Milling attachment with adjustable cover

Abstract

A milling attachment for a work machine includes a frame including a first frame side wall, a second frame side wall, and a frame top portion. The frame top portion includes a movable front cover portion. A first adjustable side plate has a first ground engaging portion for engaging a ground surface. A first actuator is operatively associated with the first adjustable side plate for raising and lowering the first adjustable side plate relative to the first frame side wall. A first actuator extension connects the first actuator to the movable front cover portion. The first actuator extension is configured such that the movable front cover portion moves relative to the frame when the first adjustable side plate is raised or lowered relative to the frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a milling attachment for use in machinery. This milling attachment can be used to mill ground surfaces. Background Technology

[0002] Prior art includes milling attachments having a movable front cover portion that helps seal the front of the milling drum housing during operation. In prior art milling attachments, this movable front cover portion is typically operated solely by gravity pushing it downwards and engaging with a ground surface that pushes it upwards.

[0003] There is a need for improved control over the operation of this removable front cover portion to provide a more reliable seal for the milling drum housing and reduce wear on the removable front cover portion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, a milling attachment for a working machine includes a frame comprising a first frame sidewall, a second frame sidewall, and a frame top. The frame sidewalls and the frame top at least partially define a milling drum housing. The frame top includes a movable front cover portion configured to engage a ground surface. The milling drum is rotatably mounted between the first and second frame sidewalls. A first adjustable sideplate is mounted on the first frame sidewall and has a first ground engagement portion for engaging a ground surface. The first adjustable sideplate is vertically adjustable relative to the first frame sidewall to adjust the height of the first frame sidewall and the milling drum relative to the ground surface. A first actuator is operatively associated with the first adjustable sideplate for raising and lowering the first adjustable sideplate relative to the first frame sidewall. A first actuator extension connects the first actuator to the movable front cover portion. The first actuator extension is configured such that when the first adjustable sideplate is raised or lowered relative to the frame, the movable front cover portion moves relative to the frame.

[0005] The milling attachment may further include a second adjustable side plate mounted on the second frame sidewall and having a second ground engagement portion for engaging the ground surface. The second adjustable side plate is vertically adjustable relative to the second frame sidewall to adjust the height of the second frame sidewall and the milling drum relative to the ground surface. A second actuator may be operatively associated with the second adjustable side plate for raising and lowering the second adjustable side plate relative to the second frame sidewall. A second actuator extension may connect the second actuator to a movable front cover portion. The second actuator extension is configured such that when the second adjustable side plate is raised or lowered relative to the frame, the movable front cover portion moves relative to the frame.

[0006] In any of the above embodiments, the first actuator may include a first pivot arm and a first hydraulic cylinder, the first pivot arm being pivotally mounted on the frame and operably connected to a first side plate, and the first hydraulic cylinder including a rear end pivotally connected to the frame and a front end pivotally connected to the first pivot arm.

[0007] In any of the above embodiments, the first hydraulic cylinder may be arranged such that the front end retracts to raise the first side plate and that the front end extends to lower the first side plate.

[0008] In any of the above embodiments, the first hydraulic cylinder and / or the second hydraulic cylinder may be oriented substantially horizontally.

[0009] In any of the above embodiments, the first actuator extension may include a first cable connected between the movable front cover portion and the front end of the first hydraulic cylinder, and configured such that when the front end retracts, the first cable pulls the movable front cover portion upward.

[0010] In any of the above embodiments, the movable front cover portion may be pivotally connected to the top of the frame such that the movable front cover portion pivots upward when the first side panel is raised.

[0011] In any of the above embodiments, the top of the frame may include a circular front top portion that curves forward and downward toward the ground surface, and the first cable may slide on the circular front top portion of the top of the frame as the movable front cover portion is raised or lowered.

[0012] In any of the above embodiments, the movable front cover portion and the cable can be arranged such that the movable front cover portion is lowered by gravity when the front end of the first hydraulic cylinder extends.

[0013] In any of the above embodiments, the milling attachment may include a second adjustable side plate mounted on a second frame sidewall and having a second ground engagement portion for engaging a ground surface. The second adjustable side plate is vertically adjustable relative to the second frame sidewall to adjust the height of the second frame sidewall and the milling drum relative to the ground surface. A second actuator may be operatively associated with the second adjustable side plate for raising and lowering the second adjustable side plate relative to the second frame sidewall. The second actuator may include a second hydraulic cylinder. A second actuator extension may connect the second actuator to a movable front cover portion, the second actuator extension being configured such that when the second adjustable side plate is raised or lowered relative to the frame, the movable front cover portion moves relative to the frame. The second actuator extension includes a second cable connected between the movable front cover portion and the front end of the second hydraulic cylinder, and is configured such that when the front end of the second hydraulic cylinder retracts, the second cable pulls the movable front cover portion upward.

