Abstract: An automatic control system for a work machine includes a positioning system, a site model, and a controller. The work machine operates at a work site containing material to be operated on by the work machine. The positioning system determines a relative location of the work machine within the work site and produces a machine position signal. The site model contains data related to a condition of the material. The controller is coupled to the site model, receives the machine position signal and determines a current condition of the material as a function of the position signal and the site model, and controls the work machine as a function of the current condition of the material.

Abstract: A backhoe (100) has a hydraulic cylinder (316, 317) with a piston (318, 319) that rotates a rotatable boom (108). A lockable slider block (322) slides on the piston. Movement of the lockable slider block in one direction is caused by a spring (328, 329) mounted around the piston, and in another direction is caused by the telescoping of the piston into the hydraulic cylinder. The backhoe includes a hydraulic valve (340) that controls hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder and a sensor (320) coupled to the hydraulic valve. Once locked to a position on the piston, the lockable slider block engages the sensor on each occasion the rotatable boom rotates beyond a preselected angle of rotation. Engagement of the sensor causes actuation of the hydraulic valve, thereby preventing further rotation of the boom by the hydraulic cylinder. Alternative embodiments have an encoder (120, 130) that digitizes the position of the boom, and a microcomputer (410) that is programmed to actuate the hydraulic valve.

Abstract: A control system for a work machine having a hydraulic actuator is provided. An input device generates a movement signal to control the movement of the hydraulic actuator. A sensor senses a parameter indicative of a magnitude of a force exerted by the hydraulic actuator. A first controller controls the motion of the hydraulic actuator and has a first receiver that receives the movement signal and a first transmitter that transmits a force signal including an indication of the force exerted by the hydraulic actuator. A second controller is operatively connected to the input device and has a second transmitter that transmits the movement signal and a second receiver that receives the force signal. A force generator exerts a feedback force on the input device. The magnitude of the feedback force is related to the magnitude of the force.

Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for a boom cylinder in a work machine, which, when controlling supply and discharge of pressurized oil with respect to a boom cylinder, improves fuel efficiency, work efficiency in combined operations, and improves work efficiency and operationality in the work of difficult boom operations, such as debris raking-up work and bumping work, wherein the hydraulic control circuit of a boom cylinder is provided with a change valve to hold a first boom control valve at a neutral position, a communication line for causing a head side oil chamber and a rod side oil chamber to communicate with each other, an opening valve for opening and closing the corresponding communication line, and pilot operating check valve that is changed to an unidirectional state where, although an oil flow from the head side oil chamber to the rod side oil chamber is permitted, a reverse flow is hindered, and to a bi-directional state where oil flows in both directions, and further a second boom control valve is p

Abstract: A modular excavator-backhoe control station is disclosed, the station having two control towers with joystick on their upper ends that are pivotally coupled adjacent a floor of an excavator or backhoe. They have one piece polymeric boots that cover them as well as several additional operator controls. The towers are held in fore-and-aft position by a locking fluid cylinder that is adjustable to a many fore-and-aft positions. The towers also have upper portions that are laterally pivotal.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator 1 working in fields includes a controller 2 for measuring a working time for each of an engine 32, a front 15, a swing body 13, and a travel body 12, storing measured data in a memory of the controller 2, and then transferring it to a base station computer 3 via satellite communication, an FD, etc. The transferred data is stored as a database 100 in the base station computer 3. The base station computer 3 reads the data stored in the database 100 for each hydraulic excavator, calculates a working time of a part belonging to each section on the basis of the working time of that section, and compares the calculated working time with a preset target replacement time interval of the relevant part, thereby calculating a remaining time up to next replacement of the relevant part and managing the scheduled replacement timing thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulic controller for working machine according to the present invention, which presupposes an electronic control system where an integrated bleed-off valve common to hydraulic actuators is used for bleed-off control and the bleed-off valve is controlled by the secondary pressure of a proportional solenoid valve controlled by a controller, is constituted to compensate supply of a pressure oil for the hydraulic actuators even if the secondary pressure of the proportional solenoid valve is stopped, by providing, at the bleed-off valve, a fail-safe position with a fail-safe path which opens with an opening having smaller area than an unload opening.

