Patent classifications
E02F3/764
Motor grader
A motor grader including a main frame, an operational frame movable relative to the main frame in three directions, and a linkage system coupling the operational frame to the main frame. The linkage system includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders each movable between an extended position and a retracted position to adjust the length thereof. The plurality of cylinders is operationally connected such that movement of one cylinder of the plurality of cylinders causes movement of at least another cylinder of the plurality of cylinders. A processor is configured to receive a signal related to the length of at least one cylinder of the plurality of cylinders, and estimate, based in part on the signal, a position of the operational frame relative to the main frame in the three directions.
Agricultural machine having a processor configured to track a position of a draft frame
A motor grader including a main frame, an operational frame movable relative to the main frame about a primary joint, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders configured to adjust a position of the operational frame relative to the main frame, where each cylinder of the plurality of cylinders is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to adjust the length thereof. The motor grader further includes a processor configured to receive a signal indicating a desired cross slope of the operational frame, receive a signal identifying one of the plurality of cylinders as a lead cylinder, determine a desired position of the operational frame that achieves the desired cross slope of the operational frame, estimate a current position of the operational frame by monitoring a length of the lead cylinder, and adjust the position of the operational frame by controlling a follower cylinder of the plurality of cylinders to create the desired cross slope.
Mounting assembly
A mounting assembly for a blade of a motor grader includes a mounting bracket having a mounting channel. The mounting assembly includes an adjustment block disposed in the mounting channel. The adjustment block includes a mounting groove and at least one slot disposed spaced apart with respect to the mounting groove. The mounting assembly also includes at least one retention plate disposed on the mounting bracket. The at least one retention plate is adapted to engage with the at least one slot provided on the adjustment block. The at least one retention plate is adapted to limit movement of the adjustment block along a longitudinal axis of the adjustment block. The mounting assembly further includes a wear element disposed in the mounting groove provided in the adjustment block. The wear element is adapted to slidably receive a portion of the blade thereon.
CIRCLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A GRADING MACHINE
A control system for a grading machine includes a circle angle sensor coupled to a circle. The circle is coupled to and supports a grading blade, and the circle angle sensor is configured to measure an angular position of the circle. The control system also includes a blade load sensor configured to measure a load on the grading blade. The control system also includes a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a controller. The circle drive motor is configured to engage with and rotate the circle around a circle axis, and the controller is configured to control the rotation of the circle under a circle rotation command by monitoring the angular position of the circle and the load on the grading blade.
Road maintenance using stored maintenance passes
In accordance with an example embodiment, a work vehicle may include a vehicle positioning system providing a vehicle position signal, a ground-engaging blade moveable by blade actuators, a blade sensing system providing a blade position signal, and a controller in communication with the vehicle positioning system, the blade actuators, and the blade sensing system. The controller may be configured to receive the vehicle position signal, receive the blade position signal, determine a target blade position using the vehicle position signal and a stored maintenance pass, the stored maintenance pass indicative of a past position of the blade associated with a past position of the vehicle for a plurality of past vehicle positions, and control the blade actuators to move the blade toward the target blade position.
DRAWBAR-CIRCLE-MOLDBOARD ASSEMBLY FOR A WORK MACHINE
A drawbar-circle-moldboard assembly for a work machine includes a drawbar, a circle assembly, and a moldboard. The drawbar is configured to be pivotably connected to a frame of the work machine. The circle assembly is rotatably connected to the drawbar and includes a circle member formed from a hollow box section. The moldboard is connected to the circle assembly.
WORK VEHICLE
A work vehicle capable of readily knowing an amount of soil built up on a front surface of a blade is provided. A motor grader includes a vehicular body frame, a blade, and an image pick-up apparatus. The blade is arranged between a front end of the vehicular body frame and a rear end of the vehicular body frame. The blade is supported on the vehicular body frame. The image pick-up apparatus is arranged in front of the blade. At least a part of the blade is included within an angle of view of the image pick-up apparatus.
Wear pad assembly for implements of machines
A wear pad assembly for an implement of a machine is disclosed. The implement includes a forward face configured to engage and cast material sideways during a forward movement of the machine over a work surface, and a rearward face opposite the forward face. The wear pad assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a wear pad, and a biasing member. The first bracket is configured to be fixedly coupled to the rearward face of the implement. The second bracket is pivotably coupled to the first bracket. The wear pad is coupled to the second bracket and is configured to contact the work surface. Further, the biasing member is engaged with the second bracket and is configured to bias the wear pad in abutment with the work surface during use of the implement.
CIRCLE DRIVE SYSTEM FOR A GRADING MACHINE
A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The gear box includes a first gear that rotates about a first axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis, and the gear box also includes a second gear that rotates about a second axis that is parallel to the circle axis and spaced away from the first axis of rotation.
MOTOR GRADER CUTTING EDGE WEAR CALIBRATION AND WARNING SYSTEM
A system, method, and apparatus includes measuring wear of a cutting edge of a blade of a work vehicle. Blade position or calibration measurements are made with or without a cutting edge. A wear condition of the cutting edge is acceptable when the blade position measurement less an acceptable wear to the cutting edge amount is less than a blade calibration measurement. A wear condition of the cutting edge is unacceptable when the blade position measurement less an acceptable wear to the cutting edge amount is greater than a blade calibration measurement. Alternatively, a wear condition of the cutting edge is unacceptable when a blade calibration measurement plus a tolerance margin is greater than the blade position measurement. The wear condition of the cutting edge is acceptable when the blade calibration measurement plus a tolerance margin is less than the blade position measurement.