An insulated joystick for use in an insulated environment, such as on an insulated aerial device. The insulated joystick includes an inner assembly segment, a mobile sensor, and an outer protective segment. The inner assembly segment presents a sensor void and is formed of a dielectric material. The mobile sensor is disposed at least partially within the sensor void. The mobile sensor is configured to detect a movement of the insulated joystick by a user. The outer protective segment disposed at least partially around the inner assembly segment and is formed of a dielectric material.

The aerial work platform comprises a chassis 2, a work platform 10 and a lifting structure 20 that comprises at least one boom 26 able to be raised and lowered and a pendular arm 30 mounted at the top end of the boom 26 and supporting the platform 10. It also comprises sensors 51, 52 for detecting the proximity of the platform 10 to an obstacle. On-board electronics automatically puts the aerial work platform in a compact position on request by an operator by controlling the lifting structure 20 according to the signals from the sensors 51, 52 in order to take account of the surroundings. In the compact position, the aerial work platform is suitable for transport on a trailer or flatbed lorry. This avoids the transporter having himself to control the various movements of the lifting structure 20 in order to bring the aerial work platform into the compact transportation position.

Disclosed is a safety system for at least one person positioned on a platform of a lifting equipment, including a lanyard attaching the person to the platform. The length of the lanyard is variable, and the safety system includes: a sensor for measuring the distance between one end of the lanyard attached to the person and one end of the lanyard attached to the platform, and a unit for processing the measurement from the sensor, suitable for transmitting information and/or warning signals.

The control station 20 of the work platform 10 of an aerial work platform comprises: a control console; a cover 40 for protecting the console, which can be moved between a closed position and an open position; a longitudinal elementsuch as a bar 42coupled to the cover to simultaneously move between the closed and open positions, with the longitudinal element protruding from the front side of the console when the cover is open; and means for detecting an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console when the cover is open.

This makes it possible to keep the operator safe from being crushed against the console when moving the platform. Besides, the longitudinal element is not an obstacle to the opening or closing of the cover and is put aside when the cover is closed, thus preventing same to be exposed to shocks.

The present invention includes a partially or completely transparent elevating platform or a partially or completely translucent elevating platform. At least one panel, knee space, and/or door is composed of clear or transparent or translucent materials. These aspects of the present invention provide for advantages in visibility and safety for the operator of the elevating platform.

Methods and systems for controlling a boom lift, cherry picker, or other similar device are disclosed, including monitoring a controller for an operator desired action; receiving signals from one or more sensors through one or more inputs; using a platform location algorithm and the signals from the one or more sensors to compute current angles and/or lengths of the boom lift; using a platform control algorithm to calculate a control signal to achieve the operator desired action; and using a control signal generator to communicate the control signal to one or more assembly controllers of the boom lift. Other embodiments are desired and claimed.

A lift device includes a base, an arm, a drive actuator, a tractive element, and a steering actuator. The arm has a base end coupled to the base and a tractive element end. The arm includes a steering actuator interface positioned along an exterior surface of the arm. The drive actuator is pivotally coupled to the tractive element end of the arm. The tractive element is coupled to the drive actuator. The steering actuator has a first end coupled to the steering actuator interface and an opposing second end coupled to the drive actuator. The arm includes a plate extending forward of the exterior surface of the arm and past the steering actuator.

A lift device includes a base having a first end and an opposing second end, a first arm pivotally coupled to the first end, a second arm pivotally coupled to the first end, a third arm pivotally coupled to the opposing second end, a fourth arm pivotally coupled to the opposing second end, and a leveling assembly. The leveling assembly includes a first actuator extending between the first arm and the first end, a second actuator extending between the second arm and the first end, a third actuator extending between the third arm and the opposing second end, a fourth actuator extending between the fourth arm and the opposing second end, and a controller configured to control the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator to reconfigure the leveling assembly between (i) a shipping, transport, or storage mode and (ii) an operational mode.

A lift device includes a chassis, a first actuator coupled to the chassis, a second actuator coupled to the chassis, a third actuator coupled to the chassis, a fourth actuator coupled to the chassis, and a fluid circuit. The fluid circuit is configured to facilitate selectively fluidly coupling the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in at least four different configurations where, in each of the at least four different configurations, two of the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator are fluidly coupled together while the other two of the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator are fluidly decoupled.

A work vehicle for maintenance of an electrical catenary includes a vehicle frame supported on on-track undercarriages and a vehicle superstructure situated on the vehicle frame. A first grounding device is disposed at a first vehicle end relative to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A crane having a vertically and transversely adjustable work platform is disposed at an opposite, second vehicle end. A second grounding device is provided at the second vehicle end.