Trench measurement system

A trench measuring system for measuring a trench depth, the trench measuring system comprising:

• a work machine, the work machine including a boom;
• an on-board controller on the work machine;
• a display panel;
• a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly including a plurality of sensors mounted on the work machine;
• a range finder system, the range finder system being mounted on a boom at a boom position, the range finder system further including a plurality of rangefinders, each rangefinder including a beam device configured to determine a distance of a plurality of rays from the beam device to a trench floor;
• and
• the on-board controller configured to calculate the trench depth from data received by the plurality of rays, attributes of the work machine, the sensor assembly, and the boom position on a working mechanism;
• wherein the on-board controller is configured to (i) detect whether at least one of the plurality of rangefinders is out of range;
• and upon detecting at least one of the plurality of rangefinders is out of range, (ii) signal to the display panel that the at least one of the plurality of rangefinders is out of range, and (iii) set the at least one of the plurality of rangefinders in a pre-set position such that the at least one of the plurality of rangefinders are in range.

A method for measuring a trench depth, comprising:

• providing a work machine having a frame, a ground engaging element supporting the frame for movement, an engine mounted on the frame, a display panel, a working mechanism extending from the frame comprising a boom, an arm, and a work implement;
• providing a plurality of rangefinders mounted on the boom of the work machine;
• directing rays from the plurality of rangefinders towards a trench floor;
• and
• calculating the trench depth based on the rays and a position of the boom with an on-board controller, wherein the on-board controller is configured to (i) detect whether at least one of the plurality of rangefinders is out of range;
• and upon detecting at least one of the plurality of rangefinders is out of range, (ii) signal to the display panel that the at least one of the plurality of rangefinders is out of range, and (iii) set the at least one of the plurality of rangefinders in a pre-set position such that the at least one of the plurality of rangefinders are in range.