Abstract: A system for measuring soil properties on-the-go using a narrow profile sensor unit is provided on an implement for traversing a field. The sensor unit includes a front disk/coulter arranged to open a slot in the soil, a runner assembly arranged to follow behind the front disk/coulter for sliding contact with the soil in the slot, and a rotating disk/spoked wheel arranged to follow behind the runner assembly to close the slot. The front disk or coulter serves as a first electrode of an electrode array, the runner assembly has second and third electrodes attached thereto, and the rotating disk/spoked wheel serves as a fourth electrode. The electrode array can be used to measure soil electrical conductivity at multiple depths and to measure soil moisture. An optical window and pH sensor can also be incorporated into the runner assembly to measure soil reflectance and soil pH.

Abstract: An expansion joint sealing system for bridging and sealing a gap located between two spaced-apart structural deck members. The expansion joint sealing system includes an elastomeric seal member and a substantially rigid plate member. The elastomeric seal member is fixedly attached to an underlying structural deck member and is able to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction in relation to the traffic direction across the expansion joint. The rigid plate is not fastened to the elastomeric seal member with mechanical fasteners or other fastening means, but is slidingly engaged with the elastomeric seal member through an elongated guide member. As the rigid plate member is not fastened to the elastomeric seal member, it is able to move along a guide member in a direction that is transverse to the direction of traffic across the expansion joint.

Abstract: A paving mixture for application to a surface and a method for the same. The mixture comprises a binding material layer applied to the surface to form a base layer on the surface, and an aggregate material layer applied on top of the binding material layer. The binding material layer can be applied in an amount of at most 0.125 gallons/yd2. The aggregate material layer contains an asphalt mixture that provides a road surface. The aggregate material layer and the binding material layer can be combined on the surface within 30 seconds of application of the binding material layer. Additionally, multiple paving mixtures may be applied to the surface.

Abstract: A controller acquires an excavation start position at which a work implement starts excavation. When a current landscape includes an upward slope and a downward slope existing ahead of the upward slope and the excavation start position is on the upward slope, the controller determines a first virtual design surface including a first design surface located below the current landscape and inclined at a smaller angle than the upward slope. The controller generates a command signal that causes the work implement to move along the first virtual design surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating asphalt is used with a container storing a gaseous fuel under pressure. The apparatus includes one or more heaters, each of which includes an elongate infrared emitter, an elongate burner tube, and a Venturi tube. The infrared emitter includes an elongate emitter surface for emitting infrared radiation at the material when the infrared emitter is heated. The burner tube is coupled to the infrared emitter, and defines a burner tube interior for distributing an air-fuel mixture to a plurality of burner tube apertures for distributing the air-fuel mixture over a burner tube outer surface disposed opposite to and spaced apart from the infrared emitter. The Venturi tube is for mixing the fuel from the container with air to create the air-fuel mixture, and supplying the air-fuel mixture to the burner tube interior.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, a plurality of wheel assemblies and a control system. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the wheel assemblies include an actuator. The wheel assemblies include a first plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the main section and a second plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the plurality of wing sections. The actuators of the first plurality of wheel assemblies being independent of the actuators of the second plurality of wheel assemblies. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to effect a profile minimizing operation of the foldable wing sections when the implement is being transitioned into a transport mode.

Abstract: Structural assemblies for constructing bridges and other structures. A structural assembly may comprise an elongated member defining an internal space. The structural assembly may also comprise a plurality of framing members connected to the elongated member at a plurality of pin connection nodes, each pin connection node comprising a pin interconnecting the elongated member, a first one of the framing members, and a second one of the framing members, the pin having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, at least one of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the pin being located in the internal space of the elongated member.

Abstract: An improved tri-directional traffic bollard having a plurality of reflective members. The plurality of reflective members of the tri-directional traffic bollard can be viewed by the human eye from any direction, even when toppled or tipped over. The current invention provides a tri-directional traffic bollard comprising a main elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, an internal face and an exterior face and a base member adjoined to the proximal end of the main elongated body. The tri-directional traffic bollard includes a plurality of reflective members adjoined to the any face of the main elongated body and the base member. The plurality of reflective members is aligned to be flush, raised or recessed within any face of the main elongated body or any face of the base member.

Abstract: A street and road surface penetration removal system for utility repairs and replacement. The penetration and removal system utilizes a circular disk pavement cutter and remover with a retainment box placement for vacuum excavation using high pressure water excavation and vacuum removal by a self-contained excavation vacuum to gain clear access to a utility for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A road safety device has a frame firmly connected to and arranged on a road surface and an irreversibly deformable part connected to the frame for absorbing at least part of the kinetic energy of a vehicle impacting against the road safety device. An associated monitoring system includes a control unit, an image acquiring device connected to the control unit for acquiring at least one image of a vehicle registration number that is nearing the road safety device, a memory for acquiring the image, and a vibration and/or deformation sensor connectable to the frame for detecting a reversible deformation thereof. The sensor is connected to the control unit. The control unit is predisposed to identify an impact of a vehicle against the road safety device on the basis of data received from the sensor.

