The present invention relates to a control stand for controlling a crane, an excavator, a crawler, or a similar construction machine having a seat, a plurality of control element actuable from the seat for inputting control commands, at least one display apparatus for displaying information, and a control unit for generating adjustment signals in dependence on input control commands and/or for providing information to the display apparatus. The invention further relates to a crane having such a control stand that can in particular be configured in the form of a crane operator's cabin. It is proposed in accordance with a first aspect of the invention to configure the control elements and/or the display apparatus of the control stand and various further auxiliary units as individually configurable and to save and to reinvoke personal pre-settings when the control stand or the crane is to be controlled by a certain machine operator. The control stand comprises surrounding, large-area display interfaces and control interfaces and further comfortable input means to be able to carry out and adapt the configurations simply.

A boom arm sensor assembly is provided. The boom arm sensor assembly includes a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor detects whether a boom arm for a trailer is positioned within a saddle on the trailer. The boom arm sensor assembly also includes a transmitter that transmits a signal at least when the boom arm is not detected in the saddle to a boom arm alarm assembly, which also is provided. The boom arm alarm assembly provides an alarm to a vehicle driver that the boom arm is not positioned within the saddle.

A boom arm sensor assembly is provided. The boom arm sensor assembly includes a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor detects whether a boom arm for a trailer is positioned within a saddle on the trailer. The boom arm sensor assembly also includes a transmitter that transmits a signal at least when the boom arm is not detected in the saddle to a boom arm alarm assembly, which also is provided. The boom arm alarm assembly provides an alarm to a vehicle driver that the boom arm is not positioned within the saddle.

A crane operation support device that supports a driving operation of a crane that includes a boom, configured to be capable of switching a driving operation mode between a first operation mode in which each operation of lifting and lowering of a hook suspended from a tip of the boom and turning and derricking of the boom is independently operated, and a second operation mode in which a movement of the hook is operated by a combined operation of the turning of the boom and at least one of the lifting and lowering and the derricking of the hook by a single operation.

A crane operation support device that supports a driving operation of a crane that includes a boom, configured to be capable of switching a driving operation mode between a first operation mode in which each operation of lifting and lowering of a hook suspended from a tip of the boom and turning and derricking of the boom is independently operated, and a second operation mode in which a movement of the hook is operated by a combined operation of the turning of the boom and at least one of the lifting and lowering and the derricking of the hook by a single operation.

A Building Element Lift Enhancer is described. The Building Element Lift Enhancer provides for the movement and precise placement of building elements such as blocks or sheet products by one worker. The Building Element Lift Enhancer senses the force applied by a user to the building element and converts that user applied force to mechanically assisted force from the Building Element Lift Enhancer, allowing the user to precisely move and handle large, heavy or bulky building elements by direct interaction with the building element.

A Building Element Lift Enhancer is described. The Building Element Lift Enhancer provides for the movement and precise placement of building elements such as blocks or sheet products by one worker. The Building Element Lift Enhancer senses the force applied by a user to the building element and converts that user applied force to mechanically assisted force from the Building Element Lift Enhancer, allowing the user to precisely move and handle large, heavy or bulky building elements by direct interaction with the building element.

In a movement control apparatus manipulation can be carried out while watching the movement of the moving body, without needing to watch one's hands, so even a novice operator can perform the manipulation easily, safely, reliably, and quickly. The apparatus can include a signal transmission cable, a casing of a manipulation remote controller disposed at one end of the cable, a rotary encoder that produces a signal corresponding to the direction of the casing, and a motor drive control circuit that is disposed on the other side of the cable and controls the movement of a moving body on the basis of a signal corresponding to the direction of the casing. The signal corresponding to the direction of the casing can be supplied from the rotary encoder, through the cable, to the motor drive control circuit. Therefore, the operator can hold down a manipulation switch without looking at his hands and thereby adjust the direction of the casing of the manipulation remote controller while looking at the movement direction of a load.

In a movement control apparatus manipulation can be carried out while watching the movement of the moving body, without needing to watch one's hands, so even a novice operator can perform the manipulation easily, safely, reliably, and quickly. The apparatus can include a signal transmission cable, a casing of a manipulation remote controller disposed at one end of the cable, a rotary encoder that produces a signal corresponding to the direction of the casing, and a motor drive control circuit that is disposed on the other side of the cable and controls the movement of a moving body on the basis of a signal corresponding to the direction of the casing. The signal corresponding to the direction of the casing can be supplied from the rotary encoder, through the cable, to the motor drive control circuit. Therefore, the operator can hold down a manipulation switch without looking at his hands and thereby adjust the direction of the casing of the manipulation remote controller while looking at the movement direction of a load.

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to controlling machines using operator control units and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). In an exemplary embodiment, a machine control system includes a machine, a programmable logic controller coupled to the machine, and an operator control unit. The operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling the machine, and a wireless interface configured to transmit a message based on the one or more commands received via the user interface. The programmable logic controller is configured to, in response to receiving the message transmitted by the operator control unit, transmit one or more control signals to the machine to control operation of the machine. The system does not include any machine control unit (MCU) separate from the operator control unit and the programmable logic controller.