Abstract:
The pipelayer crane apparatus comprises a lower, the lower comprising a lower frame, a pedestal, a lower bearing portion, a telescoping axle, a track roller, and a track shoe, an upper, the upper comprising a frame, a body, a cab, a pedestal, a upper bearing portion, and a counterweight, a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly comprising an adjacent portion, a remote portion, a joint, and a cylinder and a weldment, the weldment comprising a body, an extension, a winch, and securing members. A method for a pipelayer crane apparatus to rotate about the track shoes comprising a lower, the lower having a pedestal attached to a lower bearing surface; an upper, the upper having a pedestal attached to a upper bearing portion; bearing formed by the interaction of the upper bearing surface and the lower bearing surface; a pipe lifting assembly, the pipe lifting assembly attached to a weldment, the weldment attached to the upper; and the upper rotating about the bearing formed by the upper bearing surface and the lower bearing surface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a pipelayer crane excavator apparatus and associated methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pipelayer, crane and excavator apparatus having excavator-like, fundamental components, and attachments and methods for converting the apparatus from or to an excavator, a pipelayer or a crane as well as methods of preparing and transporting the apparatus.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Material handling equipment is very expensive. Each piece of equipment can represent a significant investment to accomplish a very specific or limited utility with respect to the piece of equipment. It can be appreciated that any time saved in the movement of materials equates to greater profits from the saved time. Also, the need exists to have equipment that can be easily transported on public roads. Traditional construction vehicles and equipment are very large and must be partially disassembled to be transported from one location to another.  
         [0003]     It is well known in the art that crawler or tractor-type vehicles having an integrated, rigid maneuverable boom disposed on a side of the tractor are for pipelaying operations, such as for example, raising, carrying, and lowering heavy pipe. Pipelayers are sometimes referred to in the art as “sidebooms.” Pipelayers or sidebooms must be capable of safely handling heavy pipe.  
         [0004]     Pipelayers or sidebooms which manipulate large diameter pipe for the construction of pipelines are a specialized type of equipment. For over 70 years, pipelayers have been equipped with specialized tools and frames for supporting and manipulating the large heavy pipe sections. Such tools and frames generally include a pipe supporting boom arm, a counterweight assembly, a draw works or winch assembly, and a pipelayer frame assembly for supporting the boom arm, the counterweight assembly, and the drawworks. Most prior art pipelayers utilize a cable connected between the drawworks and the boom arm, and by running the cable in or out, the boom arm and the pipe are raised and lowered.  
         [0005]     More recently, fluid powered linear motors or cylinders have been used to replace the drawworks and cable for raising and lowering the boom arm and pipe. One such prior device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,290, issued to H. Ejchler, et al. on Oct. 30, 1990. The Ejchler patent provides for storage of a fluid cylinder on the pipelayer during transportation, without the necessity to disconnect fluid lines. Another such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,116, issued to G. M. Bertolino on Aug. 16, 1977. In the Bertolino patent, maneuvering of the movable boom is controlled by a large hydraulic jack. The jack is connected between one end of the boom and a supplemental support or framework. Another type of structure for maneuvering a boom or jib is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,983, issued to C. Dolza on Oct. 22, 1974. In the Dolza patent, the jib is raised and lowered, and pivoted laterally, by a plurality of hydraulic jacks. In each of the cylinder-driven, boom manipulating devices, removal of the boom would normally be necessary to transport the vehicle. With the boom removed, one end of the cylinder, or cylinders, becomes unsupported, which requires the cylinders to be removed or stored on the machine in some manner. Removal of the fluid cylinders necessitates disconnecting and plugging of several fluid lines. The possibility of fluid loss and contamination of the fluid system is always a concern when fluid lines are disconnected. When the fluid cylinders are removed, they must be stored and shipped separately, thereby requiring additional space and effort. Also, considerable time and effort are required to re-assemble the fluid cylinders to the pipelayer.  
