MACHINE CONTROL FOR MILLING AND RETURNING TO CUT

Abstract

A system and method of controlling a machine. The control system comprising a controller, in response to a receipt of a ready-to-start activation data received from a user interface, configured to: pivot the ground-engaging-traction member to a center position, wherein, when in the center position, the first direction of travel of the ground-engaging-traction member is oriented parallel to a longitudinal length of the machine; and place the attachment into a float status, where the attachment is a side plate, or a moldboard or an anti-slab or an inboard ski, wherein the machine is a cold planer, a milling machine or a paving machine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to control systems, and more particularly, control systems for milling and cutting machines.

BACKGROUND

Cold planers are pavement milling machines designed to remove material from the surface of roads, bridges, parking lots, and other paved areas. Cold planers may be configured to remove an entire layer of material, such as a surface course of asphalt, or to remove a specific thickness of material. Common pavement milling operations may include recycling or reclaiming damaged asphalt, adjusting the height or camber of a road, preparing a road for the installation of curbs, manholes, catch basins, etc., and other possible applications.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,309,066 issued Jun. 4, 2019, discloses a control system, apparatus, and method for controlling operations of a milling machine. Data corresponding to a ventilation mode and a conveyor delay amount set by an operator of the milling machine is stored in memory. Also disclosed is control of transition of operation of the milling machine from a milling mode to a standby mode and vice versa. While beneficial, a better system is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a control system for a machine is disclosed. The machine may include an engine, an attachment and a ground-engaging-traction member coupled to a frame. The machine may be configured to traverse a surface on the ground-engaging-traction member. The ground-engaging-traction member may be rotatable in a first direction of travel and pivotable clockwise or counterclockwise about a pivot axis in a second direction transverse to the first direction of travel. The control system may comprise a controller including a processor, a memory component and an output signal path. The controller, in response to a receipt of a ready-to-start activation data received from a user interface, may be configured to: pivot the ground-engaging-traction member to a center position, wherein, when in the center position, the first direction of travel of the ground-engaging-traction member is oriented parallel to a longitudinal length of the machine; and place the attachment into a float status, where the attachment is a side plate, or a moldboard or an anti-slab or an inboard ski. The machine may be a cold planer, a milling machine or a paving machine.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling a machine is disclosed. The machine may include an engine, an attachment and a ground-engaging-traction member coupled to a frame. The machine may be configured to traverse a surface on the ground-engaging-traction member. The ground-engaging-traction member may be rotatable in a first direction of travel and pivotable clockwise or counterclockwise about a pivot axis in a second direction transverse to the first direction of travel. The method may comprise: in response to receipt of a ready-to-start activation data from a user interface, automatically pivoting, by a controller, the ground-engaging-traction member to a center position, wherein, when in the center position, the first direction of travel of the ground-engaging-traction member is oriented parallel to a longitudinal length of the machine. The method may further comprise automatically placing an attachment into a float status, wherein the attachment is a side plate, or a moldboard or an anti-slab or an inboard ski, wherein the machine may be a cold planer, a milling machine or a paving machine.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a system for a cold planer is disclosed. The cold planer may include an engine, a conveyor, a side plate, a moldboard, an anti-slab, a spray system, a vent system and a ground-engaging-traction member coupled to a frame. The cold planer may be configured to traverse a surface on the ground-engaging-traction member. The ground-engaging-traction member may be rotatable in a first direction of travel and pivotable clockwise or counterclockwise about a pivot axis in a second direction transverse to the first direction of travel. The spray system may include one or more nozzles. The spray system may be configured to emit through the one or more nozzles fluid at a spray rate in a spray rate range. The conveyor may include a belt configured to move material at a conveyor speed in a conveyor speed range. The control system may comprise a controller that includes a processor, a memory component and an output signal path. The controller, in response to a receipt of ready-to-start activation data received from a user interface, may be configured to: pivot the ground-engaging-traction member to a center position, wherein, when in the center position, the first direction of travel of the ground-engaging-traction member is oriented parallel to a longitudinal length of the cold planer: place the attachment into a float status, where the attachment is a side plate, or a moldboard or an anti-slab or an inboard ski: set the engine to high idle; activate the spray system to emit fluid at the spray rate, wherein the spray rate is 25-60% of a highest spray rate in the spray rate range: activate the conveyor to move the belt at the conveyor speed, wherein the conveyor speed is 25-60% of a highest speed in the conveyor speed range: activate the vent system; and mill or cut the surface with a milling drum disposed on the cold planer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary machine that may include the control system, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the exemplary machine of FIG. 1 showing the moldboard and in broken line the cutting tool enclosed in the housing:

