Abstract:
An apparatus for lifting and aligning a blade to a support, such as a grader moldboard or a scraper bowl. In one aspect the invention is an apparatus with a frame, flexible hoisting means for holding the blade, a drum to which each flexible hoisting means is attached, a stabilizing means for stabilizing the apparatus, and a drive means for rotating the drums. In another aspect, the invention is a method for lifting a blade to a support, which involves inserting flexible hoisting means through different apertures of a support and the corresponding apertures in the blade, and providing means to controllably reduce the length of the flexible hoisting means while holding the blade. The apparatus and method can be used by one person to lift, line up, and securely bolt a blade to a support.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to tools and methods for installing replaceable blades onto moldboards, bowls and the like, and removing them therefrom.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Road graders and scrapers often have replaceable cutting blades that are attached to a moldboard or bowl, and which need to be replaced when worn out from contact with the ground surface. These blades are generally elongate metal bars that are mounted onto the moldboard or bowl, by bolting them thereto using a number of bolts that pass through corresponding apertures in the moldboard or bowl, and the blade.  
           [0003]    Graders and scrapers are quite large and the blades are therefore large and heavy, making them difficult to replace. Not only must the blade be lifted to abut the moldboard or bowl but it must also be positioned properly such that the relatively small apertures in the moldboard or bowl and the blade line up. Then, it must be held in that position until at least a few of the bolts are in place. The blade replacement process is a difficult task that often requires the coordinated efforts of two or more persons, to ensure that the blade is not accidentally dropped before it is secured.  
           [0004]    Often, one person operates a grader or scraper in a remote area. When the blade needs to be replaced the person must either replace it themselves, if possible, or call for another person to come to the site to assist in the replacement. What is needed in the art is a means for enabling one person to remove a used blade, and then lift, line up and securely bolt, a new blade to a moldboard or bowl in a manner that is easy, quick and avoids injury.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    There is provided herein an apparatus and method by which one person can lift, line up and securely hold a blade to a moldboard, or to a bowl, until the blade is fastened to the moldboard.  
           [0006]    In one aspect, this invention is an apparatus for moving an elongated blade that has a plurality of apertures, towards a support, that has a plurality of apertures that correspond with the apertures on the blade, said apparatus comprising:  
           [0007]    (a) a frame;  
           [0008]    (b) two flexible hoisting means, each having a free end and a fixed end, the free end and the flexible hoisting means being capable of passing through an aperture in the support and through a corresponding aperture in the support, and the free end being capable of being reversibly modified to prevent the slippage of the free end through the aperture in the blade after it has been inserted therethrough;  
           [0009]    (c) a drum rotatably connected to the frame, to which the fixed end of each flexible hoisting means is attached, and around which the flexible hoisting means may be wound; and  
           [0010]    (d) a stabilizing means fastened to the apparatus, said stabilizing means being capable of stabilizing the apparatus when in use on a support.  
           [0011]    In one embodiment, the apparatus additionally comprises a rotation control means for controlling the rotation of the drum. In one embodiment the rotation control means controls the rotation of the drums in one direction. In another embodiment the rotation control means controls the rotation of the drum in a selected one of two directions.  
           [0012]    In yet another embodiment the apparatus comprises two drums, each said drum being positioned on the apparatus such that it will be above an aperture on the support when the apparatus is being used.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment the stabilizing means is a stud. In another embodiment the apparatus comprises two studs, each said stud being positioned on the apparatus such that it will securely engage an aperture on the support when the apparatus is being used. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises both two drums, and two studs.  
           [0014]    In another embodiment, the studs are comprised of two parts, a fixed part and a removable adapter part. In this embodiment, the adaptor part can be changed, so that the apparatus may be used with supports that have apertures of different diameters.  
           [0015]    In another aspect, this invention is a method for lifting an elongated blade that has a plurality of apertures from the ground to a support that has a plurality of apertures that correspond with the apertures on the blade, said method comprising:  
           [0016]    (a) providing two flexible hoisting means, each said hoisting means comprising a free end and a fixed end;  
           [0017]    (b) inserting the free end of each flexible hoisting means through an aperture on the support, said apertures being different from one another;  
           [0018]    (c) inserting the free end of each flexible hoisting means through a corresponding aperture on the blade;  
           [0019]    (d) modifying the free end of each flexible hoisting means so that it is no longer capable of passing through the aperture on the blade;  
           [0020]    (e) providing a drum to which each fixed end is attached, and onto which each flexible hoisting means can be wound;  
           [0021]    (f) winding the flexible hoisting means onto the drum until the blade abuts the support; and  
           [0022]    (g) securing the blade to the support.  
