A lift machine includes a machine chassis, a boom extending from the machine chassis, and a connector extending from the boom for coupling to a load. The machine further includes a control system that determines a lift capacity of the machine based on a skew of the connector caused by the load.

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.

A vehicle crane comprising a jib that is raised and lowered by at least one main tensile connector, and a counter jib, where the main tensile connector extends between a first connecting point in the region of a jib head and a second connecting point in the region of a counter jib head. To reduce loading on the jib, in particular during raising and lowering and increase its bearing load overall, the jib has a third connecting point between the first connecting point and its foot opposite the head, and a secondary tensile connector extends between the third connecting point and a fourth connecting point in the region of the head of the counter jib, or the secondary tensile connector extends between the third connecting point via a seventh connecting point on the main tensile connector and a fourth connecting point in the region of the main jib foot.

An optical detection system for a crane having a counterweight assembly includes an image capture assembly having one or more image capture devices configured to capture an image of the counterweight assembly and an optical control system. The optical control system is configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from the counterweight assembly, a weight unit of the counterweight assembly, a stack of weight units of the counterweight assembly, and a marker on the counterweight assembly. The optical control system is also configured to analyze the one or more detected objects and determine a status of counterweight assembly based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects.

An optical detection system for a crane having a counterweight assembly includes an image capture assembly having one or more image capture devices configured to capture an image of the counterweight assembly and an optical control system. The optical control system is configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from the counterweight assembly, a weight unit of the counterweight assembly, a stack of weight units of the counterweight assembly, and a marker on the counterweight assembly. The optical control system is also configured to analyze the one or more detected objects and determine a status of counterweight assembly based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects.

A crane includes a carrier, a superstructure coupled to the carrier, the superstructure including a boom, and an optical detection system having an image capture assembly including one or more image capture devices configured to capture an image of one or more of the carrier and the superstructure, and an optical control system. The optical control system is configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from: the carrier, the superstructure, and a marker, analyze the one or more detected objects, and determine a status of the boom based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects. The optical detection system and a method for determining the status of the boom are provided as well.

Provided is a crane capable of changing a moment on a counterweight side without changing a total weight of the crane by using a simple method. The crane includes a base, and a swiveling body that is provided above the base so as to swivel about a pivot center, and includes a boom and a counterweight attaching unit. The counterweight attaching unit includes a plurality of attaching positions, and is configured to selectively attach and detach the counterweight to and from any attaching position among the plurality of attaching positions, and the plurality of attaching positions is positions of which distances from the pivot center are different from each other.

Provided is a crane capable of changing a moment on a counterweight side without changing a total weight of the crane by using a simple method. The crane includes a base, and a swiveling body that is provided above the base so as to swivel about a pivot center, and includes a boom and a counterweight attaching unit. The counterweight attaching unit includes a plurality of attaching positions, and is configured to selectively attach and detach the counterweight to and from any attaching position among the plurality of attaching positions, and the plurality of attaching positions is positions of which distances from the pivot center are different from each other.

A lifting machine with a counterweight includes a sensing system for assisting in ensuring proper operating conditions are reliably achieved. The machine includes a lifter for moving the counterweight from a lowered position to a raised position. A first sensor is associated with the lifter for sensing a parameter corresponding to an amount of the counterweight (such as a pressure value associated with the rod end of a lifting cylinder), and a second sensor is provided for sensing a condition of the lifter (such as the position or extended length of the lifting cylinder). The amount of counterweight present may be determined by the output of the first sensor when the lifter is in a pre-determined (e.g., midpoint) position. The operator may be polled to verify the amount of counterweight present, thus providing a check against unintended operating conditions and ensure that reliable operation of the lifting machine is achieved.