Patent ID: 9580283
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: B66C,E02F,Y10T

Claim:
1. A ballast system for heavy equipment including a horizontal structure, the ballast system comprising: a ballast weight configured to be removably mounted, proximate to an end of a portion of the horizontal structure of the heavy equipment; at least one actuator mounted on the horizontal structure of the heavy equipment, the at least one actuator operable between a first position and a second position, and oriented to actuate horizontally along at least a portion of the horizontal structure; at least one tension member that connects the ballast weight to the actuator and is configured to move the ballast weight vertically in response to the at least one actuator actuating along at least a portion of the horizontal structure; and a locking mechanism configured to removably attach the ballast weight to the end portion of the horizontal structure, the locking mechanism comprising: a retractable retaining member disposed on the horizontal structure, the retractable retaining member comprises a lock actuator configured to move the retractable retaining member relative to the horizontal structure and; a biasing member, independent of the lock actuator, the biasing member being disposed on the horizontal structure, the biasing member continually applying a biasing force to the retaining member that urges the retaining member toward the ballast weight, wherein the retractable retaining member is continuous urged by the biasing member into a retaining position to engage the ballast weight as the ballast weight is moved vertically by the at least one tension member and automatically locks the ballast weight to the end portion when the ballast weight is positioned adjacent the horizontal structure; wherein the lock actuator moves the retractable retaining member against the biasing force of the biasing member, from a retaining position to a releasing position when the lock actuator is activated.