BUNDLE PULLER WITH ADJUSTABLE LENGTH CARRIAGE FRAME

摘要

A bundle puller (110) having an adjustable length carriage frame (102,104) is disclosed. The carriage frame includes a hinged section (106) that can be rotated between a level or lowered position and a raised position. When the hinged section is raised, the length of the carriage frame is decreased considerably, which allows the bundle puller to be operated in narrow alleyways. The hinged section may then be lowered for operating in larger alleyways. A hydraulic cylinder (124) lowers and raises the hinged section. A rack-and-pinion drive system (154a,154b) is used instead of the more common screw system to move the sled (144) back and forth on the carriage frame while removing or replacing tube bundles in the heat exchanger shell. Separate gear racks (150a,150b) are attached to the hinged section and main section of the carriage frame, respectively. The separate gear racks can be raised and lowered with the hinged section.