LOADING DEVICES AND METHODS OF LOADING PIPE FUSION MACHINES

A loading device for lifting an elongated object having an elongate axis (91) includes a frame(102) having a first fulcrum surface (106) and a second fulcrum surface (107), a first effector arm (110) that pivots about the first fulcrum surface, the first effector arm having a first end effector (112), a second effector arm (120) that pivots about the second fulcrum surface, the second effector arm having a second end effector (122), and an actuator (108) moving the first effector arm and the second effector arm between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the first end effector and the second end effector each comprise a lifting surface (117, 127) inclined to a ground surface (70), the first end effector comprises a first end effector axis (113), the second end effector comprises a second end effector axis (123), and when the loading device lifts an elongated object with the first effector arm and the second effector arm located in the deployed position, the first end effector axis and the second end effector axis are both transverse to an elongate axis of the elongated object.