Patent Description:
Augers mounted on boom equipment or machines may be used in a variety of construction, mining, and other industrial applications. In some related art boom mounted auger systems, the auger may be mounted on the butt or stationary stage of the boom to allow the boom to be extended or retracted for picking or lifting operations without removing the auger. However, in this position, the entire machine would need to be moved laterally as the auger drills downward to maintain the auger in a vertical or plumb position due to the fixed length of the butt stage. In other related art boom mounted auger systems, the auger may be mounted on the second or moving stage of boom. However, in this position, the second stage could not be used for any lifting or picking operations until the auger is removed, which could be a complex process due to the weight of the auger and torque generated during operation of the auger. Document <CIT> relates to a utility apparatus. More particularly, it relates to utility-type diggers mounted on booms which in turn are carried by a truck body and which generally have an extendible portion conventionally known as a stinger which is utilized in lifting and setting poles and the like.

Aspects of the present application relate to an auger attachment system according to claim <NUM> for an extendable boom having a first stage, and a second stage.

Preferred embodiments of the auger attachment system are defined in dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

Additional aspects of the present application relate to an auger system according to claim <NUM> for an extendable boom having a first stage, and a second stage.

Further aspects of the present application relate to a boom machine according to claim <NUM>, including an extendable boom, a hydraulic auger, and an attachment system.

The following detailed description provides further details of the figures and example implementations of the present application. Reference numerals and descriptions of redundant elements between figures are omitted for clarity. Terms used throughout the description are provided as examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the use of the term "automatic" may involve fully automatic or semi-automatic implementations involving user or operator control over certain aspects of the implementation, depending on the desired implementation of one of ordinary skill in the art practicing implementations of the present application.

In some example implementations, an auger attachment system that allows attachment of the auger to either the butt stage or second stage of a boom machine, and transition therebetween may be provided. For example, the auger attachment system may provide a fixed mounting on the second stage boom and an extendable mounting on the butt stage of the boom, both mountings being configured to hold the auger. Further, in some example implementations, the auger attachment system may also include an actuator configured to extend and retract the extendable mounting to transfer to auger from the extendable mounting to the fixed mounting.

<FIG> is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a boom machine <NUM> including an undercarriage track system <NUM>. The term "machine" may refer to any machine that that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining or construction, or any other industry known in the art, such as a hydraulic mining shovel, lifting crane, an excavator, a track-type tractor (bulldozer), a cable shovel, a dragline, or the like. In the embodiment illustrated, the boom machine <NUM> is a track-type boom crane.

The boom machine <NUM> may include a machine body <NUM>, one or more hydraulic systems <NUM>, one or more engaging implements <NUM>, and an undercarriage structure <NUM>. The machine body <NUM> may optionally include a cab <NUM> to house a machine operator. An electronic control system <NUM> can be housed in the cab <NUM> that can be adapted to allow a machine operator to manipulate and articulate the engaging implements <NUM> for any suitable application and provide performance readouts to the operator. As discussed below, the electronic control system <NUM> may include a computing device such as computing device <NUM> of <FIG> discussed below.

Though a cab <NUM> to house an operator is illustrated on the machine body <NUM>, example implementations of the present application are not required to have a cab or be directly operated by an operator on the boom machine <NUM>. For example, some example implementations of the present application may be remotely operated by an operator not directly riding the boom machine <NUM>. The remote operator may be in the same general area as the boom machine <NUM> or may be located a large distance away. In some embodiments, the electric control system <NUM> may allow control of the boom machine <NUM> via radio frequency communication, cellular communication, wired communication, or any other type of remote control that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The hydraulic system <NUM> may connect at one end to the machine body <NUM> and may support the engaging implement <NUM> at an opposing, distal end. As illustrated, the engaging implement <NUM> may be a lifting boom <NUM> with a lift attaching system <NUM> having a lifting attachment implement <NUM> mounted on a tension line <NUM>. The tension line <NUM> is around a winch system <NUM> mounted behind the cab <NUM>. The lifting boom <NUM> may be an extendable boom having a butt or stationary stage <NUM> and a second or extendable stage <NUM>. The extension and retract of the second stage <NUM> relative to the butt stage <NUM> may be performed hydraulically and controlled by the electronic control system <NUM>. Example implementations are not limited to this configuration, and the extension/retraction of the second stage <NUM> may be controlled by any mechanism that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Additionally, the engaging implement <NUM> may also include an auger attachment system <NUM> to allow attachment of an auger device to either the butt stage <NUM> or the second stage <NUM>. The auger attachment system <NUM> is discussed in greater detail with respect to <FIG> below.

