Control system for a grading machine

Abstract

A grading machine may include a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and adjust an orientation of the grading blade to one of a plurality of predetermined orientations based on the input.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grading machine, comprising
 a machine body;   a grading blade supported by a circle;   a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body;   a user interface; and   a control system configured to receive an input from the user interface and adjust an orientation of the grading blade to one of a plurality of predetermined orientations based on the input.   
     
     
         2 . The grading machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predetermined orientations are predetermined positions of the circle. 
     
     
         3 . The grading machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predetermined orientations are predetermined angles of the grading blade relative to drawbar. 
     
     
         4 . The grading machine of  claim 3 , wherein predetermined angles include at least a 15 degree position, a 30 degree position, and a 45 degree position. 
     
     
         5 . The grading machine of  claim 4 , wherein the grading blade is movable approximately 75 degrees clockwise and 75 degrees counterclockwise relative to the drawbar. 
     
     
         6 . The grading machine of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined positions correspond to a spreading mode, a grading mode, and a cutting mode. 
     
     
         7 . The grading machine of  claim 6 , wherein the spreading mode, the grading mode, and the cutting mode are displayed on the user interface to allow for selection of the predetermined position corresponding to the selected mode 
     
     
         8 . The grading machine of  claim 1 , further including a circle drive motor in communication with the controller and configured to rotate the circle relative to the drawbar. 
     
     
         9 . The grading machine of  claim 8 , further including a rotary sensor or an inertial measurement units mounted in a centered or off-centered position on the circle and configured to detect a position of the circle relative to the drawbar. 
     
     
         10 . The grading machine of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is a touch screen interface mounted in a cab of the grading machine. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a grading machine, comprising:
 sensing an orientation of a grading blade by sensing an orientation of a circle that couples the grading blade to a drawbar;   receiving a user input to position the grading blade to a user-selected orientation, wherein the user-selected orientation is one of a plurality of predetermined orientations; and   if the user-selected orientation is different from the sensed orientation, positioning the grading blade to the user-selected orientation.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including, after positioning the grading blade to the user-selected orientation, sensing a second orientation of the grading blade by sensing the orientation of the circle to confirm that the grading blade is in the user-selected orientation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the user-selected orientation is one of a plurality of predetermined blade angle positions relative to a drawbar. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further including receiving a second user input to position the grading blade to a second user-selected orientation, wherein the second user-selected orientation is one of the plurality of predetermined orientations. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the user input is received on a touch screen user interface display mounted in a cab of the machine. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a grading machine, comprising:
 receiving a user input to position a grading blade to a user-selected orientation, wherein the user-selected orientation is one of a plurality of predetermined orientations;   positioning the grading blade to the user-selected orientation;   beginning a grading operation;   sensing the orientation of the grading blade; and   if the sensed orientation is not the user-selected orientation, automatically adjusting the orientation of the grading blade to the user-selected orientation.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of predetermined orientations are predetermined positions of a circle that connects the grading blade to a drawbar in order to control a blade angle; and
 wherein the step of positioning the grading blade to the user-selected orientation includes actuating a circle drive motor to position the circle.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of sensing the orientation of the grading blade includes a controller being in communication with a circle angle sensor coupled to the circle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein receiving the user input includes receiving a user input via a user interface, and wherein the user interface is configured to display icons that correspond to the plurality of predetermined orientations. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the grading blade is movable approximately 75 degrees clockwise and 75 degrees counterclockwise relative to the drawbar; and
 wherein the predetermined orientations include at least a 15 degree position that corresponds to a spreading mode, a 30 degree position that corresponds to a grading mode, and a 45 degree position that corresponds to a cutting mode.