[0014] In any of the above embodiments, the first cable and the second cable may be connected to the movable cover portion at a spaced-apart connection, the spaced-apart connection being more than half the distance between the first frame sidewall and the second frame sidewall.

[0015] In any of the above embodiments, the first actuator and the second actuator can operate independently to raise and lower the first side plate and the second side plate independently of each other, and the first actuator and the second actuator, as well as the first cable and the second cable, can be configured such that if either the first side plate or the second side plate is raised relative to the frame, the movable cover portion is raised.

[0016] In any of the above embodiments, the first actuator extension may be configured such that when the first adjustable side panel is raised relative to the frame, the movable front cover portion is raised relative to the frame, and when the first adjustable side panel is lowered relative to the frame, the movable front cover portion is lowered relative to the frame.

[0017] In another embodiment, a method of operating a milling attachment of a working machine is provided. The working machine may include a machine frame and an attachment mounting frame mounted on the machine frame. The milling attachment is configured to be mounted on the attachment mounting frame such that it can be manipulated relative to the machine frame. The milling attachment includes a milling drum housing and a milling drum rotatably mounted within the milling drum housing about a milling drum axis. The milling drum housing is pivotally mounted on the attachment mounting frame such that the milling attachment can be tilted relative to the attachment mounting frame about a tilting axis extending perpendicular to the milling drum axis. A hydraulic tilting cylinder is configured to tilt the milling attachment relative to the attachment mounting frame about the tilting axis. A hydraulic circuit may be connected to the hydraulic tilting cylinder and can operate in both an active tilting mode and a floating mode, in which hydraulic fluid is applied under pressure to the hydraulic tilting cylinder to tilt the milling attachment, and in the floating mode, the hydraulic tilting cylinder does not apply any tilting force to the milling attachment. The method may include the following steps:

[0018] (a) Milling the ground surface by rotating a milling drum; and

[0019] (b) During the milling step, switch the hydraulic circuit between active tilt mode and floating mode.

[0020] Step (b) can be performed by manipulating the tilt control located in the operator station of the machine.

[0021] Many objects, features and advantages of the present invention will readily become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1It is a left-side elevation view of the machine, and schematically shows the milling attachment mounted on the machine.

[0023] Figure 2 This is the left front perspective view of the milling attachment.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a left-side elevation view of the milling attachment, showing the left adjustable side plate in the raised position.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a left-side elevation view of the milling attachment, showing the left adjustable side plate in the lowered position.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a top view of the milling attachment, showing the side plate actuator in a position corresponding to the raised position of the side plate.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a top view of the milling attachment, showing the side plate actuator in a position corresponding to the lowered position of the side plate.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a left-side elevation view of the milling attachment, in which the left adjustable side panel has been removed, exposing the left sidewall of the frame.

[0029] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 The vertical cross-sectional view taken from line 8-8 shows the internal structure of the milling drum and the attachment of the drive motor to the milling drum.

[0030] Figure 9 It is along Figure 8 The vertical cross-sectional view taken from line 9-9.

[0031] Figure 10 This is an end view of a plug-in threadless connector used to connect a second hydraulic drive motor to a milling drum.

[0032] Figure 11 It is along Figure 10 The elevation cross-sectional view taken from line 11-11.

[0033] Figure 12 It is similar to Figure 5 The image is a top view and schematically illustrates the pivot connection between the milling attachment and the working machine, which allows the milling attachment to tilt.

[0034] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic control circuit used for the tilting mechanism.

[0035] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a hydraulic control circuit for a tilting mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Now refer to the attached diagram, Figure 1 The image shows a left-side elevation view of the working machine 20 carrying the milling attachment 22. As used in the following description, the terms "left" and "right" are from the perspective of an operator seated in the operator's station 30 and facing forward on the working machine. The working machine 20 is shown as a skid-steer loader, such as a John Deere 320G loader. The working machine 20 may also take other forms, such as an excavator like a John Deere 130G excavator. This type of milling attachment is used on such working machines to mill the ground surface, thereby removing a portion of the ground surface. The ground surface is typically a paved surface made of asphalt or concrete. Milling can be the beginning of ground surface resurfacing.

