This disclosure relates to a repositioning assist for an excavating operation and, more particularly, to a method and a system for assisting efficient machine repositioning during an excavating operation.
Many machines have been developed for excavating. One commercially available type of machine often used for excavating, for example in a trenching operation, is a backhoe. Generally, a backhoe is mounted on a tractor or other machine body moveable along the ground on wheels or tracks. The backhoe may be the only excavating assemblage or handling implement on the tractor or machine body, or it may be one of a plurality of implements. For example, one relatively common machine, generally known as a backhoe loader, may include a backhoe mounted at one end of a tractor, and may include a loader bucket and accompanying operating linkage mounted at the other end of the tractor.
A typical backhoe may include a boom, a stick, and a bucket. In general, the boom may be pivoted to the machine for movement in a generally vertical plane, the stick may be pivotally mounted to the boom for movement in the same generally vertical plane, and the bucket may be pivotally mounted to the stick. The stick may be a fixed length element or it may be of the extendable, e-stick type. Each of the boom, stick, and bucket may be moved about a pivotal connection by one or more actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders. The entire excavating assemblage of boom, stick, and bucket may be mounted on the machine body for swinging movement in a generally horizontal plane relative to the machine body.
Another relatively common machine that employs a backhoe-type implement is generally known as a hydraulic excavator. A hydraulic excavator may have a number of features in common with the backhoe of a backhoe loader. For example, a hydraulic excavator may include a boom, a stick, and a bucket as the excavating assemblage. However, in a hydraulic excavator, the excavating assemblage does not swing in a horizontal plane relative to the machine body as does the excavating assemblage in a backhoe loader. Rather, in a hydraulic excavator, the entire upper machine body rotates relative to an undercarriage. Thus, the position of the excavating assemblage on a worksite in a relatively horizontal plane is altered by rotating the entire upper machine body.
In excavating a trench, for example, the operator of a machine, such as a backhoe, manipulates the machine controls to cause the boom, stick, and bucket to move in coordination such that the bucket digs into the earth generally along the direction of extent of the proposed trench. The bucket is moved about its pivot to become filled with earth, and the filled bucket is held in a curled position relative to the stick and lifted by coordinated movement of the boom and stick from the trench being formed. The excavating assemblage of boom, stick, and bucket is then swung away from the trench for dumping, either into a pile adjacent the trench, or into a waiting container or carrier, such as a dump truck.
A proposed excavation may be larger in extent than the reach from a single set-up position of the machine that is selected to create the excavation. For example, where a backhoe loader is selected to excavate a trench of some defined length, the backhoe loader may be capable of excavating only a portion of the trench from a single set-up position of the backhoe loader. In order to complete the assigned trench, after trenching to the extent of the reach of the backhoe, it becomes necessary to move the machine to a new set-up position so that excavating can continue and the trench can be completed. Often, it may be necessary to repeat this process several times where the proposed trench has a length several time the working reach of the machine performing the excavating operation.
The movement of a machine during a trenching operation, from one set-up position to another, may be referred to in a number of ways. For example, the movement may be referred to as a “hop,” or it may be referred to simply as a repositioning. Regardless of the name assigned to this movement to new set-up positions between excavating phases, the movement entails a number of particular acts and requires a significant measure of skill and careful attention by the machine operator. For example, where the machine of choice for a trenching operation is a backhoe loader, the operator may be required to separately manipulate controls to alter engine speed, lift the loader bucket from ground engagement, retract machine stabilizers, alter engine speed again for engagement of a transmission gear, move the tractor or machine a proper distance for set-up at a new position, etc.
Since the excavating assemblage of a backhoe loader is mounted at the rear of the tractor, the operator generally is seated and facing to the rear during an excavating phase, with the front of the tractor facing generally in the direction of the proposed (but not yet excavated) trench. For movement to a new set-up position, the operator must at some point change positions to face toward the front of the tractor, usually by swiveling the operator seat from a rear facing orientation to a front facing orientation. Controls for the backhoe, and perhaps the stabilizers, may be located convenient to the rear-facing direction, while controls for the loader bucket, steering, engine throttle, and brake may be located convenient to the front-facing direction.
