Abstract: A material handling machine can be operated in a bucket shake control mode to override proportional control of a valve controlling fluid flow to and from a bucket tilt cylinder of the machine. Fluid flow through the valve upon actuation of a tilt controller such a joystick therefore is proportional to actuator stroke when the shake control system is deactivated and is always maximized regardless of actuator stroke when the shake control system is activated. Bucket shake control is activated through the manual operation of a control device such as a joystick-mounted switch. As a result of this arrangement, proportional control valve actuation always occurs immediately upon bucket tilt controller movement in a direction that is dependent upon a direction of bucket tilt controller movement from the neutral position thereof.

Abstract: A material handling machine such a skid-steer loader includes an electrohydraulic control system for controlling flow between a boom lift cylinder, an accumulator, and a source of pressurized fluid that delivers a variable system pressure. The electrohydraulic control system is switchable between a standard or normal mode and a ride control mode. It is configured to charge the accumulator with fluid from the pressurized fluid source while isolating the accumulator from the lift cylinder during operation in the standard mode and is configured to isolate the accumulator from the pressurized fluid source and to couple the accumulator to the lift cylinder during operation in the ride control mode. The accumulator is charged to a maximum pressure output by the source of pressurized fluid during the standard operating mode and pressure-balanced with the lift cylinder prior to initiation of operation in the ride control mode.

Abstract: A flameless heater includes a diesel engine, a hydraulic or electric load that is powered by the diesel engine thereby generating heat, a heat exchanger that transfers heat to air flowing through the air from the flameless heat source, and possibly other heat exchangers for heating the air flowing therethrough with engine coolant and/or with exhaust gases. The system may be operated to maintain relatively high load on the engine for at least the majority of the time so as to reduce or negate the need for parked regeneration. The system may also control airflow through the system and possibly other system parameters to obtain a given setpoint such as a given discharge air temperature. In one embodiment, airflow through the system is controlled by louvers under the power of an electric motor or other actuator controlled by the system's controller.

Abstract: A compaction machine such as a vibration trench roller has a supplemental receiver such as an eye located generally centrally of the machine and within a common reception zone of another receiver on the machine. The eye can receive a signal that is blocked from impinging upon the machine's other receiver(s), preventing the machine from shutting down when it passes beneath an obstruction and negating the need for the operator to reposition himself or herself to reestablish communications with the machine. The supplemental receiver may be positioned so as to maximize the operating range of the controller while reducing or avoiding false signals that otherwise could occur due to signal reflection. This positioning may include providing shielding around the supplemental receiver that creates a geometric umbrella of reception capability that forms a protection zone beneath it. Signals transmitted from within the protection zone cannot impinge on the supplemental receiver.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a ground treatment machine includes a hand-held device that wirelessly communicates with the ground treatment machine. The system includes a radio frequency and an infrared frequency wireless communications that are established between the hand-held device and the ground treatment machine. Instructions associated with operation of the machine are communicated to the machine from the hand-held device via the radio frequency communications. A status of the infrared wireless communication is utilized to assess the proximity of the ground working machine relative to the operator and the operating environment such that operation of the machine in accordance with the operational instructions can be interrupted if necessary.

Abstract: A hydrostatically power self-propelled concrete finishing trowel has at least two coolers in a cooling system of the machine's hydraulic circuit. In the most typical case in which the first cooler is a closed loop oil cooler, the second cooler may take the form of an open loop oil cooler disposed in a flow path connecting one or more low-pressure outlets of the hydrostatic drive system to a reservoir. The closed loop oil cooler actively drops the temperature within the trowel's hydrostatic drive system, while the open loop oil cooler supplements that cooling by reducing the oil temperature in the reservoir.

Abstract: A vibratory compaction roller has a pretensioning mechanism that exerts a pretension or biasing force between the drum and the motor housing that inhibits relative axial movement between the output shaft of each drive motor and the associated motor housing, thus significantly reducing the generation of noise that would otherwise be created during machine operation. The pretensioning mechanism may take the form of one or more springs positioned between the drum and a drum support that also supports the motor. Bushings are provided between the springs and the drum to accommodate rotational motion between each spring and the drum. Alternatively, the pretensioning mechanism may be provided on a side of the drum opposite the motor and may pull the drum away from the motor.

Abstract: A control lever assembly and methods of forming and using a control lever assembly of a compaction roller are disclosed. A control lever assembly includes a lever that is defined by a body having a first end connectable to a control arm of a compaction roller. The body forms a first grip site and a second grip site that are each offset from the first end of the body. The first grip site and the second grip site are laterally offset from a longitudinal center-line axis of the control arm and spaced from one another so that each of the first grip site and the second grip site are beyond the reach of a hand engaged with the other of the first grip site and the second grip site.

