Abstract: A system and method for operating a cold planer includes a method for operating a cold planer. In a method, a signal indicative of an operating state is used to determine an operating condition, which is a basis for deciding which spray banks from a plurality of spray banks should be activated. Thereafter, a water flow required to operate the spray banks is estimated and a pump command signal is determined. The pump is operated and a water pressure in a main manifold is monitored such that the pump is controlled using a closed-loop control scheme that receives the water pressure as feedback to maintain a desired water pressure within the main manifold.

Abstract: A method of protecting a drive train from sudden shocks in a machine having a rotatably-mounted implement selectively couplable to a driver by the drive train includes sensing the movement of teeth of an annular toothed surface of the input pulley to monitor the rotational speed of the input pulley, and disengaging the clutch if a programmable controller identifies at least one of a rapid deceleration of a speed of the input pulley, and a difference between the speed of the input pulley, and a calculated speed provided to the input pulley by the input belt from the driver.

Abstract: A drive train protection system includes an input pulley providing rotary movement to an implement drive gearbox, at least one sensor, and at least one clutch selectively engagable to provide rotary movement to the input pulley from the driver. The sensor is disposed to sense the rotation of an annular toothed surface of the input pulley to monitor input pulley speed and provide a signal indicative of the speed. The clutch is disengagable to disengage the input pulley from the driver in response to the signal indicative of the speed of the input pulley.

Abstract: A cold planer is disclosed herein. The cold planer includes a frame, a platform, an operator station, a ladder, a platform and stair illumination device, an operator-station illumination device, a forward keypad, a rearward keypad, a timer, and a controller. The platform and stair illumination device illuminates the platform and the ladder. The operator-station illumination device illuminates the operator station. The forward keypad includes first control buttons, which generates a first signal, upon actuation. The rearward keypad includes second control buttons, which generates a second signal, upon actuation. The controller is adapted to receive the first signal and second signal, correspondingly activate the platform and stair illumination device and the operator-station illumination device, set the timer to a predetermined period of time and deactivate the stair illumination device and the operator station illumination device when the predetermined period of time elapses.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a cold planer includes a method for operating a cold planer. In a method, a signal indicative of an operating state is used to determine an operating condition, which is a basis for deciding which spray banks from a plurality of spray banks should be activated. Thereafter, a water flow required to operate the spray banks is estimated and a pump command signal is determined. The pump is operated and a water pressure in a main manifold is monitored such that the pump is controlled using a closed-loop control scheme that receives the water pressure as feedback to maintain a desired water pressure within the main manifold.

Abstract: A method for leveling of a machine on a surface, and a machine for the same, is disclosed. The method may comprise equalizing the legs of the machine prior to extending or retracting the legs of the machine to raise or lower the machine during non-milling operational status. The method may also comprise extending or retracting the legs during milling operational status while maintaining the relative lengths of each leg.

Abstract: A hydraulic system having an actuator having a piston and associated rod forming head and rod chambers and being adapted to move between retracted and extended positions within a cylinder, and first and second sources of fluid. A first pump provides fluid from the first source to the head chamber at a first pressure. At least one valve provides fluid from the second source at a second pressure to supplement fluid provided to the head chamber from the first pump when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: A milling machine is provided including: a frame; a plurality of ground engaging units; a plurality of vertically adjustable legs, the plurality of vertically adjustable legs comprising a front leg and a rear leg; a rotatable mill configured to mill a surface; a user interface configured to receive a milling grade depth and a cut-transition factor; a speed sensor configured to provide a ground speed of the milling machine; a vertical position sensor; and a controller coupled to the speed sensor, the vertical position sensor, and the user interface, the controller configured to lower a height of the rotatable mill to the milling grade depth by incrementally adjusting a length of at least one of the plurality of vertically adjustable legs according to the cut-transition factor, the speed sensor, and the vertical position sensor.

