MECHANISM FOR ROTATING A CRANE TURRET THROUGH A 500 DEG ARC

摘要

A crane apparatus includes an upstanding mainframe (12) and a boom unit (14) that is supported for rotation on the mainframe (12) through a range of movement of about 500 degrees. The crane is provided with a plurality of fluid transmission lines (30) having first ends fixed relative to the mainframe (12) and second ends fixed relative to the boom unit (14). An elongated guide tube (80) supports the lines (30) relative to the boom unit (14) and presents a lower end that is spaced radially from the axis of rotation (62) of boom unit (14) for sweeping the lines (30) along an arcuate path around the axis (62) as the boom unit (14) is rotated, coiling the lines (30) beneath the guide element (80) to inhibit kinking. This management of the lines (30) reduces the amount of twisting per unit length of line and prevents kinking within the range of allowed movement of the boom unit (14).