A vacuum material handler (10) has a vacuum beam (12) supported by an adaptor block (60) attached to a rotator (50). A vacuum pad (40) is carried beneath the vacuum beam (12). The vacuum beam (14) has a motor (20) that powers a pump (30). The adaptor block (60) has a body (64) and arms (70/71) having receivers thereon for receiving an upper pin assembly that may be carried by host equipment. The host equipment locates foe upper pin assembly within foe receivers where the upper pin (66) may be clamped into place, thereby conducting all heavy lifting with foe host equipment.

The invention provides a lifting and tilting device. The lifter has an elongated frame having one or more horizontal lifting points and one or more tilt lifting points to which a lift shackle is attached. The frame provides multiple attachment points for lifters including magnetic lifters or suction lifters allowing the device to be adjusted to lift a variety of shaped and sized ferrous and non-ferrous objects.

A truck-mounted vacuum material handler and quick disconnect for use on a truck with a with a boom for handling plate steel. The handler includes a coupler [32] that has a boom connector [44], a removable carrier [36, 38] with a carrier connector [60], and a base [34] located between the boom connector and the removable carrier. A locking mechanism [66] located in the base is arranged to move between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the carrier connector. In the unlocked position the carrier connector is removable from the base. In the locked position the carrier connector is secured in the opening and opposing face surfaces [48, 50, 62] of the base and removable carrier are mated to one another. The removable carrier may include a rotator-receiving recess [42] or a rigging hardware eyelet [40] arranged opposite the carrier connector.

Gantry crane vehicle for performing one or more tasks in a photovoltaic array and method thereof. The gantry crane vehicle includes one or more base plates, and one or more tracks above the one or more base plates. Additionally, the vehicle includes one or more gantry assemblies configured to slide along the one or more tracks, and one or more first support trusses configured to support the one or more tracks above the one or more base plates. Moreover, the vehicle includes one or more second support trusses connected to at least some of the one or more first support trusses, and one or more storage cabinets located on the one or more base plates. The one or more storage cabinets include one or more top surfaces and one or more side surfaces, and the one or more top surfaces are located below the one or more tracks.

An improved vacuum material handler having an onboard drive engine powering a vacuum pump and a hydraulic pump. The vacuum material handler also having a frame with integrated forklift lugs.

A traffic barrier lifter mountable on a boom and having a gearbox with a first and a second rotating axis; a pair of opposing arms directly mounted to the first and second rotating axis and a rotator capable of rotating the lifter relative to the boom, wherein the gearbox is capable of moving the pair of opposing arms from an open position to a closed position such that the arms can clamp onto a traffic barrier. The rotator being capable of rotating the arms and traffic barrier relative to the boom.

A method for controlling the operation of a vacuum material handler providing secure communication between the wireless remote control and the receiver of a controller on the vacuum material handler. The method providing a haptic confirmation of a valid command. The method also providing a battery life extending sleep mode when left inactive for a predetermined length of time. The method further including a pendant remote in communication with the wireless remote control. The pendant remote being operable to command the vacuum material handler.

A traffic barrier lifter mountable on a boom and having a gearbox with a first and a second rotating axis; a pair of opposing arms directly mounted to the first and second rotating axis and a rotator capable of rotating the lifter relative to the boom, wherein the gearbox is capable of moving the pair of opposing arms from an open position to a closed position such that the arms can clamp onto a traffic barrier. The rotator being capable of rotating the arms and traffic barrier relative to the boom.

Device for manipulating a flat object (1), comprising a lifting hook (2) and a traverse (4) with suction cups (5), which are evacuated by a vacuum pump (6). The traverse is connected to the hook via a bearing structure (7), so that the traverse can be rotated (R) and be tilted (K). The vacuum pump tilts but does not co-rotate with the traverse and the object.

A system and method for controlling the operation of a vacuum material handler providing secure communication between the wireless remote control and the receiver of a controller on the vacuum material handler. The system providing a haptic confirmation of a valid command. The system also providing a battery life extending sleep mode when left inactive for a predetermined length of time. The system further including a pendant remote in communication with the wireless remote control. The pendant remote being operable to command the vacuum material handler.