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the control system for use with the exemplary machine of FIG. 1:

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of one exemplary method, according to the present disclosure:

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of another exemplary method, according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a portion of the anti-slab and inboard ski.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts, unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a machine 100 that may incorporate the features of the present disclosure. The exemplary machine 100 may be a vehicle such as a cold planer 102. While the following detailed description and drawings are made with reference to a cold planer 102 as the exemplary machine 100, the teachings of this disclosure may be employed on other machines 100, including, but not limited to, other milling machines, paving machines or the like.

The cold planer 102 may include a frame 104, a power source 105 (e.g., an engine) supported by the frame 104, and ground-engaging-traction members 106 configured to propel the cold planer 100 across the surface 108. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ground-engaging-traction members 106 include front ground-engaging-traction members 106a (track assemblies) and rear ground-engaging-traction members 106b (track assemblies). In other embodiments, the ground-engaging-traction members 106 may be or may include wheels. Each ground-engaging traction member 106 is rotatable in first and second directions of travel (forward and backward), and is also pivotable clockwise or counterclockwise about a pivot axis P in a pivot direction that is transverse to the first/second direction of travel. When a ground-engaging traction member 106 is disposed in a center position C, the direction of travel of the ground-engaging traction member 106 is oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal length (front to back) of the machine 100.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cold planer 102 further includes a propulsion system (not shown) and a hydraulic power system (not shown). The propulsion system includes the ground-engaging-traction members 106 and is configured to drive the ground-engaging-traction members 106 to move the cold planer 102 on the surface 108. The hydraulic power system may be powered by the power source 105 and is configured to provide power to the propulsion system and/or various attachments 110 and components of the machine 100. Each ground-engaging-traction member 106 may be operatively coupled to a position adjustment mechanism 107 (FIG. 3) configured to rotate or pivot the ground-engaging-traction member 106 to adjust the orientation or position of such ground-engaging-traction member 106. More specifically, the position adjustment mechanism 107 (FIG. 3) configured to pivot (or rotate) clockwise or counterclockwise in a pivot direction about a pivot axis P (FIG. 1) the associated ground-engaging-traction member 106 to a center position C or other desired position. In an embodiment, the pivot direction may be generally transverse to the direction of travel of the machine 100.

The cold planer 102 may further comprise a housing 112 supported by the frame 104 and configured to at least partially enclose a cutting tool 114 such as a milling drum. The housing 112 may include a moldboard 116 (shown in FIG. 2 and sometimes referred to as a rear door) disposed between a pair of side plates 118 (FIGS. 1-2). The moldboard 116 may be configured to provide access to the milling drum 114 disposed inside the housing 112, and may be operably coupled to a moldboard adjustment mechanism 117 (FIG. 3) that is configured to adjust the height or orientation of the moldboard 116. Each side plate 118 (FIG. 1) may be configured to provide a reference for the milling depth of the cold planer 102, and may be operably coupled to a side plate adjustment mechanism 119 (FIG. 3) that is configured to adjust the height or orientation of the side plate 118 (FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, the cold planer 102 may optionally include an inboard ski 120 (FIG. 6) configured to provide a reference for the milling depth of the cold planer 102. In an embodiment, the inboard ski 120 may be coupled to the anti-slab 122. Such inboard ski 120 may be operably coupled to an inboard ski adjustment mechanism 121 (FIG. 3) configured to adjust the height or orientation of the inboard ski 120 (FIG. 6). As used herein, the moldboard 116, each side plate 118, the anti-slab 122 (discussed later herein) and each inboard ski 120 (if any) may each be referred to as an “attachment” 110.

