US20170073908A1

US20170073908A1 - Cold planer with a rear-mounted rotary broom and a carriage system

Info

Publication number: US20170073908A1
Application number: US14/850,321
Authority: US
Inventors: Alexis J. Lee; Sean Laclef
Original assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
Current assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
Priority date: 2015-09-10
Filing date: 2015-09-10
Publication date: 2017-03-16

Abstract

A cold planer is disclosed. The cold planer includes a frame and a set of ground engaging members disposed adjacent to a rear end of the frame. The cold planer further includes a rotor disposed adjacent to the set of ground engaging members and configured to engage with a work surface. The cold planer further includes a rotary broom operatively coupled to the frame adjacent to the rear end thereof and disposed behind the rotor to sweep residual material from the work surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cold planer, and more particularly, to the cold planer having a rear-mounted rotary broom and a carriage system.

BACKGROUND

Various machines, such as cold planers are used for maintenance of road ways. Cold planers, also known as road milling machines, are used for scarifying, removing, or mixing material from surface of road ways and similar surfaces. Cold planers include a rotatable planning rotor or cutter for cutting the surface of road ways. Debris or residue obtained as a result of cutting of the road surface may be collected into another vehicle, e.g., a dump truck, for dumping the debris at an appropriate location. The debris or residue may be transported from the cold planer to the dump truck through a conveyor system. However, in case of small-sized machine, using the conveyor system is not practical. Further, a separate machine is used for cleaning the debris from the road surface. Using such conveyor systems or separate machines for sweeping the debris is complex and expensive.
Moreover, during some cutting and planning operation, an operator sitting in operator cab may feel discomfort and inconvenience due to continuous inconsistent motion of the cold planer. For example, while making rumble strips on surface of the road, the cold planer may have to cut multiple grooves on the surface. Movement of the cold planer over the multiple grooves may cause instability in the cold planer which would be inconvenient for the operator. This in turn would affect the accuracy of the operation being controlled by the operator, and may affect efficiency and quality of the operation. In addition, because of the vibrations experienced by the operator, such a working environment can be detrimental to the health of the operator.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,082 B2 discloses a machine for removing ferrous debris that removes such debris from firing ranges where the removal of hard objects is desired to prevent ricochets during firing exercises, particularly on aircraft gunnery ranges. The machine includes a chassis towed behind a remotely controlled or automated vehicle, with a mechanism support frame pivotally mounted on the chassis. A series of magnetic operating arms is provided across the mechanism frame, with a chain drive conveyor cycling the operating arms as the machine is operated. The operating arms automatically release any gathered ferrous debris into a hopper as the arms reach the hopper during their cycle. A mechanism is provided to accommodate angular deflection of the operating arms relative to the hopper due to sloped terrain, and a further automated mechanism is provided to tilt and empty the hopper as required. However, the machine can be used only for removing ferrous debris. Further, the machine is complicated and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a cold planer is provided. The cold planer includes a frame, a set of ground engaging members, a rotor, and a rotary broom. The set of ground engaging members is disposed adjacent to a rear end of the frame. Further, the rotor is disposed adjacent to the set of ground engaging members, and is further configured to engage with a work surface. The rotary broom is operatively coupled to the frame adjacent to the rear end thereof The rotary broom is disposed behind the rotor to sweep residual material from the work surface during a milling operation of the cold planer.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a cold planer is provided. The cold planer includes a frame, a set of ground engaging members, a rotor, a rotary broom, and a carriage system. The set of ground engaging members is disposed adjacent to a rear end of the frame. The rotor is disposed adjacent to the set of ground engaging members, and is configured to engage with a work surface. The rotary broom is operatively coupled to the frame adjacent to the rear end thereof and is disposed behind the rotor to sweep residual material from the work surface. Further, the carriage system is pivotally coupled to the frame, and is disposed above the rotary broom. The carriage system is configured to carry an operator to control an operation of the cold planer.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling an operation of a cold planer is provided. The method initiates with moving a set of ground engaging members over a work surface. The method further includes moving a rotor over the work surface, wherein the rotor is coupled to a frame of the cold planer and disposed adjacent to the set of ground engaging members. The method also includes moving a rotary broom over the work surface, wherein the rotary broom is coupled to the frame and disposed behind the rotor. The method further includes controlling the operation of the cold planer from a carriage system. The carriage system is pivotally coupled to the frame, and is disposed above the rotary broom.