Abstract:
A method of removing a cutting chamber from a cold planer is disclosed. The method initiates with disconnecting the cutting chamber from a frame of the cold planer. Thereafter, the frame of the cold planer is raised to a height above the cutting chamber. After raising, the cold planer is maneuvered to a second location. More specifically, the cold planer is maneuvered in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel so that the cutting chamber is no longer under the cold planer.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a method of removing a cutting chamber from a cold planer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various machines, such as cold planers, are commonly known to employ a rotary cutter system, to perform milling operations on a work surface. The rotary cutter system generally facilitates removal of a paved area on the work surface, such as a paved area laid over a road, a bridge, and/or a parking area. Commonly, the rotary cutter system includes a cutting chamber that performs milling operations on the work surface. The cutting chamber includes a drum, which contains rows of tool holders. Each tool holder receives a cutting tool therein. Customarily, the drum is driven by a motor at a high rate of rotation and the cutting tools, which are fixed to the drum within their tool holders, impact the work surface as the rotating drum is lowered and brought into contact with the work surface. As the cutting tools contact the work surface, pieces or fragments of pavement are spun off and the pavement is removed through successive passes of the cutting tools of the cutting chamber. The spun off particles are directed to an enclosed portion of a cutter enclosure which generally encloses the cutting tools. The particles are generally directed towards the center of the machine within this cutter enclosure and are loaded onto the machine&#39;s conveyor belt to be loaded onto a haul vehicle to be hauled away. Cutting tools are subject to extreme abrasion and impact and may become loose or may break off during operation of the cutting chamber. The loss of one or more of the cutting tools from the tool holders fixed to the drum causes a decrease in productivity and if not addressed the tool holders and the drum may be subjected to damage and loss. Therefore, the cutting chamber is periodically removed from the machine for regular inspection and maintenance. Additionally, the cutting chamber may require to be replaced with a new cutting chamber with different specifications, for different operational requirements of the machine. In such situations, the cutting chamber is removed from the machine for chamber replacement. 
         [0003]    Conventional methods of removing the cutting chamber from the machine includes disconnecting the cutting chamber from a frame of the machine, raising the frame of the machine vertically, and then dragging and displacing the cutting chamber to a different location. However, dragging the cutting chamber to the different location may require some special equipment or machinery, which may be expensive. Further, this method of removal of the cutting chamber may cause significant wear and damage to the cutting chamber. Furthermore reinstalling the cutting chamber on the machine may also require dragging the cutter drum underneath the machine. This may result in relatively lower life of the cutting chamber. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,604 discloses a propulsion system for a road-milling machine, to facilitate removal of a cutter drum from the machine. The propulsion system angularly displaces a front pair of crawler assemblies in one angular direction and a rear pair of crawler assemblies in an opposite angular direction, to facilitate a lateral displacement of the road-milling machine. Although the present disclosure discusses the lateral movement of the road-milling machine to facilitate removal of the cutter drum, this method may cause slipping of the crawler assemblies and may result in undesired wear of the crawler assemblies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a method removing a cutter chamber from a cold planer. The method initiates with disconnecting the cutter chamber from a frame of the cold planer. Thereafter, the frame of the cold planer is raised to a height above the cutting chamber. After raising, the cold planer is maneuvered in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel so that the cutting chamber is no longer under the cold planer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary cold planer positioned at a first location that illustrates a cutting chamber and a number of drive units oriented in a first position, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cold planer positioned at the first location illustrating the drive units oriented in a second position, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cold planer positioned at the first location and raised vertically with the drive units oriented in the second position, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the cold planer positioned at a second location with the drive units oriented in the second position, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method of removing a cutter chamber from the cold planer, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a cold planer  10 . The cold planer  10  includes a frame  12 , a machine body  14 , a cutting chamber  16 , four drive units  18 , and a chamber disassembly system  20 . A cross-section  22  of the machine body  14  illustrates the chamber disassembly system  20  of the cold planer  10  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0012]    The frame  12  is a rectangular support structure that supports various components of the cold planer  10 . For example, the frame  12  supports the cutting chamber  16  of the cold planer  10 . The frame  12  includes a frontal end  24 , a rear end  26 , a first side portion  28 , and a second side portion  30 . 
