GRADER MACHINE INCLUDING MOLDBOARD MOUNTING ASSEMBLY WITH BUMP STOPS

Abstract

A system for retaining a moldboard to an implement frame of a grader machine includes one or more brackets, one or more actuators, and one or more bump stops. The brackets are coupled to a backside of the moldboard and are coupled to the implement frame about an axis. The actuators are coupled to respective brackets and are configured to tilt the brackets with respect to the implement frame about the axis to articulate the moldboard with respect to the implement frame. The bump stops are coupled to the implement frame and are configured to contact the respective brackets when the moldboard articulates from an intermediate position to one or more deviated positions.

Claims

1. A system for retaining a moldboard to an implement frame of a grader machine, the system comprising: one or more brackets coupled to a backside of the moldboard, and coupled to the implement frame about an axis; one or more actuators coupled to respective brackets, of the one or more brackets, the one or more actuators being configured to tilt the one or more brackets with respect to the implement frame about the axis to articulate the moldboard with respect to the implement frame; and one or more bump stops coupled to the implement frame and configured to contact the respective brackets when the moldboard articulates from an intermediate position to one or more deviated positions.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each bracket, of the one or more brackets, includes a body defining an inner periphery with a first surface and a second surface, and a corresponding bump stop, of the one or more bump stops, contacts the first surface at a first deviated position, of the one or more deviated positions, and contacts the second surface at a second deviated position, of the one or more deviated positions.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the inner periphery defines at least one peripheral edge surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, the at least one peripheral edge surface defines an indentation extending into the body.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each bump stop, of the one or more bump stops, includes a bump stop piece, a sleeve inserted into the bump stop piece, and a pin passing through the sleeve, and wherein the pin is secured to and spans between a first wall and a second wall of the implement frame to retain the corresponding bump stop piece therearound and within a gap defined between the first wall and the second wall of the implement frame.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each bracket of the one or more brackets includes a first plate and a second plate coupled together and spaced apart from each other and defining a space therebetween, the space provides passage to a corresponding actuator, of the one or more actuators, and the corresponding actuator is coupled to one or more of the first plate or the second plate at a swivel joint and is coupled to the implement frame at a pivot location.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more bump stops are one or more resilient bump stops.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more bump stops are made from one or more of rubber, ebonite, polyurethane, or mild steel.

8. A method for cushioning a movement of a moldboard of a grader machine during machine operation, the method comprising: coupling one or more brackets to an implement frame of the grader machine about an axis and to a backside of the moldboard; coupling one or more actuators to respective brackets, of the one or more brackets, the one or more actuators being configured to tilt the one or more brackets with respect to the implement frame about the axis to articulate the moldboard with respect to the implement frame; and coupling one or more bump stops to the implement frame such that the one or more bump stops contact the respective brackets when the moldboard articulates from an intermediate position to one or more deviated positions to limit further deviation of the moldboard at the one or more deviated positions.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each bump stop, of the one or more bump stops, includes a bump stop piece, a sleeve inserted into the bump stop piece, and a pin passing through the sleeve, and the coupling the one or more bump stops to the implement frame includes: securing the pin to each of a first wall and a second wall of the implement frame such that the pin spans between the first wall and the second wall of the implement frame; and retaining a corresponding bump stop piece around the pin and within a gap defined between the first wall and the second wall of the implement frame.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein each bracket of the one or more brackets includes a first plate and a second plate coupled together and spaced apart from each other and defining a space therebetween and coupling the one or more actuators to the respective brackets includes: passing a corresponding actuator, of the one or more actuators, through the space; and connecting the corresponding actuator to one or more of the first plate or the second plate at a swivel joint.

11. The method of claim 8 further including connecting the one or more actuators to the implement frame at respective pivot locations.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein each bracket, of the one or more brackets, includes a body defining an inner periphery with a first surface and a second surface, and a corresponding bump stop, of the one or more bump stops, contacts the first surface at a first deviated position, of the one or more deviated positions, and contacts the second surface at a second deviated position, of the one or more deviated positions.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the inner periphery defines at least one peripheral edge surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, the at least one peripheral edge surface defines an indentation extending into the body.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more bump stops are one or more resilient bump stops; and the one or more bump stops are made from one or more of rubber, ebonite, polyurethane, or mild steel.

