Abstract: A paving machine can include a frame; a screed coupled to the frame, the screed including one or more screed plates; one or more movable extender mechanisms located at a back end of each screed plate and configured to extend and retract up and down beneath the screed plate; and a controller configured to extend the one or more extender mechanisms a pre-determined distance before the screed begins a paving operation and to retract the one or more extender mechanisms after the screed has begun the paving operation.

Abstract: A paver material feed sensing system for a paving machine can comprise a sensor, sensor bracket, swivel assembly and mounting post. The sensor bracket can comprise an adjustable socket for receiving the sensor. The mounting post can comprise a first end coupled to the swivel assembly and a mounting slot located in a second end. The mounting slot can comprise a multi-faceted seat for engaging an edge of a plate of the paving machine. A method of positioning a paver material flow sensor can comprise tilting the mounting post on the plate of the paving machine.

Abstract: A paver material feed sensing system for a paving machine can comprise a sensor, sensor bracket, swivel assembly and mounting post. The sensor bracket can comprise an adjustable socket for receiving the sensor. The mounting post can comprise a first end coupled to the swivel assembly and a mounting slot located in a second end. The mounting slot can comprise a multi-faceted seat for engaging an edge of a plate of the paving machine. A method of positioning a paver material flow sensor can comprise tilting the mounting post on the plate of the paving machine.

Abstract: A paving machine for wide-width paving includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system.

Abstract: A system for controlling a supply machine and a paving machine includes a supply machine having a first sensor for generating first signals indicative of a first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and a first controller configured to determine a first characteristic associated with the supply machine. The paving machine includes a second sensor for generating second signals indicative of a second characteristic associated with the paving machine and a second controller configured to determine the second characteristic associated with the paving machine, receive first operating signals indicative of the first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and generate command signals to control operation of the paving machine based upon the first characteristic associated with the supply machine and the second characteristic associated with the paving machine.

Abstract: A paving machine for wide-width paving is provided. The paving machine includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system.

Abstract: A paving system includes a plant, a plurality of supply machines, and a paving machine. A first controller determines the position of the plurality of supply machines. A second controller determines a rate at which the paving material is being applied to a work surface. A temperature sensor is associated with one of the plurality of supply machines and the paving machine to determine a temperature of paving material delivered to the paving machine by one of the supply machines. The plant is configured to produce a batch of paving material and a third controller determines a batch temperature, receives signals indicative of the position of each supply machine, receives signals indicative of the temperature of paving material delivered to the paving machine, and generates command signals to adjust the batch temperature based upon the position of each supply machine and the temperature of paving material.

Abstract: A paving system includes a plant, a plurality of supply machines, and a paving machine. A first controller determines the position of the plurality of supply machines. A second controller determines a rate at which the paving material is being applied to a work surface. A temperature sensor is associated with one of the plurality of supply machines and the paving machine to determine a temperature of paving material delivered to the paving machine by one of the supply machines. The plant is configured to produce a batch of paving material and a third controller determines a batch temperature, receives signals indicative of the position of each supply machine, receives signals indicative of the temperature of paving material delivered to the paving machine, and generates command signals to adjust the batch temperature based upon the position of each supply machine and the temperature of paving material.

Abstract: A system for controlling a supply machine and a paving machine includes a supply machine having a first sensor for generating first signals indicative of a first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and a first controller configured to determine a first characteristic associated with the supply machine. The paving machine includes a second sensor for generating second signals indicative of a second characteristic associated with the paving machine and a second controller configured to determine the second characteristic associated with the paving machine, receive first operating signals indicative of the first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and generate command signals to control operation of the paving machine based upon the first characteristic associated with the supply machine and the second characteristic associated with the paving machine.

Abstract: A paving machine including an adjustable screed assembly is provided. Actuators adjust the screed assembly into the plurality of different configurations. Sensors sense a respective configuration parameter indicative of the configuration of the screed assembly. A controller is configured to save a first set of parameters including the configuration parameters and save a second set of parameters including the configuration parameters in response. The controller is configured to recall one of the first set or second set of parameters, and adjust automatically the configuration of the screed assembly to correspond to the configuration parameters included in the recalled first set or second set of parameters.

Abstract: A method of operating a machine having at least one tool is provided. The method may store one or more job profiles or machine configurations and an auto-zero or default profile in a memory associated with the machine, where each of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile may include one or more control settings for operating one or more of the machine and the tool; recall a selected one of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile in response to user input received at a user interface associated with the machine; engage or machine reset operation of one or more of the machine and the tool according to the control settings associated with the selected one of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile; and disengage at least part of the operation based on positioning information provided by one or more feedback devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking manual operations during automatic control of a surface-engaging operation, such as laying a mat on a paving surface, include automatically operating a plurality of components to perform the surface-engaging operation without the actuation of corresponding operator controls. Actuation of the operator controls and actuation of the corresponding components to perform a manual operation can occur during the automatic operation. Information corresponding to the manual operation is recorded in response to detecting actuation of the operator controls and determining that the automatic operation of the machine is occurring.

Abstract: A machine with a chassis and a push-roller assembly connected to the chassis. The push-roller assembly engages a vehicle, has a support frame with rollers, and support arms with a chassis end connected to the support frame and a linkage end connected to the chassis. The support frame moves relative to the chassis when the support arm pivots with respect to the chassis and the support frame. The machine includes an actuator controller associated with an actuator in the push-roller assembly. The actuator is connected to the support arm, causing the support arm to pivot with respect to the chassis and support frame, displacing the support frame relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A paving machine including an adjustable screed assembly is provided. Actuators adjust the screed assembly into the plurality of different configurations. Sensors sense a respective configuration parameter indicative of the configuration of the screed assembly. A controller is configured to save a first set of parameters including the configuration parameters and save a second set of parameters including the configuration parameters in response. The controller is configured to recall one of the first set or second set of parameters, and adjust automatically the configuration of the screed assembly to correspond to the configuration parameters included in the recalled first set or second set of parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking manual operations during automatic control of a surface-engaging operation, such as laying a mat on a paving surface, include automatically operating a plurality of components to perform the surface-engaging operation without the actuation of corresponding operator controls. Actuation of the operator controls and actuation of the corresponding components to perform a manual operation can occur during the automatic operation. Information corresponding to the manual operation is recorded in response to detecting actuation of the operator controls and determining that the automatic operation of the machine is occurring.

Abstract: A machine with a chassis and a push-roller assembly connected to the chassis. The push-roller assembly engages a vehicle, has a support frame with rollers, and support arms with a chassis end connected to the support frame and a linkage end connected to the chassis. The support frame moves relative to the chassis when the support arm pivots with respect to the chassis and the support frame. The machine includes an actuator controller associated with an actuator in the push-roller assembly. The actuator is connected to the support arm, causing the support arm to pivot with respect to the chassis and support frame, displacing the support frame relative to the chassis.