GB1576151A

GB1576151A - Working machine with two work appliances of which one is intended for lifting

Info

Publication number: GB1576151A
Application number: GB47136/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Stabilator AB
Current assignee: Stabilator AB
Priority date: 1976-11-12
Filing date: 1977-11-11
Publication date: 1980-10-01
Also published as: FI62390B; SE7612659L; NO773844L; SE423418B; DE2750371A1; FI773405A; DK501977A; FI62390C

Description

(54) WORKING MACHINE WITH TWO WORK APPLIANCES OF WHICH ONE IS INTENDED FOR LIFTING (71) We, STABILATOR AB, a Swedish Body Corporate, of Vendevagen 87, S-182 25 Danderyd, Sweden, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a working machine with a frame portion which, via a movable mounting, carries a work unit, movable relative the frame portion in a vertical plane, a first work appliance, which is intended for lifting, being incorporated in the work unit, said first work appliance being placed on the work unit at a place outside the place of connection between the work unit and the mounting.

Such-working machines are often used for pulling up pipes pressed into the ground. In such cases it is often necessary to use a large amount of force for pulling the pipes up, but since the line of action of the pull is usually situated a comparatively large distance away from the centre of gravity of the working machine, and usually outside the contact surface of the latter with the ground, problems arise concerning the stability of the working machine. If the pull is too large, the working machine will tip over, and thus the risk of tipping naturally sets a limit for the pull which can be used.

The object of the invention is to provide a working machine which is not burdened with these drawbacks and which enables the application of a large pull simply and safely without the risk of tipping. The invention also has the object of providing a working machine which can be simply adapted for different working tasks.

According to the invention there is provided a working'machine having a frame portion which, via a mounting, carries a work unit for movement in a generally vertical plane, said work unit comprising first and second work appliances spaced from the mounting, the first appliance being for lifting, and the second work appliance being so provided at a place outside the first work appliance away from the mounting as to be arranged to form a support for the work unit when the first work appliance is used for lifting, to prevent the working machine from tipping over; and a generally horizontal boom, to one end of which there is pivotably attached a guide which is a part of the second work appliance, and in which runs a longitudinally displaceable bar that is adjustable between a generally horizontal transporting position and a generally vertical working position, said guide having a rotating means for rotating the bar around its lengthwise axis in the guide and also having a locking device for locking the bar axially while allowing the bar to rotate, said bar having at the end intended to be lowest when in working position, means for attachment of a work implement.

Preferably there is included in the work unit at least one first winch associated with the second work appliance, the first winch and the appliances being situated on opposing sides of the connection of the mounting to the work unit.

The working machine, without the risk of tipping, can be used for pulling up pipes. It is not necessary, as it was before, to have a heavy machine for obtaining good stability.

The construction of the work unit furthermore makes it simple to suit the placing of the support with regard to the nature of the substructure. By placing the winch in the work unit instead of in the frame, as is usual, simplified operation of the work appliance can be obtained.

The invention will now be explained in the following with the help of an embodiment shown on the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a working machine according to the invention, in a working position and in a transport posi tion, Fig. 2 shows a view from above of the working machine in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of the work unit, Fig. 4 shows, partially in section, the boom guiding means, and Fig. 5 shows the working machine according to the invention, disposed for pulling pipe.

A working machine 1 according to the invention is provided with a frame portion 2 as is apparent from Fig. 1, and has an operating cabin 3 and transporting means 4, here in the shape of driven tracks. The frame portion 2 carries, via a movable mounting 5, a work unit 6 which is movable at least in a vertical plane by means of the mounting 5. There is a guiding means 7 included in the work unit 6, the former being pivotably connected to the mounting 5. The guiding means 7 carries a boom 8, longitudinally displaceable relative to the guiding means with the help of an operating cylinder 9. The boom 8 is arranged preferably to assume a substantially horizontal position.

Included in the mounting 5 there are two substantially parallel arms, a rear arm 10 and a forward arm 11, which are each pivotably attached to the frame 2 and the guiding means 7. Both these arms, together with the frame 2 and the guiding means 7, form a parallel linkage system where the guiding means 7 can be moved in parallel with the help of a setting means 12 arranged between the rear arm 10 and the frame 2, the setting means suitably being in the form of an operating cylinder. The forward arm 11 suitably is an operating cylinder which can be set at and locked at such a length that the guiding means 7 is given a parallel movement, and which can also be actuated in either direction or also can be in a floating position.