As shown in FIG. 2, the milling drum 114 is depicted in broken line behind the moldboard 116. The milling drum 114 may be generally cylindrical in shape, rotatably attached to the frame 104 and enclosed in the housing 112, and may include a plurality of cutting elements 115 affixed along the circumferential surface of the milling drum 114. A rotation of the milling drum 114, which may be operatively driven by the power source 105, causes the cutting elements 115 to engage with the surface 108 (e.g., as a layer of asphalt), thereby penetrating and cutting away milled material. Depending on the specific machine 100, a milling depth of the milling drum 114 may be adjusted by a height-adjustment mechanism (not shown) operatively connecting the milling drum 114 to the frame 104. Referring now to FIG. 1, in other embodiments, a telescoping leg 111 (or the like) may operatively connect each ground-engaging-traction member 106 to the frame 104 and may be utilized to adjust the milling depth of the milling drum 114. Furthermore, a vertical height of each side plate 118 may be adjustable with respect to the milling drum 114 and may provide reference to the milling depth. During operation, as the milling drum 114 rotates, milled material may be flung upwards and deposited onto a conveyor system 124 coupled to the frame 104.

The conveyor system 124 is configured to receive material (e.g., excavated asphalt) produced during breakup of the road surface 108 by the milling drum 114, and transport and discharge such materials from the cold planer 102. The conveyor system 124 may include one or more conveyors 126 connected to the frame 104 and that each include a belt 128. More specifically, the deposited material may be transported on the belt 128 of a conveyor 126 and moves with the belt 128 until being deposited on either a cooperating conveyor 126 or external location, such as a transport truck (not shown). Each belt 128 of a conveyor 126 may be wrapped around respective rollers that are operatively powered by the power source 105. Each conveyor 126 is configured to move material via the belt 128 at a conveyor speed (e.g., meters/second) in a conveyor speed range. The conveyor system 124 is configured to run the conveyor(s) 126 at a range of different speeds (the “conveyor speed range”). The fastest speed in the conveyor speed range is considered “full speed” for the conveyor 126 and associated belt 128.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the cold planer 102 or housing 112 thereof may further comprise an anti-slab 122 connected to the frame 104 and configured to float over or exert a downward force on unbroken slabs of un-milled material. In some embodiments, the cold planer 102 may further include an anti-slab adjustment mechanism 123 (FIG. 3) operatively connecting the anti-slab 122 to the frame 104 and configured to adjust a height of the anti-slab 122.

The cold planer 102 may further include a spray system 130 (FIG. 3) coupled to the frame 104 (FIG. 1). The spray system 130 is configured to spray fluid (e.g., water) during milling to control dust generated by the milling drum 114, and to cool the milling drum 114 and the surface 108 being milled, as well as to clean various components of the cold planer 102 before or after a milling operation (e.g., to dispense water stored in a reservoir toward the milling drum 114 and the plurality of cutting elements 115 when the milling drum 114 is being rotationally driven.) The spray system 130 may include the reservoir (not shown), a pump (not shown), and one or more nozzles 132. The reservoir may be mounted on the frame 104 and configured to store a fluid (e.g., water). The pump may be in fluid communication with the reservoir and the one or more nozzles 132, and may be configured to operatively affect a pressure and/or a flowrate of fluid drawn from the reservoir and supplied to each nozzle 132. The spray system 130 may be configured to emit through the one or more nozzles 132 the fluid at a spray rate (e.g., liters/minute). The spray system 130 may be configured to emit fluid at a range of different spray rates (“spray rate range”). The highest spray rate in the spray rate range for which the spray system 130 is configured is typically referred to as “full spray”.

The cold planer 102 may further include a vent system 134 configured to provide ventilation for byproducts of the milling operation, such as dust, small particles, and fumes, as is known in the art. The vent system 134 may include a motor (not shown) and fan (not shown) or the like to draw/extract byproducts of the milling operation, such as dust, small particles, and fumes, and expel such in a direction away from the machine 100 and or operator.

The cold planer 102 (FIG. 1) may include an operator station 136. The operator station 136 is configured to house control levers, joysticks, push buttons, and other types of control elements typically known in the art for actuating an operation of the cold planer 102, the ground-engaging-traction members 106, attachments 110, spray system 130, conveyor system 124, vent system 134 and the like.

The operator station 136 may include a steering command element, and a user interface 138, which may be configured to receive input(s) from an operator of the cold planer 102 to operate the cold planer 100. The user interface 138 may include a display 140 configured to display information and data to a user. The display 140 may also be configured to receive user input to the user interface 138.

