A tire trolley assembly comprises a frame having a pair of supports including a first and a second support extending between a first and a second end. A connector is disposed at the first and the second end, attached to the support, extending between a primary end adjacent to the frame and a secondary end spaced from the frame. A plurality of wheels includes a first and a second wheel attached to the connector. A plurality of mounting members, including a first mounting member rotatably attached to the first wheel and coupled to the connector and a second mounting member rotatably attached to the second wheel and coupled to the connector. A traveling control system controls and steers the wheels of the tire trolley assembly.

A truck-mountable detection system for detection of a first coupling device of a container, in which the first coupling device is configured for coupling with a second coupling device of a truck-mounted loading equipment, in particular a hook of a hookloader. The detection system includes a data processor and an data capturing device, the data of which can be sent to the data processor. The data capturing device is a stereographic sensor system, and the data processor is configured to automatically recognize the shape of the first coupling device of the container based on the data provided by the stereographic sensor system.

Disclosed herein is a hoist apparatus having a base frame, an arm, a hydraulic lift cylinder, and a contact fulcrum attached to the base frame. The arm has a base segment rotatably coupled to the base frame at a first joint, a middle segment rotatably coupled to the base segment at a second joint, and a coupling segment extendably coupled to the middle segment at a second arm joint, the coupling segment comprising a hook at a distal end of the coupling segment. The hydraulic lift cylinder is rotatably coupled at a first end to the base frame and rotatably coupled at a second end to the middle segment. In certain embodiments, the middle segment is contactable with the contact fulcrum during operation of the arm. Various implementations provide for a hoist apparatus that is disposable on a vehicle.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the weight of a demountable platform. In the method, a hooklift is used to lift the demountable platform from the ground onto a vehicle, values of a force acting on a main cylinder of the hooklift are determined at predetermined intervals of a physical quantity that varies as a function of the movement of the hooklift, and the weight of the demountable platform is calculated using the determined values of the force. The present invention also relates to a system for determining the weight of a demountable platform.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the mass and the centre of mass of a demountable platform by using a mathematical model, the parameters of which are estimated using an iterative procedure.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the length of a demountable platform. In the method, a hooklift is used to lift the demountable platform from the ground onto a vehicle, magnitudes of one or more physical quantities related to a position of the hooklift are determined at a moment when the demountable platform comes into contact with rear rollers of the hooklift, and the length of the demountable platform is calculated based on the determined magnitudes of the one or more physical quantities and the position and orientation information of the hooklift relative to the ground. The present invention also relates to a system for determining the length of a demountable platform.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for engaging, lifting, and moving objects such as wheeled cargo trailers are provided. In one embodiment, a mobile apparatus includes a transport mechanism, a frame, and one or more lift assemblies. The lift assemblies may be adjusted using one or more attached actuators that position the lift assemblies and/or components thereof for engaging and lifting an object. The transport mechanism may be autonomously operated. A vision system may be used to locate and identify objects and/or guide the mobile apparatus into position to engage and lift the objects. An adapter for a pneumatic braking system of a wheeled cargo trailer is also provided. The adapter provides a pneumatic attachment for a pressurized air source that is separate from a glad hands connector attached to the braking system.

Container handlers including improved fork assemblies. One embodiment includes a vehicle having a chassis and a hoist apparatus pivotably coupled with the chassis. The hoist apparatus is movable between a stowed position and an extended position with respect to the chassis. The hoist apparatus further includes a pivotable fork assembly. The fork assembly comprises a frame and a carriage movably coupled with the frame. One or more tines are coupled with the carriage. At least one actuator is coupled between the frame and the carriage and is operative to move between a first position and a second position. Movement of the at least one actuator from the first position toward the second position causes the carriage to move substantially parallel to the frame.

A vehicle mounted loading and unloading apparatus is provided which has a stationary mounting rack removably attachable to a roof of a vehicle and a top rack that includes a container for storing cargo, such as bales of hay. An adjustment mechanism is provided to move the top rack relative to the mounting rack from a transporting position to a loading/unloading position in which the top rack is lowered behind the vehicle to facilitate loading cargo. A movable shelf may be provided on the top rack for assisting with loading and unloading cargo. The shelf is slidable between a rear end of the top rack and a front end of the top rack for placing the cargo.

A transportable container comprises: a sidewall; a front wall; a floor; and a subfloor, wherein the subfloor is removably attached to a bottom of the floor, wherein the subfloor comprises: two or more rails, wherein the two or more rails matingly engage with two or more hoist rails of a roll-off truck; and two or more rollers. The roll-off truck can include a system for loading, transporting, and unloading the container and subfloor. The system can be a cable/winch system or a hook/lift system. The subfloor can be removably attached to a floor of the container via welding or spot welding, fastening, bracketing, or bolting. The container can be any type of container that is not capable of being loaded, transported, and unloaded using a roll-off truck.