Suspension System and Control Method for Track-Propelled Machines

A suspension system for a tracked vehicle having four tracks, the system comprising:

• a left front cylinder, a left rear cylinder, a right front cylinder and a right rear cylinder, each of said cylinders including a head end and a rod end,
• a left front bypass valve, a left rear bypass valve, a right front bypass valve, a right rear bypass valve and a front central bypass valve,
• the left front bypass valve in communication with the head end of the left front cylinder and the left rear bypass valve, the left rear bypass valve in communication with the head end of the left rear cylinder and the left front bypass valve, the right front bypass valve in communication with the head end of the right front cylinder and the right rear bypass valve, the right rear bypass valve in communication with the head end of the right rear cylinder and the right front bypass valve,
• the front central bypass valve in communication with the rod end of the left front cylinder and the rod end of the right front cylinder,
• the rod end of the left rear cylinder in communication with the rod end of the right rear cylinder,
• the rear central control valve is in communication with rod ends of the left and right rear cylinders and the left and right rear bypass valves,
• wherein at least the left front bypass valve, the right front bypass valve, the left rear bypass valve, the right rear bypass valve and the front central bypass valve being linked to a controller,
• wherein, when the controller sends signals to open the left and right front bypass valves, the left and right rear bypass valves and the front central bypass valve, communication is established between
• the head ends of the left front cylinder and the left rear cylinder through the left front bypass valve and the left rear bypass valve,
• the head ends of the right front cylinder and the right rear cylinder through the right front bypass valve and the right rear bypass valve, and
• the rod ends of the left front cylinder and the right front cylinder through the front central bypass valve.

A method for suspending a cold planer having at least four tracks while roading the cold planer, the cold planer including a left front cylinder, a left rear cylinder, a right front cylinder and a right rear cylinder, each of said cylinders including a head end and a rod end, the cold planer further including a left front bypass valve, a left rear bypass valve, a right front bypass valve, a right rear bypass valve and a front central bypass valve, the left front bypass valve in communication with the head end of the left front cylinder and the left rear bypass valve, the left rear bypass valve in communication with the head end of the left rear cylinder and the left front bypass valve, the right front bypass valve in communication with the head end of the right front cylinder and the right rear bypass valve, the right rear bypass valve in communication with the head end of the right rear cylinder and the right front bypass valve, the front central bypass valve in communication with the rod end of the left front cylinder and the rod end of the right front cylinder, the rod end of the left rear cylinder in communication with the rod end of the right rear cylinder, the method comprising:

• opening the left and right front bypass valves, the left and right rear bypass valves and the front central bypass valve to establish communication between
• the head ends of the left front cylinder and the left rear cylinder through the left front bypass valve and the left rear bypass valve,
• the head ends of the right front cylinder and the right rear cylinder through the right front bypass valve and the right rear bypass valve, and
• the rod ends of the left front cylinder and the right front cylinder through the front central bypass valve.