Abstract: A control module for a milling rotor of a machine is provided. The control module comprises a processor and a controller. The processor is configured to receive a first signal, indicative of a direction of motion of the machine, a second signal, indicative of a relative height of a pair of side plates with respect to the milling rotor, and a third signal, indicative of a relative height of a moldboard with respect to the milling rotor. The processor processes the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal to generate a control signal. The controller is configured to receive the control signal from the processor and selectively disengage the milling rotor of the machine based on the control signal.

Abstract: A method for leveling of a machine on a surface, and a machine for the same, is disclosed. The method may comprise equalizing the legs of the machine prior to extending or retracting the legs of the machine to raise or lower the machine during non-milling operational status. The method may also comprise extending or retracting the legs during milling operational status while maintaining the relative lengths of each leg.

Abstract: A method for leveling of a machine on a surface, and a machine for the same, is disclosed. The method may comprise equalizing the legs of the machine prior to extending or retracting the legs of the machine to raise or lower the machine during non-milling operational status. The method may also comprise extending or retracting the legs during milling operational status while maintaining the relative lengths of each leg.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a machine substantially level with a first surface is disclosed. The method may comprise determining an electronic travel path between a first point and a second point on a second surface, the second surface created by a tool removing a section of the first surface, and adjusting the length of the rear leg to maintain the frame substantially level to the first surface as the rear leg moves along the travel path from the first point to the second point in a forward direction. A machine for planing a road is disclosed that maintains a parallel orientation with the road during operation.

Abstract: A control module for a milling rotor of a machine is provided. The control module comprises a processor and a controller. The processor is configured to receive a first signal, indicative of a direction of motion of the machine, a second signal, indicative of a relative height of a pair of side plates with respect to the milling rotor, and a third signal, indicative of a relative height of a moldboard with respect to the milling rotor. The processor processes the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal to generate a control signal. The controller is configured to receive the control signal from the processor and selectively disengage the milling rotor of the machine based on the control signal.

Abstract: A milling machine is provided including: a frame; a plurality of ground engaging units; a plurality of vertically adjustable legs, the plurality of vertically adjustable legs comprising a front leg and a rear leg; a rotatable mill configured to mill a surface; a user interface configured to receive a milling grade depth and a cut-transition factor; a speed sensor configured to provide a ground speed of the milling machine; a vertical position sensor; and a controller coupled to the speed sensor, the vertical position sensor, and the user interface, the controller configured to lower a height of the rotatable mill to the milling grade depth by incrementally adjusting a length of at least one of the plurality of vertically adjustable legs according to the cut-transition factor, the speed sensor, and the vertical position sensor.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a machine substantially level with a first surface is disclosed. The method may comprise determining an electronic travel path between a first point and a second point on a second surface, the second surface created by a tool removing a section of the first surface, and adjusting the length of the rear leg to maintain the frame substantially level to the first surface as the rear leg moves along the travel path from the first point to the second point in a forward direction. A machine for planing a road is disclosed that maintains a parallel orientation with the road during operation.

Abstract: A method for leveling of a machine on a surface, and a machine for the same, is disclosed. The method may comprise equalizing the legs of the machine prior to extending or retracting the legs of the machine to raise or lower the machine during non-milling operational status. The method may also comprise extending or retracting the legs during milling operational status while maintaining the relative lengths of each leg.

Abstract: Cold planers work in a variety of conditions where different rotor speeds can be beneficial. The rotor is connected directly to the engine via a clutch so the speed cannot be changed independent of the engine speed. The control system disclosed herein enables the operator to quickly select from a plurality of different engine/rotor speeds. The engine/rotor speeds correspond to different machine applications. Each speed corresponds to a point on the torque map for the particular cold planer that will offer acceptable machine performance for the particular application. If the operator inputs one of the plurality of different commands, a timer is activated and movement of the cold planer must take place within a predetermined time period or the engine speed is reduced to the elevated idle speed where the clutch is able to engage the rotor.

Abstract: A hydraulic system having an actuator having a piston and associated rod forming head and rod chambers and being adapted to move between retracted and extended positions within a cylinder, and first and second sources of fluid. A first pump provides fluid from the first source to the head chamber at a first pressure. At least one valve provides fluid from the second source at a second pressure to supplement fluid provided to the head chamber from the first pump when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.