Counterweight tray retention system for lifting machine and related methods
A system for retaining a counterweight tray adapted for connection to a lifting machine includes a retainer adapted for connecting the counterweight tray to the lifting machine in one orientation and releasing the counterweight tray from being connected to the lifting machine in another orientation. The counterweight tray may include an opening, and the retainer may be adapted for passing through the opening in the counterweight tray in one orientation and retained thereto in another orientation. Related methods are also disclosed.
1 . A system for supporting a counterweight, comprising:
a lifting machine having a deck including a rotatable superstructure including a boom;
a counterweight tray for supporting the counterweight; and
a retainer adapted for connecting the counterweight tray to the deck of the lifting machine in one orientation and releasing the counterweight tray from the deck of the lifting machine in another orientation, wherein the retainer is adapted for receiving a locking pin.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the retainer includes an oversized portion adapted for engaging the counterweight tray when another portion of the retainer is passed through the counterweight tray.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the lifting machine is a crane.
4 . The system of claim 1 , the retainer including one or more lugs.
5 . The system of claim 1 , the retainer including two opposed lugs.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the two opposed lugs are provided on a lower portion of the retainer and adapted to extend into a corresponding slot associated with the deck of the lifting machine to secure the counterweight tray to the lifting machine.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of the retainer includes a handle.
8 . A retention system for supporting a counterweight on a lifting machine, comprising:
a counterweight tray including an opening; and
a retainer adapted for passing through the opening in the counterweight tray in one orientation and being retained to the counterweight tray in another orientation, wherein the retainer includes a projection adapted for receiving a locking pin.
9 . The retention system of claim 8 , wherein the retainer includes an oversized portion adapted for engaging the counterweight tray when another portion of the retainer is passed through the opening in the counterweight tray.
10 . The retention system of claim 8 , wherein the lifting machine is a crane.
11 . The retention system of claim 8 , wherein the opening is located centrally on the counterweight tray.
12 . The retention system of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the opening is shaped to allow for rotation of the retainer in only one direction.
13 . The retention system of claim 8 , wherein the retainer forms a single point of retention for the counterweight tray.
14 . The retention system of claim 8 , the retainer including one or more lugs.
15 . The retention system of claim 14 , wherein the one or more lugs comprise two opposed lugs provided on a lower portion of the retainer and adapted to fit within a corresponding slot associated with a deck of the lifting machine.
16 . The retention system of claim 8 , wherein an upper portion of the retainer includes a handle.