TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a grading machine, and more particularly, to a control system for a grading machine.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to mobile machines that are used in grading. Grading machines are typically used to cut, spread, or level material that forms a ground surface. To perform such earth sculpting tasks, grading machines include a blade, also referred to as a moldboard or implement. The blade moves relatively small quantities of earth from side to side, in comparison to a bulldozer or other machine that moves larger quantities of earth. Grading machines are frequently used to form a variety of final earth arrangements, which often require the blade to be positioned in different positions and/or orientations depending on the sculpting task. The different blade positions may include adjustments to the blade height, blade cutting angle, blade pitch, blade sideshift, and drawbar sideshift. Accordingly, grading machines may include several operator controls to manipulate various portions of the machine. Positioning and orienting the blade of a motor grader is a complex and time consuming task that may require a great deal of experience and/or expertise.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,215, issued to Nau on Jan. 7, 1992 (“the '215 patent”), describes a method and apparatus for controlling the slope of a blade for a grading machine. The '215 patent allows an operator to select a desired cross slope angle of the surface bring worked. A control system then measures a slope angle of the blade and adjusts the slope angle of the blade as needed in order for the blade to maintain the desired slope angle to form the selected cross slope angle as the blade traverses the surface. The blade positioning and adjustment method and system of the '215 patent may not provide sufficient positioning or orienting options, and thus, may not provide an inexperienced operator with the ability to perform various operations with the grading machine. The control system for a grading machine of the present disclosure may solve one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art. The scope of the current disclosure, however, is defined by the attached claims, and not by the ability to solve any specific problem.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a grading machine may include a machine body, a grading blade, at least one grading blade sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, at least one drawbar sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the drawbar, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and position and orient the grading blade and the drawbar to one of a plurality of predetermined ditching positions based on the input.

In another aspect, a method of operating a grading machine may include sensing a drawbar centershift and elevation position of a drawbar with a sensor, sensing a pitch of a grading blade, and sensing an angle of a circle, where the circle is rotatably coupled to the drawbar to position the grading blade. The method may also include receiving a user input to position the drawbar and the grading blade to a user-selected ditching position, wherein the user-selected ditching position is one of a plurality of predetermined ditching positions, and positioning the drawbar and the grading blade to the user-selected ditching position by positioning a drawbar centershift cylinder, positioning a blade pitch cylinder, and a circle drive motor.

In a further aspect, a method of operating a grading machine may include receiving a user input to position and orient a drawbar and a grading blade to a user-selected ditching position, where the user-selected ditching position is one of a plurality of predetermined ditching positions. The method may also include positioning the drawbar and the grading blade to the user-selected ditching position, beginning a ditching operation with the grading blade, sensing the position and orientation of the grading blade and the drawbar, and if the sensed position and orientation of the grading blade and the drawbar is not the user-selected ditching position, automatically adjusting the position and orientation of the grading blade and the drawbar to the user-selected ditching position.

