Crawler Crane Saw-Grapple Attachment for Residential Tree Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile cranes are large, heavy, and difficult to maneuver safely on residential properties, requiring tree climbers to cut branches before removal, which is dangerous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A crawler type crane system with a multi-function attachment unit that includes both a saw attachment and a grappling hook, equipped with fluid regulating devices and an articulating boom, allowing for safe and precise operation in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mobile cranes are used for tree removal, then they can lift and move heavy objects, but they are large, heavy and difficult to maneuver safely on residential properties
Solution Approach 1:
The crane is divided into modular components including a base carrier unit, upper portion assembly with boom and jib, and detachable multi-function attachment units. This segmentation allows the crane to be disassembled for easy transport and reconfigured for different作业 scenarios, improving maneuverability on residential properties while maintaining lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane employs dynamically adjustable components including articulatable boom sections, extendable jib portions, and movable attachment units. The system can adapt its configuration in real-time to navigate tight spaces and reach hard-to-access locations, enhancing ease of operation without requiring the crane to be permanently lightweight.
2Productivity
If conventional cranes with single function grappler hook units are used, then they can grasp and move work pieces, but they require tree climbers to climb the tree and cut the tree portion
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment unit merges multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: a powered saw attachment for cutting tree portions, a grappler hook unit for grasping and securing work pieces, and a winch element for retrieval. This combination eliminates the need for separate tree climber operations, significantly improving productivity while the modular design keeps overall system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment unit is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can perform cutting, grasping, and retrieval operations. The powered saw attachment can cut various tree portions, the grappler hook can secure different work piece types, and the winch can retrieve diverse loads, making the system adaptable to various tree removal scenarios without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Reliability
If conventional cranes are used, then they can perform lifting operations, but they require a tree climber to make strategic cuts which is dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The crane system performs cutting operations autonomously through the powered saw attachment, eliminating the need for human tree climbers to perform dangerous cutting tasks. The system feeds tree portions into the saw automatically and retrieves cut sections via the winch, making the operation self-service and significantly improving safety while maintaining high automation levels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient tree removal by allowing the crane to maneuver into hard-to-reach locations, reducing the risk of damage and injury, and eliminating the need for tree climbers to make strategic cuts.
Implementation Method 1
The crane also employs a pair of fluid regulating elements, such as diverter valves, where the first diverter valve is fluidly and mechanically coupled to a jib portion and a second diverter valve is fluidly and mechanically coupled to a boom portion
Implementation Method 2
the upper portion assembly is rotatably coupled to the base carrier unit so as to move in any selected rotary direction and to be positioned in any selected rotational position
Implementation Method 3
The boom portion includes one or more selected boom sections that are articulatable relative to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A crawler type crane having a base carrier unit having a control unit associated therewith and an upper portion assembly having a boom portion coupled at end to the base carrier unit and to a jib portion at an opposed end. The boom portion includes one or more selected boom sections that are articulatable relative to each other. The crane also includes a multi-function attachment unit that is coupled to the jib portion and has a grappling unit for grasping a work piece and a saw attachment unit for cutting the workpiece. The crane can also include a first fluid regulating device coupled to the jib portion for regulating a fluid to the jib portion and to the multi-function attachment unit and a second fluid regulating device coupled to the boom portion for regulating a fluid to the winch element and to the multi-function attachment unit.