Abstract: Hybrid powered construction equipment is capable of making effective use of the output energy of an engine; increasing operating speed while keeping noise level low, and assuring operation power more than the performance of the engine. To this end, the hybrid powered construction equipment has a hydraulic pump powered by the engine; hydraulic actuators activated by discharge oil from the hydraulic pump; a motor-generator working in conjunction with the engine; and a battery for storing electric power generated by the electric motor-generator, the construction equipment further comprising a power-up switch disposed in an operating lever or operation panel and a controller which inputs a signal released from the power-up switch, wherein the controller constantly controls the revolution speed of the engine in response to a signal from the power-up switch and controls the output torque of the electric motor-generator such that torque for assisting powering of the hydraulic pump is output.

Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit of a boom cylinder for a work machine, which, when controlling the supply and discharge of pressurized oil with respect to a boom cylinder, improves fuel efficiency, work efficiency in combined operations, and work efficiency and operationality in work of difficult boom operations, such as debris raking-up work and bumping work, etc. The hydraulic control circuit of a boom cylinder is provided with a first change valve for holding the boom control valve in the neutral position, a communication line for causing the head side oil chamber and the rod side oil chamber to communicate with each other, an opening and closing valve for opening and closing the communication line, and a pilot operation check valve that is changed to an unidirectional state where, although an oil flow from the head side oil chamber to the rod side oil chamber is permitted, a reverse flow is hindered, and a bi-directional state is permitted where the oil flows in both directions.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the position of a mechanical linkage is disclosed. An estimated position of a mechanical linkage is set to an initial position. The movement of the mechanical linkage is controlled based on a signal from an input device. The estimated position of the mechanical linkage is updated based upon the movement of the mechanical linkage. A determination is made when the estimated position of the mechanical linkage substantially corresponds to an actual position of the mechanical linkage.

Abstract: A continuous ditch excavator includes an excavating auger rotatably mounted on a chassis in a centrally-disposed excavation work area defined by forward and rear portions. Two driving elements are rotatably-mounted in laterally spaced-apart relation to each other on the chassis. The auger is moved laterally between the first and second driving elements to permit adjustment of the position of the auger in relation to the first and second driving elements. In another embodiment, the auger is carried by an arm rotatably mounted to the chassis. In yet another embodiment, the excavator includes a plurality of excavating augers independently raised and lowered to vary the width of the ditch.

Abstract: A counterweight mounting structure for construction machine to which a counterweight is connected through a gap to an exterior constituting an upper rotating body is constituted such that a recessed groove is provided on an end on a connection side of the counterweight, an elastic soundproof material is installed in the recessed groove, and the soundproof material protruding from the recessed groove is brought in contact with, and pressed against an end on the connection side of the exterior when the counterweight is mounted. As a result, there is provided the counterweight mounting structure whose soundproof capability does not decrease even after the counterweight is mounted/dismounted.

Abstract: In a power tilt apparatus in which an operation state of a cylinder apparatus is switched between an extension side and a compression side in accordance with an oil feeding direction of a pump apparatus by a switching valve apparatus provided in a pipe passage connecting the cylinder apparatus and the pump apparatus, where a sintered body filter is provided in the middle of the pipe passage.

Abstract: An excavator in which a generator is driven by an engine as a power source. Electric motors are driven by electric power supplied from the generator, and a lower traveling body, an upper turning body, and operating parts of an excavation attachment are operated by the electric motors.