         [0006]     In addition, hydraulically-operated high-drive sidebooms are very expensive, and some models have counterweight obstruction problems, and are difficult to move from job-site to job-site. While it is known that a hydraulic pipelayer may be adapted for mounting upon a conventional track-laying tractor, i.e., a bulldozer, it is also well known in the art that the main frame of a sideboom is constructed differently from that of a conventional tractor. In particular, unlike a conventional tractor which is constructed with an oscillating frame, a sideboom is constructed with a rigid frame of wider track gauge than a conventional tractor. Indeed, manufacturers of pipelayers identify such tractor and sideboom frames with different serial numbers series. Thus, to obtain the prerequisite performance demanded in the pipelaying art, typically a drawworks assembly must be mounted upon a frame capable of rigidity to accommodate the pivoting action of a sideboom which is typically positioned upon rough terrain, with the frame having a sufficiently wide track gauge for stability purposes.  
         [0007]     Traditional pipelayer apparatuses do not rotate on their track shoes. The operator must pick up a piece of pipe and walk straight to the job location. Also, traditional pipelayer apparatuses must work in pairs to accomplish a job.  
         [0008]     Also, traditional pipelayer apparatuses only allow the operator to look in front of the apparatus and to the operator&#39;s left when in a seated position.  
         [0009]     It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide a pipelayer apparatus that easily transported.  
         [0010]     A feature of the present invention is to provide a pipelayer apparatus that can operate as a single pipelayer to accomplish the laying of pipe.  
         [0011]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a pipelayer apparatus with the ability to allow the operator to see the pipe being lifted at all times and in all directions such that the pipe can be rotated and yet remains in clear view of the operator.  
         [0012]     Yet another feature of the invention is to provide a pipelayer apparatus that rotates on a bearing associated with a crawler drive system.  
         [0013]     Still another feature of the present invention is providing a pipelayer apparatus that can be transported on public roads with the boom attached.  
         [0014]     Yet still another feature of the present invention is to provide a pipelayer apparatus with a boom that articulates into a resting position for easy transport.  
         [0015]     Yet further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a pipelayer crane apparatus that lifts a large capacity about a radius of 360 degrees, which radius can be many feet.  
         [0016]     Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for lifting pipe, rotating the pipe about a radius and safely placing the pipe in a trench.  
         [0017]     Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for a pipelayer to lay pipe on either side of the pipelayer and in either direction along a trench.  
         [0018]     Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing a pipelayer for transport and for transporting the pipelayer on public roads.  
         [0019]     Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for a single pipelayer apparatus to lay pipe without assistance from other pipelayers.  
         [0020]     Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for quickly converting a pipelayer to an excavator, or alternately, converting an excavator to a piplayer.  
         [0021]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method for quickly converting a pipelayer to a crane, or alternately, converting a crane to a piplayer.  
         [0022]     Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a pipelayer for heavy-duty, off-road applications having maximum maneuverability.  
         [0023]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for using larger track pads on the pipelayer to lower the ground pressure created enabling the apparatus to work in environmentally critical areas and to provide floatation when working on soggy ground.  
         [0024]     Another feature of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can extend one track and keep retracted the other track for operating in restricted areas and changing the center of gravity.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     To achieve the foregoing objects, features, and advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a pipelayer crane apparatus is provided.  
         [0026]     The pipelayer crane apparatus comprises a lower, the lower comprising a lower frame, a pedestal, a lower bearing portion, a telescoping axle, a track roller, and a track shoe, an upper, the upper comprising a frame, a body, a cab, a pedestal, a upper bearing portion, and a counterweight, a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly comprising an adjacent portion, a remote portion, a joint, and a cylinder and a weldment, the weldment comprising a body, an extension, a winch, and securing members.  
         [0027]     A method for a pipelayer crane apparatus to rotate about the track shoes comprising a lower, the lower having a pedestal attached to a lower bearing surface; an upper, the upper having a pedestal attached to a upper bearing portion; bearing formed by the interaction of the upper bearing surface and the lower bearing surface; a pipe lifting assembly, the pipe lifting assembly attached to a weldment, the weldment attached to the upper; and the upper rotating about the bearing formed by the upper bearing surface and the lower bearing surface. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention with the main frame rotated 90 degrees from the undercarrage.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1  illustrating the boom at varying heights.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention with the main frame rotated 90 degrees from the undercarrage as illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1  illustrating the weldment or adapter for connecting the boom to the main frame.  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the weldment or adapter, the boom and the cylinder associated with the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the weldment or adapter of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the weldment or adapter of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer crane apparatus of the present invention illustrating the displacement of the boom in a counterclockwise direction.  
