Graders and methods of operation thereof are disclosed herein. A grader includes a chassis, a saddle linkage, and a motion measurement system. The saddle linkage is supported for movement relative to the chassis and includes a mount movably coupled to the chassis, first and second arms each movably coupled to the mount, and a crossbar movably coupled to each of the first and second arms. The mount has a lock pin aperture, each of the first and second arms has a locking hole, and the crossbar has a plurality of locking holes. The lock pin aperture may be aligned with one locking hole of the first arm, the second arm, or the crossbar to position the saddle linkage in use of the grader. The motion measurement system is coupled to the saddle linkage and configured to measure movement or position of one or more components of the grader in use thereof.

A control method is performed in a motor grader, the motor grader including a blade between a front wheel and a rear wheel, the blade being attached to a swing circle which adjusts a blade angle. The control method includes detecting a load applied to the blade and revolving, when the detected load is larger in value than a predetermined reference value, the swing circle in such a direction that the blade angle is smaller than the blade angle at the time of detection of that value.

A control system controls movement of a work implement of a work vehicle and includes a pump, a first actuator in fluid communication with the pump, a first control valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the first actuator, a first proportional relief valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the first actuator, a second actuator in fluid communication with the pump, a second control valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the second actuator, and a second proportional relief valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the second actuator. The first proportional relief valve permits flow of fluid from the first actuator upon an impact at a first set force. The first set force is adjusted by a user. The second proportional relief valve permits egress of fluid from the second actuator upon an impact at a second set force. The second set force is adjusted by a user.

A work vehicle includes a work implement operatively connected to a frame through an actuator having a cylinder and a piston rod. Control circuitry is operatively connected to the actuator and includes a processer and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions and the processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to: identify one of an initial retracted reference position of the piston rod based on an initial minimum retracted distance or an initial extended reference position of the piston rod based on an initial maximum extended distance; identifying an end of stroke position of the piston rod after identifying one of the initial retracted reference position of the piston rod or the initial extended reference position of the piston rod; and moving the work implement with respect to the work vehicle based on a work implement command modified by the identified end of stroke position.

Methods and apparatus to track a blade are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a blade that is pivotable, first and second optical targets operatively coupled to the blade, and a first camera for collecting first imaging data of the first optical target within a first field of view. The example apparatus also includes a second camera for collecting second imaging data of the second optical target within a second field of view. The example apparatus also includes a selector to select at least one of the first or second imaging data, and a processor to determine an orientation of the blade based on the selected imaging data.

Systems and methods for providing grade control on a motor grader without the use of masts attached to the blade. Embodiments include a body angle sensor configured to detect movement of a construction machine's body, a front 3D positioning device configured to detect a geospatial position of the construction machine's body within a world space, a drawbar angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's drawbar, and a blade angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's blade. Two positions on the blade may be calculated first within a machine space and subsequently within the world space. Movement of at least one articulating connection may be caused based on the blade positions within the world space.

A control method in a motor grader including a running wheel, an inclination mechanism which inclines the running wheel, an operation portion, and a sensor capable of detecting whether or not the running wheel is at an erect position includes outputting from a controller, a control signal for driving the inclination mechanism in response to an operation command in accordance with a state of operation onto the operation portion and stopping output of the control signal in response to the operation command when the sensor detects the erect position.

Methods and apparatus to track a blade are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a blade that is pivotable, first and second optical targets operatively coupled to the blade, and a first camera for collecting first imaging data of the first optical target within a first field of view. The example apparatus also includes a second camera for collecting second imaging data of the second optical target within a second field of view. The example apparatus also includes a selector to select at least one of the first or second imaging data, and a processor to determine an orientation of the blade based on the selected imaging data.

A work machine that has a blade that is positionable at a plurality of angles relative to the work machine, a positioning system coupled to the blade to transition the blade to any one of the plurality of angles, a user interface providing a user input, and a controller in communication with the positioning system and the user input. Wherein, when the controller receives a first user input signal from the user interface, the controller positions the blade in a first preset position with the positioning system.

A surveying system is provided having a work machine with at least one sensor configured to produce a signal indicative of a longitudinal pitch of the work machine and a lateral roll of the work machine. The work machine additionally includes a locating device configured to determine the location of the work machine, a communicating device configured to communicate over a network, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the locating device. The controller is configured to receive the signals from the at least one sensor, create survey data by linking the signals with the location of the work machine, and communicate the survey data using the communicating device over the network to one or more offboard controllers. At least one offboard controller is configured to compare the survey data to one or more threshold values, calculate variances, and generate a map displaying the variances.