Abstract: Systems for locating an underground utility include means for generating detection data representative of an underground utility within a subsurface of the earth. Systems may also include means for generating geographic positioning data representative of a geographic position of the underground utility and means for storing the geographic positioning data and the detection data. Means are provided for associating the geographic positioning data with the detection data to generate location data representative of a location of the underground utility within the subsurface.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator 1 has an area limiting excavation control function for controlling operation of a front working device so as to form a target work plane. A remote control terminal 102 for wirelessly maneuvering the hydraulic excavator 1 is provided in a management office so that entry of setting information of a target excavation plane and remote maneuvering can be performed from the side of the remote control terminal 102. A display unit 71b for displaying a positional relationship between the hydraulic excavator 1 and the target excavation plane is further provided in the remote control terminal. An operator can remotely set the target excavation plane while looking at a screen of the display unit 71b, and also form the target excavation plane by remotely maneuvering the front working device 7 using a joystick 72 with the aid of a control function of an area limiting excavation controller.

Abstract: This invention provides with a continuous underground trench excavating method and an excavator for the method, which performs vertical excavation in which a trencher of the excavator is inserted into the ground and horizontal excavation in which a travel body of the excavator is moved substantially horizontally, characterized in that it determines a penetration resistance under penetration of the trencher to a predetermined depth, estimates a ground strength in the underground depth direction on the basis of the penetration resistance, and a continuous underground trench excavating is carried out with a thrust matching the estimated ground strength, whereby capable of carrying out an appropriate excavation with better understanding of the ground condition.

Abstract: Maximum charging power of a battery (63) is set by a battery-charging power setting unit (75), while maximum discharging power of the battery (63) is set by a battery-discharging power setting unit (76). Lower and upper limit of generator output power is set by a generator output power setting unit (77). A generator/battery power distribution determining unit (81) distributes power between the battery (63) and the generator (62) using the set values above.

Abstract: Transmission mechanism accommodated in a transmission case includes an input shaft extending upward to connect to a vertical engine and an output shaft extending horizontally to connect to a working unit. The engine is mounted on an upper surface portion of the transmission case, and the working unit, motors and axles of left and right traveling sections, such as crawler belts, are attached to the transmission case between the traveling sections. The working unit is vertically pivotable about the central axis of axles of the traveling sections. The driving wheels and motors are positioned adjacent to front end portions of an engine crankshaft positioned near and rearward of the central axis.

Abstract: A display unit for a construction machine is provided which allow for an operator to easily set a target plane or area in works to be performed under automatic control, and to freely change the contents to be displayed regardless of whether the machine is under the automatic control, so that information which the operator wants to see can be promptly displayed.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve is used to judiciously shunt oil from lowering ends of the hoist and stick cylinders that have been plumbed to achieve near horizontal movement. This allows the use of cylinders that have unequal rod/bore ratios or to compensate for certain transient effects that may require the exchange of oil to the reservoir. The action of the hydraulic valve acts without obtrusive operator intervention and is essentially automatic. This allows for greater flexibility in the design of the boom system, allows the boom system to perform various tasks, while not requiring obtrusive intervention from the operator.

Abstract: The invention comprises a work vehicle, a boom attached to the vehicle, a tool pivotally attached to the boom, an actuator for controllably moving the tool about its pivot, and an angular velocity sensor for sensing the angular velocity of the tool. A controller is adapted to perform a tool auto-hold function, automatically maintaining an initial tool orientation by processing the angular velocity data and commanding movement of the tool actuator to hold the angular velocity at zero. The controller is adapted to discontinue the tool auto-hold function when the operator manipulates a tool command input device affecting tool actuator movement, and resume the tool auto-hold function at the new orientation affected by the operator. Manipulation of an auto-hold command input device allows the operator to selectively enable and disable the tool auto-hold function.

