Loading machine and vehicle management device

Abstract

The loading machine comprises a vehicle body, a working device attached to the vehicle body, a communication device that communicates directly or via a vehicle management device with a hauling vehicle, and a controller that determines the completion of loading of transported materials onto the hauling vehicle and outputs a start command to the hauling vehicle via the communication device. In the loading machine, the controller estimates the necessary start preparation time from when the hauling vehicle begins start preparation to when it becomes ready to start, based on model data that includes information indicating characteristics related to the hauling operation of the hauling vehicle. Then, based on the operational status data of the loading machine, the controller estimates the remaining loading time required from the current time until the completion of loading onto the hauling vehicle, calculates the difference time between the remaining loading time and the necessary start preparation time, and outputs a start preparation command to the hauling vehicle via the communication device when the difference time falls below a preset set value. This allows the hauling vehicle to be promptly started after the completion of the loading operation, thereby improving productivity at the site.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.