In the work unit 6 there is included a first work appliance 13 which is intended for lifting and- pulling, and which is mounted on the work unit 6 outside the place of connection between the work unit and the mounting 5. A second work appliance 14 is also included in the work unit 6, and is arranged outside the first work appliance 13 away from the mounting.

The boom 8 is fork-shaped (see Fig. 2) at one end, and is there provided with two spaced opposed bearings 15 for two journals 16 on a guide 17 included in the second work appliance 14. In the guide 17 runs a bar 18 which is displaceable longitudinally relative to the guide 17. The guide 17, and thereby the bar 18, are pivotable about the journals 16 in a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the boom 8 with the help of a setting means 19 attached to the guide 17 and the boom 8.

Included in the work unit 6 there is at least one first winch 20 associated with the second work appliance 14, and placed on the end of the boom 8 facing away from the guide 17..

At least one wire 21 runs from this first winch 20, via a sheave 22 mounted on the guide 17,.

along the bar 18 and is attached to the end of the bar which is intended to be nearest the ground in a working position. In the position shown with full lines in Fig.. 1 the bar 18 can thereby be raised and lowered with the help.

of the first winch 20 and the wire 21. On the same side of the guiding means 7 as the first winch 20 the boom 8 is provided with a second winch 23 from which at least one wire 24 runs over a sheave 25 placed on the opposite end of the boom 8. The wire 24 suitably has a free end and can be used for sundry lifting purposes.

The end of the bar 18 which is at the bottom in a working position is provided withan implement attachment 26 to which, for example, an excavating implement 27 in the form of a grab can be mounted. The- excavating implement 27 is suitably hydraulically operated via hydraulic lines running inside the bar 18, the lines being connected at the upper end of the bar to one or more hydraulic hoses 28 which are collected onto at least one hose reel 29 at the same end of the boom 8 as the winches 20 and 23. With the help of the hose reel 29 the length of the hydraulic hoses 28 can be adjusted to the current position of the work unit 6.From the special working position shown by full lines in Figure 1,. the work unit 6 can be redisposed to the transport position shown by chain lines in Fig. 1, where the boom 8 has been lowered and: the bar 18 has been turned to a horizontal position. When readjusting between these two positions it is necessary to adjust the length of a hydraulic hose 28 with the help of the hose reel 29.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a detail of the first work appliance 13, intended for lifting: or pulling, in a position of rest. On either side. of the boom 8, the guiding means 7 carries a mounting 30 for a lifting or pulling means 3:1, suitably in the form of an operating cylinder, the mounting being movable about a substantially horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom 8. With the help of a setting means 32, preferably in the form of an operating cylinder, attached to the guiding means 7 and to the mounting 30, the lifting means 31 can be swung in a vertical plane and thereby be lifted out of its rest position against a bracket 33 mounted on the guiding means 7. The lifting means 31 is intended to be substantially vertical in a working position. The lifting means 31, via a swivelling pin 34 substantially at right angles to the axis about which the mounting 30 is turned with the help of the setting means 32, can be swung relative to the mounting 30 when it is in its working position. The free end of the piston rod 35 included in the lifting means 31 is connectable to a suitable gripping means 36 (see Fig. 5). With the help of the suspension described here, the lifting means 31 can always be adjusted to that its longitudinal direction will be parallel to the pulling direction in question.

As is apparent from Fig. 4 there is also included in the guide 17 an upper and a lower guide sleeve 37 and 38, respectively, in which the bar 18 is axially displaceable. Both guide sleeves are non-rotatably united with the bar 18 with the help of grooves which accommo date a longitudinal cam 39 on the outside of the bar. The upper and lower guide sleeves 37,38 are axially secured at an outer sleeve 40 with the help of an upper cover 41 and a lower cover 42. Between the upper guide sleeve 37 and the lower guide sleeve 38 there is one or more locking pieces 43 with the side facing the bar 18 being adapted to the shape of the bar.The locking pieces 43 can be brought into engagement with the bar 18 by moving an upper locking cone 44 and a lower locking cone 45, spaced in the axial direction of the bar 18, towards each other with the help of one or more locking cylinders 46 attached to said cones.

