100), and a retraction mechanism (50) to move the access means (10) between a deployed position (14) wherein a person can ascend or descend on the access means and a retracted position (16) wherein the access means (10) is stowed, and a locking means (52) moveable to an operative position wherein the locking means (52) restrains movement of the access means (10) in the retracted position (16).

An access system (10) for an earth moving equipment (100) to allow a person to travel from ground level to an elevated position, said access system (10) includes an access means (12) mountable on to the earth moving equipment (100), and a retraction mechanism (50) to move the access means (10) between a deployed position (14) wherein a person can ascend or descend on the access means and a retracted position (16) wherein the access means (10) is stowed, and a locking means (52) moveable to an operative position wherein the locking means (52) restrains movement of the access means (10) in the retracted position (16).

A modular staircase is disclosed. The modular staircase includes a first staircase section having a plurality of steps and a first support member detachably connected to the first staircase section. Further, the modular staircase includes a second stair module having a second staircase section including a plurality of steps and a second support member detachably connected to the second staircase section and to the first support member. The modular staircase further includes a third stair module having a third staircase section including a plurality of steps and a retractable third support member detachably connected to the third staircase section and to the second support member. The third support member may be configured to raise or lower the third staircase section relative to the second staircase section.

A modular staircase is disclosed. The modular staircase includes a first staircase section having a plurality of steps and a first support member detachably connected to the first staircase section. Further, the modular staircase includes a second stair module having a second staircase section including a plurality of steps and a second support member detachably connected to the second staircase section and to the first support member. The modular staircase further includes a third stair module having a third staircase section including a plurality of steps and a retractable third support member detachably connected to the third staircase section and to the second support member. The third support member may be configured to raise or lower the third staircase section relative to the second staircase section.