Abstract: A backhoe (100) has a hydraulic cylinder (316, 317) with a piston (318, 319) that rotates a rotatable boom (108). A lockable slider block (322) slides on the piston. Movement of the lockable slider block in one direction is caused by a spring (328, 329) mounted around the piston, and in another direction is caused by the telescoping of the piston into the hydraulic cylinder. The backhoe includes a hydraulic valve (340) that controls hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder and a sensor (320) coupled to the hydraulic valve. Once locked to a position on the piston, the lockable slider block engages the sensor on each occasion the rotatable boom rotates beyond a preselected angle of rotation. Engagement of the sensor causes actuation of the hydraulic valve, thereby preventing further rotation of the boom by the hydraulic cylinder. Alternative embodiments have an encoder (120, 130) that digitizes the position of the boom, and a microcomputer (410) that is programmed to actuate the hydraulic valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for attenuating the motion of hydraulic cylinders of mobile work machinery, in particular of hydraulic excavators, in which prior to the hydraulic cylinder reaching one of the limits of travel, its motion speed is reduced, and the hydraulic cylinder is moved to the respective limit of travel at reduced speed; wherein for the purpose of reducing the speed, the inflow to, and/or the outflow from, the hydraulic cylinder are/is throttled by means of a flow control device. According to the invention, the method is characterised in that prior to the respective limit of travel being reached, the motion speed of the hydraulic cylinder is registered, and the point in time when throttling commences is changed depending on the registered motion speed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a backhoe with a tool pivotally attached to an extendable dipperstick, an actuator for controllably moving the tool about its pivot, and an angular velocity sensor for sensing the angular velocity of the tool about its pivot. A controller is adapted to perform a tool auto-hold function, automatically maintaining an initial tool orientation by processing the angular velocity data and commanding movement of the tool actuator to hold the angular velocity at zero. The controller is adapted to discontinue the tool auto-hold function when the operator manipulates a tool command input device affecting tool actuator movement, and resume the tool auto-hold function at the new orientation affected by the operator. Manipulation of an auto-hold command input device allows the operator to selectively enable and disable the tool auto-hold function.

Abstract: In a working vehicle which includes left and right traveling devices, a pair of hydraulic traveling motors are installed to drive the respective traveling devices, and a pair of hydraulic directional control valves are provided for the respective hydraulic traveling motors in order to control the traveling of the vehicle. A throttle valve is provided in a pilot oil-passage, and connected to a drain oil-passage after passing serially through the pair of hydraulic directional control valves below the throttle valve. A pressure switch for warning the traveling state is operated by a pilot hydraulic pressure which is pressure of oil within an oil-passage between the throttle valve and an upstream one of the left and right hydraulic directional control valves.

Abstract: A work vehicle having an implement, including: a frame; a boom arm assembly connected at one end to the frame; an implement assembly pivotally connected to another end of the boom arm assembly and including the implement; a first hydraulic implement cylinder connected to the implement assembly and positioned to pivotally rotate the implement relative to the boom arm assembly when a piston of the first implement cylinder is extended or retracted, the first hydraulic implement cylinder being connected to a first electrohydraulic valve for activating extension and retraction of the piston of the first implement cylinder; and a controller connected to send control signals to activate the first electrohydraulic valve, wherein the controller sends a series of shaking control signals to alternately extend and retract the first implement cylinder to effect a shaking movement of the implement.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a backhoe is disclosed. The circuit includes first, second and third pumps driven by an engine, left and right traveling unit valve sections configured to receive pressure oil from the first pump and the second pump independently of each other, a front implement valve section configured to receive combined pressure oil including oil discharged from a center oil passage of the left traveling unit valve section and oil discharged from a center oil passage of the right traveling unit valve section, a swiveling valve section configured to receive pressure oil from the third pump and a parallel oil passage having a restrictor and disposed parallel to a center oil passage of said swiveling valve section. The front implement valve section is configured to receive also pressure oil from the center oil passage of the swiveling valve section and the parallel oil passage.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the position of a mechanical linkage is disclosed. An estimated position of a mechanical linkage is set to an initial position. The movement of the mechanical linkage is controlled based on a signal from an input device. The estimated position of the mechanical linkage is updated based upon the movement of the mechanical linkage. A determination is made when the estimated position of the mechanical linkage substantially corresponds to an actual position of the mechanical linkage.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic bucket control system during loading of a work implement of a work machine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining when the work implement engages a pile of material, initiating the automatic bucket control system in response to the work implement engaging the pile of material, determining a ground speed of the work machine, and generating a lift command based upon the ground speed. After fully engaging the material, the system may further adjust tilt commands and/or lift commands based upon a monitored crowd factor to control operation of the work implement.