15. A grader machine, comprising: a chassis; a drawbar extending from the chassis; a circle rotatably supported with respect to the drawbar; an implement frame, including one or more arms, extending from the circle; a moldboard defining a backside and a frontside with respect to the grader machine and configured to grade a work surface underlying the grader machine; and a system for retaining the moldboard to the implement frame, the system comprising: one or more brackets coupled to the backside of the moldboard, and coupled to the implement frame about an axis; one or more actuators coupled to respective brackets, of the one or more brackets, the one or more actuators being configured to tilt the one or more brackets with respect to the implement frame about the axis to articulate the moldboard with respect to the implement frame; and one or more bump stops coupled to the implement frame and configured to contact the respective brackets when the moldboard articulates from an intermediate position to one or more deviated positions.

16. The grader machine of claim 15, wherein each bracket, of the one or more brackets, includes a body defining an inner periphery with a first surface and a second surface, and a corresponding bump stop, of the one or more bump stops, contacts the first surface at a first deviated position, of the one or more deviated positions, and contacts the second surface at a second deviated position, of the one or more deviated positions.

17. The grader machine of claim 16, wherein the inner periphery defines at least one peripheral edge surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, the at least one peripheral edge surface defines an indentation extending into the body.

18. The grader machine of claim 15, wherein each bump stop, of the one or more bump stops, includes a bump stop piece, a sleeve inserted into the bump stop piece, and a pin passing through the sleeve, and wherein the pin is secured to and spans between a first wall and a second wall of the implement frame to retain the corresponding bump stop piece therearound and within a gap defined between the first wall and the second wall of the implement frame.

19. The grader machine of claim 15, wherein wherein each bracket of the one or more brackets includes a first plate and a second plate coupled together and spaced apart from each other and defining a space therebetween, the space provides passage to a corresponding actuator, of the one or more actuators, and the corresponding actuator is coupled to one or more of the first plate or the second plate at a swivel joint and is coupled to the implement frame at a pivot location.

20. The grader machine of claim 15, wherein the one or more bump stops are one or more resilient bump stops; and the one or more bump stops are made from one or more of rubber, ebonite, polyurethane, or mild steel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of a grader machine including an implement system having a moldboard oriented in an intermediate position or a working position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the implement system with the moldboard removed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the implement system with the moldboard oriented in a first deviated position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 4 is another side view of the implement system with the moldboard oriented in a second deviated position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the implement system with the moldboard removed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts, e.g., 1, 1, 1, 101 and 201 could refer to one or more comparable components used in the same and/or different depicted embodiments.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a grader machine 100 is shown, and as depicted, may include a motor grader 104. The grader machine 100 may be used to displace, spread, distribute, and level, materials, such as soil, over a work surface 108, underlying the grader machine 100, as part of a grading operation. Generally, the grading operation may be performed during a movement of the grader machine 100 over the work surface 108. For enabling such movement, the grader machine 100 may include one or more traction devices 112, as shown.

[0014] As an example, the traction devices 112 may include one or more front wheels 112 disposed towards a front end 116 of the grader machine 100 and one or more back wheels 112 disposed towards a back end 120 of the grader machine 100. The terms front and back, as used herein, are in relation to an exemplary direction of travel of the grader machine 100, and the same is represented by an arrow, T, in FIG. 1, with said direction of travel being exemplarily defined from the back end 120 towards the front end 116. A movement of the traction devices 112 (e.g., a rotation of the set of front wheels 112 and the set of back wheels 112) may be powered by a power source, such as an engine or an electric motor (not shown), housed within a power compartment 124 of the grader machine 100. Further, the grader machine 100 may include a chassis 128 onto which various parts and systems of the grader machine 100 may be supported. Also, the grader machine 100 may include an operator cab 132 to house various controls of the power source and/or implements of the grader machine 100.

[0015] To grade and/or level the work surface, the grader machine 100 may include an implement system 136, which may also be referred to as a drawbar-circle-blade (DCB) arrangement and/or a grader group of the grader machine 100. The implement system 136 may be supported by the chassis 128. Further, the implement system 136 may include a drawbar 140, a circle assembly 144, and a moldboard assembly 148, as shown, all of which may function in concert with one another to help the grader machine 100 perform the grading operation on the work surface 108.