Abstract: A method for reducing an overall transport profile of a multi-section tillage implement. The tillage implement may include a frame including a center frame section and at least one wing frame section. The tillage implement may include a plurality of ground-engaging tools pivotally mounted to the frame. The method may include pivoting each of the plurality of ground-engaging tools away from the ground surface from a ground-engaging position to a retracted position. The frame may be disposed at an initial height relative to the ground surface before pivoting. After pivoting, the frame may be lowered to a transport height relative to the ground surface. At least one wing frame section may be folded relative to the center frame section from an operating position to a transport position to reduce a width of the tillage implement in the widthwise direction.

Abstract: A concrete float, float assembly, float adapter and interface, and float vibration apparatus and methods include a concrete float that have surfaces, and structures for controlling flow of wet concrete. An interface such as may be included in a quick attach/release configuration may be integrated on a float, and/or may be added onto a float for quick attach/release of a pivot assembly. Adapters may ease attachment or release of an assembly, and may be an interengaging element, such as a sliding dovetail as an interengaging element, or an adapter may be used to place an assembly in tension to secure the assembly. A vibration assembly may be included and configured to have a low center of mass, can have a user display, an accelerometer, and/or other components. A pivot assembly may be included for easier use by an operator, and may include a user display, quick release mechanisms.

Abstract: A road clearing apparatus that is configured to dislodge snow and ice from a surface of a roadway. The road clearing apparatus includes a housing that is operably secured to a rear of a motor vehicle. The housing is manufactured from a rigid material and includes a first end and a second end. The housing has a plurality of apertures that are formed in the top wall and bottom wall, wherein the plurality of apertures are axially aligned. Operably coupled with the plurality of apertures are rod members. The rod members are movable intermediate a first position and a second position wherein in the second position the rod members are extended downward from the housing so as to engage a roadway surface. Actuators are operably coupled to the rod members and are configured to provide movement thereof. A controller is present to provide an operational interface.

Abstract: A support structure includes a nose arranged to fit within a cavity of the wear member. The nose may include a front portion having a plurality of outwardly facing surfaces that may be angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the nose at a first angle. The nose may also include a rear portion having two horizontally separated outwardly facing surfaces and two vertically separated outwardly facing surfaces. The horizontally separated outwardly facing surfaces and the vertically separated outwardly facing surfaces may be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle that is different than the first angle. A first concave surface and a second concave surface may each be positioned on one of the vertically separated outwardly facing surfaces, may be disposed only in the rear portion and may be shaped to form an arc. A through-hole may extend between the two horizontally separated outwardly facing surfaces.

Abstract: An implement frame having a carriage frame for coupling to a towing vehicle and wheels to support the frame for movement over a ground surface. A pivot frame is rotationally mounted to the carriage frame and a lift assembly is coupled to the pivot frame via a shift assembly. A tool bar is mounted to the lift assembly. The shift assembly moves the tool bar forward as it is moved from the field use position to the transport position. The wheels are mounted to swing arms to move the wheels inward for a narrow transport position.

Abstract: A lifting aid for a long-handled implement includes a mounting assembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of a long-handled implement and a fulcrum assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly. The fulcrum assembly includes a fulcrum bar pivotally attached to the mounting assembly and at least one skid shield operably coupled to the fulcrum bar such that (i) at least a bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is disposed adjacent to a lowermost part of a lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and (ii) at least a lower part of the bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is capable of moving, at least in a substantially linear manner, upwardly above the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and downwardly below the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar.

Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle having a work implement, the control system including: a position measurement unit for measuring a position of a windrow produced by grading work; a work route setting unit for setting a work route based on the position of the windrow that has been measured by the position measurement unit; and a travel control unit for controlling the work vehicle to travel along the work route that has been set by the work route setting unit.

Abstract: A method for operating a road paver that is self-propelled and may be controlled via a machine controller. An internal combustion engine provides engine power for a hydraulic system and for a generator so as to generate a generator power for supplying at least one electrical screed plate heating system with electrical energy. The engine and generator power are changed via an engine controller and also a generator controller. Prior to and/or during the paving procedure, current measurements are performed on the current that is flowing between an electrical screed plate heating system, which is dimensioned in a frequency-independent manner, and the generator, in order to determine and ascertain a prevailing generator power that is drawn off at least by the electrical screed plate heating system.

Abstract: A row unit for a work vehicle includes a row unit frame with a closer frame. The closer frame defines a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The closer frame is supported for rotational movement about a substantially vertical steering axis to vary a turning angle between the longitudinal axis the vehicle longitudinal axis. The row unit includes a closer implement assembly with first and second closer implements and a walking beam construction. The first and second closer implements are attached to opposite areas of the walking beam construction. The walking beam construction is rotationally attached to the closer frame to support rotation of the closer implement assembly about the transverse axis. The first and second closer implements are configured to move ground material into a ground opening from opposites sides as the work vehicle moves across the field.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an implement to mobile machinery comprises a first frame work, a slidable second frame work, and at least one support member. The support member provides support for the second framework as it slides back and forth along the first frame work.