Abstract: There is provided a crawler frame having a center frame and right and left track frames disposed at the right and left sides of the center frame so as to extend in a back and forth direction, wherein legs for connecting a central frame section of the center frame to the track frames are formed from cast steel in order that washing can be easily done by reducing the amount of mud to be adhered to and deposited on the legs and in order that easy manufacture may be possible.

Abstract: A system to control a piece of construction equipment or other piece of heavy equipment at a remote location via a data network in which a user provides movement instructions via a graphical user interface at a user PC to a programmable controller interfaced to the data network and the hydraulic movement systems of the heavy equipment. The graphical user interface includes a visual representation portion and a user control portion. A visual representation of the moveable elements of the heavy equipment is provided to the user via the graphical user interface, and the user inputs movement instructions via the user control portion of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: In an excavating/slewing work truck, the boom falls freely at the time of lowering operation without requiring any power but the flow rate of a pump increases excessively when the speed is balanced with other acutuators and power loss is inevitable for enhancing the operability. In order to eliminate this inconvenience, a first oil path (41) connecting a bottom side cylinder port (CB) and a tank port (T2), a second oil path (42) connecting a pump port (P2) and a rod side cylinder port (CR), and a third oil path (43) connecting a pump port (P1) and a tank port (T1) are provided, respectively, with first, second and third restrictors (61), (62) and (63) at the boom down position of a change-over valve (51) for the boom cylinder of an excavating/slewing work truck, wherein the first restrictor (61) restricts by such an amount as the work machine lowers gravitationally an the second restrictor (62) restricts by such an amount as the pressure on the boom side is not exceeded.

Abstract: A construction apparatus (12) and method of controlling a construction apparatus from a laser source (38) made up of a substantially non-rotating beam (56). The construction apparatus includes a body (14), a construction tool (16) adapted to move material, a support moveably supporting the construction tool from the body and a control for guiding movement of the construction tool. A control is provided including a camera (28) that is adapted to capture an illuminated image that is derived from the laser source. The control determines direction information of the illuminated image with respect to the apparatus at least in part from an output of the camera. The control is further adapted to determine separation information of the spot with respect to the body and a physical relationship between the construction tool and the illuminated image.

Abstract: A method of manual control neutral drift correction for a work vehicle is characterized by the steps of: sensing a position of a first manual control using a first position sensor when an activation switch is activated, wherein the first position sensor generates a first input signal; sending the first input signal to a controller; retrieving a stored first manual control neutral position value from a memory unit; calculating a first corrected manual control neutral position value using the controller, wherein the first corrected manual control neutral position value is calculated using the first input signal and the first manual control position value; and utilizing the first corrected manual control neutral position value to generate a first control signal for operating a first electro-hydraulic valve, wherein the first control signal is generated by the controller to operate the first electro-hydraulic valve to effect movement of a first assembly.

Abstract: We describe a system for displaying buried utilities to the operator of an excavator. The display is based on 3D images of the subsurface obtained from advanced locating methods. As the excavator moves, the display changes so that it remains centered on the region near the bucket where the buried pipes are in danger of being broken.

Abstract: An automatically operated shovel, which includes a power shovel and an automatic operation controller 50 for making the power shovel reproduce a series of taught operations ranging from digging to dumping, is characterized in that the automatic operation controller is provided with a positioning determinator for determining whether or not the power shovel has reached within a taught position range predetermined based on corresponding one of positioning accuracies set for individual taught positions of said power shovel, and, when the power shovel is determined to have reached within the predetermined taught position range, the automatic operation controller outputs a next taught position as a target position.

