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 method of monitoring a productivity of a paving machine. The method includes receiving a signal, through a load monitoring device, indicative of a change in a load on a frame of the paving machine. The method also includes determining a sum value of the change in the load on the frame based on the signal received each time when a material is delivered to the paving machine, and when the signal indicates an increase in the load on the frame. The method further includes determining a weight of the material provided to the paving machine based on at least the sum value of the change in the load.

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 method of monitoring a productivity of a paving machine is provided. The method includes receiving a signal, through a load monitoring device, indicative of a change in a load on a frame of the paving machine. The method also includes determining a sum value of the change in the load on the frame based on the signal received each time when a material is delivered to the paving machine, and when the signal indicates an increase in the load on the frame. The method further includes determining a weight of the material provided to the paving machine based on at least the sum value of the change in the load.

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 machine engine idle speed control system may include an automated autoadaptive mode to supplement typical economy and normal power modes. The autoadaptive mode may afford an operator with an automated option to optimize fuel economy and lower engine/machine noise. The autoadaptive mode may initially default to a typical lower engine idle speed of the economy mode. However, as the machine workload rises, demands on the engine may become greater, and at a predetermined threshold of engine workload the engine idle speed may be automatically increased to a higher set point. The engine control may then remain at the higher idle speed until engine load is reduced to some predetermined target, and/or after a certain time period has elapsed. The time period may be controlled by a configurable delay timer to avoid unnecessary/undesirable cycling between modes. In addition, an operator may always intervene to increase or decrease engine idle speed.

Abstract: A paving machine includes a hopper assembly movable between a lowered position and a raised position and a conveyor frame. A first hopper is pivotally connected to the conveyor frame at a first hopper axis and a second hopper is pivotally connected to the conveyor frame at a second hopper axis. A first apron is connected to the first hopper about a first apron axis. A second apron is connected to the second hopper about a second apron axis. The first apron axis and the second apron axis are respectively perpendicular to the first and second hopper axis. A central apron is pivotally connected relative to the conveyor frame about a central axis that is inline to the first and second apron axis in the lowered position. The first and the second apron axis are planarly translated to the central axis from the lowered to the raised position.

Abstract: An asphalt paver is provided. The asphalt paver includes a hopper configured to receive asphalt. The hopper includes an inner surface having at least one corner of an apron of the hopper. A non-stick liner is replaceably affixed to the at least one corner and configured to prevent the asphalt received at the hopper from sticking to the at least one corner. A conveyor configured to move the asphalt received on the non-stick liner to a paving surface on which the asphalt paver moves is provided.

Abstract: A method to warm a paving machine is disclosed. The method includes activation of a tamper speed control mode associated with a tamper bar in a screed section of the paving machine. A temperature of hydraulic oil of a tamper hydraulic circuit is detected. In addition, a temperature of the screed section is detected. A speed of operation of the tamper bar is set to a predetermined threshold if a temperature of the hydraulic oil is greater than a first oil temperature limit and a temperature of the screed section is greater than a screed temperature limit. The paving machine transitions to a paving mode, if the hydraulic oil temperature exceeds a second oil temperature limit and a minimum operational screed temperature is attained.

Abstract: A paving machine includes a hopper assembly movable between a lowered position and a raised position and a conveyor frame. A first hopper is pivotally connected to the conveyor frame at a first hopper axis and a second hopper is pivotally connected to the conveyor frame at a second hopper axis. A first apron is connected to the first hopper about a first apron axis. A second apron is connected to the second hopper about a second apron axis. The first apron axis and the second apron axis are respectively perpendicular to the first and second hopper axis. A central apron is pivotally connected relative to the conveyor frame about a central axis that is inline to the first and second apron axis in the lowered position. The first and the second apron axis are planarly translated to the central axis from the lowered to the raised position.

Abstract: A grade propulsion system provided herein includes: a propel pump; a brake system; an operator control configured to receive and transmit a propel command and a Hill Mode activation; and a controller electronically coupled to the propel pump, the brake system, and the operator control, the controller configured, after activation of the Hill Mode and the propel command, to transmit a propel current to the propel pump and disengage the brake system when the propel current is equal to or greater than a cracking current plus an offset current.

Abstract: A method for preparing a screed assembly for starting a new paving operation is provided. The screed assembly is reset to a pre-stored screed position in response to a user command. A user defined paving depth associated with the new paving operation is received. The screed assembly is positioned to rest on a paving surface and to a float mode in response to a user command. An angle of attack of the screed assembly associated with the new paving operation is set in response to a user command. Further, a height of the screed assembly is adjusted based on the user defined paving depth. A confirmation message indicative of the screed assembly prepared for the new paving operation is provided to a user.

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 for preparing a screed assembly for starting a new paving operation is provided. The screed assembly is reset to a pre-stored screed position in response to a user command. A user defined paving depth associated with the new paving operation is received. The screed assembly is positioned to rest on a paving surface and to a float mode in response to a user command. An angle of attack of the screed assembly associated with the new paving operation is set in response to a user command. Further, a height of the screed assembly is adjusted based on the user defined paving depth. A confirmation message indicative of the screed assembly prepared for the new paving operation is provided to a user.

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 engine idle speed control system may include an automated autoadaptive mode to supplement typical economy and normal power modes. The autoadaptive mode may afford an operator with an automated option to optimize fuel economy and lower engine/machine noise. The autoadaptive mode may initially default to a typical lower engine idle speed of the economy mode. However, as the machine workload rises, demands on the engine may become greater, and at a predetermined threshold of engine workload the engine idle speed may be automatically increased to a higher set point. The engine control may then remain at the higher idle speed until engine load is reduced to some predetermined target, and/or after a certain time period has elapsed. The time period may be controlled by a configurable delay timer to avoid unnecessary/undesirable cycling between modes. In addition, an operator may always intervene to increase or decrease engine idle speed.

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.