Patent ID: 8635792

Claim:
A cycle counter for a wheeled tractor scraper, comprising: an ejector configured to push material from a bowl of the wheeled tractor scraper; a sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a position of the ejector; a controller in communication with the sensor; a timer in communication with the controller; and a cushion hitch connecting a tractor portion of the wheeled tractor scraper to the bowl, wherein the controller is configured to: determine movement of the ejector toward a full dump position based on the pressure signal; activate the timer; record completion of a cycle for the wheeled tractor scraper after the ejector has reached the full dump position only if a value of the pressure signal exceeded a threshold value during movement of the ejector toward the full dump position and a threshold amount of time has elapsed after the timer has been activated; and record completion of the cycle only when the cushion hitch enters a float mode of operation after the timer has been activated.