[0016] The drawbar 140 may include a first end 152 pivotally coupled to a front end 156 of the chassis 128 and a second end 160 disposed away from the front end 156 of the chassis 128. In other words, a portion of the drawbar 140, defining the second end 160, may extend (e.g., extend away) and be disposed remote relative to the front end 156 of the chassis 128. As an example, the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 may extend rearwards or backwards towards the operator cab 132 of the grader machine 100. Further, the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 may be movably supported at another portion (such as a mid-portion 164) of the chassis 128. For example, the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 may be coupled to the mid-portion 164 of the chassis 128 via one or more actuators, such as an actuator 168, as exemplary shown in FIG. 1. Although not limited, the actuator 168 may be a hydraulically powered actuator. The actuator 168 may be powered to raise or lower the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 with respect to the chassis 128, in turn allowing the circle assembly 144 and/or the moldboard assembly 148, as a whole, to be raised or lowered relative to the chassis 128, and thus to the work surface 108.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the circle assembly 144 may include a circle 172 and an implement frame 176. The circle 172 may be rotatably supported with respect to the drawbar 140 in order to be rotated (e.g., by a motor or by suitable actuation means) (not shown) relative to the drawbar 140 about a rotation axis 180. In so doing, the moldboard assembly 148 may be rotated as well with respect to the work surface 108. Such movement imparted to the moldboard assembly 148 may allow the work surface 108 to be graded at different angles. The rotation axis 180 may pass through a center of the circle 172.

[0018] The implement frame 176 may be fixedly coupled to the circle 172 to rotate with a rotation of the circle 172, relative to the drawbar 140. Also, the implement frame 176 may extend away from the circle 172. As an example, the implement frame 176 may include one or more arms, e.g., a pair of arms, or as shown in FIG. 2, a first arm 184 and a second arm 188. Although not limited, the first arm 184 and the second arm 188 may be spaced apart from each other about a portion (e.g., an arcuate portion 182) of the circle 172. Further, each of the first arm 184 and the second arm 188 may extend from an outer surface 192 of the circle 172 (or from the arcuate portion 182 of the circle 172) generally along an axial direction (such as along the rotation axis 180) to define a lower end 196 away from the circle 172. Each of the first arm 184 and the second arm 188 may also define an upper end 200 disposed in proximity to the circle 172 (or disposed in proximity to the arcuate portion 182 of the circle 172).

[0019] With regard to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176, the first arm 184 may include a first wall 204 and a second wall 208, although the first arm 184 (and/or the second arm 188) may include lesser or higher number of walls. The first wall 204 and the second wall 208 may be coupled fixedly together (e.g., by welding or fastening) to each other. The second wall 208 may be spaced apart from the first wall 204 to define a gap, G, with respect to the first wall 204. The second arm 188 may include similar such walls, but they are not discussed or described as one or more features of the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 may be applicable to the walls of the second arm 188, as well.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the moldboard assembly 148 of the implement system 136 is discussed. The moldboard assembly 148 may be supported by the first arm 184 and the second arm 188. Further, the moldboard assembly 148 may include a moldboard 212 and a system 216 for mounting and/or retaining the moldboard 212 to the implement frame 176 (e.g., to the first arm 184 and second arm 188 of the implement frame 176). Details related to each of the moldboard 212 and the system 216 shall now be described.

[0021] The moldboard 212 may include a ground engaging tool adapted to engage the materials over the work surface 108 so as to grade and level the work surface 108. The moldboard 212 may define a backside 220 and a frontside 224 with respect to the grader machine 100, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The frontside 224 may face or be directed towards the front end 116 of the grader machine 100 and the backside 220 may face or be directed towards the back end 120 of the grader machine 100. Although not limited, the frontside 224 of the moldboard 212 may be contoured to define a concave shape, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. Also, as the frontside 224 may be directed towards the front end 116 of the grader machine 100, the moldboard 212 may receive, alter, and grade the work surface 108 (e.g., materials disposed over the work surface 108) during a travel of the grader machine 100, e.g., along direction, T, and during the grading operation, over the work surface 108. The moldboard 212 may include a variety of other shapes, such as a planar shape, and, therefore, the one described in the present disclosure is exemplary.

