Techniques facilitating increased operational reliability for jib cranes are provided. In one example, a jib crane can comprise a mast, a shaft mechanism, and a rod. The mast can extend vertically from a base structure. The shaft mechanism can be disposed within the mast. The rod can be coupled to a boom arm and can be disposed within the shaft mechanism. Rotation of the rod can facilitate continuous rotation of the boom arm about a longitudinal axis of the rod with respect to the base structure.

Implementations of cranes may include a first telescoping boom and a second telescoping boom coupled within the first telescoping boom. The second telescoping boom may be entirely within the first telescoping boom when the second telescoping boom is in a fully extended position.

A portable derrick system for use in hoisting and lowering loads at a plurality of job sites, comprising, in combination: a boom subassembly, a boom head subassembly, a mast support subassembly, a mast head subassembly, a load-carrying line, a winch capable of cooperating with said line, power means for driving the winch, means for pivoting the boom assembly, means for controlling said pivoting means, the foregoing elements of the invention capable of being transported by humans to elevated positions such as, without limitation, rooftops and terraces, and wherein the aforementioned are capable of repeated assembly and disassembly at a plurality of job sites and serving to facilitate the elimination of the need for a street-level crane.

A portable gantry crane formed of composite members includes a composite material I-beam. Two or more support members are formed of a composite material and each support member supports the I-beam when the portable gantry crane is in an upright position. Two or more end housings are included, each end housing enclosing a top end of one of the two or more support members and coupled thereto using adhesive. A plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure including a latch, and each end housing having a latch receiver, each latch in combination with a latch receiver allowing one of the latch structures to be releasably fixedly coupled with an end housing. In implementations a plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure having a latch structure enclosure and each latch structure enclosure at least partially enclosing one of the end housings.

The invention relates to a hoist mechanism (20) intended primarily, but not exclusively, for moving a motor driven wheelchair or scooter into and/or out of the load carrying space of a vehicle. The hoist mechanism (20) comprises a lifting arm having, at least in part, a generally U-shaped cross section, and an actuator (28). A mounting point (56) for the actuator (28) is provided within the generally U-shaped cross section. The invention also relates to a stepless adjustment system suitable for use in such a hoist mechanism (20). The adjustment system comprises an inner section (34) received within an outer section (24) in a telescoping arrangement. The outer section (24) comprises first and second body portions (44A, 44B) provided with features for engaging corresponding features (48A, 48B) provided on the inner section (34).

A power hoist equipment crane system to be used with a tractor roll bar, the system including a pivotable support bar configured to be substantially U-shaped having two side portions and a middle portion connecting the two side portions, a cable support member provided to the pivotable support bar and configured to support a cable from a hoist, and bracket assemblies provided respectively proximate each end of the pivotable support bar and configured to couple the pivotable support bar to the tractor roll bar in a pivoting arrangement, the bracket assemblies configured such that the pivotable support bar is pivotable between a substantially vertical stowed position when not in use, and a substantially horizontal use position in which the cable support member is positioned at a point spaced back from the tractor so as to be located over an implement that is attachable to the tractor.

Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

The invention relates to a method of weathervaning a work machine in out-of-operation mode, in particular of weathervaning a revolving crane/revolving tower crane or a concrete spreader mast, wherein the work machine comprises at least one slewing part that is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis by means of a slewing gear, and wherein in a first step one or more wind data are measured by means of a measurement system arranged at the work machine; an optimum position of the slewing part is determined for an optimum weathervaning in dependence on the detected wind data; and the slewing gear drive is subsequently correspondingly actuated to bring the slewing part into the determined position

A portable davit includes a base having a mounting portion and a housing. The housing defines a cavity. An end of a mast is positioned within the cavity. A jib is coupled to another end of the mast. A connector is coupled to the jib. A hoist is coupled to a platform and includes a drive and a rope. An end of the rope is wound about the drive. Another end of the rope is coupled to the connector. The drive is configured to rotate relative to the platform in a first direction to decrease a distance between the platform and an end of the jib and to rotate relative to the platform in an opposite second direction to increase the distance between the platform and an end of the jib. Systems and methods of use are provided.

Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.