Abstract: The invention comprises a work vehicle, a boom attached to the vehicle, a tool pivotally attached to the boom, an actuator for controllably moving the tool about its pivot, and an angular velocity sensor for sensing the angular velocity of the tool. A controller is adapted to perform a tool auto-hold function, automatically maintaining an initial tool orientation by processing the angular velocity data and commanding movement of the tool actuator to hold the angular velocity at zero. The controller is adapted to discontinue the tool auto-hold function when the operator manipulates a tool command input device affecting tool actuator movement, and resume the tool auto-hold function at the new orientation affected by the operator. Manipulation of an auto-hold command input device allows the operator to selectively enable and disable the tool auto-hold function.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit of an excavating and slewing working vehicle of two pump system, wherein a directional control valve for slewing and a directional control valve for arm are tandem-connected to the upstream side and downstream side of the delivery oil passage of a second hydraulic pump, respectively, a directional control valve for bucket are connected to the delivery oil passage of a first hydraulic pump, and then a bleed switching valve connected, through a check valve between the directional control valve for slewing and the directional control valve for arm and switched to connect to or disconnect from a tank on the upstream side of the check valve and the directional control valve for slewing are operated interlockingly with each other.

Abstract: Compact, low-cost construction equipment capable of effectively recovering energy from a plurality of hydraulic actuators is provided. To this end, the construction equipment comprises: a hydraulic recovery circuit for recovering return oil from the hydraulic actuators, the circuit being equipped with a pump motor rotatably driven by the recovered return oil; oil guide passages each of which is for guiding return oil from the meter-out side of its corresponding hydraulic actuator to the hydraulic recovery circuit; switches for switching the respective oil guide passages between their opened and closed states; pressure sensors for detecting the back pressure of each hydraulic pressure actuator; and a dynamo-electric generator for generating electric power from the rotary force of the pump motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic control apparatus for a construction machine. The hydraulic control apparatus includes a target velocity table (4) which stores target actuation velocities of a hydraulic actuator (30) corresponding to operation amounts of the operation member (2) to be operated by the operator, a target acceleration table (5) which stores target actuation accelerations of the hydraulic actuator (30) corresponding to operation amounts of the operation member (2), and one of the target velocity table (4) and the target acceleration table (5) can be selected by operation of a selection switch (3) by the operator. Further, by the control means, the target value corresponding to the operation amount of the operation member (2) using the table selected by the selection switch (3), and a control valve (17) for controlling the pressure oil supplying amount from a hydraulic pump (16) to the hydraulic actuator (30) is controlled based on the set target value.

Abstract: A failure detection device for a hydraulic motor according to the present comprises a hydraulic pump (3) that is driven by a prime mover (2); a hydraulic motor (1) that is driven by hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump (3); an abnormality detection device (35) that detects a sign of abnormal operation of the hydraulic motor (1); and a warning device (39, 40) that issues a warning when the sign of the abnormal operation of the hydraulic motor (1) is detected by the abnormality detection device (35).

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the location of a work machine at a work site, where the work machine includes a house, a boom connected to the house, a stick connected to the boom, and a work implement connected to the house. Reference signals are received from an external reference source. The position of a point on the house is determined in response to the received signals. Information about the work machine is determined based on the position of the point on the house. The status of center-of-rotation (COR) information is updated. The system determines if an event has occurred. If an event is determined to have occurred, event reactions occur.

Abstract: Hybrid construction equipment leveling an engine load and effectively performing regeneration of energy is provided. For this purpose, the construction equipment includes a hydraulic pump (2) and a first electric motor (7) driven by an engine (1), a battery (9) for charging electric power generated by the first electric motor, a second electric motor (10) driven by electric power of the battery and functioning as a generator at a time of braking revolution, a swash plate angel sensor 33 and a pressure sensor 34 for the hydraulic pump, and a controller (5) for controlling the first electric motor as a generator by surplus torque when absorption torque is smaller than predetermined output torque of the engine and controlling the first electric motor as a motor to generate an amount of shortage of torque when the absorption torque is larger than the predetermined torque.