           [0023]    In one embodiment, this method involves the creation of a sling in which the blade can be cradled, so that the angle of the blade can be adjusted to ensure that it abuts the support at a selected angle.  
           [0024]    In another aspect, this invention is a method for lowering an elongated blade from a support to the ground. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of this invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of this invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of this invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the apparatus of this invention.  
         [0029]    FIGS.  5 A-C are side elevation views of embodiments of the stud of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    Reference will now be made to FIGS.  1  to  4 , which show various embodiments of the invention. Although described herein as being used to lift or lower a blade of a grader to a moldboard, it is apparent that the apparatus could be used to lift or lower a replaceable blade of a scraper, of a snow wing, or other types of machines, to a support, such as a bowl, to which the blade will be attached.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 shows apparatus  10  mounted onto a moldboard  12  and supporting a blade  16 . Moldboard  12  has a plurality of apertures  14  that correspond with a plurality of apertures  18  on blade  16 . Apparatus  10  comprises a frame  20 , two drums  22 , a drive shaft  24 , a rotation control means  26 , which in this embodiment is a ratchet, a lever  28  and studs  30 . Studs  30  securely engage apertures  14 , and correctly position apparatus  10  for use. Each drum  22  has a flexible hoisting means  32 , which in this embodiment is a strap, and which is capable of passing through apertures  14  and  18 . The drums  22  are fixed to and coaxially disposed about shaft  24 , which shaft is driven to rotate about its longitudinal axis by pivotally mounted operating lever  28 . The rotation of shaft  24  causes the drums  22  to rotate, and therefore straps  32  will wind onto or off of the drum, depending upon the direction of rotation. Rotation control means  26  is also fixed to and coaxially disposed about shaft  24 , and functions to prevent uncontrolled rotation of the shaft, when the apparatus is in use. Apparatus  10  may include a handle  34  and stud storage means  36 .  
         [0032]    Frame  20  is an elongate support member that must be strong enough to support the various components of apparatus  10 , when the apparatus is being used to lift or lower a blade  16 . A blade  16  can weigh 125 pounds or more, and therefore frame  20  must be able to withstand this weight. The inventors have found that a frame  20  made from iron will provide the required support. However, other metals, or wood, or synthetic materials, such as plastic and plexiglass, may be used to make frame  20 , provided that they have sufficient strength to withstand the lifting of a blade.  
         [0033]    Frame  20  rests upon the upper surface of moldboard  12  when apparatus  10  is being used to lift or lower blade  16 , as shown in FIG. 1. Frame  20  is designed so that the drums  22  are able to rotate about their axes, in order to lift or lower the blade. Therefore the ends of the frame  20  have vertical spacing members  21 , as shown in FIG. 1, which function to provide sufficient space between the moldboard and the drums  22 , to allow the drums to rotate. As is apparent, the vertical spacing members  21  could be elsewhere disposed on the frame, for example towards, or at, the middle of the longitudinal axis of frame  20 . There can be more than two vertical spacing members  21 , for example as shown in embodiment  10   b  in FIG. 3, wherein there is a central vertical spacing member provided near rotation control means  26 , which provides support for the center part of frame  20 .  
         [0034]    Shaft  24  is attached to, and supported by, frame  20  in such a manner that the shaft is capable of rotation about its longitudinal axis. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, shaft  24  is functionally attached at each end to the vertical spacing member  21 . Shaft  24  passes through drums  22 , and rotation control means  26 , as shown in FIG. 1, and is fixed to the drums and the rotation control means so that, as shaft  24  is rotated by lever  28 , the drums and the rotation control means rotate therewith to the same degree. One means of attaching drums  22  and rotation control means  26  to shaft  24  is by welding.  
         [0035]    Shaft  24  must be sufficiently strong to withstand the forces applied to it when bit  16  is being hoisted toward moldboard  12 . In this regard, 1″×¼″ and 1¼″×¼″ cold roll flat bar, a solid hexagonal shaft, or a round cold bar may be useful, depending upon the length of shaft  24 , and other features of the apparatus.  
