Milling machine having a fluid flow based height measurement system

A milling machine, comprising:

• a frame;
• a left front track disposed adjacent a front end of the frame;
• a right front track disposed adjacent the front end and spaced apart from the left front track;
• at least one rear track disposed adjacent a rear end of the frame;
• a left front actuator connecting the frame and the left front track;
• a right front actuator connecting the frame and the right front track;
• a rear actuator connecting the frame and the at least one rear track, each of the left front actuator, the right front actuator, and the rear actuator being configured to selectively adjust a height of the frame relative to the left front track, the right front track, and the at least one rear track, respectively;
• a milling drum connected to the frame and disposed between the front end and the rear end;
• an engine configured to rotate the milling drum and propel the left front track, the right front track, and the at least one rear track in a forward or rearward direction;
• at least one flow sensor configured to determine a flow parameter associated with a flow of hydraulic fluid into or out of at least one of the left front actuator, the right front actuator, and the rear actuator, the at least one flow sensor including:
• a cylinder containing the hydraulic fluid;
• a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder and configured to divide the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber;
• and
• a sensor configured to measure a distance between the piston and one end of the cylinder;
• and
• a controller configured to determine a height of frame relative to at least one of the left front track, the right front track and the at least one rear track based on the flow parameter.