Time may be lost in the individual performance by the operator of the several steps involved in machine movement. Swiveling between the rear facing and front facing positions to individually manipulate the several controls involved in movement to a new set-up position may be yet one more factor contributing to operator fatigue. Relying on the operator to determine the appropriate movement distance may not yield the most efficient repositioning of the tractor. It is desirable to maximize productivity by, for example, minimizing the number of machine repositionings, or hops, during an excavating operation by, for example, minimizing the repositioning or hop distance between excavating phases. Some efficient and effective manner of addressing these issues would be both beneficial and desirable.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0089773 A1 to Hendron discloses a work vehicle having a multiple mode operational system. In the Hendron publication, a mode toggle switch is employed to enable a central controller to enter a first operational mode and a second operation mode. In the first operational mode, the central controller manipulates a work system, such as a linkage and associated hydraulic cylinders of a backhoe. In the second operational mode, the central controller controls at least one of a steering system and a propulsion system. Control in each mode may be accomplished by manipulation of the same joystick.
While the arrangement in the Hendron publication may be useful for making machine adjustments, the mode toggle switch disclosed in the Hendron publication may be subject to inadvertent actuation, resulting in accidental mode switching. This may compromise safety and lead to sudden and unexpected machine movement and increased risk of accidents. Furthermore, the Hendron publication does not disclose a mode switch in the overall context of a multi-functional input and display device offering both operator convenience and machine safety.
The disclosed embodiments are directed toward improvements and advancements over the foregoing technology.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to method of enhancing the repositioning of an excavating machine, including an excavating assemblage, from one set-up position to a next, subsequent set-up position. The method includes controlling a joystick in implement control mode to operate at least one of a boom, a stick, and a bucket of the excavating assemblage during a first excavating phase from a first machine set-up position. The method also includes terminating the first excavating phase and, during a machine repositioning phase, moving the machine to a second machine set-up position for a second excavating phase at the second machine set-up position. The method further includes, after terminating the first excavating phase and before moving the machine to the second machine set-up position, accessing and activating an input/display device to convert the joystick from implement control mode to machine control mode. The method further includes controlling at least machine steering and machine propulsion with the joystick set in the machine control mode during the machine repositioning phase. The method also includes, before beginning the second excavating phase, accessing and activating the input/display device to convert the joystick from machine control mode to implement control mode. The method further includes controlling the joystick in implement control mode to operate the excavating assemblage during the second excavating phase from the second machine set-up position.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to system for enhancing the repositioning of an excavating machine from one set-up position to a next, subsequent set-up position during excavation. The system includes an excavating assemblage, including a boom, a stick, and a bucket, configured to excavate during an excavating phase from a first machine set-up position. The system also includes a ground transportation assembly configured to move the machine to a second machine set-up position during a machine repositioning phase, for an excavating phase at the second machine set-up position. The system additionally includes a control system including a control module configured to send signals to machine components and receive signals from machine components. The system also includes at least one joystick configured to be set in an implement control mode permitting control of movement of at least one of the boom, stick, and bucket during an excavating phase, and configured to be set in a machine control mode permitting control of at least machine steering and machine propulsion during a machine repositioning phase. The system further includes an input/display device configured to be accessed and activated by an operator to send a signal to the control module to activate conversion of the at least one joystick from the implement control mode to the machine control mode, and configured to be accessed and activated by the operator to send a signal to the control module to activate conversion of the at least one joystick from the machine control mode to the implement control mode.