         [0036]    Instead of comprising a one-piece unit as shown in FIG. 1, shaft  24  may comprise several portions  24   a  that are functionally joined together to rotate in unison with one another, as shown in embodiment  10   a , in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, drums  22  and rotation control means  26  comprise independent units that are carried within separate frames,  38  and  40  respectively, that are welded to frame  20 . Each of the drums  22  or the rotation control means  26  rotate within their respective frames, and can be activated to rotate via an activator  42 , that functionally connects drum  22  or rotation control means  26  to shaft portion  24   a , so that they rotate therewith. In one embodiment, the activator  42  is two ½ moon pieces of key stock separated by ¼″, and mounted to the sides of the frame  38  or  40 .  
         [0037]    Shaft portions  24   a , must be sufficiently strong to withstand the forces applied to them when blade  16  is being lifted or lowered. In this regard, 1″×¼″ and 1¼″×¼″ cold roll flat bar have been found to be useful. The pieces of cold roll flat bar are cut to the appropriate length, so that they extend the distance between, and functionally interconnect, the activators  42  of frames  38  and  40 .  
         [0038]    In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotation control means  26  is a ratchet, which is a wheel or other structure with teeth on its outer surface that interact with a loose, pivoted pawl  27 . The pawl is a pivoted catch, latch or cog that is yieldingly urged, as by a spring, to engage the teeth on the ratchet to prevent the rotation of the ratchet, and therefore shaft  24 . Therefore, the ratchet and pawl prevent uncontrolled rotation of the shaft when the blade is being lifted or lowered. In one embodiment of this device, the ratchet is a Klingspor™ PS33 150 Klingon Disc, which comprises a substantially square metal frame with a toothed wheel on either side of the frame, and a pivoted spring-activated pawl  27  that engages the teeth on both of the toothed wheels simultaneously. This rotation control means  26  is shown in FIG. 2 or  4 . The embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 includes a latch  29 , that can be used to disengage the pawl  27  from the ratchet  26 , and thereby allow free rotation of the shaft  24 .  
         [0039]    In one embodiment the rotation control means  26  functions to prevent the unrestricted rotation of the shaft  24  in one direction only, and can be used therefore, to prevent the blade from falling when it is being lifted towards the moldboard. In an alternative embodiment, the rotation control means  26  functions to prevent the unrestricted rotation of shaft  24  in a selected one of both directions of rotation, and can therefore be used to control both the lifting and the lowering of blade  16 . Although shown and disclosed herein as a ratchet, any device or combination of devices that would control the rotation of shaft, is intended to be included herein.  
         [0040]    An example of the assembly of embodiment  10   a  that the inventors have used, is herein provided. Frame  20  comprises 4″ channel iron, cut to an appropriate length, to which is welded the frames  38  and  40 . One source of the drums and rotation control means, in a frame, is the Klingspor™, PS33 150 Klingon Disc. In order to make the drums  22  on either end of apparatus  10   a , the pawl  27  on the PS33 150 Klingon Disc is removed. The shaft portions  24   a  comprise 1¼″×¼″ cold roll flat bar, inserted into the ¼″ space between the two ½ moon pieces of key stock on the PS33 150 Klingon Disc, and bolted thereto.  
         [0041]    Lever  28  is pivotally mounted and functionally connected to shaft  24 , such that it will cause shaft  24  to rotate when actuated. Other means of causing shaft  24  to rotate are intended to be included herein, for example, lever  28  may be replaced by an electric or hydraulic device that rotates shaft  24 . Note that, depending upon what type of means are used to rotate the shaft  24 , the apparatus of this invention may or may not need to have a rotation control means  26 . For instance, if the shaft is rotated by an electric device, rather than a lever, the device may lift the blade in one continuous and controlled motion, and therefore the rotation control means  26  may be dispensed with, as there will be little risk of uncontrolled rotation.  
         [0042]    The drums  22  rotate in unison, as they are both securely fixed to shaft  24  and therefore move in coordination therewith, as lever  28  is pivoted. Wound around the drums is a flexible hoisting means  32 , such as a cable, rope, chain, strap or belt, as shown in the embodiments disclosed in FIGS.  1 - 4 . In these embodiments, drums  22  are positioned on shaft  24  at such a location that they are substantially above an aperture  14  on moldboard  12 . In this position the flexible hoisting means will be easily and accurately wound onto drum  22 , as blade  16  is being lifted towards moldboard  12 .  
