A distance obtaining unit obtains the distance between a work implement and a design terrain. A work aspect determining unit determines a work aspect by the work implement. A limit velocity deciding unit limits the velocity of the work implement when the distance between the work implement and the design terrain becomes smaller. When the work aspect is surface compaction work and the distance between the work implement and the design terrain is within a first range of at least a portion that is equal to or less than a predetermined first distance, the limit velocity deciding unit increases the limit velocity of the work implement in comparison to when the work aspect is an aspect of a work other than surface compaction, or cancels the limiting of the velocity of the work implement.

A system for controlling the operation of an industrial machine during crowd runaway conditions. The system includes a controller that monitors and compares an actual crowd system state (e.g., an actual dipper position) with a requested crowd system state (e.g., a requested dipper position from the operator). If the controller determines that the crowd system is behaving contrary to requested crowd system behavior, the controller adjusts a crowd parameter, such as a crowd motor torque, to resolve the runaway condition.

When a slewing motor is at a stop, a first slewing control unit of a controller that controls an operation of the slewing motor sets a first monitoring area that is set with respect to a slewing body as a designated area, and then controls, depending on whether an obstacle is detected in the first monitoring area, whether to prohibit or allow start of the slewing motor in response to a drive manipulation. Furthermore, a second slewing control unit of the controller sets one or more second monitoring areas that are set at places remoter from the slewing body than the first monitoring area as the designated area, and then controls, depending on whether the obstacle is detected in the second monitoring area(s), whether to limit the operation of the slewing motor in response to the drive manipulation after the start of the slewing motor is allowed.

A roadway access hole drill for cutting a square or rectangular access hole in a roadway having a first saw opposing a second saw and a third saw opposing a fourth saw. A method of cutting a microtrench in which the buried utility is exposed by opening a square or rectangular access hole in a roadway above the buried utility using the roadway access hole drill that is controlled by a computer system connected to an under-roadway detection unit that detects a buried utility and stops movement of the drill to avoid damaging the buried utility.

A construction machine includes a hydraulic actuator and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a predetermined object present within a predetermined area around the construction machine, impose a motion restriction on the construction machine by decreasing the flow rate of hydraulic oil supplied to the hydraulic actuator, in response to detection of the object present within the predetermined area, and relax or cancel the motion restriction by increasing the flow rate to a level lower than before a start of the motion restriction or a level substantially same as before the start of the motion restriction, in response to a predetermined operation for relaxing or canceling the motion restriction being performed or in response to the object being no longer detected within the predetermined area, after the start of the motion restriction.

Methods include electronically monitoring sensor or transceiver location information to detect a location of a machine. Responsive to detection of the machine, determining if the machine is located within a first geographic region, and if the machine is located within a first geographic region, electronically sending a command to an actuator that is coupled to the machine to initiate a first response. The first response includes limiting a height of an implement that is coupled to a chassis of the machine. The implement being height-adjustable relative to the chassis by action of the actuator.

A construction machine includes a posture sensor provided on a front member of a front work implement. An external environment recognition device detects an object around a main body, and a controller calculates a dead angle range from a recognition range of the external environment recognition device. An assumed movement range in which a moving body is assumed to exist in the dead angle range in a period of time determined in advance is calculated; and a movable range within which the front work implement is movable in a period of time determined in advance is calculated on the basis of the posture information detected by the posture sensor. Preventative control is then performed for preventing contact between the moving body and the front work implement on the basis of the assumed movement range of the moving body and the movable range of the front work implement.

A debris accumulation control system is provided for usage within a work vehicle including an operator station and a work vehicle compartment. In embodiments, the work vehicle debris accumulation control system includes a display device located in the operator station of the work vehicle, a three dimensional (3D) imaging device having a field of view (FOV) encompassing a debris-gathering region of the work vehicle compartment, and a controller operably coupled to the display device and to the 3D imaging device. The controller is configured to: (i) utilize 3D imaging data provided by the 3D imaging device to estimate a debris accumulation risk level within the work vehicle compartment; and (ii) generate a first visual alert on the display device when the debris accumulation risk level surpasses a first predetermined threshold.

An infrared light-transmitting system for determining the position (e.g., angle and extension) of a boom is provided. The system includes a vehicle with wheels or a track that move the cab. A chassis or frame supports the cab and boom. In various embodiments, the boom extends and rotates; for example, the boom can rotate in 1 or 2 dimensions. The boom interconnects the chassis at the first end to the attachment at the second end. At least one pivot couples the boom to the chassis to rotate the boom about the pivot relative to the chassis. A transmitter emits infrared light signals that are reflected off a reflector to a detector to determine the real-time position of the attachment and/or boom.

A loading machine for loading, hauling, and dumping material about a worksite includes a lifting implement pivotally joined to a machine frame to articulate with respect to a work surface. A lift sensor is operatively configured to measure vertical articulation of the lifting mechanism. An electronic controller communicating with the lift sensor can be programmed to operate the loading machine in one of a rated performance mode and a limited performance mode depending upon the vertical articulation of the lifting implement with respect to the work surface.