WORK VEHICLE ATTACHMENT SERVICE MODE

Abstract

A method for servicing an attachment for a work vehicle. Activating a service mode that limits a rotation of a rotatable component of the attachment to a service rotation rate that rotates the rotatable component slower than an operational rotation rate when the attachment is raised to a service height. Raising the attachment to the service height. Rotating the rotatable component of the attachment at the service rotation rate to enable a service part wear inspection. Stopping the rotation to replace the service part. Lowering the attachment to an operational height. Deactivating the service mode to enable the rotatable component to rotate at the operational rotation rate.

Claims

1. A method for servicing an attachment for a work vehicle, the method comprising: activating a service mode that limits a rotation of a rotatable component of the attachment to a service rotation rate that rotates the rotatable component slower than an operational rotation rate when the attachment is raised to a service height; raising the attachment to the service height; selectively rotating the rotatable component of the attachment at the service rotation rate to enable a service part wear inspection; stopping the rotation to replace the service part; lowering the attachment to an operational height; and deactivating the service mode to enable the rotatable component to rotate at the operational rotation rate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a cold planer, the rotatable component comprises a drum, and the service part comprises a pick coupled to the drum.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a brush cutter, the rotatable component comprises a blade shaft, and the service part comprises a blade coupled to the blade shaft.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotatable component is rotated in a pulsing movement.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the service height is set by an operator interface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing when the attachment is raised to the service height.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the service height.

8. A work vehicle comprising: a frame supported by a plurality of ground-engaging units, the ground-engaging units configured to support the frame on a surface; a boom assembly coupled to the frame, the boom assembly comprising a pair of boom arms pivotally coupled to the frame and movable relative to the frame by a pair of boom actuators; an attachment coupler coupled to the pair of boom arms, the attachment coupler movable relative to the frame by a pair of attachment actuators; an attachment coupled to the attachment coupler, the attachment comprising a rotatable component; a sensor positioned to measure when the attachment is raised from an operational height to a service height and provide a signal; and a controller communicatively coupled to pair of boom actuators, the pair of attachment actuators, and the sensor, the controller comprising a data storage device and an electronic data processor, the data storage device configured for storing instructions that are executable by the electronic data processor to cause the electronic data processor to: receive the signal, activate a service mode that limits a rotation of the rotatable component to a service rotation rate that rotates the rotatable component slower than an operational rotation rate when the attachment is raised to the service height, selectively rotate the rotatable component of the attachment to enable a service part wear inspection, stop the rotation to replace the service part, lower the attachment to the operational height, and deactivate the service mode.

9. The work vehicle of claim 8, further comprising a hydraulic circuit communicatively coupled to the controller, the hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic pump coupled to the pair of boom actuators, and the pair of attachment actuators, the hydraulic pump delivering fluid through a plurality of flow paths, the plurality of flow paths coupled to the pair of boom actuators, the pair of attachment actuators, and at least one proportional valve, the controller configured to selectively adjust the at least one proportional valve as a function of an input signal corresponding to a desired attachment configuration, the controller automatically controlling the at least one proportional valve to achieve the desired attachment configuration.

10. The work vehicle of claim 8, wherein the work vehicle comprises a skid steer, the attachment comprises a cold planer, the rotatable component comprises a drum, and the service part comprises a pick.

11. The work vehicle of claim 8, wherein the work vehicle comprises a skid steer, the attachment comprises a brush cutter, the rotatable component comprises a blade shaft, and the service part comprises a blade coupled to the blade shaft.

12. The work vehicle of claim 8, wherein the rotatable component is rotated in a pulsing movement.

13. The work vehicle of claim 8, wherein the work vehicle comprises a skid steer, the attachment comprises a mulching head, the rotatable component comprises a drum, and the service part comprises a tooth coupled to the drum.

14. A work vehicle comprising: a frame supported by a plurality of ground-engaging units, the ground-engaging units configured to support the frame on a surface; a boom assembly coupled to the frame, the boom assembly comprising a pair of boom arms pivotally coupled to the frame and movable relative to the frame by a pair of boom actuators; an attachment coupler coupled to the pair of boom arms, the attachment coupler movable relative to the frame by a pair of attachment actuators; an attachment coupled to the attachment coupler, the attachment comprising a rotatable component; a sensor positioned to measure when the attachment is raised from an operational height to a service height and provide a signal; and a controller communicatively coupled to pair of boom actuators, the pair of attachment actuators, and the sensor, the controller comprising a data storage device and an electronic data processor, the data storage device configured for storing instructions that are executable by the electronic data processor to cause the electronic data processor to: receive the signal, limit a rotation of the rotatable component to a service rotation rate that rotates the rotatable component slower than an operational rotation rate when the attachment is raised to the service height, selectively rotate the rotatable component of the attachment to enable a service part wear inspection, stop the rotation to replace the service part, and lower the attachment to the operational height.

