Abstract: Disclosed is a seal assembly for a grading machine. The grading machine may include a machine body, a blade assembly, and a circle assembly supporting the blade assembly. The circle assembly may include a circle having a plurality of gear teeth. The grading machine may also include a drawbar assembly connecting the circle assembly to the machine body. The seal assembly may include a non-metallic seal component extending circumferentially around an inner circumference of the circle assembly for sealing the plurality of gear teeth.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for operating a circle drive gear of a grading machine includes a pump configured to output pressurized fluid, a directional control valve fluidly coupled to the pump, a bidirectional hydraulic motor located downstream of the directional control valve and fluidly coupled to the directional control valve via hydraulic lines. The hydraulic motor has an output shaft that is configured to be rotationally driven by pressurized fluid output by the pump. Dual counterbalance valves may be disposed within the hydraulic circuit of the directional control valve and hydraulic motor such that any gearbox driven by the hydraulic motor is protected from external opposing forces. Accordingly, motion in the circle drive system is hydraulically locked at the beginning and release of a circle rotation command with the help of fluid pressure in the hydraulic lines.

Abstract: A control system for a grading machine includes a circle angle sensor coupled to a circle. The circle is coupled to and supports a grading blade, and the circle angle sensor is configured to measure an angular position of the circle. The control system also includes a blade load sensor configured to measure a load on the grading blade. The control system also includes a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a controller. The circle drive motor is configured to engage with and rotate the circle around a circle axis, and the controller is configured to control the rotation of the circle under a circle rotation command by monitoring the angular position of the circle and the load on the grading blade.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects, a circle drawbar for a motor grader has a drawbar frame having two elongated members, and a circle frame that has a surface defined by an inner and outer diameter. The circle frame has a circle gear located radially inward of the inner diameter, allowing the circle frame to be rotatable relative to the drawbar frame around an axis of the circle gear. A platform having a top, bottom, and an edge depends from the drawbar frame and covers the circle gear. A debris remover is connected to the platform and removes debris from the surface of the circle frame as the circle frame rotates.

Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The gear box includes a first gear that rotates about a first axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis, and the gear box also includes a second gear that rotates about a second axis that is parallel to the circle axis and spaced away from the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a circle member of a motor grader is provided. The sealing assembly includes a plurality of cover segments disposed adjacent to an inner circumference of the circle member. At least one of the plurality of cover segments defines a gap in association with a component disposed adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of cover segments. The sealing assembly also includes a sealing element removably disposed on the at least one of the plurality of cover segments and extending into the gap. The sealing element is adapted to sealingly engage each of the at least one of the plurality of cover segments and the component.

Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a blade assembly, a circle supporting the blade assembly and including a plurality of teeth, a drawbar assembly connecting the circle to the machine body, and a cover plate coupled to a bottom portion of the drawbar assembly. The drawbar assembly includes a plurality of blocks, and the cover plate is configured to be coupled to the drawbar assembly via the plurality of blocks.

Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system. The circle drive system includes a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The circle drive motor includes an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the circle axis, and the gear box includes an axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis.

Abstract: A motor grader includes a frame and an extendable scarifier system supported on the frame. The scarifier system includes first and second drawbar arms coupled to the frame. A carriage is coupled to the first and second drawbar arms. The carriage includes a carriage body having first and second lateral ends. A first extension element is attached to the first lateral end of the carriage body and a second extension element is attached to the second lateral end of the carriage body. The first and second extension elements each supporting at least one tooth.

Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system. The circle drive system includes a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The circle drive motor includes an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the circle axis, and the gear box includes an axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis.

Abstract: A motor grader is disclosed that includes a frame and an extendable scarifier system supported on the frame. The scarifier system includes first and second drawbar arms coupled to the frame. A carriage is coupled to the first and second drawbar arms. The carriage includes a carriage body having first and second lateral ends. A first extension element is attached to the first lateral end of the carriage body and a second extension element is attached to the second lateral end of the carriage body. The first and second extension elements each supporting at least one tooth.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure a circle drawbar for a motor grader has a drawbar frame having two elongated members, and a circle frame that has a surface defined by an inner and outer diameter. The circle frame has a circle gear located radially inward of the inner diameter, allowing the circle frame to rotatable relative to the drawbar frame around an axis of the circle gear. A platform having a top, bottom, and an edge depends from the drawbar frame and covers the circle gear. A debris remover is connected to the platform and removes debris from surface of the circle frame as the circle frame rotates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seal assembly for a grading machine. The grading machine may include a machine body, a blade assembly, and a circle assembly supporting the blade assembly. The circle assembly may include a circle having a plurality of gear teeth. The grading machine may also include a drawbar assembly connecting the circle assembly to the machine body. The seal assembly may include a non-metallic seal component extending circumferentially around an inner circumference of the circle assembly for sealing the plurality of gear teeth.

Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a blade assembly, a circle supporting the blade assembly and including a plurality of teeth, a drawbar assembly connecting the circle to the machine body, and a cover plate coupled to a bottom portion of the drawbar assembly. The drawbar assembly includes a plurality of blocks, and the cover plate is configured to be coupled to the drawbar assembly via the plurality of blocks.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a circle member of a motor grader is provided. The sealing assembly includes a plurality of cover segments disposed adjacent to an inner circumference of the circle member. At least one of the plurality of cover segments defines a gap in association with a component disposed adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of cover segments. The sealing assembly also includes a sealing element removably disposed on the at least one of the plurality of cover segments and extending into the gap. The sealing element is adapted to sealingly engage each of the at least one of the plurality of cover segments and the component.

Abstract: A control system for a grading machine includes a circle angle sensor coupled to a circle. The circle is coupled to and supports a grading blade, and the circle angle sensor is configured to measure an angular position of the circle. The control system also includes a blade load sensor configured to measure a load on the grading blade. The control system also includes a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a controller. The circle drive motor is configured to engage with and rotate the circle around a circle axis, and the controller is configured to control the rotation of the circle under a circle rotation command by monitoring the angular position of the circle and the load on the grading blade.

Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The gear box includes a first gear that rotates about a first axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis, and the gear box also includes a second gear that rotates about a second axis that is parallel to the circle axis and spaced away from the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system. The circle drive system includes a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The circle drive motor includes an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the circle axis, and the gear box includes an axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis.

Abstract: A work attachment for a motor grader includes a moldboard and a trip edge assembly coupled to the moldboard. The moldboard defines a plurality of first apertures. The trip edge assembly includes a trip edge structure. The trip edge assembly also includes a pivoting mechanism for pivoting a portion of the trip edge assembly in a first direction with respect to the moldboard when the trip edge assembly encounters an object in a drive path of the motor grader. The trip edge assembly further includes a mounting structure defining a plurality of second apertures. The plurality of second apertures are aligned with the plurality of first apertures to receive mechanical fasteners for removably coupling the trip edge assembly with the moldboard.

Abstract: A turnbuckle has a first turnbuckle end and a second turnbuckle end. The turnbuckle includes a first member coupled to the first turnbuckle end. The turnbuckle includes a sleeve having a first end and a second end. The sleeve receives the first member at the first end of the sleeve. The turnbuckle includes a gear mechanism coupled to the sleeve. The turnbuckle further includes an adjustment tool receiver provided on the gear mechanism. The adjustment tool receiver receives a common, non-custom driving tool to adjust a length of the turnbuckle between the first turnbuckle end and the second turnbuckle end.