A pipelayer includes a frame, a plurality of ground engaging members movably supporting the frame, a prime mover, and a boom assembly and a counterbalance assembly supported on the frame. The boom assembly includes a boom. The counterbalance assembly including a counterweight, the counterweight being movably supported on the frame to counterbalance the boom assembly. The counterweight includes a battery box including at least one battery. A control strategy is also disclosed.

A system and method of this disclosure control an on/off state of a power take-off by monitoring the power demand of a fluid power circuit that includes the power take-off and a piece of equipment connected to the power take-off. The power demand may be indicated by a pressure or temperature of a fluid power circuit, by a motion of the equipment or its hand-held controller, or by an engine torque of an engine driving the power take-off. When the equipment transitions between an off state and an on state, the controller automatically engages the power take-off. When the equipment is in the on-state for a predetermined amount of time and the power demand is at or below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined amount of timethereby indicating idle time or an inactive state of the equipmentthe controller automatically disengages the power take-off.

A system and method of this disclosure control an on/off state of a power take-off by monitoring the power demand of a fluid power circuit that includes the power take-off and a piece of equipment connected to the power take-off. The power demand may be indicated by a pressure or temperature of a fluid power circuit, by a motion of the equipment or its hand-held controller, or by an engine torque of an engine driving the power take-off. When the equipment transitions between an off state and an on state, the controller automatically engages the power take-off. When the equipment is in the on-state for a predetermined amount of time and the power demand is at or below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined amount of timethereby indicating idle time or an inactive state of the equipmentthe controller automatically disengages the power take-off.

The invention generally relates to a machine with an electric drive and an energy storage system for the intermediate storage of recovered energy. The invention relates in particular to machines that function statically or quasi-statically with a primary electric drive and a secondary hydraulic drive that function in cyclical movements, such as in the form of a material-transferring device like an excavator or crane, having an electric drive with at least one electric motor for driving the drive train of the machine and with an energy storage system for the intermediate storage of reverse power released during towing and/or braking operation and transferred from the drive train to the electric motor. The invention also further relates to a method for operating a machine with an electric drive, in which energy recovered during a towing or braking operation is used to compensate for system losses or is stored temporarily. It is proposed that at least most of the energy transferred from the drive train back to the electric motor not be converted into electric energy, but rather that it be stored in the form of kinematic energy and that, to this end, the electric motor be put into a state with regard to its electromagnetic resistance and/or its torsional or drag torque in which the drag resistance or the electromagnetic torque of the motor is largely eliminated or at least significantly reduced relative to regular motor and/or generator operation.

A structure installation system which maintains one or more walls in a desired position and orientation during installation of the one or more walls. The structure installation system generally includes a vehicle which is adapted to traverse a ground surface. The vehicle includes an arm having an arm coupler to which a support is connected. One or more walls adapted to be installed in the ground surface may be removably connected to the support, such as by securing the walls to adjustable hangers that are removably connected to the support. By adjusting the positioning of the hangers, the orientation and position of the walls may be adjusted. Once put in position, the vehicle and support will retain the walls in the desired position and orientation while concrete is poured and allowed to cure to form a unitary structure such as a bollard wall.

A mobile shaft winch includes a carrier vehicle with a vehicle drive, which has an internal combustion engine, a rigid base frame and a rotary platform which is arranged on the base frame via a rotary connection. A drum winch is arranged on the rotary platform with a rope drum which is driven by a winch drive and designed for the winding on and unwinding of a haulage rope. The winch drive includes only an electric motor. A control system is designed for a selective operation of the electric motor on a mains supply system or on an electric generator. The internal combustion engine of the vehicle drive, drives the generator, and the generator and the internal combustion engine are arranged on the carrier vehicle.

A mobile shaft winch includes a carrier vehicle with a vehicle drive, which has an internal combustion engine, a rigid base frame and a rotary platform which is arranged on the base frame via a rotary connection. A drum winch is arranged on the rotary platform with a rope drum which is driven by a winch drive and designed for the winding on and unwinding of a haulage rope. The winch drive includes only an electric motor. A control system is designed for a selective operation of the electric motor on a mains supply system or on an electric generator. The internal combustion engine of the vehicle drive, drives the generator, and the generator and the internal combustion engine are arranged on the carrier vehicle.

A system and method of this disclosure control an on/off state of a power take-off by monitoring the power demand of a fluid power circuit that includes the power take-off and a piece of equipment connected to the power take-off. The power demand may be indicated by a pressure or temperature of a fluid power circuit, by a motion of the equipment or its hand-held controller, or by an engine torque of an engine driving the power take-off. When the equipment transitions between an off state and an on state, the controller automatically engages the power take-off. When the equipment is in the on-state for a predetermined amount of time and the power demand is at or below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined amount of timethereby indicating idle time or an inactive state of the equipmentthe controller automatically disengages the power take-off.

A system and method of this disclosure control an on/off state of a power take-off by monitoring the power demand of a fluid power circuit that includes the power take-off and a piece of equipment connected to the power take-off. The power demand may be indicated by a pressure or temperature of a fluid power circuit, by a motion of the equipment or its hand-held controller, or by an engine torque of an engine driving the power take-off. When the equipment transitions between an off state and an on state, the controller automatically engages the power take-off. When the equipment is in the on-state for a predetermined amount of time and the power demand is at or below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined amount of timethereby indicating idle time or an inactive state of the equipmentthe controller automatically disengages the power take-off.

A structure installation system which maintains one or more walls in a desired position and orientation during installation of the one or more walls. The structure installation system generally includes a vehicle which is adapted to traverse a ground surface. The vehicle includes an arm having an arm coupler to which a support is connected. One or more walls adapted to be installed in the ground surface may be removably connected to the support, such as by securing the walls to adjustable hangers that are removably connected to the support. By adjusting the positioning of the hangers, the orientation and position of the walls may be adjusted. Once put in position, the vehicle and support will retain the walls in the desired position and orientation while concrete is poured and allowed to cure to form a unitary structure such as a bollard wall.