Patent ID: 7079931

Claim:
A method of determining a position of a ground engaging tool of a work machine, comprising: identifying a desired surface configuration for a geographic location; selecting a mode of operation for the work machine from one of a first operating mode when the desired surface configuration has a first type of surface configuration and a second operating mode when the desired surface configuration has a second type of surface configuration; sensing the position of the ground engaging tool mounted on the work machine; sensing a rotational angle of a swing assembly mounting the ground engaging tool; determining the location of the ground engaging tool relative to the desired surface configuration based on the sensed position of the ground engaging tool, independently of the rotational angle of the swing assembly, when the work machine is operating in the first operating mode; and determining the location of the ground engaging tool relative to the desired surface configuration based on the sensed position of the ground engaging tool and the sensed rotational angle of the swing assembly when the work machine is operating in the second operating mode.