For example, the user interface 138 may receive a “ready-to-start-cut/mill” input from an operator (e.g., via selection of an option displayed on the display 140 or activation of a button or the like) and may transmit or otherwise make available to a controller 144 (FIG. 3) “ready-to-start activation data” based on the received ready-to-start-cut/mill input. The user interface 138 may receive a “return-to-previous-parameters” input from an operator (e.g., via selection of an option displayed on the display 140 or activation of a button or the like) and may transmit or otherwise make available to the controller 144 “return-to-previous-parameters activation information” based on the received return-to-previous-parameters input. The user interface 138 may be disposed on the machine 100 (e.g., in the operator station 136) or may be disposed remote from the machine 100 (e.g. a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer, or the like).

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary control system 142 in accordance with the present disclosure for controlling operations of the cold planer 102 according to the teachings of this disclosure. The control system 142 may include the controller 144 and the user interface 138.

The controller 144 may be configured to communicate control signal(s) to control the ground-engaging-traction members 106, the plurality of attachments 110, the conveyor system 124, the spray system 130, the cutting tool 114 (milling drum), the vent system 134, and the power source (engine) 105, based on an input or inputs by the operator via the user interface 138. Further, the operator of the cold planer 102 may set or reset parameters of the one or more system(s) for controlling the operations of the cold planer 102 using the user interface 138.

The controller 144 may include a processor 146 and a memory component 148 and an output signal path. The controller 144 is in operable communication with the user interface 138, the power source 105, the cutting tool 114, position adjustment mechanism 107 for each of the ground-engaging-traction member(s) 106, the moldboard adjustment mechanism 117 for the moldboard 116, the side plate adjustment mechanism(s) 119 for each respective side plate 118, the inboard ski adjustment mechanism 121 for the inboard ski 120, if any,, the conveyor system 124, the anti-slab adjustment mechanism 123 for the anti-slab 122, the vent system 134 and the spray system 130.

The controller 144 is configured to receive a ready-to-start activation data from the user interface 138, and to receive a return-to-previous-parameters activation information from the user interface 138. In response to receipt of the ready-to-start activation data, the controller 144 is configured to automatically: pivot/rotate one or more ground-engaging-traction members 106 to a center position (as discussed later herein); and/or place one or more attachments 110 into float status; and/or set the engine 105 to high idle; and/or activate the spray system 130 to emit fluid at a spray rate; and/or activate the conveyor 126 to move the belt 128 at the conveyor speed; and/or activate the vent system 134. In some embodiments, although not necessarily all embodiments, the controller 144 may be further configured to automatically activate milling/cutting of the surface 108 by the cutting tool 114.

In response to receipt of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information, the controller 144 may be configured to automatically recall from the memory component 148, or from another database that the controller 144 is in operable communication with, the most recent cutting and/or milling parameters during the immediately previous cutting/milling operation of the cold planer 102.

Such cutting and or milling parameters may include the (last) rotor speed of the cutting tool 114 (e.g., milling drum), position of the cutting tool 114 (e.g., milling drum), and/or position of one or more of the attachments 110, the last activated spray rate of the spray system 130, and the last activated conveyor speed, and the last state (“on” or “off”) of the vent system 134. After recalling the most recent cutting and/or milling parameters from the memory component 148 or other database, the controller 144 may be further configured to automatically position the cutting tool (milling drum) 114 in its recalled last position and to activate such cutting tool 114 based on respective recalled cutting and/or milling parameters (e.g., the milling drum 114 position, the rotor speed) and to position one or more attachments 110 in its respective recalled last position (as used herein “recalled last position” means the immediately previous position for a cutting tool 114 or attachment 110 during the immediately previous cutting/milling operation of the cold planer 102.) As such, the controller 144 is configured to move/position the cutting tool 114 and/or one or more attachments 110 from a respective current position to a respective recalled last position, and to place the one or more attachment(s) 110 in float status, wherein the one or more attachments 110 may include the moldboard 116, side plate(s) 118, anti-slab 122 and/or inboard ski(s) 120. When in float status, (the ground facing end/surface of) the attachment 110 stays generally level with the surface 108 and follows the contour of the surface 108 as the machine 100 traverses the surface 108.

