Abstract: An aircraft buffing machine includes a main telescopic boom mounted for up and down movement on a mobile unit. A rotary boom is carried on the end of the main boom and mounts on its outer end a pivot boom having a telescopic floating boom carrying a buffing head. Controls for the machine automatically move the main boom up and down if the floating boom is fully retracted or fully extended so that the buffing head is able to follow the contour of a work surface. If the buffing head pivots excessively on the floating boom, corrective action is automatically taken. A safety bar system extending around the buffing head shuts the machine down is an obstacle is encountered.

Abstract: A machine and method for automatically buffing and otherwise treating vehicle bodies. A gantry type frame includes two side columns each carrying an extensible and retractable buffing head that can be driven up and down. An overhead bridge extends between the columns and can be driven up and down on them. Top buffing heads are mounted to move in and out on the bridge and can be extended and retracted toward and away from the top of a vehicle positioned between the columns. The buffing heads are controlled by an electrical and hydraulic system arranged to effect automatic buffing of the vehicle sides and top. The frame is moved along the length of the vehicle in increments selected to effect thorough buffing of the vehicle surfaces.