In accordance with one or more aspects, a circle drawbar for a motor grader has a drawbar frame having two elongated members, and a circle frame that has a surface defined by an inner and outer diameter. The circle frame has a circle gear located radially inward of the inner diameter, allowing the circle frame to be rotatable relative to the drawbar frame around an axis of the circle gear. A platform having a top, bottom, and an edge depends from the drawbar frame and covers the circle gear. A debris remover is connected to the platform and removes debris from the surface of the circle frame as the circle frame rotates.

A system and method for steering a machine. The system may comprise a controller configured to receive a steering command and determine a target angular turn rate for the body and a target turn direction for the body. The controller may be further configured to determine a steering mode based on a transmission output torque, the steering mode including Traction-steering, Assisted-steering or Implement-steering. When the steering mode is Assisted-steering, the controller is configured to steer the machine in the target turn direction and at the target angular turn rate by (a) moving an implement from a first position to a second position and (b) diverting or removing power from a first ground engaging traction member. When the steering mode is Implement-steering, the controller is configured to move the implement from a first position to a second position to steer the machine in the target turn direction and at the target angular turn rate without diverting or removing power from the first ground engaging traction member.

A diagnostic system for a motor grader with a blade, a drawbar member, and a center shift mounting member associated with a drawbar-circle-moldboard (DCM) includes actuators connecting the blade to the DCM and interconnecting other components of the motor grader. The actuators affect movement of the blade relative to the DCM and affect movement of the other interconnected components relative to each other. Sensors generate signals indicative of a current position of the blade and positions of the other components of the motor grader. An input device receives an operator input indicative of a selection of predefined, diagnostic positions that can be checked visually by the operator for confirmation of proper operation. A controller selectively actuates the actuators based on the selection of a diagnostic position and a signal indicative of the current position of the blade to move the blade and other components of the motor grader into the selected diagnostic position.

A blade positioning system for a work machine is disclosed. The system may have a blade control which has a blade position sensor, and the blade control may adjust a blade of the work machine to a fixed position relative to a wheel. The system may also have a steering control that has a wheel position sensor, and the steering control may steer the work machine. The controller may monitor the blade position sensor and the wheel position sensor to determine a present position of the blade and the wheel prior to the repositioning of the wheel, and adjust the blade position as the wheel is repositioned to maintain the fixed position of the blade relative to the wheel.

A circle drive for rotating a blade on a draft frame of a motor grader includes a circle gear mounting the blade, a worm wheel, a torque dividing arrangement, and a single input provided on a first shaft. The torque dividing arrangement includes a set of shafts positioned about the worm wheel, a torque dividing gear set, and a set of worm gears meshed with the worm wheel. The worm wheel is operatively coupled to drive the circle gear. The set of worm gears includes a first worm gear on a first shaft and a second worm gear on a second shaft. The single input is configured to provide a driving torque that drives the set of worm gears such that the set of worm gears divides the driving torque. The driving torque is capable of driving the worm wheel for driving the circle gear and rotating the blade.

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.

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.

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.

In accordance with an example embodiment, a work tool control system for a work vehicle, the work tool system comprising at least two hydraulic cylinders, a work tool coupled, directly or indirectly, with the at least two hydraulic cylinders, the work tool configured to move material, a controller, wherein the controller is in communication with the at least two hydraulic cylinders, an operator interface, wherein the operator interface is in communication with the controller, wherein when the controller receives a first signal from the operator interface the controller sends a second signal to the at least two hydraulic cylinders, where the first signal is a vehicle reverse signal and the second signal is a work tool lift signal.

A work machine and method for grading a ground surface may include a frame, a ground-engaging attachment, an attachment coupler coupling the ground-engaging attachment to the frame, an actuator enabling movement of the ground-engaging attachment, an adjustable linkage to adjust a position of the ground-engaging attachment relative to the frame, an adjustable linkage, a sensor, and a controller. The adjustable linkage adjusts a position of the ground-engaging attachment relative to the frame. The adjustable linkage comprises of a first portion and a second portion, an enclosure encircling the second portion wherein the enclosure creates an annular chamber between the enclosure and the second portion. A sensor is coupled to the annular chamber and measures a pressure in the chamber. A controller may be configured to monitor the sensor signal, and perform one or more actions based on the sensor signal.