The backhoe loader 10 may include a front loader assembly 20 including a loader bucket 21 at a front end 22 of the tractor 12, and suitable operating linkage 24 for manipulation of the loader bucket 21 under the control of actuators 26 and 27, such as hydraulic cylinders. The backhoe loader 10 may include a pair of stabilizers, one of which is shown at 28 in
The backhoe loader 10 may also include an excavating assemblage 34, for example, a backhoe mechanism, at the rear end 30 of the tractor 12. The excavating assemblage 34 may include a suitable swing assembly 36 for permitting the backhoe mechanism to swing about an axis designated 37 from one side of the tractor 12 to the other. The swing assembly 36 may move under the control of one or more hydraulic cylinders (not shown) about the axis 37, and may serve to move the excavating assemblage 34 from an excavating position to a dumping position, for example.
The excavating assemblage 34 may include a boom 38 having a first end pivotally mounted adjacent the tractor 12 for movement in a generally vertical plane. A stick 40 may have a first end pivotally mounted adjacent the second end of the boom 38 for movement in the same generally vertical plane in which the boom 38 may move. An excavating implement, for example, in the form of a bucket 42, may be pivotally mounted at a second end of the stick 40 for pivotal movement in the same generally vertical plane in which the boom 38 and stick 40 may move. The boom 38 may be pivotally moved under the control of a hydraulic cylinder 44. The stick 40 may be pivotally moved under the control of a hydraulic cylinder 46. The bucket 42 may be pivotally moved under the control of a hydraulic cylinder 48.
Input/display device 54 may be positioned at a suitable location such that an operator may readily view it and access it, but will be unlikely, via input/display device 54, to inadvertently activate a particular mechanism or control a particular function. In other words, input/display device 54 is so located as to increase the probability that activation of input functions will occur only upon purposeful intervention by the operator rather than by inadvertence. Such a touch screen may be suitably configured to permit input and display of a wide array of information associated with control and operation of backhoe loader 10. Additionally, suitable flags may appear on the touch screen to convey safety information to the operator. For example only, a suitable flag may indicate whether the machine brakes are locked.
An input device 56 and a toggle device 58 also may be associated with control module 52. Input device 56 may be one or more joysticks, keyboards, levers, or other input devices known in the art. For example, input device 56 may include left joystick 90 (seen also in
In another exemplary embodiment input device 56 may include at least two joysticks, such as joysticks 90, 92, that may be employed in connection with operation of the front loader assembly 20. For example, with the operator seat 78 positioned facing in a forward direction, an operator may control movement and steering of the tractor 12 with one joystick, such as the one positioned to the left of the operator, and an operator may control the manipulation of the front loader assembly with the other joystick, such as the one positioned to the right of the operator. Alternatively, the control functions of the two joysticks could be reversed, with the left joystick controlling the front loader assembly manipulation and the right joystick controlling tractor movement and steering.
Control module 52 may be suitably configured to receive signals from and send signals to all the various subassemblies and elements of the backhoe loader 10. For example, referring to the exemplary and diagrammatically illustrated control system of
In
After excavating the trench 74 to the design depth, and as close to the tractor 12 as is practical, the tractor 12 must be repositioned before excavating may continue. Thus, referring to
Ideally, for greatest efficiency of operation, the number of times a hydraulic excavator or the tractor 12 is repositioned during a trenching operation should be kept to a minimum. One goal for an excavating operation is to move the machine, during the repositioning phase, the maximum distance that it can be moved and still effectively reach the end of the bottom of the trench already excavated, while minimizing the number of hops or repositioning phases needed to complete the continuous trench. Time devoted to machine repositioning is down time insofar as completing the trench is concerned because the machine is not digging when it is being repositioned.
Referring to
A “hop” distance d, or repositioning distance d, may be recommended to an operator performing a trenching operation with a backhoe loader or a hydraulic excavator. Ordinarily, an operator may use discretion and estimate a proper repositioning distance. It will be apparent that such an estimation may vary from one hop to another, as well as with the skill and experience of the operator. The recommended hop distance may be the greatest distance the machine can move forward, while still permitting the digging bucket to reach the bottom of the trench that has already been dug, and cleanly continue to dig the bottom of the trench and otherwise complete the trench to design specifications.