15. The work vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a hydraulic circuit communicatively coupled to the controller, the hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic pump coupled to the pair of boom actuators, and the pair of attachment actuators, the hydraulic pump delivering fluid through a plurality of flow paths, the plurality of flow paths coupled to the pair of boom actuators, the pair of attachment actuators, and at least one proportional valve, the controller configured to selectively adjust the at least one proportional valve as a function of an input signal corresponding to a desired attachment configuration, the controller automatically controlling the at least one proportional valve to achieve the desired attachment configuration.

16. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein the attachment comprises a cold planer, the rotatable component comprises a drum, and the service part comprises a pick.

17. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein the attachment comprises a brush cutter, the rotatable component comprises a blade shaft, and the service part comprises a blade coupled to the blade shaft.

18. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein the rotatable component is rotated in a pulsing movement.

19. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein the attachment comprises a mulching head, the rotatable component comprises a drum, and the service part comprises a tooth coupled to the drum.

20. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein the service height is set by an operator interface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work vehicle including an attachment according to one embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the work vehicle of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of a work vehicle including an attachment according to another embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the work vehicle of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a work vehicle with an attachment.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for servicing an attachment for a work vehicle.

[0014] Like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout the several figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] As used herein, e.g. is utilized to non-exhaustively list examples and carries the same meaning as alternative illustrative phrases such as including, including, but not limited to, and including without limitation. Unless otherwise limited or modified, lists with elements that are separated by conjunctive terms (e.g., and) and that are also preceded by the phrase one or more of or at least one of indicate configurations or arrangements that potentially include individual elements of the list, or any combination thereof. For example, at least one of A, B, and C or one or more of A, B, and C indicates the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A and C; or A, B, and C).

[0016] Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as above, below, upward, downward, top, bottom, etc., are used descriptively for the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the teachings may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components and/or various processing steps. It should be realized that such block components may be comprised of any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.

[0017] Terms of degree, such as generally, substantially or approximately are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of a given value or orientation, for example, general tolerances or positional relationships associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a work vehicle 100, depicted as a skid steer 105 with an attachment 110 operatively coupled to the work vehicle 100 in a fore direction 115. It should be understood, however, that the work vehicle 100 could be one of many work vehicles 100, including, and without limitation, a compact track loader, a front loader, and other construction, road building, agricultural, turf, and utility work vehicles that use an attachment 110. The work vehicle 100 shown here has a frame 120 with ground-engaging units 125 configured to support the frame 120 on a surface 130. The illustrated ground-engaging units 125 comprise wheels, but other embodiments can include tracks that engage the surface 130. Work vehicles 100 include an attachment 110 to allow an operator to engage the surface 130 and cut and move material to achieve simple or complex features on the surface 130. As used herein, directions with regard to the work vehicle 100 may be referred to from the perspective of facing towards the attachment 110 from the frame 120 of the work vehicle 100.

[0019] The work vehicle 100 comprises a boom assembly 135 pivotally coupled to the frame 120. The attachment 110, or more specifically, a cold planer 140 is pivotally coupled at a forward portion of the boom assembly 135. The cold planer 140 is coupled to the boom assembly 135 through an attachment coupler 145 (FIG. 3), such as Deere and Company's Quik-Tach, which is an industry standard coupler configuration universally applicable to many Deere attachments and several after-market attachments.

[0020] The boom assembly 135 comprises of a pair of boom arms 150 pivotally coupled to the frame 120 and moveable relative to the frame 120 by a pair of boom actuators 155 (FIG. 2). The attachment coupler 145 is coupled to a distal portion of the pair of boom arms 150 and is moveable relative to the frame 120 by a pair of attachment actuators 160 (FIG. 3). For this embodiment, each of the pair of boom actuators 155 and the pair of attachment actuators 160 may be double acting hydraulic cylinders. As such, each may exert a force in the extending or retracting direction, directing pressurized hydraulic fluid into a head chamber of the cylinder to exert a force in the extending direction. Whereas, directing pressurized hydraulic fluid into a rod chamber of the hydraulic cylinder will tend to exert a force in the retracting direction. Alternatively, the pair of boom actuators 155 and the pair of attachment actuators 160 may be electric or pneumatic.

[0021] The attachment 110 may be operable to engage the ground or surface 130 and grade, cut, and/or move material to achieve simple or complex features on the surface 130. When attached to and operating with a work vehicle 100, the attachment 110 may experience movement in three directions and rotation in three directions. A direction of the grading blade attachment 110 may also be referred to with regard to a longitudinal direction 165, a latitudinal or lateral direction 170, and a vertical direction 175. Rotation for the attachment 110 may be referred to as roll 180 or the roll direction, pitch 185 or the pitch direction, and yaw 190 or the yaw direction. The attachment 110 may be hydraulically actuated to move vertically up and down (lift), roll left or right (tilt), and yaw left and right (angle) as described in further detail below.