         [0013]    The machine body  14  is a support structure installed on the frame  12 . The machine body  14  extends between the frontal end  24  and the rear end  26  of the frame  12 , along a direction of travel, A. Additionally, the machine body  14  extends between the first side portion  28  and the second side portion  30 , in a lateral direction, B ( FIG. 2 ). The machine body  14  houses the chamber disassembly system  20  (as shown in the cross-section  22 ) of the cold planer  10 . In addition, the machine body  14  supports a control panel  32  of the cold planer  10 . In general, the machine body  14  facilitates an operator to stand on the machine body  14  and access the control panel  32 , to control one or more functions of the cold planer  10 . 
         [0014]    The cutting chamber  16  is a rotary cutter chamber of the cold planer  10 . The cutting chamber  16  includes a number of mechanical components, such as but not limited to, a rotary drum, a number of cutter tool bits, and associated components, which in conjunction facilitates a cutting operation on ground surface (not shown). The cutting chamber  16  is attached to and supported by the frame  12 . Moreover, the cutting chamber  16  includes a number of brackets  34  ( FIG. 4 ) that attaches to the frame  12 , to facilitate an attachment between the cutting chamber  16  and the frame  12 . Various known means of attachment between the brackets  34  and the frame  12  may be contemplated, such as but not limited to, a bolt attachment, a threaded attachment, or a rivet attachment. 
         [0015]    The drive units  18  support the frame  12  and are adapted to maneuver the cold planer  10  from one location to another. The drive units  18  are exemplarily shown as four in number, namely a first frontal drive unit  36 , a second frontal drive unit  38 , a first rear drive unit  40 , and a second rear drive unit  42  ( FIG. 4 ). Although, the drive units  18  are described as four in number, a varied number of the drive units  18 , may also be contemplated. Each of the drive units  18  supports the frame  12  at each corner of the frame  12 . Each of the drive units  18  includes a track unit  44  and a track-adjusting unit  46 . 
         [0016]    The track unit  44  is a ground engaging unit of the cold planer  10  that facilitates maneuvering of the cold planer  10  from one location to another. Moreover, the track unit  44  is rotatable about a vertical axis, Y and is adapted to orient in a number of positions. More specifically, the track unit  44  is adapted to orient in a first position and a second position. The first position of the track unit  44  being parallel to the direction of travel, A, of the cold planer  10 . The second position of the track unit  44  is perpendicular to the direction of travel, A of the cold planer  10 . In the first position, the track unit  44  maneuvers the cold planer  10  in the direction of travel, A. In the second position, the track unit  44  maneuvers the cold planer  10  in a lateral direction, B, as is shown in  FIG. 2 . Moreover, the track unit  44  is adjusted, with use of the track-adjusting unit  46 . 
         [0017]    The track-adjusting unit  46  may be an elongated telescopic actuator that mounts the track unit  44  to the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 . In the current embodiment, the track-adjusting unit  46  includes a first end  48  and a second end  50 . The first end  48  is rotatably attached to the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 . The second end  50  is fixedly attached to the track unit  44 . The track-adjusting unit  46  is adapted to rotate, about the vertical axis, Y, to adjust the track unit  44  between the first position and the second position. Additionally, the track-adjusting unit  46  is adapted to extend and retract, to facilitate vertical movement of the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 , along the vertical axis, Y. 
         [0018]    The chamber disassembly system  20  is a combination of several electronic components that facilitates an activation of a chamber disassembly mode of the cold planer  10 . Deactivation of the chamber disassembly system  20  corresponds to deactivation of the chamber disassembly mode of the cold planer  10 . In the deactivated state of the chamber disassembly mode, the track unit  44  is maintained in the first position (parallel to the direction of travel, A) of and cannot be moved to the second position (perpendicular to the direction of travel, A). Actuation of the chamber disassembly system  20  corresponds to activation of the chamber disassembly mode of the cold planer  10 . In the activated state of the chamber disassembly mode, the chamber disassembly system  20  moves the track unit  44  from the first position (parallel to the direction of travel, A) to the second position (perpendicular to the direction of travel, A). 