To position/move the moldboard 116, the controller 144 may be configured to activate a moldboard adjustment mechanism 117 (FIG. 3) operably connected to the moldboard 116 and configured to raise or lower or otherwise position the moldboard 116. To position/move the side plate(s) 118, or side plates(s) 118, the controller 144 may be configured to activate a side plate adjustment mechanism 119 (FIG. 3) operably connected to the side plate(s) 118 and configured to raise, lower or otherwise position the side plate(s) 118. To position/move the inboard ski 120, the controller 144 may be configured to activate an inboard ski adjustment mechanism 121 (FIG. 3) operably connected to the inboard ski 120 and configured to raise, lower or otherwise position the inboard ski 120. To position/move the anti-slab 122, the controller 144 may be configured to activate a anti-slab adjustment mechanism 123 (FIG. 3) operably connected to the anti-slab 122 and configured to raise or lower or otherwise position the anti-slab 122.

In response to receipt of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information, the controller 144 may be configured to automatically pivot/rotate one or more ground-engaging-traction members 106 to a center position C (as discussed later herein); and/or set the engine 105 to high idle (based on the recalled cutting tool rotor speed): activate the spray system 130 to emit fluid at the last activated spray rate; and/or activate the conveyor system 124 to move the conveyor 126 at the last activated conveyor speed; and/or place the vent system 134 in the last (previous) state of “on” or “off”. The controller 144 may also be configured to automatically activate milling/cutting of the surface 108 by the cutting tool 114. To rotate/pivot one or more ground-engaging-traction members 106 to a center position C, the controller 144 may be configured to activate a position adjustment mechanism 107 (FIG. 3) operably connected to the ground-engaging-traction members 106 and configured to rotate or pivot the ground-engaging-traction members 106 about a pivot axis P.

The processor 146 may be a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an electronic control module (ECM), an electronic control unit (ECU), a microprocessor or any other suitable processor 146 as known in the art. The processor 146 may execute instructions and generate control signals for any of the operations discussed above. Such instructions may be read into or incorporated into a computer readable medium, such as the memory component 148 or provided external to the processor 146. In alternative embodiments, hard wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement a control method.

The term “computer readable medium” as used herein refers to any non-transitory medium or combination of media that participates in providing instructions to the processor 146 for execution. Such a medium may comprise all computer readable media except for a transitory, propagating signal. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, flash memory, EEPROM, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, or any other computer readable medium.

The controller 144 is not limited to one processor 146 and memory component 148. The controller 144 may include several processors 146 and memory components 148. In an embodiment, the processors 146 may be parallel processors that have access to a shared memory component(s) 148. In another embodiment, the processors 146 may be part of a distributed computing system in which a processor 146 (and its associated memory component 148) may be located remotely from one or more other processor(s) 146 (and associated memory components 148) that are part of the distributed computing system. The controller 144 may also be configured to retrieve from the memory component 148 cutting and/or milling parameters or other data necessary for the actions discussed herein.

Also disclosed is a method of, in response to receipt of a ready-to-start activation data from a user interface 138: automatically pivoting, by a controller 144, the ground-engaging-traction member 106 to a center position, wherein, when in the center position, the direction of travel of the ground-engaging-traction member 106 is oriented parallel to a longitudinal length of the machine 100; and automatically placing an attachment 110 into a float status, wherein the attachment 110 is a side plate 118, or a moldboard 116 or an anti-slab 122 or an inboard ski 120.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In general, the foregoing disclosure finds utility in machines 100 such as cold planers 102 in which before the start of an operation such as a cutting/milling pass, the operator must remember to set up and activate multiple components and systems. Sometimes an operator may become distracted and forget to set up and/or activate all of the requisite components and systems, which can result in undesirable machine performance, lack of efficiency, and sometimes require surface work to be redone/repaired. The teachings of this disclosure enable an operator or technician to efficiently set up and activate components and systems for operation of the machine 100.

In operation, the controller 144 may be configured to operate according to a predetermined method 400, as shown for example in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating sample blocks which may be followed in a method 400 of controlling a cold planer 102.

In block 410, the method 400 includes, receiving, by the controller 144, “ready-to-start activation data” from the user interface 138 that is indicative of the ready-to-start-cut/mill input.