Both guide sleeves 37 and 38 are rotatably mounted in the outer sleeve 40. The upper guide sleeve 37 is rotatable with the help of a rotating means 47 in which there is incorpo rated a sheave 48 attached to the upper guide sleeve 37, the plane of the sheave being sub stantially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the bar 18. A wire 49 runs round a portion of the circumference of the sheave 48 and, via two jockey pulleys 50 (only one shown in Fig. 4), one on either side of the outer sleeve 40, passes further with its ends to two different rotating means 51, suitably in the shape of operating cylinders, attached to the outer sleeve 40.With the help of the rotating means 51, either end of the wire 49 can be pulled, thereby urging the sheave 48 and thereby the upper guide sleeve 37, bar 18 and lower guide sleeve 38 also, to be turned about the longitudinal axis of the bar 18. This rotating movement can suitably take place independent of whether the bar 18 is locked longitudinally relative to the guide 17. With the help of the rotating means 47 an implement 27 attached to the bar 18 can be manoeuvered in a desired way about the longitudinal axis of the bar.

In the working position shown in Fig. 1 the working machine is intended to utilize the second work appliance 14 for excavation. By suitable displacement of the parts included in the work unit 6, the excavating implement 27 can be placed in a desired position relative to the frame 2 and can subsequently be opened and closed in a conventional manner. During excavation, the setting means 19 is suitably allowed to float, whereby the bar 18 and the boom 8 are allowed to be turned relative to each other about the journals 16. In order to achieve effective downward urging of the excavating implement 27 into the ground, the operating cylinder constituting the forward arm 11 can be actuated so that the forward arm 11 is shortened. A downwardly directed vertical force is hereby transferred via the guiding means 7 and the boom 8 to the bar 18.During excavation the bar 18 can be turned about its longitudinal axis in a way described earlier.

In Fig. 5 the working machine 1 is shown when being used for pulling up pipes with the help of a first work appliance 13. The boom 8 has here been displaced relative to the guiding means 7 so that the end carrying the bar 18 is now further out from the guiding means 7. The bar 18 has been placed in a substantially vertical position and rests with its lower end, possibly via an already fitted tool, against the substructure, e.g. the ground surface. The bar 18 is hereby locked relative to the guide 17 and the guide 17 is in turn locked relative to the boom 8 with the help of the setting means 19, the boom 8 and the bar 18 thus not being able to alter their mutual attitude. With the help of their setting means 32, both lifting means 31 have been set into a substantially vertical working position.Each of the piston rods 35 of the lifting means 31 is at the lower end provided with a gripping means 36 which is attached to the upper end of a pipe 52 completely or partly driven into the ground 53. Both gripping means 36 are suitably attached to the pipe 52 diametrically opposite each other. With large-diameter pipes it can be advantageous to place a spacer between the two gripping means 36. When the lifting means 31 on the first work appliance 13 are activated, the second work appliance 14 will form a support which prevents the working machine 1 from tipping.

To facilitate pipe pulling, the lifting means 31 are suitably operated alternately at a suitable rate. The mounting 5 can hereby suitably be locked by the setting means 12 and the forward arm 11 being locked. It is however possible to allow the forward arm 11 to alter length, i.e. to allow the operating cylinder forming this arm to float.

The working machine 1 described here can naturally be varied in a plurality of different respects, as required. The equipment, usually hydraulic pumps, which provides the different operating cylinders with operating fluid is usually placed in the frame 2 from which piping, not shown in detail here, goes to the hose reel 29 and to remaining places in need thereof. The winches placed on the boom 8 can be more or fewer in number than what is shown here. In different ways it is also possible to provide the boom 8 with extra weights for balancing. For manoeuvering the machine it is advantageous that the guiding means 7 can be thrust out a distance in front of the frame 2, i.e. that the angle formed by the boom 8 and a line through the pivoting points of the work unit 6 and the frame 2 at either end of the mounting 5, and which is nearest the work appliances 13 and 14, to obtuse.