[0022] The moldboard 212 may be moved to a host of work related positions with respect to the chassis 128 and/or to the work surface 108. For example, the moldboard 212 may be raised or lowered relative to the work surface 108 by raising and lowering the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 relative to the chassis 128, e.g., by use of the actuator 168. Further, the moldboard 212 may be rotated about the rotation axis 180 as the circle 172 may be rotated about the rotation axis 180. The moldboard 212 may also be tilted or articulated to change the angle or orientation at which the moldboard 212 may intersect and/or engage with the work surface 108 during the grading operation. A variety of other orientations of the moldboard 212, including a tilting of the moldboard 212, such as about a longitudinal axis 228 of the grader machine 100 (see FIG. 1), is also possible. Such orientations attained by the moldboard 212 allows a grading of the work surface 108 at differing gradients and/or slopes.

[0023] In some embodiments, the moldboard 212 may be configured to also slide in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis 228 and the chassis 128 of the grader machine 100. Such sliding motion of the moldboard 212 may be exemplarily achieved by hydraulic actuation and/or by a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown). To achieve such sliding motion, the moldboard 212 may include rails 232 (e.g., a first rail 232 and a second rail 232) (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The rails 232 may extend from the backside 220 of the moldboard 212, although a variety of other positions of the rails 232 may be contemplated by someone skilled in the art.

[0024] Further, during operations of the grader machine 100, a loading of the moldboard 212 (e.g., from forces external to the grader machine 100) may be applied at multiple locations (e.g., at a lower edge 236 of the moldboard 212) and/or from multiple directions. Such loading may cause the moldboard 212 to be pushed and/or re-oriented to a deviated position, e.g., from an intermediate position or a working position. In this regard, the positions of the moldboard 212 in FIGS. 3 and 4 relate to exemplary deviated positions of the moldboarde.g., FIG. 3 relates to a first deviated position and FIG. 4 relates to a second deviated position. A position of the moldboard 212 in FIG. 1, conversely, relates to an exemplary intermediate position or a working position of the moldboard 212. The intermediate position of the moldboard 212 may be a position acquired by the moldboard 212 when the moldboard 212 lies intermediately or in between the first deviated position and the second deviated position.

[0025] The system 216 may include one or more bracketse.g., a first bracket 240 and a second bracket 244 (see FIG. 2), one or more actuatorse.g., a first actuator 248 and a second actuator 252, and one or more bump stopse.g., a first bump stop 256 and a second bump stopthe second bump stop is not visible in the figures but is similar in construction and placement to the first bump stop 256. It will be appreciated that the above noted components of the system 216 identified by way of the term first work in concert with each other, and, likewise, the above noted components of the system 216 identified by way of the term second work in concert with each other, and generally independently of the components identified by way of the term first. Further description below includes details corresponding to the components identified by way of the term first, namely, the first bracket 240, the first actuator 248, and the first bump stop 256, and they are all discussed in conjunction with the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176. Such description may be suitably applied to the second bracket 244, the second actuator 252, and the second bump stop, in suitable correspondence with the second arm 188 of the implement frame 176.

[0026] The first bracket 240 may be a single integral piece coupled to the backside 220 of the moldboard 212. In this regard, the first bracket 240 may include one or more bearing arrangements, e.g., a first bearing arrangement 260 and a second bearing arrangement 264. The bearing arrangements, e.g., the first bearing arrangement 260 and the second bearing arrangement 264, may respectively receive portions of the rails, e.g., the first rail 232 and the second rail 232, such that the rails 232 can slide within the first bearing arrangement 260 and the second bearing arrangement 264 and with respect to the implement frame 176 (e.g., with respect to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176), allowing the moldboard 212 to slide generally laterally (e.g., to execute a lateral movement) with respect to the implement frame 176, the chassis 128, and/or also with respect to the longitudinal axis 228.

[0027] The first bracket 240 may be coupled to the implement frame 176, e.g., to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176, about an axis (e.g., an articulation axis 268 passing through the implement frame 176) so as to be articulatable with respect to the implement frame 176, e.g., to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176, at an articulation point 272. As an example, the first bracket 240 may be accommodated within the gap, G, (see FIG. 5) defined between the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 of the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176. By way of such articulation of the first bracket 240 (and/or also of the second bracket 244) relative to the implement frame 176, the first bracket 240 (and/or the second bracket 244) may facilitate, at least in part, a tilting of the moldboard 212 so as to change the angle at which the moldboard 212 may intersect and/or engage the work surface 108 during the grading operation.

