A variable footprint handling apparatus (101) for handling containers (105) is described comprising: a first column (155) adapted to be associated with the fifth wheel (130) of a tractor (110), a second column (175) to which a first idle ground support wheel (180) is idly associated, a third column (200) to which a second idle ground support wheel (205) is idly associated, a lifting arrangement (240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285) for lifting the container (105), and a connection arrangement (220, 230, 235) that connects the second column (175) and the third column (200) to the first column (155) and is configured to move at least one of the three columns with respect to another of the three columns between a first position, and a second position, wherein a footprint in plan of the apparatus in said second position is smaller than a footprint in plan of the apparatus in said first position.

A hoist cage assembly for lifting a pallet with a crane includes a cage that has a bottom end that is open for positioning around a pallet of material. The cage has a plurality of bar openings each extending through the cage. A plurality of bars is each of the bars is slidable through a respective pair of the bar openings to extend through the pallet when the cage is lowered over the pallet. Each of the bars rests on the cage when the cage is lifted to lift the pallet when the cage is lifted. A plurality of sleeves is each of the sleeves is coupled to the cage and the sleeves are strategically arranged on the cage thereby facilitating each of the bars to be slidably stored in the plurality of sleeves.

A spreader (10) for lifting an intermodal transport container (22) comprises a main beam (24) extending in a longitudinal direction (L), the main beam formed of a first, upper C-beam of a relatively thicker material thickness and a second, lower C-beam of a relatively thinner material thickness; and an indicator configured to provide an indication if a distance in a transversal direction (T) between a pair of twist-locks (18) is set in a wide-body position when lowered onto respective lifting castings (20) provided with top openings (50) separated by a transversal distance corresponding to a standard position.

A device for detecting a position of a hoisting frame includes one or more image sensors connected movably to the hoisting frame and protruding outside a periphery thereof in a position of use. The image sensors can be movable between the position of use and a protected position lying within the periphery of the hoisting frame. The device can be provided with means for biasing the image sensor(s) from the protected position to the position of use. A method for controlling a hoisting frame suspended from a crane includes moving the hoisting frame to a first position under the control of an automatic control system, holding the hoisting frame stationary in the first position, making one or more image recordings of the area around the hoisting frame in the first position and moving the hoisting frame to a second position on the basis of the image recording(s), wherein the image recording(s) is/are made by one or more image sensors connected to the hoisting frame.

A gripper assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a gripper includes an attachment for connecting to a loader, the attachment having a mating surface configured for engagement with the biochar kiln. The example gripper assembly also includes a substantially C-shaped claw having a first arm and a second arm. The example gripper assembly also includes a motor on the attachment. The motor operates to open and close the first and second arms in a pinch-and-release motion to grasp and release the biochar kiln. The motor further operates to rotate the first and second arms to tilt the biochar kiln for dumping operations. The motor further operates to raise and lower the first and second arms to raise and lower the biochar kiln relative to the ground for moving operations.

A spreader frame, comprising a set of outer bars and a corresponding set of inner bars, each outer bar having a series of apertures and each inner bar having a spring-biased pin shaped and oriented to fit into any aperture of the series of apertures, each inner bar slidably engaging each corresponding outer bar to form an expandable beam having a first end and a second end, and each beam being connected at its first end and second end to a further beam to form a frame, wherein for each beam, each aperture of the series of apertures other than a selected aperture is filled with a corresponding outer bar pin, and the inner bar is slidable within the outer bar to bring the spring-biased pin in position to insert into the selected aperture to fix the size of the beam.

The invention provides a container manipulation device comprising a frame, two container engagement members, two pivoting mechanisms for pivoting the engagement members with respect to the frame, the pivoting mechanisms each include a coupler, pivotally connected with a first end to the engagement member at a first distance from the engagement member pivot axis, a rocker, pivotally connected with a first end to the frame and with a second end to a second end of the coupler, and an actuator for pivoting the rocker about the rocker pivot axis such that the engagement member pivots between the first and second orientation. The invention also provides a hoisting device comprising such a container manipulation device.

A raising/lowering conveyance device for a container for conveying an article includes a container gripping mechanism having multiple container support pins which are arranged so as to be capable of freely protruding and retracting. A spring for biasing the container gripping mechanism upward is interposed between the container gripping mechanism and a columnar support member for supporting the container gripping mechanism such that the container gripping mechanism can be freely raised and lowered. As a result of the upward biasing force of the spring, the container gripping mechanism is held at an equilibrium height in equilibrium with the weight thereof and is capable of movement vertically with the equilibrium height serving as the center of the movement. When the container gripping mechanism lifts a container, the mechanism receives the weight of the container, descends from the equilibrium height, and is supported at the fixed height of the columnar support member.

A container catching system, which is sea proof, includes a frame with a base on which a container is to be positioned, hinge pins secured to the frame above the base, and arms situated around the base, each arm having an abovementioned hinge pin. Arm portions situated above the hinge pin contact, in the unfolded state, a container to be lowered to guide the container towards the base, and arm portions situated below the hinge pin move outwards when they contact the container, thereby causing at least the top arm to engage the container.

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.