The engaging implement <NUM> is not limited to a lifting boom <NUM> and may be any type of engaging implement <NUM> that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art include a bucket boom for lifting an operator, a backhoe implement, or any other implement that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The undercarriage structure <NUM> may include a support structure <NUM> and the undercarriage track system <NUM>. The support structure <NUM> may connect the undercarriage track system <NUM> to the machine body <NUM> and may support the undercarriage track system <NUM>.

The undercarriage track system <NUM> may include a track roller frame assembly <NUM> and an associated track chain assembly <NUM> on each side of the undercarriage structure <NUM>. It will be appreciated that only one track roller frame assembly <NUM> and only one track chain assembly <NUM> is visible in <FIG>.

The boom machine <NUM> may also include a power source <NUM> mounted on the machine body <NUM> behind the cab <NUM> (in <FIG>). The power source <NUM> may provide power to one or more of the hydraulic system <NUM>, the engaging implement <NUM>, the electronic control system <NUM>, the undercarriage track system <NUM>, the auger attachment system <NUM> or any other system that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The power source <NUM> may include an engine such as, for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, or any other type of combustion engine known in the art. The power source <NUM> may alternatively embody a non-combustion source of power such as a fuel cell, a power storage device, or another power source that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in in the art. The power source <NUM> may produce a mechanical or electrical power output that may then be converted to hydraulic pneumatic power for moving the engaging implement <NUM>.

Each track roller frame assembly <NUM> may include one or more idler wheels <NUM>, a drive sprocket wheel <NUM>, and track roller assemblies <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated, an idler wheel <NUM> is coupled to the support structure <NUM> at one end, and the drive sprocket wheel <NUM> is coupled to the support structure <NUM> at an opposite end. In other embodiments, a pair of idler wheels <NUM> may be coupled to the support structure <NUM> and the drive sprocket wheel <NUM> may be adjacent to one of the idler wheels <NUM>.

The drive sprocket wheel <NUM> may be powered in forward and reverse directions by the power source <NUM> of the boom machine <NUM>. In some embodiments, the drive sprocket wheel <NUM> may be coupled to the engine of the boom machine <NUM> by a final drive. The drive sprocket wheel <NUM> drives the track chain assembly <NUM> to move the boom machine <NUM>.

Track roller assemblies <NUM> may be positioned between the ends of the support structure <NUM> and at least partially below the support structure <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated, the track roller assemblies <NUM> are positioned between the idler wheel <NUM> and the drive sprocket wheel <NUM>. In other embodiments, the track roller assemblies <NUM> are positioned between a pair of idler wheels <NUM>. The track roller assemblies <NUM> may include a front roller assembly <NUM> may be positioned adjacent the idler wheel <NUM> at the front end of the support structure <NUM> and a rear roller assembly <NUM> may be positioned adjacent the drive sprocket wheel <NUM> at the rear end of the support structure <NUM>. Idler wheels <NUM> and track roller assemblies <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> may be configured to guide the track chain assembly <NUM> around the support structure <NUM>.

In embodiments, each track chain assembly <NUM> may include track links (not numbered) inter-connected and linked together to form a closed chain. In the embodiment illustrated, track links are connected to, such as by fastening, ground engaging shoes <NUM>. The ground engaging shoes <NUM> or ground engaging portions may be configured to overlap. In other embodiments, each track chain assembly <NUM> includes track pads inter-connected and linked together. The track pads may include a track link and a ground engaging shoe that are cast or forged as an integral unit.