In block 415, the method 400 further includes setting, by the controller 144, the engine to “high idle” in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the ready-to-start activation data (indicative of the ready-to-start-cut/mill input). The phrase “high idle” may refer to an idle state of the engine 105 (power source 105) having a revolutions per minute (RPM) value greater than an idle state of the engine 105 (power source 105) corresponding to a “low idle.” High idle is utilized during working operations of the machine 100.

In block 420, the method 400 further includes pivoting, by the controller 144, one or more ground-engaging-traction members 106 to a center position C in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the ready-to-start activation data (indicative of the ready-to-start-cut/mill input). For example, pivoting, by the controller 144, one or more front ground-engaging-traction members 106a and/or one or more rear ground-engaging-traction members 106b. When a ground-engaging-traction member 106 is in the center position C, the direction of travel of the ground-engaging traction member 106 may be oriented generally parallel to a longitudinal length of the machine 100, 102.

In block 425, the method 400 further includes activating, by the controller 144, in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the ready-to-start activation data (indicative of the ready-to-start-cut/mill input), the spray system 130 to emit fluid (e.g., water) via the nozzles 132 at a spray rate that is 25-60% of full spray or about 30-about 40% of full spray, or about 35% of full spray.

In block 430, the method 400 further includes activating, by the controller 144, in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the ready-to-start activation data (indicative of the ready-to-start-cut/mill input), the conveyor 126 to move the belt 128 at a conveyor speed that is 25-60% of full speed, or about 30-about 40% of full speed.

In block 435, the method 400 further includes activating, by the controller 144, in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the ready-to-start activation data (indicative of the ready-to-start-cut/mill input), the vent system 134.

In block 440, the method 400 further includes placing, by the controller 144, in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the ready-to-start activation data (indicative of the ready-to-start-cut/mill input), one or more attachments 110 (moldboard 116, side plate(s) 118, anti-slab 122 and/or inboard ski(s) 120) into a float status.

In block 445, the method 400 optionally further includes activating milling and/or cutting by the cutting tool 114.

It may be desirable to perform one or more of the blocks shown in FIG. 4 in an order different from that depicted. Optionally, two or more of the blocks may be performed simultaneously.

In operation, the controller 144 may be configured to operate according to a predetermined method 500, as shown for example in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating sample blocks which may be followed in a method 500 of controlling a cold planer 102.

In block 505, the method 500 includes, receiving, by the controller 144, “return-to-previous-parameters activation information” from the user interface 138 that is indicative of the return-to-previous-parameters input.

In block 510, the method 500 includes, recalling (retrieving from the memory component 148 or other database) the most recent cutting and/or milling parameters during the immediately previous cutting/milling operation of the cold planer 102.

In block 515, the method 500 further includes automatically positioning, by the controller 144, the cutting tool 114 in its recalled last position (e.g., orientation and distance above the surface 108 or the like) and one or more attachments 110 in its respective recalled last position (e.g., orientation and distance above the surface 108 or the like) in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information (indicative of the return-to-previous-parameters input). Positioning the cutting tool 114 and/or attachment 110 includes moving the cutting tool 114 and/or attachment 110 from its respective current position to its respective recalled last position.

In block 520, the method 500 further includes setting, by the controller 144, the engine 105 to “high idle” in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information (indicative of the return-to-previous-parameters input).

In block 525, the method 500 further includes pivoting, by the controller 144, one or more ground-engaging-traction members 106 to a center position C in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information (indicative of the return-to-previous-parameters input). For example, pivoting, by the controller 144, one or more front ground-engaging-traction members 106a and/or one or more rear ground-engaging-traction members 106b. When a ground-engaging-traction member 106 is in the center position C, the direction of travel of the ground-engaging traction member 106 is oriented generally parallel to a longitudinal length of the machine 100.

In block 530, the method 500 further includes activating, by the controller 144, in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information (indicative of the return-to-previous-parameters input), the spray system 130 to emit fluid via the nozzles 132 at the last activated spray rate.

In block 535, the method 500 further includes activating, by the controller 144, in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information (indicative of the return-to-previous-parameters input), the conveyor 126 to move the belt 128 at the last activated conveyor speed.

