Abstract: A bucket attachment for skid loaders and the like that provides a forward hinge material bucket that effectively extends the usable load height for the bucket. The bucket attachment affords loading material into higher trucks using the same skid loader by a uniquely positioned bucket dual pivot system.

Abstract: A control system and method operate to store target signals indicative of end of travel positions of components of a machine. The positions and velocities of the components of a machine are determined at least in part based upon signals received from sensors and command signals are generated to control movement of the components based upon input from an operator, proximate to the end of travel positions and the velocities of the components. Command signals are transmitted to control movement of the components. Multiple end of travel positions may also be defined.

Abstract: A leveling control system and method for heavy equipment, in which a lower frame having a traveling unit and an upper frame are combined together by a tilting unit, includes a sensor unit, provided in the equipment, for measuring twist angles of the lower frame and the upper frame against a reference horizontal surface and a traveling speed of the equipment, and detecting working state information of working devices; a control unit for receiving the twist angles, the traveling speed, and the working state information, calculating a correction angle for the leveling control of the upper frame, and generating a control signal for instructing an operation of an actuator in accordance with the correction angle; and a driving unit for performing the leveling through the actuator in accordance with the control signal received therein.

Abstract: A first hydraulic cylinder is associated with a boom. A first sensor detects a boom position based on a first linear position of a first movable member associated with the first hydraulic cylinder. An attachment is coupled to the boom. A second cylinder is associated with the attachment. A second sensor detects an attachment position based on a second linear position of a second movable member associated with the second hydraulic cylinder. A switch accepts a command to enter a ready position state from another position state. A controller controls the first hydraulic cylinder to attain a target boom position and for controlling the second cylinder to attain a target attachment position associated with the ready position state in response to the command.

Abstract: A first sensor detects a boom position of a boom based on a first linear position of a first movable member of a first hydraulic cylinder. A second sensor detects an attachment position of an attachment based on a second linear position of a second movable member of a second hydraulic cylinder. An accelerometer detects an acceleration or deceleration of the boom. A switch accepts a command to enter a ready position state from another position state. A controller controls the first hydraulic cylinder to attain a target boom position and for controlling the second cylinder to attain a target attachment position associated with the ready position state in response to the command in conformity with at least one of a desired boom motion curve and a desired attachment motion curve.

Abstract: A leveling control system and method for heavy equipment, in which a lower frame having a traveling unit and an upper frame are combined together by a tilting unit. The system includes a sensor unit, provided in the equipment, for measuring twist angles of the lower frame and the upper frame against a reference horizontal surface and a traveling speed of the equipment, and detecting working state information of working devices; a control unit for receiving the twist angles, the traveling speed, and the working state information, calculating a correction angle for the leveling control of the upper frame, and generating a control signal for instructing an operation of an actuator in accordance with the correction angle; and a driving unit for performing the leveling through the actuator in accordance with the control signal received therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for damping the displacement of construction machines, in particular wheel loaders, comprising working equipment that is driven by means of a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic source, a controlled valve for supplying the hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic fluid, a regulator unit comprising control software, in addition to an acceleration sensor.

Abstract: An apron assembly includes an apron having an apron body extending between a first apron side and a second apron side. A portion of the apron includes an arcuate gear surface. A hydraulic actuator assembly includes a linear hydraulic actuator configured to actuate a drive gear, which is in mesh with the arcuate gear surface. According to an exemplary embodiment, the hydraulic actuator assembly is configured to translate linear motion into rotary motion.

Abstract: A loading machine has working equipment which includes at least one arm, an actuator for displacing the arm, a working tool hingable with respect to the arm, a main kinematic chain forming together with the working tool part and the arm part a main deformable mechanism and a controllable tool actuator for deforming the main deformable mechanism to cause the tool to tilt. The machine also has a secondary kinematic chain forming together with the part of the arm, which is located in the area of articulation thereof on the frame, a deformable reference mechanism whose deformation directly corresponds to the inclination angle of the working tool, an angle sensor for measuring an angle displaying the deformation of the reference mechanism with respect to the frame, and a control device which is connected to the sensor and controls the feeding of the working tool actuator and/or the arm actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a civil engineering loading machine (1) provided with a frame (5) and working equipment (2) which comprises at least one arm (3), an arm actuator (7) for rotatably displacing said arm (3) with respect to the frame (5), a working tool (15) hingable with respect to the arm (3), a main cinematic chain (20, 21) forming together with the working tool (15) part and the arm (3) part a main deformable mechanism and a controllable tool actuator (27) for generating the deformation of the main deformable mechanism in such a way that the inclination angle (100) of the working tool (15) with respect to the arm (3) is provided.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for automatically loading a scraper including a method for controlling an implement. The method includes receiving a first signal indicative of a speed of a driven component of the at least one traction device. The method also includes receiving a second signal indicative of a speed of the machine with respect to a surface. The method also includes receiving a third signal indicative of a desired slip of the machine with respect to the surface. The method also includes selectively receiving a fourth signal indicative of an operators desire to affect manual control of the implement. The method further includes determining a first parameter as a function of the received first, second, third, and selectively received fourth signals and controlling the implement as a function of the first parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic control arrangement for damping wagging vibrations, wherein during operation a hydraulic cylinder of a lifting equipment can be connected to a hydraulic accumulator via a damping valve arrangement. The damping valve arrangement comprises a nozzle valve arrangement with two different nozzle cross-sections, the larger of which is active when filling the hydraulic accumulator and the smaller of which is active during adaptation of the hydraulic accumulator to the load pressure of the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.