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating another boom, two winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating different boom, cylinder, winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 9  with the main frame positioned 90 degrees from the undercarrage.  
         [0041]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 9  with the main frame positioned 45 degrees from the undercarrage.  
         [0042]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  with the main frame positioned 45 degrees from the undercarrage and having duel tracks.  
         [0043]      FIG. 13  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a different boom, winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0044]      FIG. 13A  is a side view of yet another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a different boom, winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0045]      FIG. 14  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a different boom, winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0046]      FIG. 14A  is a side view of the weldment used in the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 15  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a boom, winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0048]      FIG. 16  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a different boom, cylinder, winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0049]      FIG. 17  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a different boom, cylinder, winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0050]      FIG. 18  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a boom, winch and weldment configuration.  
         [0051]      FIG. 19  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a boom attached with or without a weldment.  
         [0052]      FIG. 20  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of a modified pipelayer apparatus of the present invention having the boom attached to the main frame and a jib boom attached to the boom and a tool attached to the jib boom.  
         [0053]      FIG. 21  is a plan view illustrating a preferred method of self-loading for the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention showing the pipelayer apparatus straddling a trailer, and an associated truck.  
         [0054]      FIG. 22  is a plan view illustrating the preferred method of self-loading for the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 21  showing the pipelayer apparatus self-loaded on the trailer. 
     
    
       [0055]     The above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the generic invention, and additional modes, advantages, and particulars of this invention will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0056]     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as described in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0057]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the pipelayer apparatus  10  of the present invention with the upper or main frame  200  rotated 90 degrees from the lower or undercarrage  100 . This preferred embodiment illustrates a pipelayer crane apparatus  10  comprised of a lower or undercarrage  100 , an upper or main frame  200 , a lifting assembly  300 , and an adapter or weldment  400 . It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the lower or undercarrage  100  and the upper or main frame  200  are of the type used in excavators, and not cranes. The upper or main frame  200  is illustrated with a counterweight  240  at one end and the lifting assemble  300  at the other end. Further, the upper or main frame  200  has an engine compartment  230  and an enclosed cab  210 . The upper or main frame  200  removeably accepts the adaptor or weldment  400 . The adaptor  400  is configured so as to be removeably joined with the upper  200  at the same locations that would be used if the upper  200  was used as an excavator and an excavator boom was attached. The lifting assembly  300  comprises the boom  310 , a winch  360  and the cylinders  380 . The lifting assembly  300  has a boom or A-frame  310  engaged with the adaptor  400  for removeably securing the boom  310  to rotate about a pivot point on the lower extremity of the adaptor  400 . Also attached to the adaptor  400  in a rotating relationship is one end of the cylinder  380 . In the present illustrated embodiment, two cylinders  380  are used, but it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that one or more cylinders may be adapted for use with the present invention. The other end of the cylinders  380  are rotatingly affixed to the boom  310 . As the cylinders  380  are extended, the boom  310  is rotated about the pivot in the adaptor  400  and lowered. As the cylinders  380  are retracted, the boom  310  is rotated about the pivot in the adaptor  400  and raised.  
         [0058]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  10  of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1  illustrating the boom  310  at varying heights. Generally, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lower or undercarrage  100  is comprised of a lower frame, a telescoping axle  150 , a track roller, a track shoe  110 , a pedestal, and a lower bearing  170 . The lower frame is attached on its top side to the pedestal which is engaged with the lower bearing  170  and on each side to the telescoping axle  150 . The telescoping axle  150  shortens to allow loading of the pipelayer crane apparatus  10  when a small footprint is needed. The telescoping axle  150  widens to give the pipelayer crane apparatus a wider footprint and lower ground pressure to allow for greater lifting capacities. The telescoping axle  150  is attached to a track roller. The track roller is then in communication with the track shoe  110 . The track roller provides force from the power train to turn the track shoe  110  on each side to move the pipelayer crane apparatus  10 . The lower frame is attached on its top side to the pedestal. The pedestal is attached to the lower bearing  170 . The boom  310  has a lower boom section  312 , an upper boom section  314  and a boom point remote from the end of the boom  310  attached to the adaptor  400 . The lower boom section  312  and the upper boom section  314  are joined by a boom pivot  320 . The boom pivot  320  provides for the upper boom section  314  to be rotated about the boom pivot  320  so as to fold the boom  310 .  
