Transport conversion mode

US9969427B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Wirtgen GmbH

Inventors

• Michael Engels · Montabaur, DE
• Christian Liss · Meckenheim, DE
• Cyrus Barimani · Rübhausen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 16, 2016
• Grant date: May 15, 2018
• Expiry date: Nov 16, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E01C2301/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A self-propelled paving machine includes a plurality of swing legs, each swing leg being supported from a ground surface by an associated crawler track steerably connected to an outer end of its associated swing leg. The machine may be re-oriented from a paving orientation to a transport orientation via a transport conversion mode of an automatic controller configured to spin the paving in place on the ground through a re-orientation angle, then rotate each of the crawler tracks relative to its respective swing leg until each crawler track is primarily oriented in a transport direction generally perpendicular to the paving direction, and then while moving the paving machine in the transport direction pivoting each of the swing legs relative to the frame until each swing leg is oriented primarily in the transport direction. The paving machine may then be driven onto a transport vehicle.