[0028] Further, the first bracket 240 may include a body 276 defining an inner periphery 280. As an example, the inner periphery 280 may be defined by an opening 284 of the first bracket 240e.g., the opening 284 may pass through and across a thickness, TK, of the first bracket 240 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). The inner periphery 280 (and/or the opening 284) may define a first surface 288 and a second surface 292. As shown, the first surface 288 and the second surface 292 may be located oppositely to each other, about the opening 284. In some embodiments, the first surface 288 and the second surface 292 may respectively include arcuate profiles. Although not limited, said arcuate profiles of the first surface 288 and the second surface 292 may face or be directed, at least partially, towards each other. In some embodiments, the inner periphery 280 defines at least one peripheral edge surface (e.g., see peripheral edge surface 296 for the first bracket 240 in FIGS. 3 and 4) extending between the first surface 288 and the second surface 292. The peripheral edge surface 296 may define an indentation 300 which may extend into the body 276 of the first bracket 240.

[0029] According to an exemplary construction of the first bracket 240, the first bracket 240 or the body 276 of the first bracket 240 may include or be defined by a first plate 304 and a second plate 308. The first plate 304 and the second plate 308 may be spaced apart from each other to define a space, S, therebetween. Although not limited, the first plate 304 and the second plate 308 may be identical to each other. The first plate 304 and the second plate 308 may also define corresponding apertures, e.g., a first aperture 312 and a second aperture 316, as shown in FIG. 5. As with the first plate 304 and the second plate 308, the first aperture 312 and the second aperture 316 may also be identical to each other. In some embodiments, the first plate 304 and the second plate 308 may be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) together by way of a connector portion 320 extending through and across the space, S, to join the first plate 304 to the second plate 308. In so doing, the connector portion 320 may bridge the span or space, S, defined between the first plate 304 and the second plate 308. According to some embodiments, the connector portion 320 may also extend annularly around each of the first aperture 312 of the first plate 304 and the second aperture 316 of the second plate 308 and may further define the opening 284 to define the inner periphery 280 of the first bracket 240.

[0030] The first actuator 248 may be configured to move or tilt the first bracket 240 with respect to the implement frame 176 (or with respect to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176) about the articulation axis 268 to in turn articulate the moldboard 212, coupled to the first bracket 240, with respect to the implement frame 176. To this end, the first actuator 248 may be coupled with the first bracket 240 (or to one or more of the first plate 304 and the second plate 308) at a swivel joint 324 (e.g., to be swivelable about the swivel joint 324). Also, the first actuator 248 may be coupled to the implement frame 176 (or to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176) at a pivot location 328 (e.g., to be pivotable about the pivot location 328). The first actuator 248 may be a linearly extendable and retractable actuator and may exemplarily include a cylinder-rod arrangement. The first actuator 248 may be a hydraulically powered actuator, although other types of actuators, e.g., electrically or pneumatically powered actuators, may be contemplated for the application. A linear extension and retraction may enable the first actuator 248 to move or tilt the first bracket 240 with respect to the implement frame 176 about the articulation axis 268 to also articulate the moldboard 212 with respect to the implement frame 176.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the first bump stop 256 will be described. The first bump stop 256 may be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to the implement frame 176 (or to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176) and may be configured to contact the first bracket 240 (e.g., one or more of the first surface 288 and the second surface 292 of the first bracket 240) when the moldboard 212 articulates from the intermediate position to one or more of the first deviated position and/or the second deviated position. As an example, the first bump stop 256 may contact the first surface 288 at the first deviated position (see FIG. 3) and the first bump stop 256 may contact the second surface 292 at the second deviated position (see FIG. 4).

[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, the first bump stop 256 may include a bump stop piece 332, a sleeve 336 insertable into the bump stop piece 332 (e.g., insertable into a bore 340 of the bump stop piece 332), and a coupler pin 344 passing through the sleeve. In some embodiments, the coupler pin 344 may be secured (e.g., threadably and/or immovably) to each of the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 (e.g., into slots 348 defined by the first wall 204 and the second wall 208) of the implement frame 176 and may accordingly span the gap, G, defined between the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 of the implement frame 176, once the coupler pin 344 is assembled to the implement frame 176. The first bump stop piece 332 may be mounted around the coupler pin 344, e.g., around a segment of the coupler pin 344 that extends between the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 of the implement frame 176. In so doing, the first bump stop 256 may be retained within the gap, G, defined between the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 of the implement frame 176. The first bump stop 256 may be a resilient bump stop. In some embodiments, the first bump stop 256 (e.g., the bump stop piece 332) may be, at least in part, made from one or more of rubber, ebonite, polyurethane, or mild steel. Other materials known to those skilled in art, may be contemplated for the formation of the first bump stop.