Abstract: A method for determining positioning relative to utility lines. A first step involves providing a global positioning apparatus. A second step involves providing a processing unit with a display. The processing unit has stored in memory at least one geographical map depicting positioning of at least one utility line. A third step involves transferring data received from the global positioning apparatus to the processing unit and displaying on the display the positioning of the mobile machine relative to the at least one utility line on the at least one geographical map.

Abstract: A wheel loader, which reduces fuel consumption and eliminates lack of output power of an engine, is provided. For this purpose, the wheel loader is a wheel loader performing operations by driving a hydraulic pump (8) for driving a working machine and driving wheels (6) of a vehicle (101) by an engine (1), and includes a first electric motor (11) capable of transmitting torque to the driving wheels, an electricity accumulation device (13) for transferring electric energy to and from the first electric motor, and a controller (10, 20) for controlling a generating operation of the first electric motor that receives torque transmission from the driving wheels and generates electric power at the time of a decelerating operation of the vehicle, and storing generated electric energy into the electricity accumulation device.

Abstract: A portable structure supports a subsurface imaging system and is moveable over a given imaging site. At least a first antenna of a plurality of antennae is oriented in a manner differing from an orientation of a second antenna of the plurality of antennae, such as the first antenna being orientated substantially orthogonal to the second antenna. The antennae may operate in a bi-static mode. Transmitter and receiver circuitry, coupled to the antennae, respectively generates electromagnetic probe signals and receives electromagnetic return signals resulting from the probe signals. A processor processes the received electromagnetic return signals. A display may be provided as part of the subsurface imaging system and/or as part of a processing system separate from the subsurface imaging system which processes the received electromagnetic return signals. The processor can generate two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional detection data using the received electromagnetic return signals.

Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit of a boom cylinder for a work machine, which, when controlling the supply and discharge of pressurized oil with respect to a boom cylinder, improves fuel efficiency, work efficiency in combined operations, and work efficiency and operationality in work of difficult boom operations, such as debris raking-up work and bumping work, etc. The hydraulic control circuit of a boom cylinder is provided with a first change valve for holding the boom control valve in the neutral position, a communication line for causing the head side oil chamber and the rod side oil chamber to communicate with each other, an opening and closing valve for opening and closing the communication line, and a pilot operation check valve that is changed to an unidirectional state where, although an oil flow from the head side oil chamber to the rod side oil chamber is permitted, a reverse flow is hindered, and a bi-directional state is permitted where the oil flows in both directions.

Abstract: A level sensing system for use with an excavating machine includes a light receiving sensor, mounted on the dipper stick of the machine, and an inclinometer, also mounted on the dipper stick of the machine. The sensor and inclinometer provide indications of the relative location of a beam of light and the inclination of the dipper stick. The inclinometer includes a gyroscopic inclination sensor and an accelerometer arrangement for sensing acceleration due to gravity and providing a static vertical reference. A position determining circuit is responsive to the sensor and the inclinometer and calculates the position of a pivot joint on the dipper stick to which a digging bucket is attached. The beam of light is a beam of laser light which is projected by a laser transmitter. An angle-measuring sensor may be provided for measuring the angular orientation between the dipper stick and a cutting edge of the bucket.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the location of a work machine at a work site, where the work machine includes a house, a boom connected to the house, a stick connected to the boom, and a work implement connected to the house. Reference signals are received from an external reference source. The position of a point on the house is determined in response to the received signals. Information about the work machine is determined based on the position of the point on the house. The status of center-of-rotation (COR) information is updated. The system determines if an event has occurred. If an event is determined to have occurred, event reactions occur.