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.

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.

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.

Disclosed is a method for automatically controlling a blade of a motor grader. At least one global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna and at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) are mounted on the motor grader. No GNSS antenna is mounted on the blade; and no pole is used for mounting. With each GNSS antenna, GNSS navigation signals are received, and a position of each GNSS antenna is computed. With each IMU, three orthogonal accelerations and three orthogonal angular rotation rates are measured. With at least one processor, a blade position and a blade orientation are computed, based at least in part on the GNSS and IMU measurements. The blade elevation and the blade slope angle (and, in some embodiments, the blade side shift) are automatically controlled, based at least in part on the computed blade position, the computed blade orientation, and a digital job site model.

A strut assembly for coupling an implement to a frame of a machine is provided. The strut assembly includes a first elongated member configured to couple to the frame of the machine. The strut assembly further includes a second elongated member slidably disposed within the first elongated member. The second elongated member is configured to couple to the implement. The strut assembly further includes a shear system configured to engage the second elongated member with the first elongated member. The shear system includes a first shear pin configured to be inserted through a first opening defined in the first elongated member and a second opening defined in the second elongated member. The first shear pin includes a first fracture zone positioned within a gap defined between the first elongated member and the second elongated member.

A computer-implemented method for automatically adjusting a moldboard of a motor grader can include receiving one or more identifiers corresponding to a configuration of the motor grader, and determining, based on the received identifier(s), a first orientation of the moldboard. If the first orientation is not within an operating threshold, the method can further include selecting, based on the one or more identifiers, at least one of a plurality of actuators of the motor grader; and actuating the selected actuator(s) to move the moldboard from the first orientation to a second orientation within the operating threshold.

Disclosed is a method for automatically controlling a blade of a motor grader. At least one global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna and at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) are mounted on the motor grader. No GNSS antenna is mounted on the blade; and no pole is used for mounting. With each GNSS antenna, GNSS navigation signals are received, and a position of each GNSS antenna is computed. With each IMU, three orthogonal accelerations and three orthogonal angular rotation rates are measured. With at least one processor, a blade position and a blade orientation are computed, based at least in part on the GNSS and IMU measurements. The blade elevation and the blade slope angle (and, in some embodiments, the blade side shift) are automatically controlled, based at least in part on the computed blade position, the computed blade orientation, and a digital job site model.

In some implementations a lift assembly for a snow wing assembly may include a first lifting mechanism, coupled to the motor grader, configured to lift the snow wing assembly a first portion of a bench height associated with a moldboard via a first hydraulic cylinder. The lift assembly may include a second lifting mechanism, coupled to the first lifting mechanism and the moldboard, configured to lift the moldboard of the snow wing assembly a second portion of the bench height via a second hydraulic cylinder. The lift assembly may include one or more valves included in a hydraulic circuit of the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder, configured to divert a flow of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit away from a first stage hydraulic cylinder and to a second stage hydraulic cylinder, based on a pressure value associated with the first stage hydraulic cylinder.

A system for extracting a motor grader from a location with reduced traction includes the motor grader having articulated front and rear frames supported on front and rear wheels, respectively, and a blade extending from the frame toward the surface underlying the grader. A plurality of blade articulation structures are adapted to articulate the blade relative to the frame. A plurality of sensors are provided and a steering mechanism, power source and control system having a controller. The controller is configured to receive the plurality of signals and perform an extraction procedure to reposition the motor grader. The extraction procedure includes automatic execution of a sequence of operations including a plurality of modification of an articulation angle of the front and rear frames, a steering angle, a position of the blade, a disposition of the blade, propulsion of one or more of the wheels, and direction of propulsion.

A motor grader includes an operation apparatus, a swing circle, a blade supported on the swing circle, a first actuator arranged along a longitudinal direction of the blade, the first actuator moving the blade in a lateral direction with respect to the swing circle, and a controller that causes the first actuator to operate. The controller receives an operation signal from the operation apparatus and causes the first actuator to operate based on the received operation signal such that a position of the blade with respect to the swing circle comes closer to a neutral position of the blade with respect to the swing circle.