Abstract: A system for modifying an operational condition, i.e., the discharge speed or position, of a material-handling vehicle (MHV). The system includes a computer utilizing a machine learning engine to analyze visual data, a vision system comprising at least one camera mounted to the MHV for generating said visual data, and a controller operatively connected to the MHV. The vision system generates visual data by imaging an observed area proximate the MHV. That data is transmitted to the computer which, using a processor, analyzes the data to determine if a current operational condition of the MHV is outside of a tolerance band. If it is outside of the band, the computer system generates operational commands to bring the MHV back within the tolerance band and transmits said commands to the controller.

Abstract: A system for positioning a working apparatus of a road construction machine, where first and second areas are located forward and rearward, respectively, of the working apparatus. A positioning system includes a controller for changing a position or orientation of the working apparatus. A computer system receives and processes topographical data collected by sensors for points of interest in the first area to generate a first plane equation for a first plane containing at least three of the points of interest. By comparing the first plane equation with an initial position, the computer system determines a second position where the working apparatus can change the road surface from a first state to a second state. The computer system generates instructions for changing a position or orientation of the working apparatus from the initial position to the second position, and the controller executes those instructions.

Abstract: A system for modifying an operational condition, i.e., the discharge speed or position, of a material-handling vehicle (MHV). The system includes a computer utilizing a machine learning engine to analyze visual data, a vision system comprising at least one camera mounted to the MHV for generating said visual data, and a controller operatively connected to the MHV. The vision system generates visual data by imaging an observed area proximate the MHV. That data is transmitted to the computer which, using a processor, analyzes the data to determine if a current operational condition of the MHV is outside of a tolerance band. If it is outside of the band, the computer system generates operational commands to bring the MHV back within the tolerance band and transmits said commands to the controller.

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.