Abstract: A method and system for guiding a road construction machine using a machine guidance system comprising at least one each of a machine position sensor, a laser-based sensor, and a processing unit. The machine position sensor first measures a position of a road construction machine relative to a road boundary condition. The laser-based sensor then captures a series of scans corresponding to the boundary condition. The processing unit, using the scans, determines an ideal path of travel for the road construction machine. Based on the ideal travel path, the machine guidance system provides instructions to align the current travel path of the road construction machine to the ideal travel path.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle includes a material-receiving device that is adapted to receive asphalt paving material, and a loading conveyor that is operatively connected to the material-receiving device and adapted to receive asphalt paving material from the material-receiving device. A ground operator's station is located adjacent to the material-receiving device. The ground operator's station includes a lower platform on which the ground operator may stand, and a seat on which the ground operator may sit.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle has a frame, a front end including an asphalt paving material receiving device, and rear end including a discharge conveyor which is adapted to convey asphalt paving material to the receiving hopper of an asphalt paving machine. An operator's station includes an operator's platform on which is mounted an operator's seat. The operator's platform is moveable between a travel position that is entirely within the outer periphery of the material transfer vehicle and an operating position that locates the operator's seat at least partially outside the outer periphery of the material transfer vehicle.

Abstract: A road working machine includes an operator's station that is adapted to be occupied by an operator of the road working machine. The road working machine also includes a controller and a safety light circuit that is operatively attached to the controller. The safety light circuit includes a plurality of downwardly directed safety lights that are located so as to provide lighted egress from the operator's station.

Abstract: A working machine includes a braking assembly and a throttle assembly. A controller is operatively connected to the braking assembly and the throttle assembly. A proximity sensor is operatively connected to the controller and is adapted to emit radiation away from the rear of the working machine, and to receive reflected radiation indicating the presence of a person or object within a danger zone adjacent to the rear of the working machine and within a warning zone that extends beyond the danger zone. The proximity sensor is adapted to send a signal to the controller when it detects a person or object in the danger zone to cause the braking assembly to brake the working machine, and to send a signal to the controller when it detects a person or object in the warning zone to cause the throttle assembly to reduce the speed of the working machine.

Abstract: A road working machine includes an operator's station that is adapted to be occupied by an operator of the road working machine. The road working machine also includes a controller and a safety light circuit that is operatively attached to the controller. The safety light circuit includes a plurality of downwardly directed safety lights that are located so as to provide lighted egress from the operator's station.

Abstract: An asphalt receiving vehicle includes a receiving hopper that is adapted to receive a load of asphalt paving material from a supply truck, and a conveyor that is adapted to convey the asphalt paving material received from the supply truck out of the receiving hopper. A plurality of guidance lights are mounted on the asphalt receiving vehicle so as to illuminate the roadway adjacent to the receiving hopper to provide a landing pattern to assist a driver of the supply truck to properly maneuver the supply truck as the supply truck is backed into position adjacent the receiving hopper. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of guidance lights may also be used individually as directional signals.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle has a frame, a front end including an asphalt paving material receiving device, and rear end including a discharge conveyor which is adapted to convey asphalt paving material to the receiving hopper of an asphalt paving machine. An operator's station includes an operator's platform on which is mounted an operator's seat. The operator's platform is moveable between a travel position that is entirely within the outer periphery of the material transfer vehicle and an operating position that locates the operator's seat at least partially outside the outer periphery of the material transfer vehicle.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging drive assemblies that define a plane of locomotion, a front end and a rear end. A discharge conveyor is located at the rear end and is adapted to convey asphalt paving material to the receiving hopper of an asphalt paving machine. An engine provides the motive force for driving the ground-engaging drive assemblies and is located on the frame at the rear end of the material transfer vehicle behind the ground-engaging drive assemblies and below the discharge conveyor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fuel tank and a hydraulic fluid tank are located between the ground-engaging drive assemblies.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle includes a material-receiving device that is adapted to receive asphalt paving material, and a loading conveyor that is operatively connected to the material-receiving device and adapted to receive asphalt paving material from the material-receiving device. A ground operator's station is located adjacent to the material-receiving device. The ground operator's station includes a lower platform on which the ground operator may stand, and a seat on which the ground operator may sit.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle has a discharge conveyor with a discharge chute mounted thereon. A controller is operatively connected to the elevation control system and the steering control system for the discharge conveyor. The controller is adapted to communicate with the elevation control system for the discharge conveyor to adjust the elevation of the discharge conveyor. The controller is also adapted to communicate with the steering control system for the discharge conveyor so that the angular orientation of the discharge conveyor with respect to the longitudinal axis of the material transfer vehicle may be adjusted. A paver-locating sensor is operatively connected to the controller, and is located and adapted to execute multiple non-contact sensor scan passes across the front end of the paving machine to determine the distance and orientation of the paving machine with respect to the paver-locating sensor and to communicate this information.

