Abstract: A mixer vehicle system includes a mixer vehicle and an autonomous control system. The mixer vehicle includes a chassis and a vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a plurality of subcomponents including a cabin, a mixing drum, a charge hopper, and a chute. The autonomous control system is configured to automate an operation of the mixer vehicle. The autonomous control system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect an event and generate a signal. The controller is configured to receive the signal and generate an output. The output includes the operation of the mixer vehicle. The operation of the mixer vehicle includes at least one of: (i) moving at least one of the plurality of subcomponents to a desired position; (ii) activating or deactivating at least one mode of operation; and (iii) providing an alert to an operator of the mixer vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor of a portable user device, cause the processor to acquire data from a reader of the portable user device regarding an identifier on a machine, perform a verification process to verify that a user of the portable user device has access to the machine based on the identifier, wirelessly connect the portable user device to the machine in response to the user being verified to access the machine, display a control interface for the machine on a user interface of the portable user device, receive a user input through the control interface regarding operation of a controllable component of the machine, and provide a command to the machine based on the user input to facilitate remote operation of the controllable component of the machine.

Abstract: A concrete mixer vehicle includes a chassis, a mixing drum assembly, and a controller. The mixing drum assembly includes a mixing drum, a mixing element, a collector, and a chute. The mixing drum defines an aperture and a volume. The mixing element is positioned within the volume and is coupled to the mixing drum. The controller is configured to determine a state of the concrete mixer vehicle, determine a state of a mixture delivery system of a batch plant, obtain and apply a setpoint value to an actuator of the concrete mixer vehicle or the mixture delivery system, and activate the mixture delivery system to output material through the outlet of the mixture delivery system such that the material is deposited directly into the volume of the mixing drum to thereby directly charge the concrete mixer vehicle with material.

Abstract: A system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor of a portable user device, cause the processor to acquire data from a reader of the portable user device regarding an identifier on a machine, perform a verification process to verify that a user of the portable user device has access to the machine based on the identifier, wirelessly connect the portable user device to the machine in response to the user being verified to access the machine, display a control interface for the machine on a user interface of the portable user device, receive a user input through the control interface regarding operation of a controllable component of the machine, and provide a command to the machine based on the user input to facilitate remote operation of the controllable component of the machine.

Abstract: A concrete mixer vehicle includes a mixer drum assembly, an energy storage device, an internal combustion engine, an auxiliary power unit, and an energy management controller. The internal combustion engine is configured to supply power to the mixer drum assembly. The auxiliary power unit is configured to supply power from the energy storage device to the mixer drum assembly. The energy management controller is configured to engage the APU and disengage the ICE based on a state of charge of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor of a portable user device, cause the processor to wirelessly connect to a machine via a wireless transceiver of the portable user device, display a control interface for the machine on a user interface of the portable user device, receive a user input through the control interface regarding operation of a controllable component of the machine, and provide a command to the machine via the wireless transceiver based on the user input to facilitate remote operation of the controllable component of the machine.

Abstract: A concrete mixer vehicle includes a chassis, a cab, a mixer drum assembly coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly, and an assist assembly. The chassis includes a front end and a rear end. The ladder assembly includes an upper ladder portion and a lower ladder portion. The upper ladder portion is fixed in position relative to the chassis. The lower ladder portion is pivotally coupled to the upper ladder portion and selectively repositionable between (a) a stowed position in which the lower ladder portion is disposed along the upper ladder portion and (b) a lowered position in which the lower ladder portion extends away from the upper ladder portion. The assist assembly is coupled to the upper ladder portion and the lower ladder portion. The assist assembly configured to resist the rotation of the lower ladder portion as it transitions from the stowed position to the lowered position.

Abstract: A mixer vehicle system includes a mixer vehicle and an autonomous control system. The mixer vehicle includes a chassis and a vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a plurality of subcomponents including a cabin, a mixing drum, a charge hopper, and a chute. The autonomous control system is configured to automate an operation of the mixer vehicle. The autonomous control system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect an event and generate a signal. The controller is configured to receive the signal and generate an output. The output includes the operation of the mixer vehicle. The operation of the mixer vehicle includes at least one of: (i) moving at least one of the plurality of subcomponents to a desired position; (ii) activating or deactivating at least one mode of operation; and (iii) providing an alert to an operator of the mixer vehicle.

Abstract: A mixer vehicle system includes a mixer vehicle and a remote management system. The mixer vehicle includes a chassis and a vehicle body. The vehicle body comprises a plurality of subcomponents. The plurality of subcomponents includes a cabin, a mixing drum, a charge hopper, and a chute. The mixing drum is movable relative to the chassis to agitate a mixture. The charge hopper is movable relative to an aperture of the mixing drum. The chute is pivotally coupled to the mixer vehicle. The remote management system is configured to monitor and adjust a property of the mixture. The remote management system includes a sensor and a device. The sensor is configured to detect information corresponding to the property of the mixture and generate an input signal. The device is configured to recover a signal from the remote quality management system and cause at least one mixture property to change.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric energy system, a drum configured to mix drum contents received therein, and a drum drive system coupled to the drum and the engine. The drum drive system includes a primary pump, an electric motor powered by the electric energy system, an auxiliary pump fluidly coupled to the mechanical pump and powered by the electric motor, and a drum motor fluidly coupled to the primary pump and the auxiliary pump and positioned to drive the drum to agitate the drum contents.

Abstract: A system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor of a portable user device, cause the processor to wirelessly connect to a machine via a wireless transceiver of the portable user device, display a control interface for the machine on a user interface of the portable user device, receive a user input through the control interface regarding operation of a controllable component of the machine, and provide a command to the machine via the wireless transceiver based on the user input to facilitate remote operation of the controllable component of the machine.

Abstract: A mixing drum includes a body defining a head aperture and a discharge aperture opposite the head aperture, a head coupled to the body and extending across the head aperture, and a mixing element positioned within the volume and coupled to the body. The head and the body define a volume. The body is formed from at least a first section and a second section. The first section overlaps the second section.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a vehicle controller and a portable user device. The vehicle controller is configured to control operation of a vehicle component of a vehicle. The portable user device is configured to wirelessly connect to the vehicle controller and facilitate providing a command to the vehicle controller regarding operation of the vehicle component from an exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mixing drum includes a body defining a head aperture and a discharge aperture opposite the head aperture, a head coupled to the body and extending across the head aperture, a bearing member coupled to the body and defining a bearing surface surrounding the body, and a mixing element positioned within the volume and coupled to the body. The head and the body define a volume configured to contain a fluid mixture. The mixing element is configured to drive the fluid mixture toward the head when the drum is rotated in a first direction. The mixing element is configured to drive the fluid mixture towards the discharge aperture when the mixing drum is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction. The head is made from a first material, and the body is made from a second material having a lesser density than the first material.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a vehicle controller and a portable user device. The vehicle controller is configured to control operation of a vehicle component of a vehicle. The portable user device is configured to wirelessly connect to the vehicle controller and facilitate providing a command to the vehicle controller regarding operation of the vehicle component from an exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mixing drum includes a body defining a head aperture and a discharge aperture opposite the head aperture, a head coupled to the body and extending across the head aperture, a bearing member coupled to the body and defining a bearing surface surrounding the body, and a mixing element positioned within the volume and coupled to the body. The head and the body define a volume configured to contain a fluid mixture. The mixing element is configured to drive the fluid mixture toward the head when the drum is rotated in a first direction. The mixing element is configured to drive the fluid mixture towards the discharge aperture when the mixing drum is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction. The head is made from a first material, and the body is made from a second material having a lesser density than the first material.