The maximum distance that a backhoe loader or a hydraulic excavator may move during a hop or repositioning phase may be based upon a variety of factors. For example, factors such as the geometry of the machine, including the effective lengths of the fully extended boom, stick, and bucket, affect a machine's working reach and, thus, the maximum distance for repositioning. The manner in which the bucket must dig into the soil (i.e., the required angle of the bucket relative to the stick and the trench bottom in order to be able to dig the bottom of the trench), the type of soil encountered, and the design depth of the trench all affect the maximum distance for machine repositioning between excavating phases.
Any of the factors of machine geometry, type of bucket employed, type of soil expected, etc., may be pre-programmed into the machine's control module, or in some cases sensed by the machine. For example, the machine may include an appropriate sensor to sense what type of bucket is currently attached using conventional radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Alternatively, the operator may make a manual selection for entry of appropriate factor data into the control module via, for example, a suitable input device such as input/display device 54. The depth of the trench may be calculated using data from conventional sensors such as, for example, angle sensors or hydraulic cylinder position sensors.
Another way to sense trench depth may include keeping track of where the operator has been digging by, for example, having a virtual map in the memory of the control module to show what has been dug, and to provide indication of the vertical position of the trench floor based on a current location. Alternatively, a digging plan may be loaded into the memory of the control module to give an indication of the trench depth at a given, known machine location. As another alternative, the depth may simply be manually entered into the control module by the operator. When the various factors affecting the maximum machine repositioning distance are known, the machine may use them to calculate the maximum distance to be moved by, for example, employing a suitable equation or accessing a look-up table.
In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a control module, such as an ECM, may be programmed to calculate and recommend an efficient permissible distance that a hydraulic excavator or a backhoe loader may be moved during a repositioning phase. An efficient permissible distance may be defined as a hop distance or repositioning distance that, under the circumstances, is the greatest distance that a machine may move during a repositioning phase and maintain greatest or optimum efficiency in a trenching operation. The efficient permissible distance may be the maximum permissible distance or an optimum permissible distance under the given circumstances of machine geometry, type of material being excavated, etc. For example, control module 52 may be programmed to calculate and recommend an efficient permissible distance for tractor 12 to move during a repositioning phase. The program for calculating and recommending the efficient permissible distance may be initiated by a machine operator. For example, the machine operator may conveniently activate a suitable virtual button on input/display device 54 while seated in seat 78 and positioned facing toward the machine rear 30 and excavating assemblage 34.
Referring to
At step 102, the trenching depth for a first excavating phase is determined. This, for example, may be based simply on the design depth which may have been dictated by the proposed end use of the trench. Once the effective reach is determined at step 100 and the trenching depth is determined at step 102, the working reach d (
The trenching depth for a second excavating phase to immediately succeed the first excavating phase is determined at step 108. At step 110, an efficient permissible distance is calculated by which the machine may be moved while permitting trench excavation by the excavating assemblage during the second excavating phase to the depth determined for the second excavating phase and with a smooth, well-formed trench bottom. At step 112, based on the calculated result, an efficient permissible distance is recommended.
The recommended efficient permissible distance may be, for example, the maximum permissible distance the machine may be moved while permitting trench excavation by the excavating assemblage, the optimum permissible distance the machine may be moved while permitting trench excavation by the excavating assemblage, or some other distance that, given the surrounding circumstances, enhances the efficiency of the trenching operation beyond that subject to the vagaries of operator judgment. The recommendation may, for example, be recommended to a machine operator via input/display device 54. Alternatively, the recommendation may be displayed on some other display device located proximate a machine control station, for example a display located in cab 18. The recommendation, in addition to or in lieu of being displayed, may include programming the control module 52 to move the machine the recommended distance.
