Abstract: A control system for a drilling machine includes a vertically movable and rotatable drill string having a drill bit at a distal end, a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the drill string to provide a motive force for the vertical movement of the drill string, the hydraulic cylinder having an extend chamber and a retract chamber, a counterbalance valve selectively opening to fluidly couple the retract chamber to a drain, and a holdback valve selectively controlled to adjust the opening of the counterbalance valve based on a weight of the drill string.

Abstract: A drilling machine includes a mast, a rotary head movably coupled to the mast, a drill string component having a pair of opposed flat surfaces, and a securing structure including engagement surfaces shaped to engage the opposed flat surfaces and secure the drill string component from rotating. The drilling machine also includes a controller configured to track a rotational location of the flat surfaces of the drill string component during rotation of the drill string component. The controller is further configured to receive tracking information from a sensor associated with the rotary head and control the rotary head to align the opposed flat surfaces for engagement by the securing structure.

Abstract: A milling depth compensation system for milling rock determines a target position of a machine, an initial position of the work surface, and a target pose of the machine based on the target position of the machine and the initial position of the work surface. An actual pose of the machine is determined and differences between the actual pose and the target pose are used to determine a dynamic milling path of a milling tool. The dynamic milling path includes movement of the milling tool along a first path, a second path, and a third path. Command signals are generated to move the milling tool along the dynamic milling path.

Abstract: A control method and system for avoiding collisions between components of a machine includes a controller that receives position signals from sensors associated with movable components of the machine. The controller determines the positional coordinate representations of the components within a coordinate system based upon the position signals and the outer dimensions of the respective components. If any of the components are within preset collision slowdown or shutdown zones within the coordinate system, then the speed of those components is restricted or the components are shutdown, respectively, in the direction of collision.

Abstract: A machine for cutting material includes an undercarriage including propulsion device for propelling the machine and a cutter head disposed on a tool support and positioning assembly movably supported by the undercarriage to remove material from a cutting surface. The machine further includes a plurality of ground-engaging devices connected to the undercarriage that can be simultaneously raised and lowered with respect to a ground floor. Examples of ground-engaging devices include stabilizers for stabilizing the machine when milling or cutting material and a load shield that prevents material from scattering underneath the machine.

Abstract: A machine includes an undercarriage having propulsions devices such as continuous tracks and a cutter head disposed on a cutter boom that is slidably supported over the undercarriage. During operation, the cutter head is positioned proximate to the cutting surface and may be maneuvered through a predetermined set of operations to make a plurality of horizontal or vertical cuts while feeding the cutter head into the surface. Once the cutter boom is fully extended, the machine must be trammed to a new position using the continuous tracks to conduct the next predetermined set of operations. The machine may be configured to retract the cutter boom prior to tramming the machine to avoid damage to the cutter boom and/or cutting surface.

Abstract: A milling depth compensation system for milling rock determines a target position of a machine, an initial position of the work surface, and a target pose of the machine based on the target position of the machine and the initial position of the work surface. An actual pose of the machine is determined and differences between the actual pose and the target pose are used to determine a dynamic milling path of a milling tool. The dynamic milling path includes movement of the milling tool along a first path, a second path, and a third path. Command signals are generated to move the milling tool along the dynamic milling path.