[0037] The working machine 20 may include a mechanical frame 24 supported from the ground surface 28 by a plurality of ground engagement units 26, making the working machine 20 a self-propelled working machine. The ground engagement units 26 are shown as wheels, but tracked ground engagement units may also be used. An operator station 30 is supported on the mechanical frame 24. A cantilever 32 is pivotally connected to the mechanical frame 24 at 34 and can be raised and lowered relative to the mechanical frame 24 by means of a lifting cylinder such as 36. The cantilever 32 carries an attachment mounting frame 38, which may also be referred to as a control frame 38. A tool actuator cylinder 40 can pivot the attachment mounting frame 38 relative to the cantilever 32. It should be understood that the attachment mounting frame 38 is a standard component of the working machine and is designed to allow various tool attachments to be mounted on the working machine 20 and manipulated relative to the mechanical frame 24 by the operation of actuators 36 and 40.

[0038] Figure 2 The left front perspective view of milling attachment 22 is shown. Figure 3 The left elevation view of milling attachment 22 is shown. Figure 3 The diagram schematically illustrates the working machine 20 and its connection with the milling attachment 22, as further described below.

[0039] The milling attachment 22 includes a milling attachment frame 42, which includes a first integral frame sidewall 44, a second integral frame sidewall 46, a frame rear wall 48, and a frame top 50. The first integral frame sidewall 44, the second integral frame sidewall 46, the frame rear wall 48, and the frame top 50 together form a milling drum housing 52, which houses a milling drum 54. Motor mounting plate 56 (see...) Figure 8 It is removably mounted on the second frame sidewall 46 via multiple threaded connectors such as 58.

[0040] like Figure 8As best viewed, the milling drum 54 includes a tubular milling drum body or housing 70 and a first inner drum mounting flange 72 and a second inner drum mounting flange 74 extending radially inward from the housing 70. Multiple cutting teeth 76 ( Figure 8 (Only two of them are shown in the figure) are mounted on the housing 70, and when the milling drum 54 rotates about the milling drum axis 146, the cutting teeth 76 define a cutting circle or milling circle, shown as 78 in dashed lines.

[0041] Dual-drive layout structure:

[0042] like Figure 8 As further seen, the milling attachment 22 is a dual-drive milling attachment comprising a first drive motor 60 and a second drive motor 62. Motors 60 and 62 are shown as hydraulic motors, but in another embodiment, they may be electric motors. The first drive motor 60 is mounted on the first frame sidewall 44 via an adapter 45 through a plurality of threaded connectors (such as 64) and includes a drive end 66 connected to the first drum mounting flange 72 via a plurality of threaded fasteners 68.

[0043] The second drive motor 62 is mounted on the motor mounting plate 56 via an adapter 47 and multiple threaded connectors such as 80. A plug-in threadless connector 82 is mounted on the drive end 84 of the second motor 62 via multiple threaded connectors 86. Figure 8 As best seen in the center, the second drive motor 62 is connected to the second drum mounting flange 74 via a plug-in threadless connector 82.

[0044] like Figure 9 As best viewed from the center, the second drum mounting flange 74 includes a central opening 88 and a plurality of radially offset openings 90A, 90B, and 90C. Openings 88 and 90 may be circular. The central opening 88 has a diameter preferably equal to at least 40% of the inner diameter of the drum housing 70 to provide passage to the fastener 68 for connecting the first drive motor 60 to the first drum mounting flange 72.

[0045] Insert-type threadless connector 82 Figure 10 and Figure 11 Shown separately. Connector 82 includes a central hub 92 and a plurality of radially offset pins 94A, 94B, and 94C. (See attached image.) Figure 8 As seen, the central hub 92 is configured to be received in a central opening 88, and pins 94A, 94B, and 94C are configured to be received in radially offset openings 90A, 90B, and 90C, respectively. In one embodiment, there are three pins 94. In another embodiment, there may be more than three pins 94. In one embodiment, the pins 94 may be circumferentially spaced apart around the central hub 92.

[0046] The insert-type threadless connector 82 includes a base plate 96, to which a center hub 92 is soldered, as shown in Figure 98. Figure 10 As best viewed, the substrate 96 may have a generally circular central portion 100, which has three protruding convex corners 102A, 102B, and 102C. The insert-type threadless connector 82 can be inserted from a source having, as shown in the image... Figure 10 The steel plate with the outline seen in the diagram is then manufactured. A tubular steel billet (which will form hub 92) can then be welded to the steel plate forming substrate 96. It can then be formed by machining processes. Figure 11 Various recesses and surfaces are shown. The substrate 96 may have a circular recess 104 formed therein for receiving the drive end 84 of the second drive motor 62. A central opening 106 concentric with the circular recess 104 may be formed through the substrate 96. A plurality of holes 108 may be provided around the central opening 106 for receiving threaded fasteners 86 (see...). Figure 8 Each of the three convex angles 102A, 102B, and 102C may have a bolt hole 110 formed therethrough and is surrounded by a countersunk recess 112 on the same side as the hub 92. Pins 94A, 94B, and 94C are received in the three countersunk recesses 112 and held in place by bolts 114. Each pin 94 may include a cylindrical end portion 95 and an enlarged base portion 97, the cylindrical end portion 95 being received in its respective radially offset opening 90, and the enlarged base portion 97 being located in its respective countersunk recess 112.

