Abstract: A grading machine include a machine body, a grading blade, at least one grading blade sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, a drawbar centershift cylinder, a user interface, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive an input from the user interface and position and orient the grading blade and the drawbar to one of a plurality of predetermined maintenance positions based on the input.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for assisting an operator of a motor grader to steer the motor grader in a crab steer mode. The method includes receiving an operator selection of an automatic crab steer mode, determining that a condition of the motor grader is such as to permit automatic crab steer, and receiving an operator steering command. The received operator steering command is converted to an articulation command to place the machine into a crab steer mode. The articulation command is executed and is also converted into a final steering command consistent with the articulation command, and the final steering command is then executed.

Abstract: A motor grader includes a base unit and a blade positioning assembly. The base unit has a main frame. The blade positioning assembly includes a pivot member attached to and extending downwardly from the main frame, and a blade lift member attached to a bottom end of the pivot member.

Abstract: A motor grader including lift cylinders is described. Each one of lift cylinders is connected to a lifter bracket through first support means, and each other ends of the lift cylinders is connected to a forward position compared to a rear in portion in a draw bar, through second support means. Each one ends and the other end of the lift cylinders are offset from each other with respect to a front-rear direction of the motor grader as viewed from above the motor grader, thereby disposing the pair of lift cylinders inclined in the front-rear direction of the motor as viewed from a side of the motor grader. With this structure, it is possible to obtain the motor grader in which a height position of each end of the lift cylinders can be substantially equal to a height position of the lifter bracket as viewed from the side of the motor grader, and a visibility hindrance by the pair of lift cylinders can extremely be lowered.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame and a coupler assembly suspended below the frame, the coupler assembly configured for sideshift movement and having an implement mounting element for engaging with a mating feature on an implement. An implement grabber mounted to the coupler assembly is configured to grab an implement and move the implement via sideshift movement of the coupler assembly from a position lateral of the frame to a mounting position at which the mounting element of the coupler assembly can engage with the mating feature of the implement. A method of implement positioning for a machine includes grabbing the implement with a implement grabber mounted on a coupler assembly and moving the implement with the coupler assembly. The method also includes disengaging the implement from the implement grabber and actuating a mounting element of the coupler assembly to engage or disengage with the mating feature of the implement.

Abstract: A work vehicle, such as a motor grader, comprises a frame, a ripper, a tie bar attached to the frame, and a four-bar linkage attached to and disposed between the ripper and the tie bar for transferring a load between the ripper and the frame via the four-bar linkage and the tie bar. The four-bar linkage and the tie bar are co-planar with respect to a plane within which the four-bar linkage is movable relative to the frame. A toolbar for the ripper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a tool to a motor grader machine includes a main body assembly, a wedge assembly attached to the main body assembly, wherein the wedge assembly is configured to rigidly secure the tool to the main body assembly. A retainer assembly may be attached to the main body assembly, wherein the retainer assembly is configured to mount directly to a tool mount assembly of the motor grader machine.

Abstract: A box scraper attachment is provided for mounting on the boom arms of a skid-steer vehicle or the like. The box scraper attachment includes a main frame having castor wheel assemblies mounted at the forward end thereof. A box scraper is selectively vertically movably secured to the main frame and is selectively pivotally movably secured to the main frame.

Abstract: An implement pitch-yaw system for effectively and efficiently controlling the pitch of an implement. The implement pitch-yaw system includes a first yaw actuator and a second yaw actuator attached between an implement structure pivotally attached to a support structure and a connecting member slidably attached to the support structure, and a pitch actuator attached between the connecting member and the support structure. The extension/retraction of the pitch actuator moves the yaw actuators accordingly thereby creating the desired pitch movement for the implement structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the cross slope created by a work implement on a work machine operating in an articulated or non-articulated manner. The method includes the steps of determining a position of the work implement, determining a direction of travel of the machine, and responsively determining the cross slope.

Abstract: A motor grader is provided with an adjustable drawbar and circle support assembly. The assembly includes a circle support for mounting a moldboard or blade for rotation about an upright axis, and an extensible and retractable drawbar having one end associated with the circle support and another end adapted for pivotal connection to the main frame of the motor grader. The drawbar is preferably hydraulically actuatable to move the circle support fore and aft along the longitudinal length of the motor grader main frame to provide longitudinal adjustment of the grader blade.

Abstract: A method for automatically rotating a motor grader to a predetermined articulation angle. The method includes the steps of: providing an electronic controller, a displacement sensor, articulation cylinders, and an input switch; obtaining information from the displacement sensor indicating the present articulation angle of the motor grader; receiving an input signal from the input switch requesting a predetermined articulation angle; and producing a control signal for actuating the articulation cylinders to rotate the motor grader from the present articulation angle to the predetermined articulation angle.

Abstract: A grading attachment for loader type utility vehicles is provided. The attachment secures to the front of the loader and has an overarching beam which ends in a set of ground engaging wheels. A drawbar is secured to the front of the beam at a ball and socket joint and movably retained at the back of the beam by a vertical channel so that the drawbar can be readily exchanged for another similar drawbar. The drawbar has a sleeve into which a mounting pin may be secured so as to permit the attaching and detaching of a grading implement.