         [0019]    The chamber disassembly system  20  is connected to the drive units  18  of the cold planer  10 . More specifically, the chamber disassembly system  20  is connected to the track unit  44  and the track-adjusting unit  46  of each of the drive units  18 . The chamber disassembly system  20  is adapted to rotate the track-adjusting unit  46 , to switch the track unit  44  from the first position to the second position. Additionally, the chamber disassembly system  20  is adapted to actuate the track-adjusting unit  46 , to raise the cold planer  10  vertically, along the vertical axis, Y. Moreover, the chamber disassembly system  20  is adapted to actuate the track unit  44 , to maneuver the cold planer  10  from a first location to a second location, in the lateral direction, B. The chamber disassembly system  20  follows a method  52  ( FIG. 5 ), to remove the cutting chamber  16  from the cold planer  10 . 
         [0020]    Before initiating the method  52  ( FIG. 5 ) of removing the cutting chamber  16 , the cold planer  10  is positioned at the first location and the track unit  44  of each of the drive units  18  is oriented in the first position. The cold planer  10  positioned at a first location with the drive units  18  oriented in the first position, is shown in  FIG. 1 . The method  52  ( FIG. 5 ) initiates with actuating the chamber disassembly system  20 , to actuate the chamber disassembly mode. Upon actuation of the chamber disassembly mode, the control panel  32  is disabled and the drive units  18  are automatically steered, with use of the chamber disassembly system  20 . More specifically, the chamber disassembly system  20  rotates the track-adjusting unit  46  of each of the drive units  18 , to adjust the track unit  44  from the first position (parallel to the direction of travel, A) to the second position (perpendicular to the direction of travel, B). 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the cold planer  10  positioned in the first location and the drive units  18  oriented in the second position. In the second position, the track unit  44  is perpendicular to the first position of the track units  44 . Additionally, the track unit  44  is aligned in the lateral direction, B, in the second position of the track unit  44 . After positioning the track unit  44  to the second position, the cutting chamber  16  is disconnected from the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 . Although, the present disclosure contemplates manual disconnection of the cutting chamber  16  from the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 , an automatic disconnection of the cutting chamber  16  from the frame  12  with use of the chamber disassembly system  20  may also be contemplated. After disconnection, the chamber disassembly system  20  actuates the track-adjusting unit  46 , to raise the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 , vertically. More specifically, the track-adjusting unit  46  raises the frame  12  of the cold planer  10  to a height above the cutting chamber  16  of the cold planer  10 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown the cold planer  10  positioned in the first location and vertically raised. When the cold planer  10  is raised, the cutting chamber  16  is dislodged from the cold planer  10 . Thereafter, the chamber disassembly system  20  actuates the track unit  44 , to maneuver the cold planer  10  from the first location to the second location, in the lateral direction, B (perpendicular to the direction of travel, A). 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the cold planer  10  positioned in the second location. As the cold planer  10  is maneuvered to the second location, the cutting chamber  16  is removed from the cold planer  10  and is accessible to an operator. Thereafter, the chamber disassembly system  20  is deactivated, to deactivate the chamber disassembly mode of the cold planer  10 . Upon deactivation of the chamber disassembly mode, the chamber disassembly system  20  rotates the track unit  44  of each of the drive units  18 , from the second position (perpendicular to the direction of travel, A) to the first position (parallel to the direction of travel, A). 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a flowchart of the method  52  of removing the cutting chamber  16  from the cold planer  10 . The method  52  initiates at step  54 . 
         [0025]    At step  54 , the chamber disassembly mode is actuated. The chamber disassembly mode is actuated by actuating the chamber disassembly system  20  of the cold planer  10 . Upon actuation of the chamber disassembly mode, the chamber disassembly system  20  rotates the track unit  44  of each of the drive units  18  from the first position to the second position. More specifically, the chamber disassembly system  20  rotates the track-adjusting unit  46 , to adjust the track unit  44  from the first position to the second position. The method  52  then proceeds to step  56 . 
