A crane, in particular a mobile crane, includes a crane jib which can be moved about a substantially horizontal luffing axis, and a tensioning device for the crane jib. The tensioning device includes two pendants which run from the jib tip to the jib base of the crane jib and tensioning posts each tensioning a respective one of the pendants relative to the crane jib in a triangular configuration. In order to operate the crane, a luffing angle of the crane jib about the luffing axis is measured or recorded, and a spread angle between the tensioning posts while the crane jib is being used is modified depending on the luffing angle.

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, in particular a mobile crane, includes a crane jib which can be moved about a substantially horizontal luffing axis, and a tensioning device for the crane jib. The tensioning device includes two pendants which run from the jib tip to the jib base of the crane jib and tensioning posts each tensioning a respective one of the pendants relative to the crane jib in a triangular configuration. In order to operate the crane, a luffing angle of the crane jib about the luffing axis is measured or recorded, and a spread angle between the tensioning posts while the crane jib is being used is modified depending on the luffing angle.

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 pipelayer machine having a counterweight assembly is provided. The pipelayer machine can include a main body having first and second sides, a first side track provided on the first side of the main body and a second side track provided on the second side of the main body. A side boom can be provided on the first side of the main body. The counterweight assembly can be provided on the second side of the main body and include a counterweight mounting frame. A counterweight can be provided having a first side with an engagement hook extending from the first side. The engagement hook can be used to attach the counterweight to the counterweight mounting frame.

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 pipelayer machine having a counterweight assembly is provided. The pipelayer machine can include a main body having first and second sides, a first side track provided on the first side of the main body and a second side track provided on the second side of the main body. A side boom can be provided on the first side of the main body. The counterweight assembly can be provided on the second side of the main body and include a counterweight mounting frame. A counterweight can be provided having a first side with an engagement hook extending from the first side. The engagement hook can be used to attach the counterweight to the counterweight mounting frame.

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 winch, comprising: a main frame and a spool rotatably mounted on the main frame, a first end of the spool being connected with an uni-directional locking component, while a second end of the spool serving as a mounting end; wherein a uni-directional drive component assembled by a drive bracket, a ratchet, a rotatable drum, and a pawl mating with the ratchet, the rotatable drum is fixedly connected to the drive bracket, the uni-directional drive component is sleeved onto the mounting end of the spool via the ratchet, the ratchet is radially provided with at least one mounting hole, and the ratchet is fixedly connected to the mounting end of the spool by at least one fastener inserted through the at least one mounting hole. The present winch reduces assembly steps for installing the uni-directional drive component onto the spool, thereby making assembly more convenient.

A method and system for analyzing a vehicle winch design includes a preprocessor determining contact locations for winch components from a mesh model. The preprocessor determines load vectors at a winch assembly and counter-vectors at a fairlead based on a relative position of a winch wire and a hook retention location based on a winch load rating. A non-linear analysis system determines plastic strains, deflections, and clearances under the winch load rating based on the contact locations, load vector and counter vector, and communicates the plastic strains, deflections, and clearances to a post processing system. The post processing system compares the plastic strains to strain limit at a post processor, compares the deflection to a deflection limit, compares clearances to a clearance limit and generating a display based on comparing the plastic strains, compares the deflection to the deflection limit and compares clearances to the clearance limit.