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 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 system and method for positioning a movable crane counterweight is disclosed. In the method, a boom orientation is determined, a first counterweight position is determined, a first crane capacity at the first counterweight position is determined, a second counterweight position is determined corresponding to a second rearward stability associated with the boom orientation. A second crane capacity at the second counterweight position. A load on the crane is determined and the counterweight is positioned at a third position between the first counterweight position and the second counterweight position dependent on the boom load, and the first crane capacity.

A system and method for positioning a movable crane counterweight is disclosed. In the method, a boom orientation is determined, a first counterweight position is determined, a first crane capacity at the first counterweight position is determined, a second counterweight position is determined corresponding to a second rearward stability associated with the boom orientation. A second crane capacity at the second counterweight position. A load on the crane is determined and the counterweight is positioned at a third position between the first counterweight position and the second counterweight position dependent on the boom load, and the first crane capacity.

A height adjustment assistance device includes an initial state determination part for determining whether a suspended cargo has been lifted from a ground at a start of lifting work, a height detection part for detecting a height of a counterweight from the ground, a storage part for storing an initial height, a calculation part for calculating a target value for correcting the height of the counterweight from the ground based on the initial height and a post-work height, a notification part for notifying an operator of information regarding the target value, and a length adjustment device for adjusting a length of a hanging member by operating in a manner to change the length of the hanging member extending from a tip of a mast to the counterweight.

A height adjustment assistance device includes an initial state determination part for determining whether a suspended cargo has been lifted from a ground at a start of lifting work, a height detection part for detecting a height of a counterweight from the ground, a storage part for storing an initial height, a calculation part for calculating a target value for correcting the height of the counterweight from the ground based on the initial height and a post-work height, a notification part for notifying an operator of information regarding the target value, and a length adjustment device for adjusting a length of a hanging member by operating in a manner to change the length of the hanging member extending from a tip of a mast to the counterweight.

The present invention relates to a combined counterweight hitching device and method thereof, and a counterweight mounting structure. The combined counterweight hitching device is mounted on a turntable tail framework, wherein the combined counterweight hitching device includes a turntable tail framework bottom plate, a lifting oil cylinder, a lifting oil cylinder fixing seat and a hitching driving mechanism, the turntable tail framework bottom plate is fixed on the turntable tail framework, the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat is arranged on the upper surface of the turntable tail framework bottom plate and is hinged with the turntable tail framework bottom plate, the lifting oil cylinder is fixed at one end of the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, the one end distal to a point on which the turntable tail framework bottom plate is hinged with the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, a hitching platform is mounted at a piston rod end of the lifting oil cylinder, and the hitching driving mechanism is connected with the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, and drives the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat to make the hitching platform enter a hitching platform groove on the counterweight to complete a hitching operation. By adopting the combined counterweight hitching device and method, and the counterweight mounting structure provided by the present invention, the mounting and demounting of the combined counterweight are more convenient, and the mounting space is smaller.

The present invention relates to a combined counterweight hitching device and method thereof, and a counterweight mounting structure. The combined counterweight hitching device is mounted on a turntable tail framework, wherein the combined counterweight hitching device includes a turntable tail framework bottom plate, a lifting oil cylinder, a lifting oil cylinder fixing seat and a hitching driving mechanism, the turntable tail framework bottom plate is fixed on the turntable tail framework, the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat is arranged on the upper surface of the turntable tail framework bottom plate and is hinged with the turntable tail framework bottom plate, the lifting oil cylinder is fixed at one end of the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, the one end distal to a point on which the turntable tail framework bottom plate is hinged with the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, a hitching platform is mounted at a piston rod end of the lifting oil cylinder, and the hitching driving mechanism is connected with the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, and drives the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat to make the hitching platform enter a hitching platform groove on the counterweight to complete a hitching operation. By adopting the combined counterweight hitching device and method, and the counterweight mounting structure provided by the present invention, the mounting and demounting of the combined counterweight are more convenient, and the mounting space is smaller.

A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit includes a trolley, the counterweight unit being in a movable relationship with respect to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. Other embodiments include a counterweight support beam movably connected to the rotating bed, the counterweight support beam including another rack coupled to a lower surface of the counterweight support beam. A counterweight support beam movement device is connected between the counterweight support beam and the counterweight support frame.

A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit includes a trolley, the counterweight unit being in a movable relationship with respect to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. Other embodiments include a counterweight support beam movably connected to the rotating bed, the counterweight support beam including another rack coupled to a lower surface of the counterweight support beam. A counterweight support beam movement device is connected between the counterweight support beam and the counterweight support frame.