[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 2 through 5, it will be appreciated that each of the articulation point 272, the pivot location 328, and the swivel joint 324, may respectively include one or more pins and holes (e.g., see pins 352 and holes 360 in FIG. 5) (with the holes 360 being suitably provided in the first bracket 240/the first arm 184/the first actuator 248). An assembly of the pins 352 correspondingly into the holes 360 of the first bracket 240/the first arm 184/the first actuator 248 may facilitate one component of the moldboard assembly 148 to be retained movably or rotatably to another component of the moldboard assembly 148, as has been described above. Additional details associated with an assembly of the pins 352 into the holes 360 shall be contemplated by someone skilled in the art, in light of the present disclosure. For ease in understanding and reference, same or similar reference numerals are applied for the holes (e.g., holes 360) and the pins (e.g., pins 352) associated with the articulation point 272, the pivot location 328, and the swivel joint 324. In actual practice and application, such pins and holes may include different specification, shapes, and sizes, and thus they may not be same. Further, one or more of the articulation point 272, the pivot location 328, and the swivel joint 324, may also include one or more retainers (e.g., see retainer 356) to retain a corresponding pin 352 within a corresponding hole 360. A similar retainer (e.g., see retainer 364) may also be provided for the coupler pin 344.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0034] For mounting the system 216 and/or the first bump stop 256 onto the moldboard assembly 148 and thus to also cushion a movement of the moldboard 212 during grader machine operation, an exemplary assembly process is described. According to the exemplarily assembly process, an operator may insert the first actuator 248 into the gap, G, defined between the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 of the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176. Thereafter, the operator may align the holes (see first holes 360) of the first actuator 248 with the holes (see first holes 360) of the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176 and may pass the pin (see first pin 352) through the first holes 360. In so doing, the first actuator 248 can be coupled to be pivotable about the pivot location 328 with respect to the first arm 184. Next, the operator may align the holes (see second holes 360) of the first actuator 248 with the holes (see first holes 360) of the first bracket 240 and may pass the pin (see second pin 352) through said holes 360, with the space, S, providing passage to the first actuator 248. In that manner, the first actuator 248 may be coupled to be swivelable about the swivel joint 324 with respect to the first bracket 240.

[0035] The bump stop piece 332 (in conjunction with the sleeve 336 inserted into the bore 340 of the bump stop piece 332) may be then placed into the opening 284 defined by the first bracket 240. Thereafter, the first bracket 240 may be varied or moved such that the bore 340 of the bump stop piece 332 (positioned in the opening 284 of the first bracket 240) may be brought into alignment with the slots 348 of the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 of the first arm 184. Once such an alignment is attained, the operator may insert the coupler pin 344 associated with the first bump stop 256 into the slots 348 and into the bore 340 (or into the sleeve 336 inserted within the bore 340). In that manner, the coupler pin 344 may be secured to the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 and may span between the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 of the implement frame 176, in turn also retaining the bump stop piece 332 around the coupler pin 344 and within or in between the first wall 204 and the second wall 208, (e.g., within the gap, G) (see FIG. 5). Effectively, the first bump stop 256 is coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to the implement frame 176.

[0036] At this point, owing to the assembly of the first bump stop 256 with the first bracket 240 and the first arm 184, the first bracket 240 may acquire a position in which it, at least in part, is inserted into the gap, G, defined between the first wall 204 and the second wall 208 of the implement frame 176. Once the first bracket 240 is suitably positioned within the gap, G, the operator may align the holes (see second holes 360) of the first bracket 240 with the holes (see second holes 360) of the first arm 184 and may pass the pin (see third pin 352) through the second holes 360 of the first bracket 240 and the first arm 184. In so doing, the first bracket 240 can be coupled to the implement frame 176 about the articulation axis 268 so as to be articulatable about the articulation point 272 with respect to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176.