As illustrated, the machine body <NUM> may be connected to the support structure <NUM> by a rotating mechanism <NUM>. Further, the support structure <NUM> may connect two track roller frame assemblies <NUM> of the undercarriage track system <NUM> to form a support base for the machine body <NUM>. In some example implementations, the rotating mechanism <NUM> may be a hydraulic rotary actuator that allows the machine body <NUM> to rotate relative to the undercarriage track system <NUM>. However, the rotating mechanism <NUM> is not limited to this configuration and may be any mechanism that allows relative rotation between the support structure <NUM> and the machine body <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the boom machine <NUM> is illustrated as a tracked machine. However, example implementations are not limited to this configuration, and in other example implementations, the boom machine <NUM> may be a wheeled vehicle or any other type of machine having a boom <NUM> for lifting and/or placing operations that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

<FIG> is a perspective view of auger attachment system <NUM> according to example implementations of the present application in a first configuration. <FIG> is a perspective view of auger attachment system <NUM> from a reverse angle of <FIG>. As illustrated, the auger attachment system <NUM> includes a fixed mounting <NUM> mounted on the second stage <NUM> and an extendable mounting <NUM> mounted on the butt stage <NUM> of the boom <NUM>.

The extendable mounting <NUM> may include a fixed block <NUM>, a linear actuator <NUM> and a sled <NUM>. The fixed block <NUM> is attached to the butt stage <NUM> in a fixed manner to provide a stationary base for the linear actuator <NUM> to push against. The attachment mechanism between the butt stage <NUM> and the fixed block <NUM> is not particularly limited and may include welding, bolting, press fitting or any other connection mechanism that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the fixed block <NUM> may also be formed as unitary piece of the butt stage <NUM> (e.g., an extension or protrusion formed as part of a housing of the butt stage <NUM>).

The linear actuator <NUM> is illustrated as a mechanical actuator having a screw member <NUM> inserted into one end of a rotary housing <NUM> attached to the sled <NUM>. The rotary housing <NUM> may have a handle <NUM> that may be configured to be used to rotate the rotary housing <NUM>. By rotating the rotary housing <NUM> relative to the screw member <NUM>, a linear force may be generated to move the sled <NUM> toward and away from the fixed mounting <NUM> mounted on the second stage178.

Though the linear actuator <NUM> is illustrated as a mechanical actuator in <FIG> and <FIG>, example implementations are not limited to this configuration. Other example implementations may include a hydraulic actuator, electric actuator, or any other type of linear actuator that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The sled <NUM> includes a mounting body <NUM> slidingly attached to a sliding support member <NUM> attached to the butt stage <NUM>. The attachment mechanism between the butt stage <NUM> and the sliding support member <NUM> is not particularly limited and may include welding, bolting, press fitting or any other connection mechanism that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the sliding support member <NUM> may also be formed as unitary piece of the butt stage <NUM> (e.g., an extension or protrusion formed as part of a housing of the butt stage <NUM>). The mounting body <NUM> may have a mounting bracket <NUM> at one end that is configured to engage an attaching bracket <NUM> connected to an auger <NUM>. As illustrated, the mounting bracket <NUM> may have a protrusion <NUM> extending laterally outward. The mounting bracket <NUM> may also include a pin hole <NUM> that extends through the mounting bracket <NUM>. In some example implementations, a retaining pin <NUM> may be removably inserted through the pin hole <NUM>. Further, in some example implementations, a sensor may detect when the auger is present in the sled and a sensor to detect when the auger is fully retracted and contacting stoppers (e.g., in a stowage position).

The fixed mounting <NUM> may include an auger support arm <NUM> having an auger support groove <NUM> configured to support the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fixed mounting <NUM> may also include a lateral support plate <NUM> mounted to both the front and back sides of the auger support arm <NUM>. Each lateral support plate <NUM> may have an auger support hole <NUM> extending through the thickness of the lateral support plate <NUM>. When the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger is attached to the fixed mounting <NUM>, a holding pin <NUM> may be inserted through the auger support hole <NUM> and through the attaching bracket <NUM> to hold the auger <NUM> in place. The engagement between the attaching bracket <NUM> and the fixed mounting <NUM> are discussed in greater detail below with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>.

In the first configuration of <FIG> and <FIG>, the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM> is connected to the fixed mounting <NUM>. Additionally, the holding pin <NUM> is inserted through the auger support holes <NUM> of the lateral support plates <NUM> and the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM>. In some example implementations, a sensor may be provided to detect a position of the linear actuator. Further, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the auger <NUM> fully deployed to the second or moving stage. While the actuator may be illustrated in a partially extended position in <FIG> and <FIG>, in this position, the sled <NUM> is as far back as it can go, contacting stoppers. This position may be interpreted as the "stowed" position for the sensors and software.