         [0043]    The distance between drums  22  corresponds to the distance between apertures  14  of the moldboard on which apparatus  10  will be used. In one embodiment of this invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, drums  22  are separated by a distance that is four times the distance between apertures  14 . In conventional moldboards, the distance between two apertures  14  is about 6 inches, and therefore in this embodiment drums  22  would be separated by about 24 inches. As is apparent, drums  22  could be separated by a distance that is a multiple of about one, two, three, or more than four times, the distance between apertures  14 . The present invention is not intended to be limited by the distance between drums  22 , provided that the apparatus will still function as intended herein at whatever distance is selected.  
         [0044]    Although FIGS.  1  to  4  show an apparatus in which drums  22  are positioned at either end of shaft  24 , this invention is intended to include embodiments in which the drums  22  are positioned closer to the middle of the apparatus, but still substantially above apertures  14 .  
         [0045]    In another embodiment, the drums  22  are not positioned substantially above an aperture  14  in the moldboard. Rather, only the flexible hoisting means  32  are positioned substantially above the apertures  14 . This could be accomplished, for instance, by directing the flexible hoisting means  32  from the drums through a guide means, which guide means positions the flexible hoisting means  32  substantially above the apertures  14 . What is important with regard to the positioning of the flexible hoisting means  32 , is that the flexible hoisting means  32  be able to pass through at least two different holes in the moldboard, and this is easily accomplished by placing the drums  22  above the apertures  14 . If the flexible hoisting means  32  pass through only one aperture  14 , the blade will be capable of pivoting around that point as it is being lifted or lowered, and may cause damage to equipment or injury to workers. By passing through at least two apertures  14 , the ability of blade  16  to pivot is thereby reduced.  
         [0046]    The flexible hoisting means  32  is comprised of material that, recognizing that at least two flexible hoisting means  32  are used in this invention, is strong enough to support blade  16  while it is suspended. Each flexible hoisting means  32  comprises a free end  45 . In order to use apparatus  10 , free end  45  is passed through apertures  14  and  18 , and then modified in some manner so that it will not slip out of aperture  18  when the user is lifting or lowering blade  16 . In this regard then, free end  45  must be capable of being reversibly modified in some manner, to prevent it from slipping out of aperture  18 , after it is inserted therethrough.  
         [0047]    In one embodiment, flexible hoisting means  32  is a strap. After insertion of the strap through aperture  14  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, free end  45  is brought back up to the drum  22 . At drum  22 , the free end is modified by winding it around the drum in such a manner that, when the drum is turned to lift the blade, the free end will turn therewith. This can be accomplished, for example, by inserting the free end  45  between the drum  22  and the flexible hoisting means  32 , such that when the drum is turned, the free end becomes trapped between the drum and flexible hoisting means, and turns therewith.  
         [0048]    In another embodiment, the free end  45  may be reversibly secured to the moldboard, the blade, or to some part of the apparatus itself in order to prevent it from slipping out of an aperture  18  after it is inserted therethrough. One way of accomplishing this is to increase the diameter of the free end, for example by tying a knot in it, which will, for example, secure the free end to the underside of the blade. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, free end  45  may be modified to include a terminal  47  to which a fastening device  49  that is larger than aperture  18 , can be attached, as by threading onto the terminal. This fastening device will be incapable of passing through the aperture in the bit, or through another aperture that can be formed on the apparatus itself.  
         [0049]    It is preferred to restrain the free end  45  at or near the drum, so that the flexible hoisting means  32  forms a sling  33  that cradles the blade, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. If this means of securing the free end is used, the angle of blade  16  can be adjusted while it is in the sling, before it abuts moldboard  12 . This will help to ensure that the moldboard and blade meet at an angle that will enable them to be bolted together easily and efficiently.  
         [0050]    While the invention has been described herein as having two drums  22  and two flexible hoisting means  32 , it is understood that more drums and more flexible hoisting means may be used. As is also apparent, both flexible hoisting means may be rolled onto one drum  22 , if they are otherwise appropriately positioned for insertion into apertures  14 .  