         [0059]     The lower  100  has the pedestal attached to the upper bearing portion  270 . The lower bearing portion  170  of the lower  100  and the upper bearing portion  270  of the upper  200  comprise the bearing  112 / 212 . The frame on the upper side is attached to the body and the cab  210 . The counter weight  240  is attached on the rear portion of the frame to the rear of the cab  210 . The frame may have a securing member. The securing member is attached to the front portion of the frame. The securing member is comprised of a first securing member and a second securing member. The securing member is attached the weldment  400 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the pipelayer apparatus  10  of the present invention with the relationship of the boom  310  and the winch  360 . The lower  100  is shown with the track  110 , the telescoping axle  150  and the lower bearing  170 . The lifting assembly  300  is illustrated with the boom  310  and the winch  360 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention with the main frame or upper  200  rotated 90 degrees from the undercarrage or lower  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The lower  100  has the tracks  110 . The adaptor  400  is illustrated with a boom pivot  410  and a cylinder pivot  420 . The lifting assembly  300  has the boom  310 , the winch  360  and the cylinders  380 . The boom  310  comprises the lower boom section  312 , the upper boom section  314 , the boom pivot  320 , the boom point flange  332 , the boom point  330  and the block  364 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  10  of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1  illustrating the weldment or adapter  400  for connecting the boom  310  to the main frame or upper  200 . The adaptor  400  is illustrated with a boom pivot  410 , a cylinder pivot  420  and the connections  430  to the upper  200 . The lifting assembly  300  has the boom  310 , the winch  360  and the cylinders  380 . The boom  310  has the lower boom section  312 , the upper boom section  314  and the boom pivot  320 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the adapter  400  and the lifting assembly  300  associated with the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  10  of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The adaptor  400  is illustrated with a boom pivot  410 , a cylinder pivot  420  and the connections  430  to the upper  200 . The lifting assembly  300  is illustrated with the boom  310  and the cylinder  380 . The boom  310  has the lower boom section  312 , the upper boom section  314  and the boom pivot  320 . It can be appreciated that the Boom  310  can be folded in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction as illustrated. The connections  302  and  420  removeably secure the cylinder  380  to the boom  310  and the adaptor  400 , respectively.  
         [0064]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the weldment or adapter  400  of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  10  of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The adaptor  400  has a first side  450 , a second side  460  and a connecting member  470 . The first side  450 , second side  460  and connecting member  470  have associated therewith doubler plates for providing extra reinforcement for the adaptor  400 . At one end of the adaptor  400  is the boom pivot  410 . The boom pivot  410  comprises the channels  412 A,  412 B for accepting the lower portion of the boom  310 . At the other end of the adaptor  400  is the cylinder pivot  420 . The cylinder pivot  420  comprises the channels  422 A,  422 B for accepting the cylinders  380 . It is important to practice the present invention that the adaptor  400  be adapted to be accepted by the standard excavator upper, regardless of the specific configuration.  
         [0065]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the weldment or adapter  400  of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  10  of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The adaptor  400  illustrates the first side  450 , the cylinder pivot  420 , the boom pivot  410  and the connections  430  for engaging the upper  200 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer crane apparatus  10  of the present invention illustrating the displacement of the boom  310  in a counterclockwise direction. The boom  310  is illustrated in position A, position B and position C. Further, the boom  310  when in position A can also be folded as illustrated in position A 1 . Still further, the boom  310  when in position C can also be folded as illustrated in position C 1 . It can be appreciated that the Boom  310  can be folded in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction as illustrated in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 8  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  11  of the present invention illustrating a boom  310 , and a two winch  360 ,  370  and adaptor  400  configuration. The load winch  360  is located in the lower portion of the boom or A-frame  310 . A boom hoist winch  370  is provided in place of the cylinder in prior discussed embodiments. The boom hoist winch  370  is affixed to the portion of the adaptor  400  that previously held the cylinders.  