<FIG> is a section view of the auger attachment system <NUM> according to example implementations of the present application in the first configuration. In <FIG>, similar reference numerals are used for components discussed above and redundant discussion may be omitted. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the auger <NUM> is installed on the fixed mounting <NUM>, the support protrusion <NUM> of the attaching bracket <NUM> is inserted into the auger support groove <NUM> of the auger support arm <NUM>. Further, the auger support holes <NUM> of the lateral support plates <NUM> are aligned with the support hole <NUM> extending through the attaching bracket <NUM> and the holding pin <NUM> is inserted through the support hole <NUM> and the auger support holes <NUM>. Additionally, as illustrated in <FIG>, a retaining clip <NUM> may be inserted through end of the holding pin <NUM> to hold the holding pin <NUM> in place. In some example implementations, the support protrusion <NUM> may rest in the auger support groove <NUM> such that auger support groove <NUM> holds the entire weight of the auger <NUM> such that the holding pin <NUM> can be inserted and removed without any required tools.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of the auger attachment system <NUM> according to example implementations of the present application. In <FIG>, similar reference numerals are used for components discussed above and redundant discussion may be omitted. As illustrated in <FIG>, the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM> may include a groove <NUM> configured to receive the protrusion <NUM> of the mounting bracket <NUM> of the sled <NUM> when the auger <NUM> is mounted on the extendable mounting <NUM>. Additionally, the attaching bracket <NUM> may also include a support pin hole <NUM> configured to receive the retaining pin <NUM> when the auger <NUM> is mounted on the extendable mounting <NUM>.

Further, the attaching bracket <NUM> may also include a support protrusion <NUM> configured to be inserted into the auger support groove <NUM> when the auger <NUM> is mounted on the fixed mounting <NUM>. In some example implementations, the auger support hole <NUM> with a support hole <NUM> formed through the support protrusion <NUM> of the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM>. The holding pin <NUM> may be inserted through the support hole <NUM> extending through the attaching bracket <NUM>. Again, in some example implementations, the support protrusion <NUM> may rest in the auger support groove <NUM> such that auger support groove <NUM> holds the entire weight of the auger <NUM> such that the holding pin <NUM> can be inserted and removed without any required tools.

The attaching bracket <NUM> may also include a pivot <NUM> to allow lateral movement of the auger <NUM> to allow greater freedom of positioning the auger <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the auger attachment system according to example implementations of the present application in a second configuration. In <FIG>, similar reference numerals are used for components discussed above and redundant discussion may be omitted. In the second configuration of <FIG>, the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM> is connected to both the fixed mounting <NUM> and the sled <NUM> of the extendable mounting <NUM>. Specifically, the linear actuator <NUM> has been actuated to fully extend the sled <NUM> toward the fixed mounting <NUM>. Additionally, the protrusion <NUM> of the mounting bracket <NUM> has been inserted into the groove <NUM> of the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM>. Further, the retaining pin <NUM> has been inserted through the pin hole <NUM> of the mounting bracket <NUM> and the support pin hole <NUM> of the attaching bracket <NUM>.

As discussed above, the holding pin <NUM> is still inserted through the auger support holes <NUM> of the lateral support plates <NUM> and the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM>. In this configuration, if the second stage <NUM> is moved relative to the butt stage <NUM> of the boom <NUM>, serious damage could be done to the auger attachment system <NUM>. In some example implementations, the attachment of the auger <NUM> to the extendable mounting <NUM>, the position of the linear actuator, or the presence of the auger in the stowage position may be detected by sensors placed in various locations, and based on the sensor readings and other crane configuration information, the electronic control system <NUM> may lock-off extension of the boom <NUM> or the activation of the auger drive.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the auger attachment system according to example implementations of the present application in a third configuration. In <FIG>, similar reference numerals are used for components discussed above and redundant discussion may be omitted. In the third configuration of <FIG>, the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM> is connected to only the sled <NUM> of the extendable mounting <NUM>. Specifically, holding pin <NUM> has been removed from auger support holes <NUM> and support plates <NUM> to allow auger <NUM> and bracket <NUM> to be removed via sliding bracket <NUM>. Holding pin <NUM> may be reinserted in holes <NUM> and plates <NUM> for storage after removal of attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM> via the sliding bracket <NUM>. Further, the retaining pin <NUM> may be inserted through the pin hole <NUM> of the mounting bracket <NUM> and the support pin hole <NUM> of the attaching bracket <NUM>. Additionally, the protrusion <NUM> of the mounting bracket <NUM> may be inserted into the groove <NUM> of the attaching bracket <NUM> of the auger <NUM>. Further, the linear actuator <NUM> may be retracted to pull the sled <NUM> and the auger <NUM> attached to the sled <NUM> are retracted to contact stoppers.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of an interlock <NUM> that holds the auger <NUM> to be attached by the auger attachment system according to example implementations of the present application. As illustrated the auger <NUM> includes a plurality of blades <NUM> surrounding an auger shaft <NUM>. The interlock <NUM> may be mounted on the lifting boom <NUM> and may include a groove <NUM> into which the auger shaft <NUM> may be inserted. The interlock <NUM> may also include sensors <NUM>, <NUM> to control release of the auger or detect when the auger is in the groove <NUM> respectively. The sensor <NUM> may be used to control the release of the auger shaft <NUM> in response to an operation of the auger attachment system. Further, sensor <NUM> may be used to sense when the auger is in the groove 725and works with software to prevent boom extension.

