CPC C22B 7/005 (2013.01) [B66C 1/06 (2013.01); B66C 3/02 (2013.01); B66C 13/48 (2013.01); C22B 7/04 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |
1. A system for handling and processing steel slag and/or steel scrap comprising:
a support base, wherein the support base includes a pedestal, rails, a crawler, or a barge;
an equilibrium-type crane assembly supported by the support base, the crane assembly including:
a boom that is supported by and pivotable on a main support pivot, the boom including a first pivot at a proximal end thereof and a second pivot at a distal end thereof;
an upper linkage arm including a third pivot at a proximal end thereof and a fourth pivot at a distal end thereof;
a stick that is connected to the upper linkage arm at the fourth pivot at a proximal end of the stick and is connected to the distal end of the boom at the second pivot;
a proximal linkage arm that is connected to the boom at the first pivot and that is connected to the upper linkage arm at the third pivot; the stick, the upper linkage arm, the proximal linkage arm, and a portion of the boom forming a four-bar linkage;
an actuator system adapted for manipulating the four bar linkage in response to control signals
a hydraulic quick-connect adapter located at a distal end of the crane assembly, and end-tools including at least a drop-ball tool, a clamshell bucket, a bucket, or a grapple that is adapted for at least one of digging slag from a slag pit and grasping scrap, wherein the drop-ball tool includes a magnet adapted for selectively lifting the drop-ball and upon reaching a desired height, disengaging the drop-ball from the magnet to enable the drop-ball to fall by gravity onto the scrap and/or slag;
wherein the quick connect coupling is adapted for releasing any one of the end-tools from the crane assembly and coupling another one of the end-tools with the crane assembly.
|