A lifting unit for a vehicle can include a mounting assembly configured to pivotally couple to a lifting boom of the vehicle, a coupler assembly configured to releasably couple with equipment positionable by the lifting unit, and a rotary actuator assembly coupled between the mounting assembly and the coupler assembly. The mounting assembly includes a mount, a travelling frame coupled to the mount, and an extension actuator configured to displace the travelling frame along an extension axis relative to the mount. The rotary actuator assembly is configured to rotate the coupler assembly about a rotational axis.

A side lift spreader main beam (22) comprises a vertical carrier plate (58) having a first vertical height (H1) and being made of steel plate having a first thickness (T1); a C-beam (60) comprising a first horizontal flange (64) and a second horizontal flange (66) interconnected by a vertical web portion (68), the C-beam (60) having a second vertical height (H2) lower than the first vertical height (H1) and being made of steel plate having a second thickness (T2) thinner than the first thickness (T1), wherein the C-beam (60) defines, together with the carrier plate (58), a closed channel beam with a first flange (74) of the carrier plate (58) extending vertically from the closed channel beam; and an inclined support plate (62) welded to the carrier plate, and to an outer face of the first flange (64) of the C-beam (60) at a distance from the carrier plate (58).

Provided is a method for raising or lowering a load parallel to a wind turbine tower, including raising or lowering the load using a cable, and exerting a force acting on the load towards the tower using guiding means supported at the tower. In the present method, a raising or lowering operation is assisted and the undesired movements of the load during raising or lowering are reduced.

Provided is a method for raising or lowering a load parallel to a wind turbine tower, including raising or lowering the load using a cable, and exerting a force acting on the load towards the tower using guiding means supported at the tower. In the present method, a raising or lowering operation is assisted and the undesired movements of the load during raising or lowering are reduced.

Lifting devices are provided. The devices include a tube with a first slot and a second slot. The devices also include an insert with a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion. The first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot. A first plate and a second plate are each connected to the central portion of the insert. Additionally provided are methods of lifting a tanker truck or other structures using the disclosed lifting devices

Presented are corner attachment assemblies for cargo suspension systems, methods for making/using such assemblies, and aircraft equipped with underbody suspension systems using corner attachment assemblies for securing payload containers. Mounting assemblies are presented for securing objects to tether cables of suspension systems. A representative cargo mounting assembly includes a pair of shoulder clamps, each of which includes a flap that projects from a cup. Each shoulder clamp flap mechanically attaches, e.g., via a flap through-hole with a structurally reinforcing grommet, to a respective segment of a tether cable of a cargo suspension system. In addition, each shoulder clamp cup includes multiple noncoplanar, mutually adjoining contact surfaces. For instance, the cup may have a tetrahedral geometry with three mutually orthogonal, triangular-shaped contact surfaces. Each contact surface attaches, e.g., via a high-strength adhesive, to a respective surface of a corner of a cargo container.

A rotator apparatus (10, 100, 200) for rotationally positioning a suspended load (16). A flywheel (44, 144) can be directly or indirectly driven by a motor (40, 140). Vanes (50, 150) on a fan (45) or on the flywheel can be used to provide additional rotational control through air resistance/braking. A controller (20, 24, 120, 124) can provide wired or wireless control. Thrusters (52) can provide additional rotational impetus or resistance. One or more load cells (54, 232, 234) can provide load sensing. Cameras (28) can be used to visualise the load and can record load moving operations and details of the load for logistics tracking and safety. The attachment part (202) and/or the load support (216) can be connected to the body via a respective pivot (204, 214). The apparatus can include replaceable or rechargeable batteries (206, 210), such as within in a removable container (230), preferably supported by at least one drawer (231), which drawer may be mounted on telescopic drawer slides (212). The replaceable or rechargeable batteries (206, 210) can be provided as a cassette arrangement whereby the batteries plug in and are removable as a unit. At least one hook (157) for suspending a load from the rotator can include a groove or recess (158) to restrict or prevent load rotation.

A rotator apparatus (10, 100, 200) for rotationally positioning a suspended load (16). A flywheel (44, 144) can be directly or indirectly driven by a motor (40, 140). Vanes (50, 150) on a fan (45) or on the flywheel can be used to provide additional rotational control through air resistance/braking. A controller (20, 24, 120, 124) can provide wired or wireless control. Thrusters (52) can provide additional rotational impetus or resistance. One or more load cells (54, 232, 234) can provide load sensing. Cameras (28) can be used to visualise the load and can record load moving operations and details of the load for logistics tracking and safety. The attachment part (202) and/or the load support (216) can be connected to the body via a respective pivot (204, 214). The apparatus can include replaceable or rechargeable batteries (206, 210), such as within in a removable container (230), preferably supported by at least one drawer (231), which drawer may be mounted on telescopic drawer slides (212). The replaceable or rechargeable batteries (206, 210) can be provided as a cassette arrangement whereby the batteries plug in and are removable as a unit. At least one hook (157) for suspending a load from the rotator can include a groove or recess (158) to restrict or prevent load rotation.

Controlling a container, such as a spreader, is described for engaging, retaining, and moving containers, as well as for unloading containers, particularly bottom-unloading containers. A spreader includes a frame having mounted thereon twistlocks, an actuator, a movable engagement mechanism, and force transmission means connecting the actuator and the movable engagement mechanism. The actuator and the force transmission means are substantially disposed along the long sides of the frame, and the movable engagement mechanism is substantially disposed on the short sides of the frame. The actuator allows the movable engagement mechanism to move reciprocally primarily in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame. The spreader significantly expands the functionality of devices used for engaging, retaining, moving, and unloading containers, makes it possible to unload a bottom-unloading container, and also allows the automation, simplification, and acceleration of the unloading process of such a container.

Described is a system for connecting a lifting device to a load to be lifted. The system includes a first connector member and a second connector member. The first connector member includes at least one pin. The second connector member includes an indexer mechanism defining a track that includes at least one track opening. At least a portion of the second connector is receivable in at least a portion of the first connector. At least a portion of the at least one pin is receivable in the track via the at least one track opening. The first connector member is reversibly coupleable to the second connector member via the pin and the indexer mechanism in response to a first series of longitudinal movements of the first or second connector members.