A screed assembly is disclosed. The screed assembly has a screed frame that includes a main screed. Attached to the main screed is a drop arm that is used to attach the screed assembly to a work machine. An actuator device of the screed assembly adjust the main screed from a neutral position to a nulled position by rotating the main screed around an axis of the pivot pin. The screed assembly may further include a controller that determines whether the main screed is in the neutral position and adjust the main screed to the nulled position by sending a null adjustment signal to the actuator device, and the actuator device moving the main screed from the neutral position to the nulled position in response to the null adjustment signal.

A screed assembly is disclosed. The screed assembly has a screed frame that includes a main screed. Attached to the main screed is a drop arm that is used to attach the screed assembly to a work machine. An actuator device of the screed assembly adjust the main screed from a neutral position to a nulled position by rotating the main screed around an axis of the pivot pin. The screed assembly may further include a controller that determines whether the main screed is in the neutral position and adjust the main screed to the nulled position by sending a null adjustment signal to the actuator device, and the actuator device moving the main screed from the neutral position to the nulled position in response to the null adjustment signal.

A swing leg assembly, coupled to a paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete, includes a pivotable swing leg coupled to the paving machine. The swing leg may pivot between multiple angular orientations relative to the paving machine. A jacking column is coupled to the swing leg, and a crawler track is coupled to the jacking column. A slew drive coupled to the jacking column and crawler track rotates the crawler track relative to the jacking column between multiple angular orientations. A processor using sensors determines the angular positions of the swing leg and crawler track, and in response to determining a change in angular orientation of the swing leg controls the slew drive to cause the crawler track to rotate relative to the jacking column.

A swing leg assembly, coupled to a paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete, includes a pivotable swing leg coupled to the paving machine. The swing leg may pivot between multiple angular orientations relative to the paving machine. A jacking column is coupled to the swing leg, and a crawler track is coupled to the jacking column. A slew drive coupled to the jacking column and crawler track rotates the crawler track relative to the jacking column between multiple angular orientations. A processor using sensors determines the angular positions of the swing leg and crawler track, and in response to determining a change in angular orientation of the swing leg controls the slew drive to cause the crawler track to rotate relative to the jacking column.

A support structure for a float pan for floating a concrete surface provides an interface between the float pan and a rotating machine. The support structure is characterized by a hub configured for concentric attachment to a rotor, and by trusses that extend radially from the hub, each providing a float pan contact surface and means for attachment to the float pan. Perimetric bracing links the trusses about the perimeter of the support structure. A machine similar to a walk-behind or ride-on trowel but without rotor blades, may incorporate the support structure and operate as a dedicated power flotation machine. Under weight of the machine, the contact surfaces of the trusses conform the float pan to a desired shape or radius of curvature for optimizing a flotation process.

A support structure for a float pan for floating a concrete surface provides an interface between the float pan and a rotating machine. The support structure is characterized by a hub configured for concentric attachment to a rotor, and by trusses that extend radially from the hub, each providing a float pan contact surface and means for attachment to the float pan. Perimetric bracing links the trusses about the perimeter of the support structure. A machine similar to a walk-behind or ride-on trowel but without rotor blades, may incorporate the support structure and operate as a dedicated power flotation machine. Under weight of the machine, the contact surfaces of the trusses conform the float pan to a desired shape or radius of curvature for optimizing a flotation process.

A paving machine includes a tractor portion, a screed assembly, a lifting assembly configured to move the screed assembly from a raised position to a lowered position, an operator interface configured to receive input from an operator, and a control module. The tractor portion includes a plurality of tractor sensors configured to detect the presence of an object in a detection zone. The screed assembly is configured to be towed behind the tractor portion, and includes a plurality of screed sensors configured to detect the presence of an object in a detection zone. The control module is configured to receive a ‘lower screed’ input from the operator interface, receive a plurality of signals from the plurality of tractor sensors and the plurality of screed sensors, determine if an object is present in the detection zone based on the plurality of signals, automatically prevent or halt lowering of the screed assembly and direct the operator interface to display a warning if an object is detected, and direct the lift assembly to lower the screed assembly to the lowered position if no object is detected.

A paving machine includes a tractor portion, a screed assembly, a lifting assembly configured to move the screed assembly from a raised position to a lowered position, an operator interface configured to receive input from an operator, and a control module. The tractor portion includes a plurality of tractor sensors configured to detect the presence of an object in a detection zone. The screed assembly is configured to be towed behind the tractor portion, and includes a plurality of screed sensors configured to detect the presence of an object in a detection zone. The control module is configured to receive a ‘lower screed’ input from the operator interface, receive a plurality of signals from the plurality of tractor sensors and the plurality of screed sensors, determine if an object is present in the detection zone based on the plurality of signals, automatically prevent or halt lowering of the screed assembly and direct the operator interface to display a warning if an object is detected, and direct the lift assembly to lower the screed assembly to the lowered position if no object is detected.

A linkage system for a screed extension includes a mounting plate that includes a mounting plate finger; an upper rail; a lower rail; a height adjustment shaft; a set of slide blocks that are disposed in a channel between the upper rail and the lower rail; a set of linkage arms; an angle of attack adjustment structure that holds the mounting plate finger at an angle; and a set of angle of attack adjustment screws. The height adjustment shaft is configured to adjust a position of the set of slide blocks within the channel and thereby adjust a height of a lower frame of the screed extension. The set of angle of attack adjustment screws are configured adjust the angle of the mounting plate finger and thereby adjust an angle of attack of the lower frame of the screed extension.

A linkage system for a screed extension includes a mounting plate that includes a mounting plate finger; an upper rail; a lower rail; a height adjustment shaft; a set of slide blocks that are disposed in a channel between the upper rail and the lower rail; a set of linkage arms; an angle of attack adjustment structure that holds the mounting plate finger at an angle; and a set of angle of attack adjustment screws. The height adjustment shaft is configured to adjust a position of the set of slide blocks within the channel and thereby adjust a height of a lower frame of the screed extension. The set of angle of attack adjustment screws are configured adjust the angle of the mounting plate finger and thereby adjust an angle of attack of the lower frame of the screed extension.