A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in a grid framework structure having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks. The load handling device includes: a body mounted on first and second sets of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A direction-change assembly is arranged to raise or lower the first set of wheels and or lower or raise the second set of wheels with respect to the body to engage and disengage the wheels with the tracks. The direction-change assembly includes a linkage-set having a series of members arranged between a traveller and a fixed brace, wherein the traveller is arranged to move under an applied force to cause the wheels to raise or lower.

A drive belt assembly for a load handling device includes a drive belt; a drive wheel; and one or more driven wheels. A first tensioning arm, having a fixed end above an elbow and a rotatable distal end pivotally attached at the elbow, is horizontally displaceable relative to the drive wheel and driven wheels. A second tensioning arm is provided wherein the drive belt is routed around the first and second tensioning arms, and the first and second tensioning arms are arranged to put pressure on the drive belt to tension the drive belt.

The invention relates to a method for assembling a roller conveyor having rollers for products, each having a cylindrical roller body and a first and second support element on opposite ends of the roller body, the second support element having pulley means; providing a frame having a first and second frame part for mounting therebetween the rollers; and, for the purpose of mounting a roller to the frame: mounting the first support element to a first mounting provision of the first frame part; passing a drive element and a further drive element over the pulley means of the roller; tensioning the drive element by exerting a force on the roller by means of a tensioning device; mounting the second support element of the roller to a second mounting provision of the second frame part while keeping the drive element tensioned; and removing the tensioning device from the roller.

A combine includes a feeder housing that include a movable cradle frame at the front, configured to receive a header, so that a controlled movement of the cradle frame may be imparted to the header during a harvesting run. The combine further includes a driveline for driving moving components of the combine header. The driveline includes a belt drive mounted laterally with respect to the feeder housing. The belt drive is configured to transfer a rotation of a first drive axle that is part of the driveline, to a rotation of a second axle to which a drive axle of the header can be coupled. The belt drive includes two pulleys which are maintained in a common plane regardless of movement of the header relative to the feeder housing. The pulleys are rotatably mounted in a longitudinally extendable bridge structure, and are coupled to the first and second axles.

According to one embodiment, a diagnostic system includes a conveyor device first and second sensors and a diagnostic device. The conveyor device includes an endless chain having a plurality of rollers coupled at regular pitches and each fit into a bush, to circularly move between a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first and second sensors diagonally are disposed apart from each other on a moving path of the chain, irrespective of an operating direction of the conveyor device, to detect a passage of each of the rollers of the chain. The diagnostic device measures an amount of elongation of the chain based on a first detection signal output from the first sensor and a second detection signal output from the second sensor according to movement of the chain during operation of the conveyor device.

According to one embodiment, a diagnostic system includes a conveyor device first and second sensors and a diagnostic device. The conveyor device includes an endless chain having a plurality of rollers coupled at regular pitches and each fit into a bush, to circularly move between a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first and second sensors diagonally are disposed apart from each other on a moving path of the chain, irrespective of an operating direction of the conveyor device, to detect a passage of each of the rollers of the chain. The diagnostic device measures an amount of elongation of the chain based on a first detection signal output from the first sensor and a second detection signal output from the second sensor according to movement of the chain during operation of the conveyor device.

A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

A conveyor system that includes a sprocket, a conveyor element, a sensor, a tensioning system, and an electronic processor. The conveyor element is coupled to the sprocket to move around the sprocket. The sensor is positioned adjacent to the sprocket and configured to generate an output signal indicative of a detection of the conveyor element. The electronic processor is coupled to the sensor and to the tensioning system. The electronic processor is configured to receive the output signal from the sensor, estimate a trajectory of the conveyor element based on the output signal, determine a value for slack distance based on the estimated trajectory of the conveyor element, and control the tensioning system based on the value for slack distance.

A conveyor system that includes a sprocket, a conveyor element, a sensor, a tensioning system, and an electronic processor. The conveyor element is coupled to the sprocket to move around the sprocket. The sensor is positioned adjacent to the sprocket and configured to generate an output signal indicative of a detection of the conveyor element. The electronic processor is coupled to the sensor and to the tensioning system. The electronic processor is configured to receive the output signal from the sensor, estimate a trajectory of the conveyor element based on the output signal, determine a value for slack distance based on the estimated trajectory of the conveyor element, and control the tensioning system based on the value for slack distance.