The present invention concerns a method for loading and/or unloading a loading space delimited by structural elements of at least one road or rail vehicle using a manipulator to move the loads from outside the loading space to a position onto the structural elements in the loading space and vice versa. The method includes: inputting or importing primary data relative to the loads into a logic controller, automatically calculating the optimum loading position for each load, determining the automated movements of the manipulator, automatically picking up a pallet in a storage position inside the loading space with the manipulator and positioning the pallet in a loading position located at the rear of the vehicle, placing a load on the pallet, and automatically moving the pallet supporting the load into the optimum loading position, and locking the pallet to the structural elements.

The invention relates to a loading arm assembly for a load-handling vehicle, having a main arm, having an auxiliary arm, and having a gripping hook, wherein the loading arm assembly is configured for unloading and loading transportation containers having a hook, wherein a pivot arm part is disposed on the auxiliary arm so as to be pivotable by way of an articulation, wherein a gripping hook is disposed so as to be pivotable on the pivot arm part. The loading arm assembly is improved in that the pivot arm part in a transporting position engages in a clearance of the auxiliary arm.

An apparatus is mountable on a truck or trailer bed for lifting industrial or agricultural spools for transport. The apparatus includes a pair of vertically pivotable lifting members, each one of the pair of lifting members having a distal end. A pair of lifting pins are mounted to a distal end of a corresponding lifting member. A drive system is operably connected to the pair of vertically pivotable lifting members whereby the pair of lifting pins engage a hole of a spool and the spool is lifted with the vertically pivotable lifting members by a drive system.

Described is an apparatus for moving a container between two positions on a vehicle carrying bed. The apparatus includes a connector that extends away from the container and a container mover, which has a connector end and a vehicle connector end. The connector end is rotatably connected to the connector to permit the container to swing about a connector axis. The vehicle connector end is connected to the vehicle carrying bed to move about a hinge, to allow the container to be actuated to move between the two positions along an arc.

Lifting system (1) for mounting on a loading surface of a vehicle (3), comprising at least one first lifting arm system (4) on one side of the loading surface in the transverse direction of the vehicle (3) and at least one second lifting arm system (5) on the other side of the cargo area in the transverse direction of the vehicle (3). The lifting arm systems (4, 5) comprises at least one foundation (6) with which the respective lifting arm system (4, 5) is connected to the vehicle (3), The lift arm systems (4, 5) each comprise at least one lifting arm (9) and at least one operating mechanism (15). The lifting device (1) comprises at least one lifting boom (13) extending between the lifting arm (9) in the first lifting arm system (4) and the lifting arm (9) in the second lifting arm system (5), The operating mechanism (15) is operated with at least one actuator (27). The actuating mechanism (15) comprises at least one first operating arm (16), which is rotatably connected at one end, or end thereof, to the base (6) and at its other end, or its proximity is connected to the lifting arm (9) via at least one aim link (22). The operating arm (16) and the arm link (22) are pivotally connected to each other and the arm link (22) is pivotally arranged relative to the lifting arm (9). The operating mechanism (15) further comprises at least one operating link (25) which is pivotally connected to the operating arm (16).

Example loading apparatuses and vehicles that include loading apparatus are described. An example loading apparatus includes a frame, a lift arm, and an anchor member. The frame has a first mounting member, a second mounting member, a first guide rail, and a second guide rail. The first and second guide rails cooperatively define a slot. The lift arm has a lift arm first end, a lift arm second end, a lift arm first portion, and a lift arm second portion. The lift arm first portion is partially disposed within the slot. Each of the lift arm first portion and the lift arm second portion is moveable between a loading position and a dumping position. The anchor member is attached to the lift arm such that the lift arm is pivotable relative to the anchor member and moveable within the slot.

Various examples of arrangements and methods are provided for loading and unloading first and second load units carried by a vehicle. A landing device is arranged between a first end of the first load unit and a second end of the second load unit so that a first portion of the landing device is supported to the first end of the first load unit and a second portion of the landing device is supported to the second end of the second load unit. The landing device can move the first end of the first load unit into a lower level than the second end of the second load unit after the first end of the first load unit is moved so that it passes the second end of the second load unit.

Photovoltaic module feeder assemblies, systems and methods are provided which comprise two rotatable arms, a grabber bar, and at least two gripping pieces. Each arm has a proximal end and a distal end and a plurality of articulation points. The grabber bar is coupled to the distal end of each rotatable arm, and the gripping pieces are connected to each grabber bar. When the rotatable arms rotate to position the grabber bars in alignment with a photovoltaic module, the gripping pieces activate and grip or support the photovoltaic module. The rotatable arms maintain the short sides of the photovoltaic module in a horizontal position by utilizing one or more of the plurality of articulation points. The photovoltaic module feeder assembly may be coupled to a mobile unit having a conveyor and guide rails for moving and holding a pallet of photovoltaic modules. Disclosed methods may be controlled by software that can determine a just-in-time installation schedule.

The present disclosure includes a mobile liquid dispensing system adaptable to be implemented on an arm-bed truck. The disclosure includes an apparatus comprising a spray rig capable of engaging arms of an arm-bed truck, and a carrier operable to be hoisted by an arm-bed truck. A method of mobile liquid dispersion is also presented that be performed from an arm-bed truck. The disclosure offers many advantages in the art, including novel uses of an arm-bed truck and a spray rig that is resistant to damage from impacts.

Compact tool carriers having a loader mounted to a low-profile mainframe are disclosed. In some embodiments, the pivot points of the mainframe about which the loader is pivoted are low relative to the mainframe to reduce the mainframe size.