         [0068]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  12  of the present invention illustrating a different lifting assembly  300 , cylinder  382 , winch  370  and adaptor  400  configuration.  
         [0069]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  12  of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 9  with the main frame  200  positioned 90 degrees from the undercarrage  100 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  12  of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 9  with the main frame  200  positioned 45 degrees from the undercarrage  100 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  13  of the present invention similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  with the main frame  200  positioned 45 degrees from the undercarrage  100  and having duel tracks  101 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 13  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  14  of the present invention illustrating a different lifting assembly  300 , winch  360 ,  381  and adaptor  400  configuration. It can be appreciated that the boom  310  can be folded in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot  320  as illustrated. The location of the winches  360 ,  381  are moved to the adaptor, and winch  381  replaces the cylinders.  
         [0073]      FIG. 13A  is a side view of yet another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrating a different lifting assembly  300 , winch  360 ,  381  and adaptor  400  configuration. It can be appreciated that the boom  310  can be folded in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot  320  as illustrated. The location of the winches  360 ,  381  are moved to the adaptor, and winch  381  replaces the cylinders.  
         [0074]      FIG. 14  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  15  of the present invention illustrating a different boom  310 , winch  370  and adaptor  400  configuration.  FIG. 14A  is a side view of the adaptor  400  used in the preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  15  of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0075]      FIG. 15  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  16  of the present invention illustrating a boom  310 , winch  360 ,  381  and adaptor  400  configuration. The adaptor  400  connects to the upper  200  at the connector  463  with the boom  310  and at the connector  465  at the counterweight  240 . A central connector  464  secures the boom winch  381 .  
         [0076]      FIG. 16  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  17  of the present invention illustrating a different boom  310 , cylinder  380 , winch  360  and adaptor  400  configuration. The adaptor  400  connects to the upper  200  at the connector  473  with the boom  310  and at the connector  475  at the counterweight  240 . A central connector  474  secures the boom winch  360 .  
         [0077]      FIG. 17  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  18  of the present invention illustrating a different boom  310 , cylinder  380 , winch  360  and weldment or adaptor  400  configuration. The adaptor  400  connects to the upper  200  at the connector  483  with the boom  310  and at the connector  485  at the counterweight  240 . A central connector  484  secures the load winch  360 .  
         [0078]      FIG. 18  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  19  of the present invention illustrating a boom  310 , winch  369 ,  389  and weldment or adaptor  400  configuration. The adaptor  400  connects to the upper  200  at the connector  493  with the boom  310  and at the connector  495  at the counterweight  240 . A central connector  494  secures the winch  389 , and connector  496  secures the winch  369 .  
         [0079]      FIG. 19  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of the pipelayer apparatus  20  of the present invention illustrating a boom  310  attached with or without a weldment or adaptor  400 .  
         [0080]      FIG. 20  is a side view of still another preferred embodiment of a modified pipelayer apparatus  21  of the present invention having the boom  310  attached to the main frame  200  and a jib boom  384  attached to the boom  310  and a tool  386  attached to the jib boom  384 .  
         [0081]      FIG. 21  is a plan view illustrating a preferred method of self-loading for the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention showing the pipelayer apparatus  22  straddling a trailer  2 , and an associated truck  1 .  
         [0082]      FIG. 22  is a plan view illustrating the preferred method of self-loading for the pipelayer apparatus of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 21  showing the pipelayer apparatus  22  self-loaded on the trailer  2 . Generally, the arms  502  are extended so the pads  504  cam support the apparatus  22 . The trailer is backed under the apparatus  22 . The upper  200  is lowered on the truck. The tracks are removed. The crane lifts the tracks on the trailer  2 . The crane boom is folded. And the apparatus is ready for transport.  
         [0083]     Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and the illustrative examples shown and described herein. Accordingly, departures may be made from the details without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed general inventive concept.