<FIG> illustrates an example computing environment <NUM> for an electronic control system for a boom machine, such as the electronic control system <NUM> of the boom machine <NUM> of <FIG>. In some example implementations, the electronic control system may be a local control system allowing control by an operator located on the boom machine. In other example implementations, the electric control system may be a remote control system allowing control by a remote operator not directly located on the boom machine. In some example implementations, the remote operator may be in the same general area as the boom machine. In other example implementations, the remote operator may be located a large distance away from the boom machine. The electronic control system may allow control of the boom machine via radio frequency communication, cellular communication, wired communication, or any other type of remote control that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The computing device <NUM> in the computing environment <NUM> can include one or more processing units, cores, or processors <NUM>, memory <NUM> (e.g., RAM, ROM, and/or the like), internal storage <NUM> (e.g., magnetic, optical, solid state storage, and/or organic), and/or I/O interface <NUM>, any of which can be coupled on a communication mechanism or bus <NUM> for communicating information or embedded in the computing device <NUM>.

Computing device <NUM> can be communicatively coupled to input/user interface <NUM> and output device/interface <NUM>. Either one or both of input/user interface <NUM> and output device/interface <NUM> can be a wired or wireless interface and can be detachable. Input/user interface <NUM> may include any device, component, sensor, or interface, physical or virtual, which can be used to provide input (e.g., buttons, touch-screen interface, keyboard, a pointing/cursor control, microphone, camera, braille, motion sensor, optical reader, and/or the like). Output device/interface <NUM> may include a display, television, monitor, printer, speaker, braille, or the like. In some example implementations, input/user interface <NUM> and output device/interface <NUM> can be embedded with or physically coupled to the computing device <NUM>. In other example implementations, other computing devices may function as or provide the functions of input/user interface <NUM> and output device/interface <NUM> for a computing device <NUM>.

Examples of computing device <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, highly mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, devices in vehicles and other machines, devices carried by humans and animals, and the like), mobile devices (e.g., tablets, notebooks, laptops, personal computers, portable televisions, radios, and the like), and devices not designed for mobility (e.g., desktop computers, server devices, other computers, information kiosks, televisions with one or more processors embedded therein and/or coupled thereto, radios, and the like).

Computing device <NUM> can be communicatively coupled (e.g., via I/O interface <NUM>) to external storage <NUM> and network <NUM> for communicating with any number of networked components, devices, and systems, including one or more computing devices of the same or different configuration. Computing device <NUM> or any connected computing device can be functioning as, providing services of, or referred to as a server, client, thin server, general machine, special-purpose machine, or another label.

I/O interface <NUM> can include, but is not limited to, wired and/or wireless interfaces using any communication or I/O protocols or standards (e.g., Ethernet, <NUM>. 11x, Universal System Bus, WiMAX, modem, a cellular network protocol, and the like) for communicating information to and/or from at least all the connected components, devices, and network in computing environment <NUM>. Network <NUM> can be any network or combination of networks (e.g., the Internet, local area network, wide area network, a telephonic network, a cellular network, satellite network, and the like).

