To provide a crane capable of stably traveling a transporter capable of supporting a counterweight in cooperation with slewing of an upper slewing body. The crane has a connecting body connecting the self-propelled transporter and the upper traveling body, a transporter angle detecting unit, and a steering angle setting unit. A transporter connecting portion of the connecting body is rotatably connected to the self-propelled transporter about a rotation center axis, and moves relative to a slewing body connecting portion whereby the relative distance between the self-propelled transporter and the upper slewing body is variable. The steering angle setting unit sets the steering angle of the wheels of the self-propelled transporter according to the transporter angle detected by the transporter angle detecting unit so that the transporter angle approaches 90 degrees.

To provide a crane capable of stably traveling a transporter capable of supporting a counterweight in cooperation with slewing of an upper slewing body. The crane has a connecting body connecting the self-propelled transporter and the upper traveling body, a transporter angle detecting unit, and a steering angle setting unit. A transporter connecting portion of the connecting body is rotatably connected to the self-propelled transporter about a rotation center axis, and moves relative to a slewing body connecting portion whereby the relative distance between the self-propelled transporter and the upper slewing body is variable. The steering angle setting unit sets the steering angle of the wheels of the self-propelled transporter according to the transporter angle detected by the transporter angle detecting unit so that the transporter angle approaches 90 degrees.

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 crane or mobile crane includes a crane base, a crane jib to be slewed relative to the base about a slewing axis vertically oriented in normal operating state. A counterweight carrier coupled to the crane jib slews therewith and carries counterweight modules in normal operating state. An anti-collision sensor system monitors the presence of an object within a slewing range ahead being passed through by the counterweight carrier and/or counterweight modules in the future during normal operation as the crane jib slews. A control unit linked to the anti-collision sensor system for signal transmission is configured to determine, based on sensor signals transmitted by the anti-collision sensor system, whether an object is present in the slewing range ahead, to determine whether the object can lead to a collision with the counterweight carrier or one counterweight module, and to take a countermeasure upon a collision.

A crane or mobile crane includes a crane base, a crane jib to be slewed relative to the base about a slewing axis vertically oriented in normal operating state. A counterweight carrier coupled to the crane jib slews therewith and carries counterweight modules in normal operating state. An anti-collision sensor system monitors the presence of an object within a slewing range ahead being passed through by the counterweight carrier and/or counterweight modules in the future during normal operation as the crane jib slews. A control unit linked to the anti-collision sensor system for signal transmission is configured to determine, based on sensor signals transmitted by the anti-collision sensor system, whether an object is present in the slewing range ahead, to determine whether the object can lead to a collision with the counterweight carrier or one counterweight module, and to take a countermeasure upon a collision.

The invention relates to a foldable suspended-ballast guide for a crane with suspended ballast, comprising at least two lattice pieces which are pivotally connected to each other by means of at least one swivel joint, and a swivel drive for changing the swivel angle or for changing the ballast radius, wherein the suspended-ballast guide can be arranged on the crane via the first lattice piece, characterized in that the second lattice piece comprises at least one kink joint in order to kink the second lattice piece downwards or backwards in the direction of the crane to reduce the ballast radius.

The invention relates to a foldable suspended-ballast guide for a crane with suspended ballast, comprising at least two lattice pieces which are pivotally connected to each other by means of at least one swivel joint, and a swivel drive for changing the swivel angle or for changing the ballast radius, wherein the suspended-ballast guide can be arranged on the crane via the first lattice piece, characterized in that the second lattice piece comprises at least one kink joint in order to kink the second lattice piece downwards or backwards in the direction of the crane to reduce the ballast radius.

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 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 lifting rig includes a cradle and a load transfer device. The load transfer device is arranged to draw in a payload to the cradle or deliver a payload from the cradle. The lifting rig is arranged to be lifted to an elevated space and the load transfer device is arranged to draw in or deliver the payload within the elevated space.