[0047] Hub 92 may have a cylindrical outer support surface 116 formed thereon and configured to be tightly received in a central opening 88 of the second drum mounting flange 74. Adjacent to the cylindrical outer support surface 116 may be a guide surface 117 with a decreasing diameter, and then a tapered axial end 120 configured to guide the cylindrical outer support surface 116 into the central opening 88 during insertion. Hub 92 has an open axial end 118 that defines an internal access opening to provide access to the threaded fastener 86. The access opening 118 may be defined by an inner diameter 120 of the hub, preferably at least 40% of the inner diameter of the drum housing 70.

[0048] like Figure 8 As seen, the first hydraulic motor 60 and the second hydraulic motor 62 can be fully accommodated between the first frame sidewall 44 and the motor mounting plate 56, thus providing a compact assembly.

[0049] In particular, compared to existing dual-motor milling attachment designs, the arrangement described above for mounting hydraulic motors 60 and 62 provides an improved method for installing and / or removing the milling drum 54 within the milling attachment 22. In existing designs, two drive motors are connected to the milling drum via threaded connectors, thus requiring a complex mechanical arrangement to allow for the assembly and disassembly of the milling drum from the milling attachment and to allow for thermal expansion of the milling drum 54 during milling operations.

[0050] Using the arrangement structure disclosed herein, the milling drum 54 can be removed by a method including the following steps:

[0051] (a) The motor mounting plate 56 and the second drive motor 62 are removed by removing multiple threaded fasteners 58 to disconnect the motor mounting plate 56 from the second frame sidewall 46 and withdrawing the insert-type unthreaded connector 82 from the second drum mounting flange 74.

[0052] (b) Disconnecting the first drive motor 60 from the first drum mounting flange 72 by removing multiple threaded fasteners 68; and

[0053] (c) Remove the milling drum 54 from the frame 42 of the milling attachment 22.

[0054] This arrangement allows for the removal of any hydraulic hoses such as 122 and 124 (see...) Figure 3 Remove the milling drum 54 if it is disconnected from the hydraulic motor 60 or 62.

[0055] In the above process, the milling drum 54 can be placed on a wooden pallet or the like before step (a), so that the milling drum 54 is temporarily supported during steps (a) and (b). Then, step (c) can be performed by using a forklift or the like to engage the wooden pallet to remove the milling drum 54.

[0056] The milling drum can be installed by reversing the steps described above. To install the milling drum 54, it is first moved to a position adjacent to the first drive motor 60, and the first set of threaded fasteners 68 are installed to connect the milling drum to the first drive motor 60. Then, the insert-type threadless connector 82, attached to the motor mounting plate 56, is inserted into the milling drum 54 by axial sliding movement, such that the center hub 92 is received in the center opening 88 of the second drum mounting flange 74, and the pin 94 is received in the radially offset opening 90. The motor mounting plate 56 is then attached to the second frame sidewall 46 by threaded fasteners 58 to complete the installation.

[0057] Adjustable housing cover:

[0058] like Figure 2Ideally, the frame top 50 of the milling drum housing 52 may include a movable front cover portion 126. The movable front cover portion 126 may be in the form of an elongated plate pivotally connected to the first frame sidewall 44 and the second frame sidewall 46 via pivot pins 128 and 130. The lower edge portion 132 of the movable front cover portion 126 may be formed of a flexible, resilient material to facilitate a seal against the ground surface 28.

[0059] The first adjustable side plate 134 and the second adjustable side plate 136 are respectively mounted on the first frame sidewall 44 and the second frame sidewall 46. Each side plate has a ground engagement portion 138 configured to engage with the ground surface 28. The ground engagement portion 138 may be in the form of a slide rail. Further details regarding the construction of the first adjustable side plate 134 and the mounting of the milling attachment 22 on the working machine 20 can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 3 .

