Apparatus and method for improving the control of a concrete screed head assembly

A soft landing control system for a screeding machine for smoothing and screeding a concrete surface, said screeding machine including a screed head assembly having a grade setting device and a vibrating member, said screeding machine including a screed head support for supporting said screed head assembly, said soft landing control system comprising:

• a control operable to adjust the level of said vibrating member relative to said grade setting device, said control being operable to automatically lower said vibrating member toward and into engagement with the concrete surface after said grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade level, said control being operable to automatically lower said vibrating member into engagement with the concrete surface in response to an activating event, said activating event comprising a detection of uncured concrete at or near said vibrating member, wherein said control receives an input from a vibration sensing device operable to sense the vibration at one of the concrete surface and said vibrating member, said control lowering said vibrating member in response to said control determining that the sensed vibration is indicative of vibration at uncured and not previously screeded concrete.

A soft landing control system for a screeding machine for smoothing and screeding a concrete surface, said screeding machine including a screed head assembly having a grade setting device and a vibrating member said screeding machine including a screed head support for supporting said screed head assembly, said soft landing control system comprising:

• a control operable to adjust the level of said vibrating member relative to said grade setting device, said control being operable to automatically lower said vibrating member toward and into engagement with the concrete surface after said grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade level, said control being operable to automatically lower said vibrating member into engagement with the concrete surface in response to an activating event, said activating event comprising a detection of uncured concrete at or near said vibrating member, wherein said control receives an input from a vertically movable sensing device, wherein movement of said vertically movable sensing device is affected by the type of concrete or degree of cure of the concrete at which said sensing device is positioned, said control lowering said vibrating member in response to said input being indicative of said sensing device engaging uncured and not previously screeded concrete.

A soft landing control system for a screeding machine for smoothing and screeding a concrete surface, said screeding machine including a screed head assembly having a grade setting device and a vibrating member, said screeding machine including a screed head support for supporting said screed head assembly, said soft landing control system comprising:

• a control operable to adjust the level of said vibrating member relative to said grade setting device, said control being operable to automatically lower said vibrating member toward and into engagement with the concrete surface after said grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade level, said control being operable to automatically lower said vibrating member into engagement with the concrete surface in response to an activating event, said activating event comprising a detection of uncured concrete at or near said vibrating member, wherein said control receives an input from a switch positioned in front of said grade setting device, wherein said switch communicates an input signal to said control when said switch contacts excess uncured concrete in front of said grade setting device.

A soft landing control system for a screeding machine for smoothing and screeding a concrete surface, said screeding machine including a screed head assembly having a grade setting device and a vibrating member, said screeding machine including a screed head support for supporting said screed head assembly, said soft landing control system comprising:

• a control operable to adjust the level of said vibrating member relative to said grade setting device to engage the vibrating member with the concrete surface at an onset or a screeding pass, said control being operable to position said vibrating member at an initial location that is generally at or near the onset of the screeding pass and above and offset from the concrete surface and from a desired grade level, said control being operable to automatically lower said vibrating member toward and into engagement with the concrete surface after said grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade level, said control being operable to automatically lower said vibrating member into engagement with the concrete surface in response to an activating event, wherein said activating event comprises a detection of said screed head assembly being at a predetermined height that is indicative of said grade setting device being at a predetermined distance above the desired grade level.