Abstract: A method and system for guiding a road construction machine using a machine guidance system comprising at least one each of a machine position sensor, a laser-based sensor, and a processing unit. The machine position sensor first measures a position of a road construction machine relative to a road boundary condition. The laser-based sensor then captures a series of scans corresponding to the boundary condition. The processing unit, using the scans, determines an ideal path of travel for the road construction machine. Based on the ideal travel path, the machine guidance system provides instructions to align the current travel path of the road construction machine to the ideal travel path.

Abstract: A milling machine includes a primary drum drive assembly for its milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly for driving the milling machine along a roadway. A lifting column is attached between the frame and the ground-engaging drive assembly. The lifting column includes a linear actuator which can raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway. A sensor mounted to the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting at least a predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the drive assemblies and to the sensor, and is adapted to receive from the sensor a signal indicating that the lifting column is not supporting the predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. Upon receipt of such signal, the controller will automatically control certain machine functions.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a surface of a roadway includes a frame and a milling assembly having a cutter drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The cutter drum has a drive shaft on which a sheave is mounted. A primary drum drive assembly is adapted to rotate the cutter drum with respect to the frame. The primary drum drive assembly includes a drive belt that cooperates with the sheave on an input drive shaft for the cutter drum to rotate the cutter drum. A belt lift assembly may be operated to selectively disengage the drive belt from the sheave of the input drive shaft for the cutter drum, so that an auxiliary drum drive assembly comprising an auxiliary drive motor may be operated to rotate the cutter drum independently of the primary drum drive assembly.

Abstract: A milling machine includes a primary drum drive assembly for its milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly for driving the milling machine along a roadway. A lifting column is attached between the frame and the ground-engaging drive assembly. The lifting column includes a linear actuator which can raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway. A sensor mounted to the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting at least a predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the drive assemblies and to the sensor, and is adapted to receive from the sensor a signal indicating that the lifting column is not supporting the predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. Upon receipt of such signal, the controller will automatically control certain machine functions.

Abstract: A milling machine includes a primary drum drive assembly that is adapted to rotate a milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly that is adapted to drive the milling machine along a roadway. A lifting column includes a linear actuator which can be operated to raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway. A sensor that is mounted to the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting at least a predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the primary drum drive assembly and to the sensor. The controller is adapted to receive from the sensor a signal indicating that the lifting column is not supporting the predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine, and upon receipt of such signal, to stop the rotation of the milling drum.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a surface of a roadway includes a frame and a milling assembly having a cutter drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The cutter drum has a drive shaft on which a sheave is mounted. A primary drum drive assembly is adapted to rotate the cutter drum with respect to the frame. The primary drum drive assembly includes a drive belt that cooperates with the sheave on an input drive shaft for the cutter drum to rotate the cutter drum. A belt lift assembly may be operated to selectively disengage the drive belt from the sheave of the input drive shaft for the cutter drum, so that an auxiliary drum drive assembly comprising an auxiliary drive motor may be operated to rotate the cutter drum independently of the primary drum drive assembly.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a surface of a roadway includes a frame and a milling assembly having a cutter drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The cutter drum has a drive shaft on which a sheave is mounted. A primary drum drive assembly is adapted to rotate the cutter drum with respect to the frame. The primary drum drive assembly includes a drive belt that cooperates with the sheave on the drive shaft for the cutter drum to rotate the cutter drum. A belt lift assembly may be operated to selectively disengage the drive belt from the sheave of the drive shaft for the cutter drum.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a roadway surface includes a frame and a milling drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. A primary drum drive assembly is operatively attached to the milling drum and is adapted to rotate the milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly is adapted to drive the milling machine along the roadway surface. A lifting column is attached at its upper end to the frame and at its lower end to the ground-engaging drive assembly. The lifting column includes a linear actuator which can be operated to raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway surface. A sensor that is mounted to the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting at least a predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the primary drum drive assembly and to the sensor.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a roadway surface includes a frame and a milling drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. A primary drum drive assembly is operatively attached to the milling drum and adapted to rotate the milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly that is adapted to drive the milling machine along the roadway surface. A lifting column is attached at its upper end to the frame and at its lower end to the ground-engaging drive assembly. The lifting column includes a linear actuator which can be operated to raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway surface. A sensor that is associated with the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting a portion of the weight of the milling machine sufficient to insure that the milling drum is not supporting any part of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the primary drum drive assembly and to the sensor.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a surface of a roadway includes a frame and a milling assembly having a cutter drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The cutter drum has a drive shaft on which a sheave is mounted. A primary drum drive assembly is adapted to rotate the cutter drum with respect to the frame. The primary drum drive assembly includes a drive belt that cooperates with the sheave on the drive shaft for the cutter drum to rotate the cutter drum. A belt lift assembly may be operated to selectively disengage the drive belt from the sheave of the drive shaft for the cutter drum.