[0060] exist Figure 3 A three-dimensional reference frame is shown, where Ro is the rolling axis of the working machine 20, Gi is the yaw axis of the working machine 20, and Ni is the pitch axis of the working machine 20. When the milling attachment 22 is held... Figure 3 When the position shown is indicated, this reference system also applies to milling attachment 22. The working machine 20 is in... Figure 3 The diagram schematically includes a mechanical frame 24 and an accessory mounting frame 38. Between the accessory mounting frame 38 and the back plate 48 of the milling accessory frame 42 is a lateral displacement device 140, through which the milling accessory 22 can be translated parallel to the rotation axis 146 of the milling drum 54 and also parallel to the pitch axis Ni of the working machine 20. The displacement width is specified by the working machine 20 and / or the mounting frame 38 and / or the lateral displacement device 140 itself.

[0061] like Figure 12 As further schematically shown, the backplate 48 can be connected to the lateral displacement device 140 via a pivot mount 142, allowing the milling attachment 22 to tilt about a tilt axis 144 parallel to the rolling axis Ro of the working machine 20 and / or perpendicular to the rotation axis 146 of the milling drum 54. This allows the working machine 20 to perform rolling motions about its rolling axis Ro without adversely affecting the milling attachment 22 during ground milling operations. The tilt axis 144 preferably intersects the milling drum axis 146. Alternatively, the tilt axis 144 may intersect the milling drum axis 146, preferably at a distance not exceeding half the radius of the milling circle 78, so that the tilt arm between the tilt axis 144 and the milling drum axis 146 is advantageously kept short. The tilt angle of the milling attachment 22 relative to the working machine 20 can be controlled using the tilt actuator 148.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the first adjustable side plate 134 is formed in two parts: an upper first lifting member 150 and a lower first rotating member 152. The lower first rotating member 152 is supported on the first lifting member 150 so that it can rotate about a first rotation axis 154. A ground engagement portion or slide rail 138 is integrally formed on the first rotating member 152. The slide rail 138 may also be a replaceable wear part that is replaceably attached to the side plate.

[0063] A first actuator 156 is operably associated with a first adjustable side plate 134 for raising and lowering the first adjustable side plate 134 relative to the first frame sidewall 44 to adjust the height of the first frame sidewall 44 and the milling drum 54 relative to the ground surface 28. Similarly, a second actuator 158 is operably associated with a second adjustable side plate 136 for raising and lowering the second adjustable side plate 136 relative to the second frame sidewall 46 to adjust the height of the second frame sidewall 46 and the milling drum 54 relative to the ground surface 28. The first actuator 156 and the second actuator 158 can be operated independently, such that the milling depth of the milling drum 54 can be adjusted on either side of the milling attachment 22.

[0064] The first actuator 156 includes a first pivot arm 160 and a first hydraulic cylinder 164. The first pivot arm 160 is mounted on the milling attachment frame 42 and operably connected to a first adjustable side plate 134 at a connection 162. The first pivot arm 160 is a three-dimensional structure comprising an axial inner arm member 160.1, an axial outer arm member 160.2, and a bridge member 160.3 rigidly connecting the axial inner arm member 160.1 and the axial outer arm member 160.2. A pivot shaft 163 extends between protrusions 165 and 167 of the milling attachment frame 42. The axial inner arm member 160.1 and the axial outer arm member 160.2 are mounted on the shaft 163 such that the entire pivot arm 160 is pivotable about an axis 174 of the shaft 163. An arc-shaped scale 171 is fixed to the pivot arm 160 and pivots together with the pivot arm 160. Pointer 173 (see...) Figure 5 The scale 171 is fixed relative to the milling attachment frame 42 such that when the first pivot arm 160 pivots via the hydraulic cylinder 164, the scale 171 moves relative to the pointer 173 to provide a visual indication of the height of the first side plate 134 and the corresponding milling depth 29.

[0065] The first actuator 156 also includes a first hydraulic cylinder 164 (see...) Figure 5 The first hydraulic cylinder 164 includes a rear end 166 of the back plate 48 of the milling attachment frame 42 pivotally connected at a pivot pin 168. The front end 170 of the hydraulic cylinder 164 is pivotally connected at a pivot pin 172 to the axial inner arm component 160.1 of the first pivot arm 160.

[0066] The axial outer arm component 160.2 is connected to the first adjustable side plate 134 at the aforementioned connecting part 162.

[0067] The first pivot arm 160 pivots relative to the milling attachment frame 42 about a pivot axis 174. As the pivot arm 160 pivots, the interaction between the connector 162 and the first adjustable side plate 134 raises or lowers the first adjustable side plate 134. The front end 170 of the hydraulic cylinder 164 retracts to raise the first adjustable side plate 134 and extends to lower the first adjustable side plate 134.

[0068] The second actuator 158 is constructed in a manner substantially the same as the first actuator 156, including a hydraulic cylinder and a pivot arm, similar to hydraulic cylinder 164 and pivot arm 160.