Abstract: Hydraulic systems for controlling movement of an apron and a bucket of earth moving apparatuses are disclosed. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic fluid supply, a hydraulic cylinder for moving the apron, a hydraulic cylinder for moving the bucket and a valve for controlling flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic system includes another valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders. An earth moving apparatus having a bucket and an apron configured with the hydraulic system is also disclosed. Methods for controlling movement of the bucket and the apron are also disclosed. An earth moving apparatus having an ejector wall for removing soil from the bucket is described. A linkage structure for reducing the force required to move the ejector wall is incorporated in the earth moving apparatus. A substantially, vertical oriented hydraulic cylinder for moving the ejector wall is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the position for work devices (41) of mobile machines (40). The inventive device comprises a measuring device (1,2) for measuring an angle (?) which is formed between a level (42) that is determined by the position of the work device (41) and the direction of the gravitational force (g). The inventive device also comprises an angle transmitter (5) for predetermining an angle (??) which is formed between a level (42) that is determined by the position of the work device (41) and the direction of the gravitational force (g). The inventive device further comprises a controller (3, 4, 6–16) for controlling the angle (?) between the level (42) of the work device (41) and the direction of the gravitational force (g) in such a way that the measured angle (?) matches the predetermined angle (??).

Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.

Abstract: A control system for a backhoe apparatus is disclosed. Backhoe apparatus control system includes a kinematic optimal control including the augmentation of additional tasks that can be formulated into the optimal control problem. Further, the control system may include a dynamic adaptive control that accounts for the backhoe linkage dynamics. Still further, the control system is configured to control the flow of hydraulic fluid into and out of the hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: An earth moving and land grading machine includes a frame and road wheels mounted on the frame, with a forwardly directed device for permitting connection to a prime mover. The frame has a bin for receiving material. A rear wall is movable between a first position, in which the bin is substantially open for receiving material therein, to a second, forward position during movement for delivering the material from the bin. Movement of the rear wall between the first position and the second, forward position is via a hydraulic ram having a piston. The piston has an outer end that moves along a fixed path and is pivotally connected to an arm partway along a length thereof, so that portions of the arm on each side of the pivotable connection have unequal lengths. A first length of the unequal arm lengths has a longer length and is connected to the rear wall and the second length of the unequal arm lengths has a shorter length and is connected to the earth moving and land grading machine.

Abstract: An earth mover includes a scraper bowl with an arcuate bottom wall and a pair of side walls attached to a frame. An ejector panel is supported by a pair of pivoting support links, each of which is pivotally attached to the frame above the upper limit of the bowl side walls and each of which is also pivotally attached to the ejector panel. The ejector panel is selectively movable through a shallow arc which mirrors the shape of the of the bowl bottom wall while the pair of support links support the ejector panel in a substantially upright position as it moves from a forward, ejecting position to a retracted position in which the ejector panel forms a rearward wall for the scraper bowl.

Abstract: An ejector-scraper comprising a hopper having an ejector assembly mounted therein for selectively discharging dirt and debris from the interior of the hopper. The ejector is displaced longitudinally through the hopper through a retractable scissors-actuator movably mounted to the rear frame of the ejector-scraper. Suitable links rotatably and slidably couple the actuator to the ejector. The scissor actuator comprises two brackets pivotally coupled at their center points to form an X-shaped lever system. The carriage further comprises pivoting wheel means for selectively raising or lowering the ejector-scraper. The wheel means are attached to the back frame and preferably comprise two pairs of offset, and staggered tires mounted to a rocker in turn pivoted to a V-shaped link. The link is in turn pivoted to a carrier pivotally connected to, and projecting rearwardly from, the scraper. The latter construction enables the wheel means to pivot in response to irregularities in the ground's surface.

Abstract: An earth mover includes a fixed scraper blade and a moveable floor section. The moveable floor section can be pulled rearwardly to provide an opening between the fixed scraper blade and the forward edge of the floor section. The floor section is mounted on tracks which run on the exterior of the sidewalls of the bowl. The forward portion of the tracks are angled upwardly which keeps the floor tight against the bottom of the bowl. When the floor is in the open position, it allows the floor to extend downwardly below the thick scraper blade. This allows the forward edge or blade of the floor section to act as a leveler as the dirt is being unloaded from the earth mover.

Abstract: An excavation area setting system for area limiting excavation control in construction machines, with the excavation control being performed to calculate a target speed vector for control of a front device on the basis of a body, modify the target speed vector to limit a moving speed of the front device in the direction toward a boundary of a preset excavation area when the front device comes close to the boundary of the excavation area, and move the front device along the boundary of the excavation area. To set the excavation area, an external reference is installed horizontally outside the hydraulic excavator and a depth from the external reference to the boundary of the excavation area is set by using a setting device. The excavation area is set in a manner matched with the excavation control in which calculation is executed based on the position of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile device for working and/or moving heaps, preferably stacked in the manner of an embankment, of compostable materials (ricks) or of materials which are suitable for a landfill, comprising travelling gear which can be moved on two tracks, an implement which can be driven in a rotating fashion essentially transversely with respect to the direction of travel within the space between the tracks of the travelling gear, and two clearing apparatuses which are mounted in front of the two tracks of the travelling gear in the direction of travel. Furthermore, the invention relates to a clearing apparatus for clearing material on a track of a mobile device. The invention is based on the object of developing a device and an associated clearing apparatus of the aforesaid generic type in such a way that they can be realized in a particularly compact fashion.

Abstract: A pair of links disposed at opposite sides and rearwardly of a scraper ejector panel pivotly support the panel from the upper limit of the bowl side walls and maintain it in substantially upright position as it moves forwardly in a downward arcuate path of its lower limit adjacent the scraper bowl bottom. In the retracted position the ejector panel forms a rearward wall for the scraper bowl.