It will be understood that the recommended efficient permissible distance is, in fact, a recommendation which may suitably be overridden by the operator in the situation where control module 52 is programmed with the recommended efficient permissible distance. In situations where the recommended efficient permissible distance is displayed to the operator, but control module 52 is not programmed to move the machine the recommended distance, the operator may, based on discretion, site conditions, or other factors, choose not to follow the recommendation.
Once an excavating phase has come to an end and it becomes necessary to move the machine to a new set-up position in order to continue a trenching operation, a number of actions may be necessary to prepare the machine for repositioning. One exemplary embodiment of the disclosure in which the machine may be prepared for repositioning from a current set-up position to the next successive set-up position is diagrammatically illustrated in
Referring to
Once trenching at the first set-up position is completed, the operator may initiate, at step 206, an automated machine preparation for repositioning mode for preparing the machine, after the excavating phase, for repositioning to a second set-up position for a second excavating phase. This initiation may take place by activating an input device to send input signals to a controller, such as control module 52. For example, input/display device 54 may include a virtual button on a touch screen suitably configured to send, when activated, a signal to control module 52 to initiate the automated machine preparation for repositioning mode. Alternatively, initiating the automated machine preparation for repositioning mode may be accomplished with a toggle switch, a button, a control lever, or any other suitable input device.
Once the automated mode has been initiated at step 206, a number of subsequent actions may occur. Since machine speed ordinarily is relatively high during an excavating phase in order to accommodate the loads inherent in the act of excavating, machine engine speed is reduced at step 208 to a level below the machine engine speed employed during excavating. At step 210, the excavating assemblage 34 is moved to a stowed position, at step 212, loader bucket 21 is moved from ground contact, and at step 214, stabilizers 28 are retracted from ground contact.
At step 216, machine engine speed is further reduced, and at step 218, the machine transmission is shifted into a gear suitable to facilitate machine repositioning. Reduction of machine engine speed at step 216 may include reduction of engine speed to idle speed responsive to output signals delivered from control module 52. Reduction to idle speed may aid the shifting of the transmission into a suitable gear for machine repositioning at step 218.
In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure in which the machine may be in the process of repositioning from a current set-up position to the next successive set-up position, the operator may suitably control propulsion and steering of the tractor 12 by an input device otherwise employed to control the excavating assemblage 34. Generally, a backhoe loader is driven from one location to another by an operator seated facing the front of the machine, usually by manipulating a steering wheel, a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, etc. During excavating with the rear mounted excavating assemblage 34, the operator generally is seated facing the rear of the machine. A common expedient by which the operator may face in a forward direction for driving the tractor forward (such as during moving from one location to another or during operation of the front loader assembly 20) is a rotating seat 78.
Employing the rotating seat expedient, an operator may rotate the seat 78 from the rear facing direction (illustrated in
Referring now to
At step 302, the operator may have terminated the first excavating phase and initiated automated preparation for repositioning to the next set-up position for continued excavating. Here, the machine may be at some point in the process illustrated in
At step 308, the machine is repositioned to the next set-up position while the operator controls steering and propulsion via the input device or devices. Here, the operator may retain control of those functions over which the operator needs to maintain control. For example, the operator may retain control of a “go forward” command so that the machine does not move unless the operator initiates the command. To enable the operator to expertly stop the machine after it has moved a recommended distance to begin a new excavating phase, the controller may assist an operator initiated “stop” command. Thus, autonomous control and operator control act in synergy. The operator may remain facing toward the rear of the machine without the necessity of gaining access to the steering wheel 72 and pedal 70. Once the second set-up position is reached, the operator, at step 310, may access a virtual button to convert the input device or devices back to implement control mode for controlling the excavating assemblage 34.
