An apparatus for lifting and manipulating a heavy load by way of at least one pair of tongs and at least one hydraulic cylinder is disclosed. The load lifting apparatus may be configured such that it includes a first linkage, consisting of two pivotal linkage members, and a second linkage, having two pivotal linkage members. The load lifting apparatus may further have a set of tongs which includes two tong arms, and a hydraulic cylinder capable of actuating about one of the pivot points of the linkages. This configuration allows for the distance between the two tong arms to be adjusted according to the relative size of the load being engaged by the load lifting apparatus. A controller may actuate the hydraulic cylinder to adjust the distance between the tong arms.

An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.

A lid assembly for a portable biochar kiln and system is disclosed. An example of a lid assembly includes a cylindrical sidewall, a rim around the cylindrical sidewall, and a top portion having an opening formed therein. A removable stack is configured to fit over the opening formed in the top portion to direct exhaust from the portable biochar kiln. A gasket cover is interchangeable with the removable stack to fit over the opening formed in the top portion to form a substantially airtight seal over the opening formed in the top portion when a burn is complete in the portable biochar kiln to self-extinguish embers in the portable biochar kiln.

A wheeled hose moving device that is movable over a support surface and that is operable to lift and move a concrete supply hose at the support surface. The device includes a wheeled support including a hose lifting device and a hose support element. The hose lifting device is vertically movable between a raised position and a lowered position and is adjustable between a lifting state and a non-lifting state. The hose support element is adjustable between a support state and a non-support state. The hose lifting device is, when lowered to be at the hose, adjusted to engage and lift the hose. As the hose lifting device lifts the hose upward, the hose support element is automatically adjusted from the non-support state to the support state to support the lifted hose.

Systems, apparatus and methods are described where a heater is arranged adjacent to a pipe make/break vise assembly to heat a female tool joint of two pipe sections connected by threads to facilitate breaking or disconnection of the joint. The heater can have any configuration or can be used in any manner to result in even heating around the circumference of the female tool joint. In addition, the heater can be incorporated into the same apparatus as the make/break vise assembly, or the heater can be an apparatus that is separate from the apparatus containing the make/break vise assembly. In one embodiment, the heater can be used as a stand-alone heater to heat the female tool joint.

A boom clamp attachment has a gib frame, a boom quick-connect, a shaft arm axle, a shaft arm torque assembly, and at least one gib clamp assembly. The gib clamp assembly has a clamp support member having a first gib clamp at a first end and second gib clamp at a second end. The gib clamp has a fixed finger and a moveable finger, the moveable finger controlled via hydraulics. The boom clamp may hoist, tilt, and position an assembled section of panels.

A grapple-heel rack having a frame, a grapple, and first and second angle-enabler catches. A grapple attachment (which may be or may include a universal joint) may be used to support the grapple from a nose of the frame. A mechanical grapple return system may be used to return the grapple from anon-neutral position to a neutral position. At least one method for using the grapple-heel rack.

A utility pole setting trailer includes a horizontal frame configured to carry utility poles to remote locations, a set of wheels supporting the horizontal frame, a hydraulic boom coupled to the horizontal frame and configured to load and unload the utility poles on to the horizontal frame, and a motor coupled to the hydraulic boom and configured to power the hydraulic boom. The hydraulic boom includes a first arm and a second arm, and a grapple is coupled to a distal end of the second arm. The grapple is configured to grasp a respective utility pole. In addition, the horizontal frame includes a front portion and a rear portion that are configured to extend apart from each other to increase a length of the horizontal frame.

A wheeled hose moving device that is movable over a support surface and that is operable to grasp, lift and move a concrete supply hose at the support surface. The device includes a wheeled support including a hose grasping device and at least one hose support element. The hose grasping device includes a pair of grasping arms configured to grasp and release a concrete supply hose. The hose grasping device is vertically movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The hose support element includes a pair of support arms that pivot relative to one another. The pair of grasping arms move from their opened state toward their closed state to engage and grasp the concrete supply hose. As the grasping device raises the grasped hose upward, the support arms pivot from their opened state toward their closed state to support the grasped and raised hose.

A grapple-heel rack having a frame, a grapple, and first and second angle-enabler catches. A grapple attachment (which may be or may include a universal joint) may be used to support the grapple from a nose of the frame. A mechanical grapple return system may be used to return the grapple from a non-neutral position to a neutral position. At least one method for using the grapple-heel rack.