Abstract:
A method of controlling a horizontal directional drill having a rotary drive system. The rotary drive system includes a variable displacement pump providing pressurized fluid to a motor, a displacement control that adjusts motor displacement, a torque limiter valve that opens at a torque limit to provide pressurized fluid to the displacement control to allow the system to limit torque, and cross-port relief valves that open at a cross-port relief pressure to limit pressure applied across a motor inlet and a motor outlet. The method includes adjusting the torque limiter pressure to vary the maximum torque applied to a drill string based on operating parameters of the horizontal direction drill, and adjusting the cross-port relief pressure to be higher than the torque limiter pressure each time that the torque limiter pressure is adjusted.
Abstract:
Work machines having an operator platform for standing operation of the work machine are disclosed. The work machines include a suspension system for suspending an operator station that includes an operator platform and a control station from a chassis of the work machine.
Abstract:
A cutter includes a first end configured to engage an object along a dominant force vector, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The cutter further includes an outer side, an inner side, and an aperture extending from the outer side to the inner side along a fastener axis that is substantially perpendicular to the dominant force vector. The cutter also includes a cutter tip on the first end and having a first cutting edge, a second cutting edge, and a third cutting edge, the cutting edges defining therebetween a cutting face. The cutting face defines a cutting swath having a width between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge as the cutter rotates with the apparatus. No portion of the first side or the second side extends outside the width of the cutting swath.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for dosing slurries to remove suspended solids from the slurry are disclosed. The systems and methods may be used to dewater slurries having relatively high solids content such as earthen slurries. In some embodiments, the solids content of the slurry is monitored to determine the amount of dilution water and/or additive added to the slurry.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for processing earthen slurries such as slurries of earth cuttings and, in particular, systems and methods that involve two separation units for dewatering the slurry or that involve additive mixing units are disclosed. The systems and methods may include a conveyor such as a drag-slat conveyor that removes slurry from a holding tank at which the material is dumped and toward the separation units to allow the material to be continuously processed and dumped into the holding tank.
Abstract:
Systems for encasing articles such as forage or crop bales in a protective wrap are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a gathering mechanism and sealing device for bunching protective wrap and sealing the ends of the wrap material after one or more articles has been conveyed into the wrap material.
Abstract:
An adjustable raking apparatus for gathering crop material into a windrow is disclosed. The raking apparatus allows the raking width and the windrow width to be independently adjusted. In some embodiments, both the raking width and the windrow width may be adjusted by the operator from the pulling vehicle attached to the raking apparatus.
Abstract:
Self-balancing cylindrical rotors for comminuting materials such as biomass and terrain are disclosed. The rotors may include two sets of balancing mechanisms toward each end of the cylindrical rotor. Each balancing mechanism includes a circular channel. Balancing members within each circular channel may be redistributed throughout the channel to balance the rotor. The balancing members may include a locking device that is adjustable between a locked state in which the balancing members are restricted from moving within the circular channels and an unlocked state in which the balancing members may move within the circular channel.
Abstract:
A cutting element including an arcuate base having a first side, a second side, an outer radial surface, and an inner radial surface, the inner radial surface being configured to be mounted to a cutting drum. The cutting element also includes a plurality of tooth holders being mounted to the outer radial surface of the arcuate base, the tooth holders being configured to receive cutting teeth. Additionally, the cutting element includes a cutting tooth mounted in each tooth holder, wherein there is at least one leading tooth, and at least one trailing tooth, each of the cutting teeth being configured to cut through a dissimilar cutting plane, wherein each dissimilar cutting plane is parallel to one another.
Abstract:
A bale processor with a bale processing bin that has a bale cutter therein and an engagement section on the bale cutter for supporting part of a bale. A conveyor section supports another part of the bale. The bale processor has a load sensor that senses the load, or something that is a function of the load, on the bale cutter and a controller controls feeding of the bale to the bale cutter and/or the position of the engagement section, based on the function of the load on the cutter.