Work machines including automatic grading features and functions
AssigneeABI Attachments, Inc.
InventorsKevin V. Keigley, Nathaniel Lee Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A work machine includes a first actuator operatively coupled with a first suspension element and a second actuator operatively coupled with a second suspension element. A grading tool assembly is operatively coupled with the first suspension element and the second suspension element. A receiver is operatively coupled with the chassis and configured and operable to detect a wireless signal. An electronic controller is in operative communication with the receiver, the first actuator, and the second actuator and is configured and operable to control the first actuator and the second actuator in response to a wireless signal detected by the receiver.
Claims20
A work machine comprising:
- a chassis extending along a width in an X-axis direction, a length in a Y-axis direction, and a height in a Z-axis direction;
- a plurality of ground contacting members rotatably coupled with the chassis;
- a first actuator operatively coupled with a first suspension element and the chassis;
- a second actuator operatively coupled with a second suspension element and the chassis;
- a grading tool assembly coupled with the first suspension element and the second suspension element and extending in the X-axis direction between a first side and a second side;
- a receiver operatively coupled with the chassis and configured and operable to detect a wireless signal;
- and
- an electronic controller in operative communication with the receiver, the first actuator, and the second actuator, the electronic controller being configured and operable to control the first actuator and the second actuator in response to a wireless signal detected by the receiver to adjust the first suspension element, the second suspension element, and the grading tool assembly to a first state of adjustment wherein the first suspension element biases the first side of the grading tool assembly to a first Z-axis position and the second suspension element biases the second side of the grading tool assembly to the first Z-axis position, and to a second state of adjustment wherein the first suspension element biases the first side of the grading tool assembly to the first Z-axis position and the second suspension element biases the second side of the grading tool assembly to a second Z-axis position offset from the first Z-axis position in the Z-axis direction.
An apparatus comprising:
- a work machine extending along a width in an X-axis direction, a length in a Y-axis direction, and a height in a Z-axis direction and comprising
- a plurality of rotatable ground contacting members supporting the work machine on an underlying ground surface;
- a first actuator operatively coupled with a first suspension element, the first suspension element being compressible in at least the Z-axis direction;
- a second actuator operatively coupled with a second suspension element the first suspension element being compressible in at least the Z-axis direction;
- a tool mount coupled with the first suspension element and the second suspension element and extending in the X-axis direction between a first side and a second side;
- a wireless receiver configured and operable to receive a wireless signal;
- and
- an electronic controller in operative communication with the receiver, the first actuator, and the second actuator, the electronic controller being configured and operable to control the first actuator and the second actuator in response to positional information of the wireless signal received by the receiver to position the first suspension element, the second suspension element, and the tool mount in a plurality of positions including a first position with a first side-to-side tilt of the of the tool mount and a second position with a second side-to-side tilt of the of the tool mount, the first suspension element and the second suspension element being compressible independently from one another in the first position and the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.