A method for operating a vehicle crane having a lower chassis with boom supports and having an upper chassis with a counterweight in which a live view of the surroundings of the vehicle crane is displayed to the driver. To provide a possibility of operating the vehicle crane that permits safe and simplified manuvering and use, the live view is created at least by way of cameras arranged on the lower chassis, markings indicating the movement ranges of the boom supports and the pivot range of the upper chassis are superimposed to scale on the live view, where the markings are hard-programmed crane-specific overlays and the live view is a crane-specific view that is calibrated with regard to dimensions.

Described is a safety system for a self-propelled operating machine (1) comprises a processing unit (3) which includes: a memory module (31) in which a plurality of load diagrams is stored; a limiting module (32) configured for limiting the operational possibilities of actuators of the machine (1), on the basis of a load diagram; a measuring device (41, 42) for acquiring operating parameters relative to various operating conditions of the operating machine (1); and a selection module (33) configured for selecting from the memory module (31) a load diagram on the basis of an operating parameter acquired by the measuring device (41, 42).

A method for controlling a crane component of a tower crane in proximity of obstacles at a worksite by defining a forbidden volume is disclosed. In the method a distance from the crane component to an outer surface of the forbidden volume is determined and a computing device limits movement of the crane component based on the distance from the crane component to the outer surface of the forbidden volume to avoid entering the forbidden volume with the crane component while the crane is in operation. The crane component is one or more of a boom and a hook block.

A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, an object monitoring device attached to the upper turning body, an attachment attached to the upper turning body, a hook attached to the attachment, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor is configured to switch the operating mode of the shovel to a crane mode based on information obtained by the object monitoring device.

The unload circuit includes a pump oil passage that connects between a hydraulic pump and a direction control valve, a tank oil passage that connects between the direction control valve and a hydraulic tank, a pressure compensating flow control valve interposed between the pump oil passage and the tank oil passage, a pilot operated relief valve interposed between the pump oil passage and the tank oil passage, and an unloading solenoid valve interposed in a vent oil passage of the pilot operated relief valve. The failure diagnosis device includes a pressure sensor that measures a pressure of the pump oil passage, and a controller that receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensor. The controller performs failure diagnosis of the unload circuit based on a differential pressure between a first pump oil passage pressure during unloading and a second pump oil passage pressure during on-loading.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a system that uses images of a load handled by a crane as captured by cameras to monitor the load. The images may include different sets of outer perimeters of the load. The system may identify the outer perimeters and then define a safety zone that extends beyond these outer perimeters. In response to identifying an object within the safety zone, the system may execute a remedial action.

A method for determining stability of a vehicle having a load suspended from the vehicle is provided. The method can include obtaining measurements from a plurality of sensors positioned on the vehicle, obtaining a measurement from a vehicle accelerometer operative to determine an inclination of the vehicle, determining a position of the load suspended from the vehicle, determining a slung load of the load suspended from the vehicle, using the determined slung load and the determined position of the load suspended from the vehicle, determining tipping moments acting on the vehicle, determining righting moments acting on the vehicle and determining a tipping stability based on the determined tipping moments and determined righting moments.

A crane for lifting and transporting loads includes a base frame to transfer loads onto a support surface by a plurality of contacts in contact with the surface. An arm for lifting loads is rotatable relative to the base frame around a vertical axis. The angular range of the arm around the vertical axis includes angular fields, and load sensors. Each load sensor is associated with a respective contact to detect the force on the support surface. A control system obtains, from the load sensors, the value of the force, and detects the angular field where the arm is located. The control system determines a danger condition based on the values detected by the load sensors, according to different criteria in at least two different angular fields. The control system carries out predetermined functions of the crane, if the danger condition is reached.

A crane for lifting and transporting loads includes a base frame, capable of transferring the loads onto a support surface. A sliding element is slidably constrained to the base frame. An arm capable of moving the loads is hinged to the sliding element. A connection element has a first end hinged to the sliding element, and a second end constrained to the base frame in a mobile manner. Each of a pair of rod elements is hinged to the base frame and to the connection element to form an articulated quadrilateral. A first linear actuator is hinged to the base frame and to the connection element and capable of causing sliding movement of the sliding element relative to the base frame. A second linear actuator is hinged to the sliding element and to the arm capable of causing mutual rotation movement between the arm and the sliding element.

The invention relates to a method of monitoring the safety of a crane, in particular of a revolving tower crane having a revolving deck, wherein the crane has a sensor system and a crane control, and wherein furthermore at least one tilt sensor is provided. In accordance with the invention, the at least one tilt sensor is attached to the revolving deck of the revolving tower crane, with the monitoring of the crane safety taking place at least during the putting up and/or taking down of the revolving tower crane.