[0069] As from Figure 2 and Figure 5 As can be understood, the hydraulic cylinders of the first actuator 156 and the second actuator 158, such as 164, can be substantially horizontally oriented, which will be understood as within positive or negative ten degrees of the horizontal when the milling attachment 22 is placed on the horizontal surface 28.

[0070] It will be understood that, in addition to raising and lowering the milling attachment frame 42 relative to the ground surface 28 to adjust the milling depth 29 of the milling drum 54, the engagement of the adjustable side plates 134 and 136 with the first frame sidewall 44 and the second frame sidewall 46 can enclose the milling drum 54 to capture the milled material produced by the operation of the milling drum. Similarly, the movable front cover portion 126 can tilt up and down to enclose the front of the milling drum housing 52.

[0071] In the prior art, tiltable front cover portions of milling attachments are typically operated solely by gravity pushing them downwards and by engagement with the ground surface 28 pushing them upwards. This disclosure provides an improved arrangement in which a first actuator 156 is connected to a movable front cover portion 126 via a first actuator extension 176. The first actuator extension 176 is configured such that the movable front cover portion 126 is raised or lowered when the first adjustable side plate 134 is raised or lowered relative to the milling attachment frame 42. Similarly, a second actuator 158 is connected to the movable front cover portion 126 via a second actuator extension 178.

[0072] The first actuator extension 176 and the second actuator extension 178 may be in the form of cables 176 and 178 connected between the pivotable front cover portion 126 and the front end 170 of their respective actuator hydraulic cylinders (such as 164). Cables 176 and 178 are configured such that when the front end 170 of the hydraulic cylinder 164 retracts, the cables cause the front cover portion 126 to pivot upward. In other embodiments, actuator extensions 176 and 178 may take other forms, such as connecting the actuator to a linkage of the front cover portion 126.

[0073] The first hydraulic cylinder 164 is in Figure 5 The image shows the fully retracted position, which corresponds to... Figure 3 The highest raised position of the first adjustable side panel 134 is seen, and corresponds to the highest pivoted position of the pivotable front cover portion 126. The first hydraulic cylinder 164 is in... Figure 2 and Figure 6 The figure shows the fully extended position, which corresponds to Figure 4 The lowest position of the first adjustable side panel 134 seen therein, and corresponding to, as Figure 2 The lowest pivoting position of the pivotable front cover portion 126 as seen herein. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The upper and lower pivoting positions of the pivotable front cover portion 126 are schematically shown. It should be noted that... Figure 5 and Figure 6 There is no attempt to depict the movement of the pivotable front cover portion 126.

[0074] like Figure 2 As best viewed from the center, the top of the frame 50 includes a rounded front top portion 51 that curves forward and downward toward the ground surface 28. Cables 176 and 178 can slide on the rounded front top portion 51 of the top of the frame 50 when the movable front cover portion 126 is raised or lowered. Cables 176 and 178 can be further guided by protrusions 131 and 133, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 .

[0075] As previously described, actuators 156 and 158 are independently operable. Therefore, if any hydraulic cylinder, such as 164, retracts, the pivotable front cover portion 126 will be pulled upward. As one or more actuators that have already pulled the pivotable front cover portion 126 upward extend, the pivotable front cover portion will be lowered by gravity.

[0076] like Figure 2As seen, the lower ends of the first cable 176 and the second cable 178 are connected to the pivoted front cover portion 126 at spaced-apart connections 180 and 182, the distance 184 between the connections 180 and 182 being greater than half the distance 186 between the first frame sidewall 44 and the second frame sidewall 46. The upper ends of the cables 176 and 178 are shown connected to clips 175 and 177, respectively, which are connected to pivot pins such as 172, connecting the front end 170 of the cylinder 164 to a corresponding pivot arm 160. In another embodiment, the cables 176 and 178 may be connected to other moving parts of the actuators 156 and 158, such as directly to the pivot arm (such as 160).

[0077] With the above-described arrangement, the actuators 156 and 158 of this disclosure provide a dual function to control the raising and lowering of the side panels 134, 136 and the pivoting front cover portion 126. Compared to the gravity-operated front cover portion of the prior art, this reduces wear and tear on the front cover portion 126 and provides a more reliable seal for the milling drum housing 52.

[0078] It should be noted that in another embodiment, not shown, the movement arrangement of the hydraulic cylinder with the side plate can be reversed, such that the cylinder extends to raise the side plate and retracts to lower the side plate. In this arrangement, a redirection device, such as a deflecting pulley, can be used to reverse the operation of cables 176 and 178, such that the extension of the cylinder raises the movable front cover portion 126 and the retraction of the cylinder lowers the movable front cover portion 126.