Abstract: Apparatus and method provides for an improved steering system for an articulated vibratory roller machine. Steering can be accomplished without the use of a dedicated steering actuator. Instead, steering angles may be created by independently driving left and right side drum halves at the front and rear ends of the machine at different speeds and/or directions. This differential action creates the desired steering angle by rotating the front and back halves of the machine about a central articulated joint. As a result, a cost-effective and versatile solution that eliminates the need for conventional steering components and their associated disadvantages is provided.

Abstract: A heater and a method of its use are configured for use at cold operating temperatures. The heater has a supply line for transporting a volume of fuel between a fuel tank and burner. An inline heater is supplied in a supply line for the burner. The heater also has a return line that normally returns unused fuel from the burner to the heater, hence reducing the volume of fuel that needs to be heated by the heater and reducing system power requirements. The heater may be thermostatically controlled to maintain the temperature of the heated fuel to a value that is at or above a temperature required for good fuel atomization but below a flashpoint of the fuel. A valve is provided in the return line to permit diversion of the returned fuel to the fuel tank during a purge operation at initial startup.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a ground treatment machine includes a hand-held device that wirelessly communicates with the ground treatment machine. The system includes a radio frequency and an infrared frequency wireless communications that are established between the hand-held device and the ground treatment machine. Instructions associated with operation of the machine are communicated to the machine from the hand-held device via the radio frequency communications. A status of the infrared wireless communication is utilized to assess the proximity of the ground working machine relative to the operator and the operating environment such that operation of the machine in accordance with the operational instructions can be interrupted if necessary.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mobile machine, such as hydronic surface heater designed to be transported to a potentially remote worksite and operated for an extended period of time. The machine has a fueled component, such as a burner, fueled by a fuel supply system having at least two fuel tanks that are operably connected to one another by a connection line having an electronically controlled valve therein. The valve is coupled to the machine's electrical system, such as being coupled to the output of the machine's main breaker, so as to be opened whenever the machine is operating but to be otherwise closed. The fuel supply system thus has, in effect, a single tank when the machine is running and multiple separated tanks when the machine is not running. Fuel spill risks therefore are mitigated without having to sacrifice operating time and without significantly complicating the machine's fuel supply systems or its controls.

Abstract: A vibratory ride-on roller machine includes a chassis supported on front and rear vibrating drum assemblies that compact the surface on which the machine travels. The machine is controlled via a control assembly including a control lever. A number of control elements for controlling operations of the roller machine are located on the control lever, the operations including one or more of turning the exciter assembly on and off, switching between exciter assemblies, controlling the level of vibration of the exciter assemblies, controlling a spray assembly, and sounding a horn element. The control elements are advantageously positioned to enable operator actuation regardless of the operator's orientation on the roller and regardless of the position of the control lever within its operating stroke.

Abstract: A vibratory roller machine includes a chassis supported on one or more drum assemblies including an exciter assembly for compacting the ground on which the machine travels. The machine is operated via a number of drive and exciter motors powered by a series hybrid drive system. The series hybrid drive system includes an engine and generator that are configured to provide power to the system under nominal operating conditions. The series hybrid drive system further includes a power storage system, such as battery bank or a capacitor bank that is configured to provide the motors with additional power during peak power demand. The vibratory roller machine may, for example, be a walk-behind trench roller or ride-on roller.

Abstract: A self-propelled concrete finishing trowel has an integrated transport system that allows the towel to be moved from location to location. The transport system includes a pair of spaced wheel assemblies, each including a pair of wheels that are connected to a frame of the trowel. The wheels of each respective wheel assembly are connected to one another via a powered actuator such as a double acting hydraulic cylinder. The powered actuator is actuatable to raise and lower the first and second wheels from a stowed position in which the wheels are located above the ground and the blades are supported on the ground to a deployed position in which the wheel are supported on the ground and the blades are raised from the ground.

Abstract: A self-propelled concrete finishing trowel has an electronically controlled engine droop control to prevent stalling of the trowel's engine during overload conditions. The engine droop control includes an engine speed sensor that measures operating speed of the engine and a controller that adjusts operation of a hydrostatic drive system of the trowel based on feedback received from the engine speed sensor to reduce the power draw on the engine during overload conditions. The hydrostatic drive system is powered by the engine to rotate one or more finishing blade arrangements, and under normal operating conditions, is driven by a controller to rotate the blade arrangements at an operator desired speed, such as input by a foot pedal. During overloading conditions, the controller overrides the operator input to drive the hydrostatic drive system to match an operating speed supported by the overloaded engine to reduce the power draw on the engine and thereby prevent engine stalling.