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cold planer having a rotary broom and a carriage system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coupling arrangement disposed between the rotary broom and the cold planer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of the cold planer showing a rumble strip operation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cold planer showing a first position and a second position of the rotary broom during a milling operation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an operation of the cold planer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a cold planer 100 having a rotary broom 102 and a carriage system 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cold planer 100 is used for performing cold planning operation, such as cold milling, asphalt milling, profiling, or pavement milling. During a cold planning operation, material from a road surface may be removed to a desired depth for forming a new road surface. Accordingly, any surface irregularities, such as bumps and ruts, may be removed to define a plane surface on the road surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the cold planer 100 includes a frame 106 for supporting various components of the cold planer 100 including, but not limited to, an engine 108 and an operator station 110. The cold planer 100 further includes a set of ground engaging members 112 supported on the frame 106.
The set of ground engaging members 112 may contact with a work surface 114 for moving the cold planer 100 on the work surface 114. The set of ground engaging members 112 are further disposed adjacent to a rear end 116 of the frame 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the set of ground engaging members 112 include two wheels disposed adjacent to the rear end 116 of the frame 106. In other embodiments, the set of ground engaging members 112 may include tracks or a combination of wheels and tracks. In one example, the set of ground engaging members 112 of the cold planer 100 may include two rear wheels and two front wheels. In another example, the set of ground engaging members 112 may include two rear wheels and a front drum roller. In yet another example, the set of ground engaging members 112 may include a rear drum roller and a front drum roller. Each of the ground engaging members 112 may be driven by a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor may be communicated with a hydraulic system 122 of the cold planer 100. The hydraulic system 122 may be used for actuating various systems of the cold planer 100, such as a steering system.
In the illustrated embodiment, the set of ground engaging members 112 are coupled to the frame 106 via leg members 118. The leg members 118 are configured to move the corresponding connected ground engaging member 112 from among the set of ground engaging members 112 relative to the frame 106. The leg members 118 may raise or lower the ground engaging member 112 relative to the frame 106. Thus, the frame 106 may be raised or lowered with respect to the work surface 114 during the operation of the cold planer 100. A leg member 118 from among the set of leg members 118 is described in detail. In an example, each leg member 118 may include a cylinder body (not shown) mounted on the frame 106 and a piston body (not shown) may be slidably disposed within the cylinder body. The cylinder body may be fluidly communicated with the hydraulic system 122 of the cold planer 100. The piston body may be moved between an extended position and a retracted position upon actuation of the hydraulic system 122. The extended position of the piston body may correspond to lifting of the frame 106, and the retracted position of the piston body may correspond to lowering of the frame 106. The piston body may be further coupled to a mounting member 124 for supporting the set of ground engaging members 112.
The cold planer 100 further includes a rotor 126 that is disposed adjacent to the set of ground engaging members 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor 126 is disposed between the two wheels disposed adjacent to the rear end 116 of the frame 106. The rotor 126 is further configured to engage with the work surface 114. In another embodiment, the rotor 126 may be disposed between the set of ground engaging members 112. The set of ground engaging members 112 may further be disposed adjacent to the rear end 116 of and a front end 128 of the cold planer 100. As shown in the FIG. 1, the rotor 126 is rotatably disposed within a housing 130 supported on the frame 106. In an example, the housing 130 may be configured to discharge material removed from the work surface 114 to a truck that follows the cold planer 100 during milling operation.
The rotor 126 may be a rotary cutting drum rotatable in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction for removing material from the work surface 114. The rotor 126 may be connected to the engine 108 via a gear assembly (not shown) for driving the rotor 126 based on operation of the engine 108 of the cold planer 100. The rotor 126 further includes a plurality of teeth for removing the material from the work surface 114. The plurality of teeth may be used for cutting the work surface 114.
