# US 8,770,668 B2 · System and method for exchanging a milling drum assembly

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- Number: US 8,770,668 B2
- Document ID: US8770668B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/957,119
- Filed: 2010-11-30
- Published: 2012-05-31
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-30
- Applicants: David R. Hall; Jeff Jepson; Thomas Morris; David Wahlquist; Daniel Balling
- Inventors: David R. Hall; Jeff Jepson; Thomas Morris; David Wahlquist; Daniel Balling
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770668B2

## CPC

- E01C 23/088: Rotary tools, e.g. milling drums {(for forming recesses to receive marking materials E01C23/0946)}
- Y10T 29/49815: Disassembling
- Y10T 29/49817: with other than ancillary treating or assembling
- Y10T 29/53: Means to assemble or disassemble
- E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, a system for exchanging a milling chamber comprises a vehicle comprising a milling chamber supported by the underside of the vehicle. The underside comprises a track that interfaces with a guide of the milling chamber. The track and guide are configured to accommodate lateral movement of the milling chamber with respect to a length of the vehicle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for exchanging a milling chamber, comprising:
a vehicle comprising a milling chamber supported by an underside of the vehicle;
the underside comprising a track that interfaces with a guide of the milling chamber;
wherein the track and guide are configured to accommodate lateral movement of the milling chamber with respect to a length of the vehicle; and
wherein the guide is configured to hang off the track.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a milling machine.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the milling chamber comprises a rotary drum assembly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the track comprises at least one roller configured to move the milling chamber.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the roller is in mechanical communication with a rotor of a motor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the milling chamber comprises a moldboard aligned concentrically with a rotary drum assembly.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the milling chamber comprises a water jet manifold attached to an end of the moldboard.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises a structure configured to stop a lateral movement of the milling chamber as the milling chamber approaches an end of the guide.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a winch assembly configured to pull the milling chamber laterally.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein a pulley is configured to guide a cable of the winch assembly when pulling the milling chamber.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the underside of the vehicle is located on a trailer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a truck.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a hydraulic ram configured to push the milling chamber.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the track and guide interface through a rack and pinion arrangement.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a second track is linked to a first track by a cross arm attached to the milling machine.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the underside comprises a mechanism configured to distribute a weight of the milling chamber off of the guide.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the milling chamber is configured to rotate such that a width of the milling chamber is aligned with the length of the vehicle.

### Claim 18

A method of replacing a rotary drum assembly on a milling machine, comprising the steps of:
providing a milling machine comprising a rotary drum assembly supported by an underside of the machine;
providing a separate vehicle configured to carry a plurality of rotary drum assemblies;
aligning the milling machine with the separate vehicle; and
exchanging at least one rotary drum assembly between the milling machine and the separate vehicle with a sliding mechanism.

### Claim 19

A system for exchanging a rotary drum assembly, comprising:
a vehicle comprising a rotary drum assembly supported by an underside of the vehicle;
the underside comprising a track that interfaces with a guide of the rotary drum;
wherein the track and guide are configured to accommodate lateral movement of the rotary drum assembly with respect to a length of the vehicle; and
wherein the guide is configured to hang off the track.