In block 540, the method 500 further includes placing, by the controller 144, in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information (indicative of the return-to-previous-parameters input), the vent system 134 in the last activated state of “on” or “off” when last cutting/milling. Placing the vent system 134 in the “on” state activates the vent system 134.

In block 545, the method 500 further includes placing, by the controller 144, in response to receipt from the user interface 138 of the return-to-previous-parameters activation information (indicative of the return-to-previous-parameters input), one or more attachments 110 (moldboard 116, side plate(s) 118, anti-slab 122 and/or inboard ski(s) 120) into a float status.

In block 550, the method 500 optionally further includes activating milling and/or cutting the surface 108 by the cutting tool 114.

It may be desirable to perform one or more of the blocks shown in FIG. 5 in an order different from that depicted. Optionally, two or more of the blocks may be performed simultaneously.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that while only certain embodiments have been set forth for the purposes of illustration, alternatives and modifications will be apparent from the above description to those skilled in the art. These and other alternatives are considered equivalents and within the spirit and scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A control system for a machine that includes an engine, an attachment and a ground-engaging-traction member coupled to a frame, the machine configured to traverse a surface on the ground-engaging-traction member, the ground-engaging-traction member rotatable in a first direction of travel and pivotable clockwise or counterclockwise about a pivot axis in a second direction transverse to the first direction of travel, the control system comprising: a controller including a processor, a memory component and an output signal path, the controller, in response to a receipt of a ready-to-start activation data received from a user interface, configured to: pivot the ground-engaging-traction member to a center position, wherein, when in the center position, the first direction of travel of the ground-engaging-traction member is oriented parallel to a longitudinal length of the machine; andplace the attachment into a float status, where the attachment is a side plate, or a moldboard or an anti-slab or an inboard ski,wherein the machine is a cold planer, a milling machine or a paving machine.

2. The control system of claim 1, in which the controller is further configured to set the engine to high idle in response to the receipt of the ready-to-start activation data.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the machine further includes a spray system coupled to the frame, the spray system including one or more nozzles, the spray system configured to emit through the one or more nozzles fluid at a spray rate in a spray rate range, wherein the controller is further configured to activate the spray system, in response to the receipt of the ready-to-start activation data, to emit fluid at the spray rate, wherein the spray rate is 25-60% of a full spray.

4. The control system of claim 1, in which the machine further includes a conveyor coupled to the frame, the conveyor including a belt and configured to move material on the belt at a conveyor speed in a conveyor speed range, and in which the controller is further configured to activate the conveyor, in response to the receipt of the ready-to-start activation data, to move the belt at the conveyor speed, wherein the conveyor speed is 25-60% of full speed.

5. The control system of claim 1, in which the controller is further configured to activate a vent system on the machine.

6. The control system of claim 1, in which the controller, in response to a receipt of a return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from the user interface, is further configured to: recall and activate the most recent cutting and/or milling parameters for a cutting tool disposed on the machine;move the attachment from a current position to a recalled last position and place the attachment in the float status;pivot the ground-engaging-traction member to the center position; andset the engine to high idle.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the machine further includes a spray system coupled to the frame, the spray system including one or more nozzles, the spray system configured to emit through the one or more nozzles fluid at a spray rate in a spray rate range, in which the controller, in response to a receipt of a return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from a user interface, is further configured to activate the spray system to emit fluid at a last activated spray rate.

8. The control system of claim 1, in which the machine further includes a vent system and a conveyor coupled to the frame, the conveyor including a belt and configured to move material on the belt at a conveyor speed in a conveyor speed range, in which the controller, in response to a receipt of a return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from the user interface, is further configured to: activate the conveyor to move the belt at a last activated conveyor speed; andplace the vent system in the last previous state of “on” or “off”.

9. A method of controlling a machine that includes an engine, an attachment and a ground-engaging-traction member coupled to a frame, the machine configured to traverse a surface on the ground-engaging-traction member, the ground-engaging-traction member rotatable in a first direction of travel and pivotable clockwise or counterclockwise about a pivot axis in a second direction transverse to the first direction of travel, the method comprising: in response to receipt of a ready-to-start activation data from a user interface: automatically pivoting, by a controller, the ground-engaging-traction member to a center position, wherein, when in the center position, the first direction of travel of the ground-engaging-traction member is oriented parallel to a longitudinal length of the machine; andautomatically placing the attachment into a float status, wherein the attachment is a side plate, or a moldboard or an anti-slab or an inboard ski,wherein the machine is a cold planer, a milling machine or a paving machine.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising setting, by the controller, the engine to a high idle in response to receipt of the ready-to-start activation data.