The working directions described here for the parts incorporated in the work unit 6 can be amended according to requirements. The forward arm 11 normally needs to provide a pull, but by making it for example in the form of a double-acting cylinder, a compressive force can also be provided. The same can apply to the first work appliance 13.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A working machine which has a frame portion which, via a mounting, carries a work unit for movement in a generally vertical plane, said work unit comprising first and second work appliances spaced from the mounting, the first appliance being for lifting, and the second work appliance being so provided at a place outside the first work appliance away from the mounting as to be arranged to form a support for the work unit when the first work appliance is used for lifting, to prevent the working machine from tipping over; and a generally horizontal boom, to one end of which there is pivotably attached a guide which is a part of the second work appliance, and in which runs a longitudinally displaceable bar that is adjustable between a generally horizontal transporting position and a generally vertical working position, said guide having a rotating means for rotating the bar around its lengthwise axis in the guide and also having a locking device for locking the bar axially while allowing the bar to rotate, said bar having at the end intended to be lowest when in working position, means for attachment of a work implement.

2. A working machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a guide sleeve incorporated in the guide has an axial groove for nonrotatably engaging a longitudinal cam on the bar, said guide sleeve being rotatable by means of the rotating means.

3. A working machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking device comprises one or more locking pieces surrounding the bar and arranged for engagement with the bar by means of two locking cones which are mutually displaceable in the lengthwise direction of the bar.

4. A working machine as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the boom is axially displaceable in a guiding means pivotably connected to the mounting with the mounting being adjustable relative to the frame portion.

5. A working machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first work appliance is carried by the guiding means.

6. A working machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the work unit comprises at least one first winch associated with the second work appliance, the first winch and the work appliances being situated on opposing sides of the connection of the mounting to the work unit.

7. A working machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first winch and the second work appliance are arranged at opposite ends of the boom.

8. A working machine as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the bar is displaceable, at least in one direction relative to the guide, by means of the first winch.

9. A working machine as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a second winch is juxtaposed the first winch, a wire from the second winch being arranged in conjunction with the second work appliance for lifting purposes.

10. A working machine as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the mounting comprises means for swivelling the work unit in a vertical plane, whereby in its working position the second work appliance can exercise a compressive force against an object, e.g. the ground, when in operation, e.g. for excavating.

11. A working machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mounting is a mechanism with four hinge points and at least two substantially parallel linkage arms of which at least one has a variable length and suitably is an operating cylinder.

12. A working machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first work appliance comprises two spaced, substantially parallel lifting means, suitably hydraulic cylinders, which are suitably arranged for operating alternately when lifting, e.g. for pulling up vertical pipes from the ground, and the first work appliance is connectable to gripping means for the object to be lifted.

13. A working machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide is lockable relative to the boom so that the boom and the bar can substantially form a right angle to each other during lifting.

14. A working machine constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. means 7 can be thrust out a distance in front of the frame 2, i.e. that the angle formed by the boom 8 and a line through the pivoting points of the work unit 6 and the frame 2 at either end of the mounting 5, and which is nearest the work appliances 13 and 14, to obtuse. The working directions described here for the parts incorporated in the work unit 6 can be amended according to requirements. The forward arm 11 normally needs to provide a pull, but by making it for example in the form of a double-acting cylinder, a compressive force can also be provided. The same can apply to the first work appliance 13. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A working machine which has a frame portion which, via a mounting, carries a work unit for movement in a generally vertical plane, said work unit comprising first and second work appliances spaced from the mounting, the first appliance being for lifting, and the second work appliance being so provided at a place outside the first work appliance away from the mounting as to be arranged to form a support for the work unit when the first work appliance is used for lifting, to prevent the working machine from tipping over; and a generally horizontal boom, to one end of which there is pivotably attached a guide which is a part of the second work appliance, and in which runs a longitudinally displaceable bar that is adjustable between a generally horizontal transporting position and a generally vertical working position, said guide having a rotating means for rotating the bar around its lengthwise axis in the guide and also having a locking device for locking the bar axially while allowing the bar to rotate, said bar having at the end intended to be lowest when in working position, means for attachment of a work implement.