As mentioned earlier, the cold planer 100 includes the rotary broom 102 being disposed behind the rotor 126 in such a manner that residual material obtained after cutting of the work surface 114, by the rotor 126, may be swept off by the rotary broom 102. The rotary broom 102 is further operatively coupled to the frame 106 adjacent to the rear end 116. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotary broom 102 may include a rotating shaft (not shown) and bristles disposed along a circumference of the rotating shaft. The rotary broom 102 may be rotated in a clockwise or an anti-clockwise direction to remove the residual material after the milling operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary broom 102 is configured to be in fluid communication with the hydraulic system 122 of the cold planer 100. Further, the cold planer 100 may include a container (not shown) disposed at an appropriate location in the rotary broom 102 for collecting the residual material swept off the work surface 114 by the rotary broom 102.
In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary broom 102 is a utility broom. The utility broom may be used for sweeping and collecting the residual material from the work surfaces in a forward movement and/or a reverse movement of the cold planer 100. The utility broom may include a housing member for disposing the rotating shaft and the container used for collecting the residual material.
In another embodiment, the rotary broom 102 may be a pick-up broom. The pick-up broom may sweep and deposit the residual material into a hopper such that the residual material may be dumped on a location remote from the work surface 114. The bristles used in the pick-up broom may rotate in a clockwise or an anti-clockwise direction during a forward movement and/or a reverse movement of the cold planer 100. In yet another embodiment, the rotary broom 102 may be an angle broom. The angle brooms may use a windrowing action to move the residual material ahead and to the side of the work surface 114 being swept. The angle brooms may be oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cold planer 100 or may be inclined at an angle of about 30 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the cold planer 100.
The cold planer 100 further includes a coupling arrangement 134 (shown in FIG. 2) for coupling the rotary broom 102 to the rear end 116 of the frame 106. The coupling arrangement 134 is configured to move the rotary broom 102 between a first position ‘P1’ (shown in FIG. 3) and a second position ‘P2’ (shown in FIG. 4). Further, the coupling arrangement 134 may be configured to move the rotary broom 102 about a vertical axis ‘V’.
The cold planer 100 further includes the carriage system 104 pivotally coupled to the frame 106 adjacent to the rear end 116 thereof Further, the carriage system 104 is disposed above the rotary broom 102. The carriage system 104 is configured to carry an operator 136 (shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) to control an operation of the cold planer 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the operation of the cold planer 100 includes the milling operation and a rumble strip operation. In various embodiments, the cold planer 100 may be controlled to perform various earth moving operations on the work surface 114. The milling operation and the rumble strip operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
The cold planer 100 further includes a pivot member 138 disposed adjacent to the rear end 116 of the cold planer 100. The pivot member 138 is configured to couple the carriage system 104 with the frame 106. The pivot member 138 is further configured to allow movement of the frame 106 with respect to the carriage system 104. Specifically, the pivot member 138 may allow the carriage system 104 to be stationary when the frame 106 of the cold planer 100 experiences vibrations during movement of the cold planer 100 and/or operations of the cold planer 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the carriage system 104 includes a first platform 140 and a second platform 142 connected to the first platform 140. The first platform 140 is disposed above the rotary broom 102 and is configured to be coupled with the pivot member 138. The first platform 140 includes a first end 144 coupled to the pivot member 138. The first platform 140 has a length ‘L’ defined between the first end 144 and a second end 146. The length of the first platform 140 is defined based on various parameters including, but not limited to, a width ‘W’ of the rotary broom 102 and a load carrying capacity to support one or more operators 136. The length ‘L’ may be further defined based on a size and a shape of various rotary brooms 102, such as the utility broom, the pick-up broom, and the angled broom. In one embodiment, the first platform 140 may be coupled with the rotary broom 102 to support the carriage system 104 with the frame 106. The first platform 140 may be coupled to the housing 130 of the rotary broom 102. The housing 130 and the first platform 140 may be provided with mounting brackets to couple the first platform 140 with the housing 130 of the rotary broom 102. Various fastening members, such as bolts and nuts, may be used for coupling the first platform 140 with the housing 130 of the rotary broom 102. The second platform 142 is connected to the second end 146 of the first platform 140 and disposed proximal to the work surface 114. The second platform 142 may be configured to carry the operator 136. In one embodiment, the second platform 142 may be integrally formed with the first platform 140. In another embodiment, the second platform 142 may be separately coupled to the first platform 140 via fastening members, such as bolts and nuts.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the coupling arrangement 134 disposed between the rotary broom 102 and the frame 106 of the cold planer 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The coupling arrangement 134 includes a mounting bracket 202 slidably coupled to the frame 106. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cold planer 100 includes an elongated member 204 extending from a top end of the frame 106 that is adjacent to the rear end 116. The cold planer 100 further includes a pair of hydraulic actuators 208 coupling the mounting bracket 202 with the elongated member 204 of the frame 106. Each of the pair of hydraulic actuators 208 includes a cylinder body 210 and a rod member 212 slidably disposed within the cylinder body 210. The cylinder body 210 is coupled to the elongated member 204 and the rod member 212 is coupled to the mounting bracket 202. Each of the pair of hydraulic actuators 208 is fluidly coupled with the hydraulic system 122 of the cold planer 100 in such a manner that upon actuation of the hydraulic system 122, each of the pair of hydraulic actuators 208 moves between an extended position and a retracted position. The mounting bracket 202 is slidably engaged with a pair of rails mounted on the frame 106 of the cold planer 100. In the retracted position and the extended position of the hydraulic actuators 208, the mounting bracket 202 moves up and down relative to the frame 106, respectively. The coupling arrangement 134 further includes an articulation member 214 movably coupled to the mounting bracket 202. Specifically, the articulation member 214 is movably coupled to a mounting portion 216 extending from the mounting bracket 202. Further, the articulation member 214 is coupled to the mounting portion 216 of the mounting bracket 202 via the pivot member 138. The pivot member 138 may define the vertical axis ‘V’. The articulation member 214 includes a base portion 218 and a pair of arms 220 extending from the base portion 218. The base portion 218 is coupled to the mounting portion 216 of the mounting bracket 202 via the pivot member 138. The rotary broom 102 is connected to the pair of arms 220 of the articulation member 214. Specifically, the rotary broom 102 includes one or more coupling members 222 for coupling the rotary broom 102 with the articulation member 214 such that the rotary broom 102 may move about the vertical axis ‘V’. Further, the rotary broom 102 may be moved between the first position ‘P1’ and the second position ‘P2’ with respect to the frame 106, based on actuation of the hydraulic system 122.
Further, the articulation member 214 may be movably coupled to the mounting bracket 202. The articulation member 214 may also be coupled with the rotary broom 102. The articulation member 214 may allow the rotary broom 102 to twist about the vertical axis ‘V’. Therefore, the rotary broom 102 may be moveable in multiple directions to remove the residual material from the work surface 114.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a rumble strip operation of the cold planer 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For performing the rumble strip operation, a control module 302 is disposed on the first platform 140. The control module 302 is in communication with a control system 304 of the cold planer 100. The control system 304 is configured to control the operation of the cold planer 100 based on an input received from the operator 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the control system 304 is disposed within the operator station 110 of the cold planer 100. The control system 304 may include an operator interface for the operator 136 to provide the input to various components and systems of the cold planer 100, such as the engine 108 and the hydraulic system 122, for controlling movement of the cold planer 100 and performing the milling operation and the rumble strip operation. The operator interface may include a display device, switches, levers and input-output ports for providing input data to the various systems and the components of the cold planer 100 and retrieving output data from the cold planer 100. The control system 304 may be further communicated with the engine 108 and the hydraulic system 122 of the cold planer 100 for controlling movement of the cold planer 100 and operations of the cold planer 100. The hydraulic system 122 may be actuated based on the input from the operator 136 to control the milling and the rumble strip operation of the cold planer 100. The control module 302 disposed on the first platform 140 may be configured to receive an input from the operator 136 to control the operation of the cold planer 100. The control module 302 may be an extension of the control system 304 disposed within the operator station 110. In an example, the control module 302 may communicate the input to the control system 304 and therefore, the cold planer 100 may be controlled to perform the milling and/or the rumble strip operation based on the input provided by the operator 136. In one example, the control module 302 may include a display screen, a touch pad, a keypad, and one or more control levers for controlling the operation of the cold planer 100. Therefore, the operator 136 may control the operation of the cold planer 100 without being present in the operator station 110.