[0022] The terms distal, proximal, left and right may be used herein to describe certain features of the attachment 110. The terms distal and proximal are used in relation to the point of view of an operator located on or within the work vehicle 100. For example, a proximal end of the attachment 110 may be the end closest to the operator and the work vehicle 100. A distal end of the attachment 110 may be the end furthest from the operator and the work vehicle 100.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the attachment 110 comprises a rotatable component 195 that may extend transversely to a length 200 of the work vehicle 100. A plurality of service parts 205 are coupled to the rotatable component 195. The cold planer 140 comprises a drum 210 as the rotatable component 195 and a plurality of picks 215 as the service part 205.

[0024] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the attachment 110 is depicted as a mulcher or mulch head 220. The mulch head 220 comprises the drum 210 and a plurality of teeth or a tooth 225 as the service part 205.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, the attachment 110 may also be a brush cutter 230. The brush cutter 230 comprises a blade shaft 235 as the rotatable component 195 and a blade 240 as the service part 205.

[0026] A sensor 245 may be positioned to measure when the attachment 110 is raised from an operational height 250 (FIGS. 1 and 3) to a service height 255 (FIGS. 2 and 4) and provide a signal 260 (FIG. 5). The service height 255 may be set by an operator using an operator interface 265 that may be positioned in a cab 270 coupled to the frame 120 of the work vehicle 100 or positioned remotely and communicating over a network 275.

[0027] A controller 280 is communicatively coupled to pair of boom actuators 155, the pair of attachment actuators 160, and the sensor 245. The controller 280 comprises a data storage device 285 and an electronic data processor 290. The data storage device 285 is configured for storing instructions that are executable by the electronic data processor 290 to cause the electronic data processor 290 to receive the signal 260, activate a service mode 295 that limits a rotation of the rotatable component 195 to a service rotation rate 300 that rotates the rotatable component 195 slower than an operational rotation rate 305 when the attachment 110 is raised to the service height 255, selectively rotate the rotatable component 195 of the attachment 110 to enable a service part 205 wear inspection, stop the rotation to replace the service part 205, lower the attachment 110 to the operational height 250, and deactivate the service mode 295.

[0028] As used herein, controller is intended to be used consistent with how the term is used by a person of skill in the art, and refers to a computing component with processing, memory, and communication capabilities, which is utilized to execute instructions (i.e., stored on the memory or received via the communication capabilities) to control or communicate with one or more other components. In certain embodiments, the controller may be configured to receive input signals in various formats (e.g., hydraulic signals, voltage signals, current signals, CAN messages, optical signals, radio signals), and to output command or communication signals in various formats (e.g., hydraulic signals, voltage signals, current signals, CAN messages, optical signals, radio signals).

[0029] The controller 280 may be in communication with other components on the work vehicle 100, such as hydraulic components, electrical components, and operator inputs within an operator station or cab 270 of an associated work vehicle 100. The controller 280 may be electrically connected to these other components by a wiring harness such that messages, commands, and electrical power may be transmitted between the controller and the other components. Although the controller 280 is referenced in the singular, in alternative embodiments the configuration and functionality described herein can be split across multiple devices using techniques known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The controller 280 includes the tangible, non-transitory memory on which are recorded computer-executable instructions.

[0030] The controller 280 may be embodied as one or multiple digital computers or host machines each having one or more electronic data processors 290, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically-programmable read only memory (EPROM), optical drives, magnetic drives, etc., a high-speed clock, analog-to-digital (A/D) circuitry, digital-to-analog (D/A) circuitry, and any required input/output (I/O) circuitry, I/O devices, and communication interfaces, as well as signal conditioning and buffer electronics.

[0031] The attachment 110 is hydraulically coupled to the work vehicle 100 through hoses that couple to an auxiliary hydraulic port on the work vehicle 100. A hydraulic circuit 310 is communicatively coupled to the controller 280. The hydraulic circuit 310 includes a hydraulic pump 315 coupled to the pair of boom actuators 155, and the pair of attachment actuators 160 by way of a plurality of flow paths 320. The hydraulic pump 315 delivers fluid through the plurality of flow paths 320. The plurality of flow paths 320 are coupled to the pair of boom actuators 155, the pair of attachment actuators 160, and at least one proportional valve 325. The controller 280 is configured to selectively adjust the at least one proportional valve 325 as a function of an input signal corresponding to a desired attachment 110 configuration. The controller 280 automatically controls the at least one proportional valve 325 to achieve the desired attachment 110 configuration.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 6, a method for servicing an attachment for a work vehicle is disclosed. In step 400, a service mode is activated that limits a rotation of a rotatable component of the attachment to a service rotation rate that rotates the rotatable component slower than an operational rotation rate when the attachment is raised to a service height. The service height may be set by an operator. The rotatable component may be rotated in a pulsing movement. In step 405 the attachment is raised to the service height, which may be sensed. In step 410 the rotatable component of the attachment is selectively rotated at the service rotation rate to enable a service part wear inspection. In step 415 the rotation is stopped to replace the part. In step 420 the attachment is lowered to an operational height. In step 425 the service mode is deactivated to enable the rotatable component to rotate at the operational rotation rate.

[0033] While the above describes example embodiments of the present disclosure, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.