11. The method of claim 9, in which the machine further includes a spray system coupled to the frame, the spray system including one or more nozzles, the spray system configured to emit through the one or more nozzles fluid at a spray rate in a spray rate range, the method further comprising activating the spray system, in response to receipt of the ready-to-start activation data, to emit fluid at the spray rate, wherein the spray rate is 25-60% of a full spray.

12. The method of claim 9, in which the machine further includes a conveyor coupled to the frame, the conveyor including a belt configured to move at a conveyor speed in a conveyor speed range, the method further comprising activating, in response to the receipt of the ready-to-start activation data, the conveyor to move the belt at the conveyor speed, wherein the conveyor speed is 25-60% of full speed.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising activating, in response to the receipt of the ready-to-start activation data, a vent system on the machine.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising, in response to a receipt of return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from a user interface: recalling and activating the most recent cutting and/or milling parameters for a cutting tool disposed on the machine;moving the attachment from a current position to a recalled last position and placing the attachment in float status;pivoting the ground-engaging-traction member to the center position; andsetting the engine to high idle.

15. The method of claim 9, in which the machine further includes a spray system coupled to the frame, the spray system including one or more nozzles, the spray system configured to emit through the one or more nozzles fluid at a spray rate in a spray rate range, the method further comprising, in response to a receipt of return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from the user interface activating the spray system to emit fluid at a last activated spray rate.

16. The method of claim 9, in which the machine further includes a conveyor coupled to the frame, the conveyor including a belt configured to move at a conveyor speed in a conveyor speed range, the method further comprising, in response to a receipt of return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from the user interface, activating the conveyor to move the belt at a last activated conveyor speed, and placing a vent system in the last previous state of “on” or “off”.

17. A control system for a cold planer that includes an engine, a conveyor, a side plate, a moldboard, an anti-slab, a spray system, a vent system and a ground-engaging-traction member coupled to a frame, the cold planer configured to traverse a surface on the ground-engaging-traction member, the ground-engaging-traction member rotatable in a first direction of travel and pivotable clockwise or counterclockwise about a pivot axis in a second direction transverse to the first direction of travel, the spray system including one or more nozzles, the spray system configured to emit through the one or more nozzles fluid at a spray rate in a spray rate range, the conveyor including a belt configured to move material at a conveyor speed in a conveyor speed range, the control system comprising: a controller including a processor, a memory component and an output signal path, the controller, in response to a receipt of ready-to-start activation data received from a user interface, configured to: pivot the ground-engaging-traction member to a center position, wherein, when in the center position, the first direction of travel of the ground-engaging-traction member is oriented parallel to a longitudinal length of the cold planer;place the attachment into a float status, wherein the attachment is the side plate, or the moldboard or the anti-slab or the inboard ski;set the engine to high idle:activate the spray system to emit fluid at the spray rate, wherein the spray rate is 25-60% of a highest spray rate in the spray rate range;activate the conveyor to move the belt at the conveyor speed, wherein the conveyor speed is 25-60% of a highest speed in the conveyor speed range;activate the vent system; andmill or cut the surface with a milling drum disposed on the cold planer.

18. The control system of claim 17, in which the controller, in response to a receipt of a return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from the user interface, is further configured to: recall and activate a most recent cutting and/or milling parameters for a milling drum disposed on the machine;move the attachment from a current position to a recalled last position and place the attachment in the float status;pivot the ground-engaging-traction member to the center position; andset the engine to a high idle.

19. The system of claim 18, in which the controller, in response to a receipt of a return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from the user interface, is further configured to activate the spray system to emit fluid at a last activated spray rate.

20. The system of claim 19, in which the controller, in response to a receipt of a return-to-previous-parameters activation information received from the user interface, is further configured to: activate the conveyor to move the belt at a last activated conveyor speed; andplace the vent system in the last previous state of “on” or “off”.