Abstract: A side cutter milling assembly is used to modify a milling machine having a frame, a milling drum housing that is removably attached to the frame, a milling drum that is mounted for rotation within the milling drum housing, and a primary drum drive assembly that is adapted to rotate the milling drum. The side cutter milling assembly includes a drum housing having a main portion and a side portion. The main portion is adapted to be installed on the frame of the milling machine in place of the milling drum housing, and the side portion is offset to one side of the milling machine. A side cutter milling drum is mounted for rotation within the side portion of the drum housing, and a side cutter drivetrain is configured and adapted to be operatively attached to the side cutter milling drum and the primary drum drive assembly.

Abstract: A milling machine includes a primary drum drive assembly for its milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly for driving the milling machine along a roadway. A lifting column is attached between the frame and the ground-engaging drive assembly. The lifting column includes a linear actuator which can raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway. A sensor mounted to the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting at least a predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the drive assemblies and to the sensor, and is adapted to receive from the sensor a signal indicating that the lifting column is not supporting the predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. Upon receipt of such signal, the controller will automatically control certain machine functions.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a surface of a roadway includes a frame and a milling assembly having a cutter drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The cutter drum has a drive shaft on which a sheave is mounted. A primary drum drive assembly is adapted to rotate the cutter drum with respect to the frame. The primary drum drive assembly includes a drive belt that cooperates with the sheave on an input drive shaft for the cutter drum to rotate the cutter drum. A belt lift assembly may be operated to selectively disengage the drive belt from the sheave of the input drive shaft for the cutter drum, so that an auxiliary drum drive assembly comprising an auxiliary drive motor may be operated to rotate the cutter drum independently of the primary drum drive assembly.

Abstract: A vehicular sweeping machine includes a frame and a broom assembly that is mounted to the frame. The broom assembly includes a broom enclosure and a broom that is mounted within the broom enclosure. A plurality of links are pivotally mounted between the frame and the broom assembly. These links are adapted to permit the broom assembly to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame. The vehicular sweeping machine also includes a broom conveyor having a lower end that is disposed within the broom enclosure.

Abstract: A vehicular sweeping machine includes a frame and a broom assembly that is mounted to the frame. The broom assembly includes a broom enclosure and a broom having a generally cylindrical tube with attached bristles that is mounted in the broom enclosure and adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal axis. The broom assembly also includes a material presentation system that is adapted to move material on the roadway into contact with the broom in the form of a windrow that is located generally in front of the center of the broom assembly. The sweeping machine also includes a broom conveyor having a lower end that is disposed within the broom enclosure.

Abstract: A milling machine includes a primary drum drive assembly that is adapted to rotate a milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly that is adapted to drive the milling machine along a roadway. A lifting column includes a linear actuator which can be operated to raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway. A sensor that is mounted to the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting at least a predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the primary drum drive assembly and to the sensor. The controller is adapted to receive from the sensor a signal indicating that the lifting column is not supporting the predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine, and upon receipt of such signal, to stop the rotation of the milling drum.

Abstract: A milling machine includes a milling assembly having a housing to which left and right end gates are attached, a controller, a right front lifting column, a left front lifting column and a rear lifting column. Elevation sensors are located at the front and rear of each of the end gates. The controller is operatively attached to the elevation sensors and to linear actuators within the lifting columns of the milling machine. The elevation sensor that is located at the front end of the right end gate will provide feedback to control the position of the right front lifting column, and the elevation sensor that is located at the front end of the left end gate will provide feedback to control the position of the left front lifting column. The elevation sensors that are located at the rear ends of the end gates are available, as selected by the operator, to provide feedback to control the positions of one of the right and left front lifting columns, as well as the rear lifting column.

Abstract: A vehicular sweeping machine that is adapted to rotate a broom about a substantially horizontal axis to sweep material into a broom conveyor of fixed width is provided with a modular broom assembly that can accommodate a broom of a first length and a broom of a second length that is longer than the first length. The modular broom assembly includes a primary broom enclosure that is adapted to accommodate the broom of the first length, and an extension assembly that includes broom extension components which are adapted to be installed on the primary broom enclosure to increase the width of the primary broom enclosure to accommodate the broom of the second length, and to direct material swept by the broom of the second length into the broom conveyor.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a surface of a roadway includes a frame and a milling assembly having a cutter drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The cutter drum has a drive shaft on which a sheave is mounted. A primary drum drive assembly is adapted to rotate the cutter drum with respect to the frame. The primary drum drive assembly includes a drive belt that cooperates with the sheave on an input drive shaft for the cutter drum to rotate the cutter drum. A belt lift assembly may be operated to selectively disengage the drive belt from the sheave of the input drive shaft for the cutter drum, so that an auxiliary drum drive assembly comprising an auxiliary drive motor may be operated to rotate the cutter drum independently of the primary drum drive assembly.