As shown in FIG. 3, rumble strips includes multiple grooves 306 on the work surface 114. It may also be contemplated that the rumble strips may include multiple raised portions on the work surface 114. The cold planer 100, according to the present disclosure, may be configured to form multiple grooves 306 on the work surface 114. Each of the grooves 306 may be formed at a predefined distance from adjacent grooves 306. A first groove 308 and a second groove 310 adjacent to the first groove 308 are illustrated in detail for explanation of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, for the purpose of forming the first groove 308 on the work surface 114, the operator 136 standing on the second platform 142 of the carriage system 104 may move the cold planer 100 to a desired position on the work surface 114 such that the rotor 126 may be controlled to remove material from a location in the work surface 114 where the first groove 308 is required. The operator 136 may provide input through the control module 302 to the control system 304 to actuate the leg members 118. The operator 136 may further actuate the leg members 118 of the set of ground engaging members 112 to lower the set of ground engaging members 112. As the ground engaging members 112 lower, the frame 106 of the cold planer 100 moves down along a vertical direction. Subsequently, the rotor 126 also moves down to remove material from the work surface 114 to form the first groove 308. The leg members 118 may be further controlled to regulate movement of the ground engaging members 112 with respect to the frame 106 based on a depth of the first groove 308. Moreover, the one or more hydraulic actuators 208 may be actuated to move the rotary broom 102 downwards to contact with the work surface 114. Further, the hydraulic motor may be actuated to remove the residual material produced due to making of the first groove 308 from the work surface 114. During making of the first groove 308, the pivot member 138 coupled between the frame 106 and the carriage system 104 allows the frame 106 to move downward vertically while keeping the carriage system 104 stationary. The coupling arrangement 134 disposed between the frame 106 and the rotary broom 102 may also allow the rotary broom 102 to stay stationary during the making of the first groove 308.
After forming the first groove 308, the operator 136 may actuate the leg members 118 to raise the ground engaging members 112. As the ground engaging members 112 is raised, the frame 106 moves up, subsequently the rotor 126 also moves up and disengages from the work surface 114. During the movement of the frame 106 in the upward direction, the pivot member 138 and the coupling arrangement 134 allow the rotary broom 102 and the carriage system 104, respectively, to stay stationary. Further, the cold planer 100 may move to a desired distance to form the second groove 310. The cold planer 100 is controlled to form the second groove 310 similar to the first groove 308. During formation of the second groove 310 also, the rotary broom 102 and the carriage system 104 stay stationary. Thus, the operator 136 standing on the second platform 142 of the carriage system 104 may not be subjected to vibrations of the cold planer 100 caused during rumble strip operation.
FIG. 5 illustrates milling operation of the cold planer 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the carriage system 104 is not shown. The carriage system 104 may not be required to attach with the frame 106 of the cold planer 100 for performing the milling operation. During a normal movement of the cold planer 100, the rotor 126 may be distal from the work surface 114. When the rotor 126 is distal from the work surface 114, the hydraulic actuators 208 may be actuated by the hydraulic system 122 via the control system 304 to move the hydraulic actuators 208 in the retracted position. Thus, the rotary broom 102 coupled to the mounting bracket 202 moves to the first position ‘P1’. During the milling operation of the cold planer 100, the rotor 126 engages with the work surface 114 for removing the material from the work surface 114. When the rotor 126 engages with the work surface 114, the hydraulic system 122 may be actuated to move the hydraulic actuators 208 in the extended position thereof Thus, the rotary broom 102 coupled to the mounting bracket 202 moves to the second position ‘P2’. In the second position ‘P2’, the rotary broom 102 contacts with the work surface 114. Specifically, the bristles of the rotary broom 102 contact with the work surface 114 to remove the residual material from the work surface 114 and collect the residual material in the container. The residual material collected in the container may be dumped to the different location if a volume and/or a load carrying capacity of the container exceeds beyond a predefined limit, or after completion of the milling operation.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to the cold planer 100 having the rotary broom 102 and the carriage system 104 for performing the milling operation and/or the rumble strip operation. In other embodiments, the cold planer 100 may be replaced with any other machines, such as a rotary mixer used for performing material removal operations on work surfaces or machines that involve sweeping residue off the work surfaces. The present disclosure also relates to a method 500 of controlling the milling operation and/or the rumble strip operation of the cold planer 100. The rotary broom 102 may remove the residual material formed due to milling or cutting operation, on the work surface 114. Further, the carriage system 102 may carry the operator 136 and, therefore may allow the operator 136 to control the milling and/or the rumble strip operation of the cold planer 100 without being present in the operator station 110 of the cold planer 100. The operator 136 may control the milling and/or the rumble strip operation of the cold planer 100 by providing input to the control module 302 disposed on the first platform 140 of the carriage system 104.
FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of the method 500 of controlling the milling operation and/or the rumble strip operation of the cold planer 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. At block 502, the method 500 includes moving the set of ground engaging members 112 over the work surface 114. The set of ground engaging members 112 may include, but are not limited to, wheels, tracks, drum rollers, and any combination thereof The set of ground engaging members 112 may be moved in such a manner that a rotor 126 may contact the work surface 114 for machining operations. During the milling operation of the cold planer 100, the leg members 118 of the set of ground engaging members 112 may be actuated to a certain height with respect to the frame 106. The height of the ground engaging members 112 may be defined based on various parameters, including, but not limited to, a thickness of a layer of material to be removed from the work surface 114. The hydraulic system 122 of the cold planer 100 may be further actuated to drive the set of ground engaging members 112. During the rumble strip operation, the set of ground engaging members 112 may be raised or lowered to form the multiples grooves 306 on the work surface 114.
At block 504, the method 500 includes moving the rotor 126 over the work surface 114 to remove the material from the work surface 114. In an embodiment, the rotor 126 coupled to the frame 106 of the cold planer 100 may be controlled to adjust a height of the rotor 126 with respect to the work surface 114. The rotor 126 drivably coupled to the engine 108 may receive a driving power from the engine 108 to perform cutting or milling of the work surface 114.
At block 506, the method 500 includes moving the rotary broom 102 over the work surface 114. The rotary broom 102 disposed behind the rotor 126 may sweep the residual material off the work surface 114 during the milling operation on the work surface 114. The one or more hydraulic actuators 208 may move the rotary broom 102 in downward direction to contact with the work surface 114. The hydraulic motor in communication with the hydraulic systems 122 of the cold planer 100 may rotate the rotating shaft based on the input received from the operator 136 through the control system 304. In an alternative embodiment, sweeping operation of the rotary broom 102 may also be performed based on the movement of the rotor 126 on the work surface 114 without an intervention from the operator 136. When the rotor 126 engages with the work surface 114, the one or more hydraulic actuators 208 and the hydraulic motors may be actuated to move the rotary broom 102 to contact with the work surface 114 and remove the residual material. When the rotor 126 disengages from the work surface 114, the one or more hydraulic actuators 208 may be actuated to move the rotary broom 102 away from the work surface 114.
At block 508, the method 500 includes controlling the operation of the cold planer 100 from the carriage system 104. During the rumble strip operation, the operator 136 may stand on the second platform 142 of the carriage system 104 to control the cold planer 100 using the control module 302 that is in communication with the control system 304 of the cold planer 100. The coupling arrangement 134 and the pivot member 138 allow the rotary broom 102 and the carriage system 104 to be stationary during the upward and downward movement of the frame 106 while making the multiple grooves 306 on the work surface 114.
With the present disclosure, use of the rotary broom 102 to remove the material from the work surface 114 in place of conventional systems having a separate truck following the cold planer 100 to remove the residual material may reduce cost associated with cleaning up of the work surface 114 after completion of milling operation and/or the rumble strip operation. Further, the rotary broom 102 may be coupled to the hydraulic system 122 of the cold planer 100 with minimum or no modification in fluid communication lines. Therefore, an additional system for driving the rotary broom 102 may be avoided. Furthermore, the rotary broom 102 may be coupled in a manner, such that the rotary broom 102 may be replaced with a conveying system, which is used for removing material from the work surface 114 as per existing material removal system, without any inconvenience, as and when required. Therefore, the cold planer 100 of the present disclosure provides flexibility in terms of the use of the conveying system as well as the rotary broom 102. Also, the detachable rotary broom 102 negates the requirement of a separate machine for sweeping off the residual matter. Further, the coupling arrangement 134 may be designed in such a way that any known rotary broom 102 may be attached at the rear end 116 of the frame 106 of the cold planer 100.
Moreover, the carriage system 104 allows the operator 136 to control the operation of the cold planer 100 for performing the rumble strip operation without being present in the operator station 110. This may ensure a comfortable and healthy working environment for the operator 136. Further, as the carriage system 104 is not affected by the movement of the cold planer 100 during the rumble strip operation, the operator 136 may easily control the operations of the cold planer 100 without experiencing fatigue or any other inconvenience. As a result, overall effectiveness and quality of the operation of the cold planer 100 remains intact. Therefore, the present disclosure offers the cold planer 100 with the rotary broom 102 and the carriage system 104 that is effective, easy to use, economical, time-saving, and provides quality to the machining operations.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cold planer comprising:

a frame;

a set of ground engaging members disposed adjacent to a rear end of the frame;

a rotor disposed adjacent to the set of ground engaging members and configured to engage with a work surface; and

a rotary broom operatively coupled to the frame adjacent to the rear end thereof and disposed behind the rotor to sweep residual material from the work surface during a milling operation of the cold planer.

2. The cold planer of claim 1, wherein the rotary broom moves to a first position relative to the frame when the rotor is distal from the work surface and moves to a second position relative to the frame when the rotor is engaged with the work surface.

3. The cold planer of claim 2, wherein in the first position, the rotary broom is raised above the work surface.

4. The cold planer of claim 2, wherein in the second position, the rotary broom is in contact with the work surface.

5. The cold planer of claim 2 comprising a mounting bracket slidably coupled to the frame adjacent to the rear end thereof and moveable in a vertical direction to move the rotary broom between the first position and the second position.

6. The cold planer of claim 5 comprising an articulation member movably coupled to the mounting bracket, the articulation member configured to couple with the rotary broom.

7. The cold planer of claim 1, wherein the rotary broom is actuated by a hydraulic system of the cold planer.

8. A cold planer comprising:

a frame;

a set of ground engaging members disposed adjacent to a rear end of the frame;

a rotor disposed adjacent to the set of ground engaging members and configured to engage with a work surface;

a rotary broom operatively coupled to the frame adjacent to the rear end thereof and disposed behind the rotor to sweep residual material from the work surface; and

a carriage system pivotally coupled to the frame and disposed above the rotary broom, the carriage system configured to carry an operator to control an operation of the cold planer.

9. The cold planer of claim 8, wherein the rotary broom moves to a first position relative to the frame when the rotor is distal from the work surface and moves to a second position relative to the frame when the rotor is engaged with the work surface.

10. The cold planer of claim 9, wherein in the first position, the rotary broom is raised above the work surface.

11. The cold planer of claim 9, wherein in the second position, the rotary broom is in contact with the work surface.

12. The cold planer of claim 9 comprising a coupling arrangement disposed between the frame and the rotary broom, the coupling arrangement comprising:

a mounting bracket slidably coupled to the frame adjacent to the rear end thereof and moveable in a vertical direction to move the rotary broom between the first position and the second position; and

an articulation member movably coupled to the mounting bracket, the articulation member configured to couple with the rotary broom.

13. The cold planer of claim 8, wherein the rotary broom is actuated by a hydraulic system of the cold planer.

14. The cold planer of claim 12 comprising a pivot member configured to couple the carriage system with the frame, the pivot member allows movement of the frame in a vertical direction relative to the carriage system during a rumble strip operation on the work surface.

15. The cold planer of claim 14, wherein the coupling arrangement allows the rotary broom to stay in the second position thereof while the frame moves in the vertical direction during the rumble strip operation on the work surface.

16. The cold planer of claim 14, wherein the carriage system comprises:

a first platform disposed above the rotary broom and configured to couple with the pivot member; and

a second platform connected to the first platform and disposed proximal to the work surface, the second platform configured to carry the operator thereon.

17. The cold planer of claim 16 comprising a control module disposed on the first platform and communicated with a control system of the cold planer, wherein the control system is configured to control the operation of the cold planer based on an input from the operator.

18. The cold planer of claim 17, wherein the control module is configured to receive the input from the operator to control the operation of the cold planer.

19. A method of controlling an operation of a cold planer, the method comprising:

moving a set of ground engaging members over a work surface;

moving a rotor over the work surface, wherein the rotor is coupled to a frame of the cold planer and disposed adjacent to the set of ground engaging members;

moving a rotary broom over the work surface, wherein the rotary broom is coupled to the frame and disposed behind the rotor; and

controlling the operation of the cold planer from a carriage system, wherein the carriage system is pivotally coupled to the frame and disposed above the rotary broom.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising, providing an input to a control module disposed on the carriage system to control the operation of the cold planer, wherein the carriage system comprises:

a first platform disposed above the rotary broom and coupled to the frame, wherein the control module is disposed on the first platform; and

a second platform connected to the first platform and disposed proximal to the work surface, the second platform configured to carry an operator thereon.