Material collection system

Abstract

A material collection system is provided. The system can include a vacuum generator having a fan to develop an airflow and draw material into a conduit. The system can also include a transmission, a power source to selectively power at least one of the vacuum generator and the transmission, a variable power divider to divide a power output from the power source to the transmission and the vacuum generator, and a control system to control the variable power divider in a first mode and a second mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A material collection system, comprising:
 a container forming a first width;   a conduit comprising a material inlet, the conduit movable from a stowed position to an operating position and forming a second width when in the stowed position;   a vacuum generator comprising a fan to develop an airflow and draw material into the material inlet;   a transmission to control a drive of the material collection system;   a power source to power the vacuum generator and the transmission; and   a chassis forming an overall width, the overall width comprising the first width and the second width.   
     
     
         2 . The material collection system of  claim 1 , wherein the overall width is less than approximately 102 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The material collection system of  claim 1 , wherein a centerline of the container is offset from a centerline of the material collection system. 
     
     
         4 . The material collection system of  claim 3 , wherein the container is offset by approximately 5 inches. 
     
     
         5 . A method for operating a material collection system, the method comprising:
 selectively powering at least one of a transmission and a vacuum generator using a power source, the vacuum generator comprising a fan to develop an airflow and draw material into a material inlet of a conduit;   operating the fan of the vacuum generator at a first speed;   receiving an electronic signal indicating the material collection system is in a first mode in which a vehicle of the material collection system is moving at a travel speed; and   reducing the speed of the vacuum generator from the first speed based on the first mode.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 receiving an electronic signal indicating the material collection system is in a second mode in which the vehicle is moving at less than the travel speed; and   increasing the speed of the vacuum generator to the first speed.