[0079] Remote tilt control:

[0080] As referred above Figure 3 and Figure 12 The milling attachment 22 may be equipped with a pivot mount 142, allowing the milling attachment 22 to tilt to the right or left relative to the working machine 20 about the tilt axis 144. This tilting action is controlled by a hydraulic tilt cylinder 148, such as... Figure 2 The best view in the middle.

[0081] like Figure 13 As schematically shown, a hydraulic circuit 200 can be provided for the operation and control of the hydraulic tilt cylinder 148. The hydraulic tilt cylinder 148 can be a double-acting cylinder that can be pushed or pulled to tilt the milling attachment 22 to the right or left, respectively. The hydraulic tilt cylinder 148 is powered by hydraulic fluid supplied through two hydraulic lines 202 and 204, which can operate as fluid supply and return lines.

[0082] Hydraulic fluid is controlled to flow into and out of lines 202 and 204 via valve 206, which has at least three positions.

[0083] In the first position 208, hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 210 is supplied under pressure by the pump 212 to the first hydraulic line 202 to retract the hydraulic tilting cylinder 148. Simultaneously, return fluid travels through the second line 204 to the return line 214 and then to the reservoir 210.

[0084] In the second position 216, hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 210 is supplied under pressure by the pump 212 to the second hydraulic line 204 to extend the hydraulic tilting cylinder 148, while return fluid passes through the first line 202 to the return line 214 and then to the reservoir 210.

[0085] The first position 208 and the second position 216 can be referred to as the active tilting mode, in which hydraulic fluid is applied under pressure to the hydraulic tilting cylinder 148 to tilt the milling attachment 22.

[0086] In the third position 218, the two hydraulic lines 202 and 204 are connected in a closed loop, and the hydraulic cylinder 148 floats freely in either direction under the force applied by the milling attachment 22. The third position 218 may be referred to as the floating mode, in which the hydraulic tilting cylinder 148 does not apply any tilting force to the milling attachment 22.

[0087] With this disclosure, the tilt control 220 is placed within the operator station 30, allowing the tilt control 220 to be conveniently operated by the operator to switch the hydraulic circuit 200 between an active tilt mode 208 or 216 and a floating mode 218 during milling operations. The tilt control 220 may be provided in various embodiments.

[0088] In one embodiment, valve 206 may be an electromechanical control valve, and tilt control 220 may be a switch, knob, or other input of an electrical controller that sends a control signal to valve 206 via control line 222 to switch the position of valve 206.

[0089] In another embodiment, valve 206 may be a manually operated valve, and valve 206 itself may be housed within operator station 30. This would require hydraulic lines 202 and 204 to extend into operator station 30. The tilt control 220 may then be embodied as a handle 220 for manual operation of valve 206 located within operator station 30.

[0090] In one method using the tilt control 220, the operator can begin a milling operation with the two adjustable side plates 134 and 136 engaged with the asphalt surface 28 to be milled. The milling operation can begin with valve 206 in the free-floating position 218. The milling operation can continue until one of the adjustable side plates 134 or 136 reaches a different surface, such as a soft shoulder of a street. At this point, the operator can engage the tilt control 220 to switch valve 206 to position 208 or 216, thereby actively tilting the milling attachment 22 relative to the working machinery 20 to prevent one side plate from digging into the soft ground surface. Using this system, this can be performed without interrupting the milling operation.

[0091] Figure 14 An alternative embodiment of the hydraulic circuit for operating and controlling the hydraulic tilting cylinder 148 is shown. Figure 14 The hydraulic circuit is indicated by the number 300. The hydraulic tilting cylinder 148 is powered by hydraulic fluid supplied through two hydraulic lines 302 and 304, which can be operated as fluid supply and return lines.

[0092] The main control valve 306 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump 308 and the return of hydraulic fluid to the tank 310. The main control valve 306 is a three-position valve, and it controls the inflow and outflow of other valves associated with each hydraulic power component.

[0093] The tilt cylinder 148 is associated with two tilt control valves 312 and 314. Each of the tilt control valves 312 and 314 is a two-position valve that allows or blocks flow from the main control valve 306 to the hydraulic lines 302 and 304 and thus to the two pressure chambers 316 and 318 of the tilt cylinder 148 to tilt the milling attachment 22 to the right or left.

[0094] The main control valve 306 has two operating positions 320 and 322, which can direct pressurized hydraulic fluid to either intermediate line 326 or 328. A third position 324 is an intermediate position that connects both lines 326 and 328 to housing 310. Therefore, with the main control valve in position 320 or 322 and the tilt control valves 312 and 314 in their open positions, the milling attachment 22 actively tilts to the right or left.