         [0051]    Studs  30  are longitudinal members oriented so that they will engage apertures  14  in moldboard  12 . Studs  30  function to align apparatus  10  with respect to apertures  14 , and to prevent apparatus  10  from moving out of alignment with apertures  14  when it is being used. Additionally, studs  30  assist in preventing the apparatus from flipping about its longitudinal axis when it is being used. Therefore studs  30  are sufficiently long, and of a suitable diameter to securely engage apertures  14 , and perform these functions. As is apparent, studs  30  are longer than vertical spacing members  21 , in order to be able to be received in apertures  14 . Studs  30  may also be of a length sufficient to enable them to be received in apertures  18  of blade  16 .  
         [0052]    Studs  30  may be of any shape in cross-section, including round, oval, square and rectangular, that will permit them to securely engage apertures  14 . The studs are comprised of a material that will provide sufficient strength to prevent them from breaking when apparatus  10  is being used. In one embodiment, studs  30  are made of iron, however, other metals, or wood, or synthetic materials, such as plastic and plexiglass may be used, provided that they have sufficient strength. The studs  30  are fastened to frame  20 , for example by welding to frame  20 , or by threading into a nut that is welded to frame  20 .  
         [0053]    In one embodiment shown in FIGS.  5 A-C, studs  30  are comprised of two parts, fixed part  46  and adaptor  48 , that are connected together to form the studs  30 . Fixed part  46  has a spacer  50  and connector  52 . Spacer  50  is fastened, as by welding, to frame  20 . Connector  52  comprises a means of securely and reversibly connecting fixed part  46  to adaptor  48 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, connector  52  comprises a nut, that is partially threaded onto spacer  50  and welded thereto.  
         [0054]    Adaptor  48  comprises a connector  54  and an aperture-engaging portion  56 . Adaptor  48  securely and reversibly connects to fixed part  46 , for example by threading connector  54  into connector  52 . Aperture-engaging end  56  is sized so as to securely engage an aperture on a moldboard. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, aperture-engaging end  56  has a ¾ inch diameter, whereas in another embodiment,  48   a , shown in FIG. 5C, aperture-engaging end  48   a  has a ⅝ inch diameter. Both of these diameters are the diameter of standard apertures in moldboards. The end user of apparatus  10  would have access to both adaptors  48  and  48   a , and therefore could select an adaptor depending upon the size of the apertures in the moldboard. Therefore, one apparatus  10  could be used with moldboards that have a different aperture size.  
         [0055]    As is apparent, the diameter of aperture-engaging end  56  is not limited to ¾″ or ⅝″ but could be any diameter that will securely engage an aperture of a moldboard, or bowl. Additionally, other means of securely connecting fixed part  46  and adaptor  48  to one another may be devised by those skilled in the art, and these means are intended to be included in the scope of this invention.  
         [0056]    As mentioned above, studs  30  perform two functions, namely to position the apparatus before and during use, and to stabilize the apparatus so that it does not flip about its longitudinal axis, during use. The studs  30  may be replaced by other means for stabilizing the apparatus, for example magnets or clamps that clamp the apparatus to the moldboard. Alternatively the width of the base of the apparatus, being the part that contacts the moldboard, may be increased, for example by adding skis thereto. In one embodiment, the studs are dispensed with altogether, as the apparatus is stabilized by some other means, and the positioning function of the studs is provided by the flexible hoisting means  32 .  
         [0057]    One embodiment of this invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, provides a stud storage means  36 , which stores adaptors  48  when they are not being used or when they are not connected to fixed part  46 . In this embodiment, adaptor  48  is threaded, via its connector  54 , into the stud storage means, which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a nut. As is apparent, the stud storage means  36  may be designed to co-operate with whatever means is used to securely connect fixed part  46  and adaptor  48  together.  
         [0058]    In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, studs  30  are attached to frame  20  at two positions that lie between drums  22 . However, the two studs  30  could be positioned anywhere along the longitudinal axis of frame  20 , including on the outside (as in FIG. 1) of drums  22 , provided that apparatus  10  will still function as indicated herein.  
         [0059]    In one embodiment of this invention apparatus  10  comprises only one stud  30 , and in yet another embodiment, three or more studs. These studs can be positioned anywhere along the longitudinal axis of frame  20 , provided they are able to engage the apertures  14 . The present invention is not intended to be limited by the number of studs  30 , provided that the apparatus will function as intended herein, using the selected number of studs.  