Control module 52 may include a processor and memory as known in the art. The memory may store one or more routines, which could be software programs, for controlling the excavating assemblage 34 as well as other machine components. For example, the memory may store routines for controlling the machine during automated preparation for repositioning mode. Control module 52 may be configured to receive information from various input devices and from various sensors that may be associated with the excavating assemblage 34 or other machine components. For example, in connection with operation of excavating assemblage 34, various angle sensors or cylinder position sensors (not shown) may be included for determining the position of various cooperating components and enabling calculation of trench depth.
At step 404, the operator initiates a repositioning phase. The repositioning phase may be initiated by moving a physical switch or lever, for example. Alternatively, the repositioning phase may be initiated by appropriately activating a virtual button on a touch screen display, such as input/display device 54 (
At step 406, the engine speed may be reduced. Engine speed during an excavating phase may be relatively high in order to support the hydraulic system and the various hydraulic components that drive the excavating assemblage 34, for example. However, engine speed need not be nearly so high for non-excavating functions, such as those that take place during a repositioning phase. Engine speed may be reduced as, or just before, the excavating assemblage 34 is moved to stowed position preparatory to repositioning. Alternatively, or additionally, engine speed may be reduced after the excavating assemblage 34 is moved to stowed position and as the loader bucket 21 is lifted and/or the stabilizers 28 are retracted.
At step 408, the excavating assemblage 34 may be moved to a stowed position out of the trench 74 and clear of ground contact. In this position, bucket 42 may be curled relative to stick 40, the stick 40 and bucket 42 may be pivoted into close proximity to the boom 38, and the entire assemblage may be centered relative to the tractor 12 by the swing assembly 36.
At step 410, the loader bucket 21 may be lifted from ground contact and stabilizers 28 may be retracted from ground contact. Movement of loader bucket 21 and stabilizers 28 may take place sequentially, simultaneously, or partly sequentially and partly simultaneously. This lifting of the loader bucket and retracting of the stabilizers allow the ground transportation wheels 14, 16 (or other ground transportation expedients such as tracks) to then fully support the tractor 12 in preparation for movement to the next set-up position.
Once the excavating assemblage 34 is stowed, the loader bucket 21 is lifted, and the stabilizers 28 are retracted, ground supporting wheels 14, 16 contact the ground and tractor 12 enters travel mode at step 412. Travel mode is entered by reducing engine speed further down to, for example, a low idle, allowing the transmission 61 to be smoothly placed in gear. After a slight delay encountered while the transmission 61 moves into an appropriate gear, engine 60 speed may increase somewhat in order to move the tractor 12 forward.
Up until this point, the series of activities from the time the repositioning phase is initiated until just before the tractor 12 begins to move forward may be designated as an automated preparation for repositioning mode (see
At some point, the travel distance during a machine repositioning phase may be determined. This determination may occur at any number of points in time. For example, as illustrated in
At step 416, the tractor 12 may move from the current set-up position toward the next set-up position. The control system 50 may be programmed for semi-automation. The operator may manipulate one or more joysticks, or one or more suitable pedals, to command forward movement of the machine. During this movement, either or both of the steering and propulsion of the tractor 12 may be controlled by the operator through, for example, right joystick 92 and/or left joystick 90. Steering and propulsion of the tractor 12 via joystick control may be by one or more joysticks that may be converted from implement control mode to machine movement control mode in accordance with the discussion of the embodiment illustrated in
At step 418, tractor 12 approaches a programmed or desired distance for a new set-up location. As the distance moved approaches the desired repositioning or hop distance (such as, a recommended distance) that has been set, the machine may slow down regardless of operator input. This semi-automatic control gives the operator the control that may be needed while ensuring that the target distance is accurately achieved. If the operator, inadvertently or otherwise, attempts to exceed the target distance, the operator's input is overridden. Thus the machine stops at the target distance. This strict control of the repositioning or hop distance permits maximizing the distance between excavating phases, while still ensuring a smooth trench bottom and minimizing the time and effort that must be expended on the excavating operation.
