A system for remote object handling including a public safety vehicle having a front portion. An articulated arm has a first end and a second end distinct from the first end, the arm being coupled to the front portion at the first end, and has at least one pivot disposed between the first end and the second end. A gripping element is removably coupled to the second end, wherein the gripping element is one of a pincer device, a hand device having at least three fingers or a shovel. A video camera is also coupled to the second end. An arm control is disposed within the vehicle and is operable to control the operation of the arm, the manipulator and the video camera, and a video interface is coupled to the video camera which is operable to display output from the video camera.

A system for remote object handling including a public safety vehicle having a front portion. An articulated arm has a first end and a second end distinct from the first end, the arm being coupled to the front portion at the first end, and has at least one pivot disposed between the first end and the second end. A gripping element is removably coupled to the second end, wherein the gripping element is one of a pincer device, a hand device having at least three fingers or a shovel. A video camera is also coupled to the second end. An arm control is disposed within the vehicle and is operable to control the operation of the arm, the manipulator and the video camera, and a video interface is coupled to the video camera which is operable to display output from the video camera.

A pipelayer machine is provided. The pipelayer machine has a main body, a boom pivotally connected to a first side of the main body, a hook winch provided on the first side of the main body and a boom winch provided on the second side of the main body. The boom winch and the hook winch can be connected to a structural assembly that positions the boom winch proximate the second side of the main body and positions the hook winch proximate the first side of the main body of the pipelayer machine. The hook winch can be provided in a hook winch frame and the hook winch frame can form a structural member in the structural assembly.

A pipelayer machine is provided. The pipelayer machine has a main body, a boom pivotally connected to a first side of the main body, a hook winch provided on the first side of the main body and a boom winch provided on the second side of the main body. The boom winch and the hook winch can be connected to a structural assembly that positions the boom winch proximate the second side of the main body and positions the hook winch proximate the first side of the main body of the pipelayer machine. The hook winch can be provided in a hook winch frame and the hook winch frame can form a structural member in the structural assembly.

A portable hoist system has an adjustable support strut mechanism, allowing for compact storage and portability, with the entire assembly retained as one unit. In one embodiment the support strut mechanism, which is connected on one end to a boom and at another end to a bracket, is foldable and adjustable using an adjustment pin and holes along the two-piece support strut mechanism. In one preferred form of the invention a winch of the hoist system is field-adjustable as to position on the hoist's boom, to overcome problems of space constraints.

A portable hoist system has an adjustable support strut mechanism, allowing for compact storage and portability, with the entire assembly retained as one unit. In one embodiment the support strut mechanism, which is connected on one end to a boom and at another end to a bracket, is foldable and adjustable using an adjustment pin and holes along the two-piece support strut mechanism. In one preferred form of the invention a winch of the hoist system is field-adjustable as to position on the hoist's boom, to overcome problems of space constraints.

Lifting system (1) for mounting on a loading surface of a vehicle (3), comprising at least one first lifting arm system (4) on one side of the loading surface in the transverse direction of the vehicle (3) and at least one second lifting arm system (5) on the other side of the cargo area in the transverse direction of the vehicle (3). The lifting arm systems (4, 5) comprises at least one foundation (6) with which the respective lifting arm system (4, 5) is connected to the vehicle (3), The lift arm systems (4, 5) each comprise at least one lifting arm (9) and at least one operating mechanism (15). The lifting device (1) comprises at least one lifting boom (13) extending between the lifting arm (9) in the first lifting arm system (4) and the lifting arm (9) in the second lifting arm system (5), The operating mechanism (15) is operated with at least one actuator (27). The actuating mechanism (15) comprises at least one first operating arm (16), which is rotatably connected at one end, or end thereof, to the base (6) and at its other end, or its proximity is connected to the lifting arm (9) via at least one aim link (22). The operating arm (16) and the arm link (22) are pivotally connected to each other and the arm link (22) is pivotally arranged relative to the lifting arm (9). The operating mechanism (15) further comprises at least one operating link (25) which is pivotally connected to the operating arm (16).

Lifting system (1) for mounting on a loading surface of a vehicle (3), comprising at least one first lifting arm system (4) on one side of the loading surface in the transverse direction of the vehicle (3) and at least one second lifting arm system (5) on the other side of the cargo area in the transverse direction of the vehicle (3). The lifting arm systems (4, 5) comprises at least one foundation (6) with which the respective lifting arm system (4, 5) is connected to the vehicle (3), The lift arm systems (4, 5) each comprise at least one lifting arm (9) and at least one operating mechanism (15). The lifting device (1) comprises at least one lifting boom (13) extending between the lifting arm (9) in the first lifting arm system (4) and the lifting arm (9) in the second lifting arm system (5), The operating mechanism (15) is operated with at least one actuator (27). The actuating mechanism (15) comprises at least one first operating arm (16), which is rotatably connected at one end, or end thereof, to the base (6) and at its other end, or its proximity is connected to the lifting arm (9) via at least one aim link (22). The operating arm (16) and the arm link (22) are pivotally connected to each other and the arm link (22) is pivotally arranged relative to the lifting arm (9). The operating mechanism (15) further comprises at least one operating link (25) which is pivotally connected to the operating arm (16).

The focus of the present disclosure is on portable cranes and cantilevered base systems. In particular, portable cranes and cantilevered base systems which are lightweight, easy-to-operate, safe, inexpensive, and have extended reaches with high-load capacities would be advantageous for a variety of applications. A cantilevered support to a pivotable arm that is provided by the present disclosure provides advantages when compared to other portable cranes, such as the ability to: 1) extend an arm and reach of a crane, 2) increase a load that can be lifted or lowered, 3) operate a portable crane and cantilevered base system freestanding without attaching a base to a floor, surface, or bed of a vehicle, and 4) augment the structural capacity of a portable crane and cantilevered base with mechanical devices to support a variety of applications.

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.