         [0060]    The distance between studs  30  will correspond to the distance between apertures  14  of the moldboard on which apparatus  10  will be used. In one embodiment of this invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, studs  30  are spaced apart a distance that is twice the distance between apertures  14 . For conventional moldboards therefore, the studs in this embodiment would be separated by about 12 inches. In other embodiments, the studs  30  may engage adjacent apertures, or they may be separated by more than twice the distance between apertures  14 . The present invention is not intended to be limited by the distance between studs  30 , provided that the apparatus will still function as intended herein at the selected distance.  
         [0061]    In one embodiment apparatus  10  comprises a handle  34  that is used to carry the apparatus.  
         [0062]    Having thus described various embodiments of the apparatus  10 , a method of lifting a blade to a moldboard will now be disclosed. The first step of this method is to position apparatus  10  on the top face of moldboard  12  by inserting studs  30  into apertures  14  of the moldboard. The moldboard will have any blades previously attached thereto removed.  
         [0063]    A moldboard may require only one blade, or it may require two or more blades. In one embodiment of this method, apparatus  10  is positioned above the apertures  14  that would correspond with the apertures  18  that are approximately in center of the particular blade that is to be installed. An aperture  14  on the moldboard and an aperture  18  on the blade “correspond” when they are the apertures that are connected by the same bolt, after the blade is bolted to the moldboard. By selecting apertures  14  that would correspond with apertures  18  that are in approximately the center of the particular blade  16 , the blade will remain essentially level when it is being lifted upwards. As an example, a 12-foot moldboard generally requires two blades, each a length of six feet. Each blade will usually comprise thirteen apertures  18 , of which the 7 th  aperture is the center. Therefore, to mount the blade on the moldboard, using for example the embodiment of the apparatus  10  shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus would be positioned so that the studs  30  are in the 6 th  and 8 th  apertures  14  from one end of the moldboard, and the rotation control means  26  is positioned above the 7 th  aperture.  
         [0064]    The method described herein is not limited to the insertion of studs  30  into apertures  14  that correspond with apertures  18  positioned approximately in the center of the particular blade that is to be installed on the moldboard. Other apertures  14  can be used.  
         [0065]    Upon insertion of the studs  30  into the apertures  14 , the free ends  45  of the flexible hoisting means  32  will line up with apertures  14  through which they will be inserted. The next step of the method is to insert the free ends  45  through the apertures  14 .  
         [0066]    In another embodiment of the method of this invention, the first and second steps noted above are reversed. Therefore, the apparatus is approximately positioned over top of the apertures  14 , and the flexible hoisting means are inserted through their respective apertures  14  before the studs  30  are inserted into the selected apertures  14  on the moldboard.  
         [0067]    The next step is to insert the free ends  45  through the apertures  18  on the blade that correspond with the apertures  14  on the moldboard through which they were previously passed. The free ends are then secured to the drum, blade, moldboard or apparatus, as described above, to prevent them from slipping back through the apertures  18 .  
         [0068]    The next step is to rotate shaft  24  by actuating lever  28 . Drums  22  will rotate, and the flexible support members  32  will be wound around drums  22  and thereby move the blade towards the moldboard. If free end  45  is secured in such a manner that a sling  33  is formed, the angle of the blade may be adjusted at any time before it abuts the moldboard. When blade  16  abuts moldboard  12 , apertures  14  and  18  will be aligned. The user will then bolt together two or more apertures  14  and  18  that do not have a stud  30  or flexible hoisting means  32  extending therethrough.  
         [0069]    The free ends  45  are then released, the flexible hoisting means  32  are removed from the apertures  14  and  18 . The apparatus  10  is removed from the moldboard and any remaining apertures  14  and  18  are bolted together.  
         [0070]    If the apparatus is to be used to remove a moldboard, the steps in the method described above are essentially reversed. This method would use an apparatus that has a rotation control means that controls the rotation of shaft  24  while the blade is being lowered.  
         [0071]    While the invention has been described in conjunction with the disclosed embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, to be used to mount a blade onto a snow-wing, the apparatus may be adapted in order to enable the studs  30  to securely engage the apertures on the snow-wing. Such adaptations are intended to be included herein.