As the machine approaches the new set-up location, the engine speed again may decrease to a low idle, machine brakes may engage, and the transmission may shift to neutral as the machine slows down and comes to a smooth stop. Control module 52 may determine when the machine has traveled the target distance to the new set-up position. Any suitable distance determining expedient, such as a GPS tracking system or an inertial tracking system, for example, may be employed to determine how far the machine has moved. The tractor 12 may come to a smooth stop at the designated new set-up location, such as at a recommended efficient permissible distance from the first set-up position as determined in accordance with the procedure described in connection with
At step 420, the engine speed may be increased to support lowering of the loader bucket 21 and stabilizers 28. The loader bucket 21 may be forced into ground contact and the stabilizers 28 may be deployed, all with sufficient force to raise and level the machine into a position supported by the loader bucket 21 and the stabilizers 28. In this position, the ground transportation wheels 14, 16 may be entirely out of contact with the ground (see
At step 422, the engine 60 may increase speed to the level that supports an excavating phase. The excavating assemblage 34 may be moved from the stowed position to a position ready to resume trenching. Trenching may then be continued from the new set-up position within the working limits of the excavating assemblage or until the trench is finished.
It will be understood that the process schematically illustrated in
Delays and inefficiencies are an ordinary part of an excavating operation requiring a plurality of set-up positions for its completion. By utilizing various expedients, including automation, such delays and inefficiencies may be avoided. For example, an efficient, permissible distance for machine repositioning between excavating phases in a trenching operation may be calculated and recommended under complete automation in order to enhance efficiency. As another example, certain preparation activities that occur upon termination of an excavating phase and prior to machine repositioning may be automated. As a further example, during machine repositioning, an implement control input device or input devices may be suitably converted to a mode for controlling machine steering and propulsion in order, among other things, to obviate the need for repositioning the operator seat.
The repositioning distance a machine must move from one set-up position to the next over the course of an extended trench excavating operation ordinarily is left to operator judgment and discretion. Because an efficient permissible distance for repositioning may be calculated and recommended to the operator based on numerous measured variables, reliance for best, maximum, and/or optimum distance to move between one set-up position and the next need not be left to operator discretion based on estimations. Since a consistent and efficient distance may be immediately available to the operator and actually programmed into the machine, the trench may be more efficiently excavated and, particularly with a trench of significant length, substantial time may be saved.
The actions which ordinarily take place in preparation for repositioning between set-up positions may be individually initiated by the machine operator. Aside from being one more fatigue factor, the efficiency and consistency of this series of actions may vary considerably, depending on the skill and experience of the operator. By automating the preparation for repositioning procedure, operator fatigue is reduced and efficiency and consistency of overall machine operation is enhanced. A novice operator may be able to operator a machine with the efficiency of an expert.
Because the machine operator may conveniently access an on-board touch screen display and activate a virtual button to convert an input device or devices from excavating assemblage control to steering and propulsion control, and vice versa, the operator need not move back and forth between the controls for the excavating assemblage (at the machine rear) and the controls for steering and propulsion (at the machine front). The touch screen display and instant conversion from one mode to another eliminates operator fatigue factors that are unavoidably a part of heavy equipment operation. Employing a touch screen for converting an input device or devices from one mode to another constitutes a safety feature since inadvertent conversion from one mode to another is more improbable than it would be where a switch or button, closely associated with the input device (such as a joystick) is employed.
Numerous actions are involved in the overall repositioning process between set-up positions in an excavating operation. Because the overall process may be automated, a significant reduction in operator fatigue and allowance for variance in operator skill and experience are realized. By retaining the option for operator intervention to control certain aspects of the repositioning process, such as machine speed, the desirable involvement in the process by the machine operator is retained for safety and error correction.
While the disclosed system and method have been described and illustrated in connection with a typical backhoe loader, it should be understood that other types of excavating assemblages, such as a hydraulic excavator, for example, may benefit from employing the disclosed system and method.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system and method without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only with the true scope of protection being indicated by the following claims.
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