Abstract: A highlift adjusting mechanism for the blade of a motor grader uses the traditional twin highlift cylinders connected to the motor grader by means of bell cranks. A rigid link member joins lower ends of the bell cranks and includes a number of locking ports therein. The link member is pivotally connected to the bell cranks by a specialized arrangement which additionally defines a further locking port. In the preferred form, the link member is secured to the bell cranks by pin members which include a cavity in one end thereof sized to receive the locking pin. With this arrangement, the bell cranks can be maintained closer to the frame of the grader and improved visibility is achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the cross slope angle cut by the blade of an articulated frame motorgrader being steered through a turn, operated in a straight frame mode, in a crabbed steering position and/or traveling in a non-horizontal plane. The blade angle is sensed and controlled such that the sensed blade angle is maintained substantially equal to a calculated blade angle. In a first embodiment, the blade angle calculation is performed using the equation: tan BS=(sin .tau.')(tan R)+(cos .tau.')(tan CS) where BS is the required blade slope angle of said blade relative to horizontal; .tau.' is a rotational angle of the blade with respect to the blade's direction of travel projected into horizontal; R is an angle between the blade's direction of travel and horizontal; and CS is the desired cross slope angle which is entered by an operator of the motorgrader. In a further embodiment, the blade angle calculation is performed using the equation: tan BS=(sin .tau.")(tan R')+(cos .tau.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the cross slope angle cut by the blade of an articulated frame motorgrader operated in the crabbed steering mode wherein the articulation angle of the motorgrader frame is sensed and used to calculate the blade angle relative to horizontal required to maintain a desired cross slope angle. The blade angle is sensed and controlled such that the sensed blade angle is maintained substantially equal to the calculated blade angle.

Abstract: A blade lift and support system for a road grader is taught which is of simplified construction and improved geometry. According to one embodiment, the adjustment of the beam and associated grader blade is fully hydraulically controlled including locking of the beam in a desired position and maintaining the beam position by an hydraulic fluid lock. This preferred arrangement permits full power adjustment of the high-lift while the blade is in a lifted condition. The particular beam shape improves the position of the cylinders to effect positioning the blade for working.

Abstract: A double arch center frame employs a depending center arch to mount by a ball and socket connection the leading end of a draw bar and yoke assembly. Bell cranks pivotably mounted to yoke plates borne by the arched center frame intermediate of the center arch and the rear arch have arms pivotably coupled to respective hydraulic lift cylinders disposed on opposite sides of the center frame and to a like member common to the bell cranks. A side shift hydraulic cylinder is pivotably connected at one end to one side of a subframe rotatably supporting a mold board assembly and at the other end to a link member intermediate of its pivot connections to a second arm of the bell crank members. The forward arched end of the center frame is articulated to a front single axle tractor for rotation about right angle, vertical and horizontal axes, and the rear arched end of the center frame is hinge connected to a rear single axle tractor for pivoting about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: The specification discloses a new blade positioning apparatus for use in motor graders, that provides improved visibility and allows the operator to easily control the elevation, transverse inclination, and position of the scraper blade beneath the machine. The device comprises a transverse "W" shaped beam pivotally mounted to the upper surface of the support frame of the grader to allow partial rotation of the beam about the main frame. A link member passes beneath the frame of the grader and is secured to the beam member, such that the beam and link members encircle the frame. The link member cooperates with a releasable lock mechanism for securing the beam member at selected adjusted positions relative to the support frame. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the lock mechanism includes a bar lock pivoted at one end beneath the frame of the grader and is received in tapered notches provided in the link.

Abstract: A double arch center frame employs a depending center arch to mount by a ball and socket connection the leading end of a draw bar and yoke assembly. Bell cranks pivotably mounted to yoke plates borne by the arched center frame intermediate of the center arch and the rear arch have arms pivotably coupled to respective hydraulic lift cylinders disposed on opposite sides of the center frame and to a link member common to the bell cranks. A side shift hydraulic cylinder is pivotably connected at one end to one side of a subframe rotatably supporting a mold board assembly and at the other end to the link member intermediate of its pivot connections to the second arm of the bell crank members.

Abstract: A blade positioning mechanism for a motor grader that permits the blade ends to be raised or lowered independently of each other or together through a pair of hydraulic cylinders universally gimballed in independent locking bell cranks. The mechanism also allows the blade to be shifted to either side of the vehicle and into a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for an apparatus having a first member movable relative to a second member providing a plurality of spaced holes therein including: a housing secured to the first member; a lock pin extendably retractably mounted in the housing for insertion into the holes in the second member; and a powered control circuit having an actuated member movably mounted within the housing and connected to the lock pin, the actuator member providing differential force applying surfaces selectively exerting a predetermined locking force to hold the lock pin in the holes and a lower indexing force permitting substantially unrestricted relative movement between the first and second members and automatic insertion of the pin into one of the aligned holes.

Abstract: An adjusting device for the main shield of a grader in which two lifting cylinder, a sideways adjusting cylinder and two pivot arms interconnected by an arresting bridge for actuating the main shield are by the arresting bridge linked to a bridge frame of the grader which bridge frame has a rectangular cross section. Each of the two pivot arms are arranged for pivoting about two joints while one of the pivot arms has its free end provided with fulcrums arranged asymmetrically with regard to the vertical axis of symmetry for establishing linkage connection with one lifting cylinder and a sideways adjusting cylinder. The other one of the two pivot arms is at its free ends provided with a fulcrum for establishing linkage connection with the other lifting cylinder.