[0037] Although there is exemplary description in the present disclosure of the first arm 184 having two walls (e.g., the first wall 204 and the second wall 208), in some embodiments, the first arm 184 may include only a single wall, e.g., only one of the first wall 204 or the second wall 208. Such a configuration of the first arm 184 may depend upon factors, such as the area of application of the grader machine 100, a type of the work surface 108, a specification of the grader machine 100, and/or the like factors. Similar description may be applied to the second arm 188, as well. In effect, references to the first wall 204 and/or the second wall 208 are to be viewed as purely exemplary and/or non-limiting.

[0038] In brevity, to cushion a movement of the moldboard 212 during machine operation or grader machine operation, the operator couples the first bracket 240 to the implement frame 176 about the articulation axis 268 and to the backside 220 of the moldboard 212; couples the first actuator 248 to the first bracket 240 to allow the first actuator 248 to tilt the first bracket 240 with respect to the implement frame 176 about the articulation axis 268 and to articulate the moldboard 212 with respect to the implement frame 176; and couples the first bump stop 256 to the implement frame 176. A similar assembly may be contemplated and/or suitably performed to assemble the second bracket 244, the second actuator 252, and the second bump stop (not shown), in suitable correspondence with the second arm 188 of the implement frame 176. Further, the moldboard 212 may be assembled to the first bracket 240 and to the second bracket 244 once both the first bracket 240 and the second bracket 244 have been suitably assembled to the first arm 184 and the second arm 188 in the manner as has been described above.

[0039] During operation of the grader machine 100, the moldboard 212 (e.g., the lower edge 236 of the moldboard 212) may be brought into engagement with the work surface 108 (or with materials, such as soil, or the like, present on the work surface 108). Also, the moldboard 212 may be in an intermediate position or a working position. Next, the grader machine 100 may move with respect to the work surface 108, e.g., along direction, T. As the grader machine 100 may move in said direction, T, at an instance, e.g., when the lower edge 236 of the moldboard 212 may encounter a relatively heavy loade.g., an obstacle in the form of an object, such as rocks, etc., on the work surface 108, the lower edge 236 may be take an impact from such a load, in turn causing the moldboard 212 to be pushed and/or re-oriented (or undesirably articulated about the articulation axis 268) to a deviated position, e.g., the second deviated position (see FIG. 4). Similarly, certain instances of operation of the grader machine 100 may cause the moldboard 212 to be pushed and/or re-oriented (or undesirably articulated about the articulation axis 268) in reverse, e.g., to the first deviated position (see FIG. 3). A deviation to the first deviated state may occur in instances, e.g., when the grader machine 100 moves oppositely to the direction, T, and the lower edge 236 encounters a similar (or the same) load, for example.

[0040] At the deviated positions described above, the first bump stop 256 may contact the first bracket 240 (and similarly, or alternatively, the second bump stop, associated with the second arm 188 of the implement frame 176, may contact the second bracket 244). More particularly, the first bump stop 256 may contact the first surface 288 of the first bracket 240 at the first deviated position (see FIG. 3) and/or may contact the second surface 292 of the first bracket 240 at the second deviated position (see FIG. 4). Similar contact may be contemplated between the second bump stop and the second bracket 244.

[0041] Such contact of the first bump stop 256 with the first bracket 240 (and of the second bump stop with the second bracket 244) ensures that a stress associated with the impact loading is well dissipated from propagation into one or more of the components of the moldboard assembly 148. Further, the moldboard 212 is limited at the one or more deviated positions, such that the moldboard 212 doesn't deviate further. In that manner, the moldboard 212 is cushioned during grader operation. As a result, a durability and impact loading of the moldboard 212 and various components surrounding the moldboard 212 is improved, actuator wear (e.g., the first actuator wear) is reduced, and a useful work life of the moldboard assembly 148 is enhanced.

[0042] Unless explicitly excluded, the use of the singular to describe a component, structure, or operation does not exclude the use of plural such components, structures, or operations or their equivalents. The use of the terms a and an and the and at least one or the term one or more, and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term at least one followed by a list of one or more items (for example, at least one of A and B or one or more of A and B) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Similarly, as used herein, the word or refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase A, B, or C refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.

[0043] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the method and/or system of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the method and/or system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.