[0095] Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus and methods of this disclosure readily achieve the stated objects and advantages, as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been shown and described for the purposes of this disclosure, many changes can be made by those skilled in the art to the arrangement and construction of the components and steps, and these changes are included within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Each feature or embodiment of the disclosure may be combined with any other feature or embodiment of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A milling attachment for use in machinery, characterized in that, The milling attachment includes: A frame including a first frame sidewall and a second frame sidewall and a frame top, the frame sidewalls and the frame top at least partially defining a milling drum housing, the frame top including a movable front cover portion configured to engage a ground surface; A milling drum that is rotatably mounted between the sidewalls of the first frame and the sidewalls of the second frame; A first adjustable side plate is mounted on the side wall of the first frame and has a first ground engagement portion for engaging the ground surface. The first adjustable side plate is vertically adjustable relative to the side wall of the first frame to adjust the height of the side wall of the first frame and the milling drum relative to the ground surface. A first actuator, operably associated with a first adjustable side plate, for raising and lowering the first adjustable side plate relative to a first frame sidewall; and A first actuator extension connects a first actuator to a movable front cover portion, the first actuator extension being configured such that when the first adjustable side panel is raised or lowered relative to the frame, the movable front cover portion moves relative to the frame. The first actuator includes: - A first pivot arm, which is pivotally mounted on the frame and operatively connected to a first side plate; and - A first hydraulic cylinder, comprising a rear end connected to the frame and a front end pivotally connected to a first pivot arm; and The first actuator extension includes a first cable connected between the movable front cover portion and the front end of the first hydraulic cylinder, and configured such that when the front end retracts, the first cable pulls the movable front cover portion upward.

2. The milling attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The second adjustable side plate is mounted on the side wall of the second frame and has a second ground engagement portion for engaging the ground surface. The second adjustable side plate is vertically adjustable relative to the side wall of the second frame to adjust the height of the side wall of the second frame and the milling drum relative to the ground surface. A second actuator, which is operatively associated with a second adjustable side plate, is used to raise and lower the second adjustable side plate relative to the sidewall of the second frame; A second actuator extension connects a second actuator to a movable front cover portion, the second actuator extension being configured such that the movable front cover portion moves relative to the frame when the second adjustable side panel is raised or lowered relative to the frame.

3. The milling attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first hydraulic cylinder is arranged such that its front end retracts to raise the first side plate, and its front end extends to lower the first side plate.

4. The milling attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first hydraulic cylinder is oriented in a basically horizontal position.

5. The milling attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable front cover portion is pivotally connected to the top of the frame, such that when the first side panel is raised, the movable front cover portion pivots upward.

6. The milling attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the frame includes a rounded front top section that curves forward and downward toward the ground surface; and When the movable front cover portion is raised or lowered, the first cable slides on the rounded front top portion at the top of the frame.

7. The milling attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable front cover and cables are arranged such that when the front end of the first hydraulic cylinder extends, the movable front cover is lowered by gravity.

8. The milling attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The second adjustable side plate is mounted on the side wall of the second frame and has a second ground engagement portion for engaging the ground surface. The second adjustable side plate is vertically adjustable relative to the side wall of the second frame to adjust the height of the side wall of the second frame and the milling drum relative to the ground surface. A second actuator, which is operatively associated with a second adjustable side plate to raise and lower the second adjustable side plate relative to a second frame sidewall, the second actuator including a second hydraulic cylinder; as well as A second actuator extension connects a second actuator to a movable front cover portion, the second actuator extension being configured such that the movable front cover portion moves relative to the frame when the second adjustable side panel is raised or lowered relative to the frame, the second actuator extension including a second cable connected between the movable front cover portion and the front end of a second hydraulic cylinder, and configured such that the second cable pulls the movable front cover portion upward when the front end of the second hydraulic cylinder retracts.

9. The milling attachment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first cable and the second cable are connected to a movable cover portion at a spaced-apart connection, the distance between the spaced-apart connections being greater than half the distance between the first frame sidewall and the second frame sidewall.

10. The milling attachment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first and second actuators can operate independently to raise and lower the first and second side plates independently of each other; and The first actuator and the second actuator, as well as the first cable and the second cable, can be configured such that when either the first side plate or the second side plate is raised relative to the frame, the movable cover portion is raised.

11. The milling attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first actuator extension is configured such that when the first adjustable side panel is raised relative to the frame, the movable front cover portion is raised relative to the frame, and when the first adjustable side panel is lowered relative to the frame, the movable front cover portion is lowered relative to the frame.

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