         [0026]    At step  56 , the cutting chamber  16  is disconnected from the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 . More specifically, the brackets  34  of the cutting chamber  16  are disconnected from the frame  12 , to facilitate a disconnection of the cutting chamber  16  from the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 . The method  52  then proceeds to step  58 . 
         [0027]    At step  58 , the chamber disassembly system  20  raises the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 , along the vertical axis, Y. The chamber disassembly system  20  raises the frame  12  of the cold planer  10  to a height above the cutting chamber  16 . More specifically, the chamber disassembly system  20  actuates the track-adjusting unit  46 , to raise the cold planer  10 , vertically. The method  52  then proceeds to step  60 . 
         [0028]    At step  60 , the chamber disassembly system  20  maneuvers the cold planer  10  from the first location to the second location, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel, A. More specifically, the chamber disassembly system  20  actuates the track unit  44 , to maneuver the cold planer  10  in the lateral direction, B. The method  52  then proceeds to step  62 . 
         [0029]    At step  62 , the chamber disassembly mode of the cold planer  10  is deactivated. More specifically, the chamber disassembly system  20  of the cold planer  10 , is deactivated. Upon deactivation of the chamber disassembly mode of the cold planer  10 , the chamber disassembly system  20  rotates the track unit  44  from the second position to the first position. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0030]    In operation, an operator may initially operate the cold planer  10  in a normal mode of operation. In the normal mode of operation is active, the operator steers the drive units  18  corresponding to a user input obtained at the control panel  32  of the cold planer  10 . After prolonged and continuous operations of the cold planer  10 , the cold planer  10  may require to be serviced. During service of the cold planer  10 , the cutting chamber  16  may require to be removed and accessed by the operator. In certain other situations, such as chamber replacement, the cutting chamber  16  may require to be removed and accessed by the operator. The operator therefore performs the method  52 , to remove and access the cutting chamber  16  of the cold planer  10 . Before initiating the method  52 , the operator initially positions the cold planer  10  at the first location and adjusts the track unit  44  of each of the drive units  18  to the first position. 
         [0031]    To perform the method  52  of removing and accessing the cutting chamber  16 , the operator initially activates the chamber disassembly system  20 , to actuate the chamber disassembly mode of operation of the cold planer  10 . In the chamber disassembly mode, the control panel  32  is disabled and the drive units  18  are steered, with use of the chamber disassembly system  20 . More specifically, the chamber disassembly system  20  rotates the track-adjusting unit  46  of each of the drive units  18 , to adjust the track unit  44  from the first position to the second position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Thereafter, the operator disconnects the cutting chamber  16  from the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 . This is accomplished by disassembling the brackets  34  from the frame  12  of the cold planer  10 . After disconnection, the chamber disassembly system  20  actuates the track-adjusting unit  46  of each drive unit  18 , to raise the frame  12  of the cold planer  10  vertically. Notably, the track-adjusting unit  46  raises the frame  12  of the cold planer  10  to a height above the cutting chamber  16 . Once the cold planer  10  is raised, the chamber disassembly system  20  actuates the track unit  44 , to maneuver the cold planer  10  from the first location to the second location. Notably, the chamber disassembly system  20  maneuvers the cold planer  10 , along the lateral direction, B (perpendicular to the direction of travel, A). As the cold planer  10  is maneuvered to the second location, the cutting chamber  16  is removed off from the cold planer  10  and is accessible to the operator. Therefore, this method  52  facilities removing and accessing of the cutting chamber  16 , without dragging the cutting chamber  16 . This results in increased work life of the cutting chamber  16  of the cold planer  10 . Although, the cold planer  10  is described as a preferred embodiment, concepts of the present disclosure may be applied to several other machines, such as but not limited to, a reclaiming machine and a wheeled cold planer. 
         [0032]    It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other aspects of the disclosure may be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claim.