Computing device <NUM> can use and/or communicate using computer-usable or computer-readable media, including transitory media and non-transitory media. Transitory media include transmission media (e.g., metal cables, fiber optics), signals, carrier waves, and the like. Non-transitory media include magnetic media (e.g., disks and tapes), optical media (e.g., CD ROM, digital video disks, Blu-ray disks), solid state media (e.g., RAM, ROM, flash memory, solid-state storage), and other non-volatile storage or memory.

Computing device <NUM> can be used to implement techniques, methods, applications, processes, or computer-executable instructions in some example computing environments. Computer-executable instructions can be retrieved from transitory media, and stored on and retrieved from non-transitory media. The executable instructions can originate from one or more of any programming, scripting, and machine languages (e.g., C, C++, C#, Java, Visual Basic, Python, Perl, JavaScript, and others).

Processor(s) <NUM> can execute under any operating system (OS) (not shown), in a native or virtual environment. One or more applications can be deployed that include logic unit <NUM>, application programming interface (API) unit <NUM>, input unit <NUM>, output unit <NUM>, auger present in sled sensing unit <NUM>, auger present in stowage position sensing unit <NUM>, boom extension controlling unit <NUM>, linear actuator sensing unit <NUM>, auger drive controlling unit <NUM> and inter-unit communication mechanism <NUM> for the different units to communicate with each other, with the OS, and with other applications (not shown). For example, auger present in sled sensing unit <NUM>, auger present in stowage position sensing unit <NUM>, boom extension controlling unit <NUM>, linear actuator sensing unit <NUM>, and auger drive controlling unit <NUM>, may implement one or more processes to sense the position of the auger as well as control the extension of a boom, activation of the auger drive and detect extension of a linear actuator of an actuator attaching system. The described units and elements can be varied in design, function, configuration, or implementation and are not limited to the descriptions provided.

In some example implementations, when information or an execution instruction is received by API unit <NUM>, it may be communicated to one or more other units (e.g., logic unit <NUM>, input unit <NUM>, output unit <NUM>, auger present in sled sensing unit <NUM>, auger present in stowage position sensing unit <NUM>, boom extension controlling unit <NUM>, linear actuator sensing unit <NUM>, and auger drive controlling unit <NUM>). For example, the auger present in sled sensing unit <NUM> may detect the presence of the auger in the sled. Similarly, the auger present in stowage position sensing unit <NUM> may detect the presence of the auger in the stowage position. Based on the detection of the auger position, the boom extension controlling unit <NUM> may lock or block extension of a boom (e.g., prevent the relative movement of a second stage relative to butt stage of a boom) or the auger controlling unit <NUM> may block activation of the auger drive. Additionally, the linear actuator sensing unit <NUM> may detect the extension of placement of an auger attachment system and based on the detected placement control the boom extension controlling unit <NUM> or auger drive controlling unit <NUM>.

In some instances, the logic unit <NUM> may be configured to control the information flow among the units and direct the services provided by API unit <NUM>, input unit <NUM>, output unit <NUM>, auger present in sled sensing unit <NUM>, auger present in stowage position sensing unit <NUM>, boom extension controlling unit <NUM>, linear actuator sensing unit <NUM>, and auger drive controlling unit <NUM> in some example implementations described above. For example, the flow of one or more processes or implementations may be controlled by logic unit <NUM> alone or in conjunction with API unit <NUM>.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various example implementations of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, schematics, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware.

Claim 1:
An auger attachment system for an extendable boom having a first stage (<NUM>), and a second stage (<NUM>), the auger attachment system comprising:
a fixed mounting (<NUM>) configured to couple to an auger (<NUM>), the fixed mounting (<NUM>) configured to couple to the second stage (<NUM>) of the extendable boom (<NUM>); and
an extendable mounting (<NUM>) comprising a fixed block (<NUM>), a linear actuator (<NUM>) and a sled (<NUM>), wherein the sled (<NUM>) is configured to couple to the auger (<NUM>) and the fixed block (<NUM>) is configured to couple to the first stage (<NUM>) of the extendable boom (<NUM>); wherein
the linear actuator (<NUM>) is configured to extend and retract the extendable mounting (<NUM>) to transfer the auger (<NUM>) from the extendable mounting (<NUM>) to the fixed mounting (<NUM>),
wherein the first stage (<NUM>) is a fixed stage, and the second stage (<NUM>) is a movable stage, and
wherein the linear actuator (<NUM>) moves the sled (<NUM>) relative to both the movable stage (<NUM>) and the fixed stage (<NUM>).