Material handling machine

Abstract

A method of operating a material handling machine having a material handling implement moveable relative to a chassis of the machine, the method including the steps of positioning the material handling implement in a first position of a first region, moving the material handling implement to a second region, providing a control system to automatically return the material handling implement to the first region by positioning it at a second position of the first region different to the first position of the first region, and returning the material handling implement to the second region.

1 . A method of operating a material handling machine having a material handling implement moveable relative to a chassis of the machine, the method including the steps of
 a) positioning the material handling implement in a first position of a first region,   b) moving the material handling implement to a second region,   c) providing a control system to automatically return the material handling implement to the first region by positioning it at a second position of the first region different to the first position of the first region,   d) returning the material handling implement to the second region.   
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein step a) is carried out automatically by the control system, and step a) includes carrying out a material handling maneuver with the implement and picks up material. 
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein step b) is carried out automatically by the control system, and step b) includes moving material carried by the implement to the second region. 
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein step b) is carried out automatically by the control system, wherein step b) includes carrying out a material handling maneuver with the implement at the second region, and the maneuver deposits material. 
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein step c) is carried out automatically by the control system, wherein step c) includes returning the material handling implement to the first region absent any material. 
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein step c) is carried out automatically by the control system, wherein step c) includes carrying out a material handling maneuver with the implement, and wherein step a) is carried out automatically by the control system, and step a) includes carrying out a material handling maneuver with the implement and picks up material. 
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein step d) is carried out automatically by the control system, and step d) includes moving material carried by the implement to the second region. 
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein step d) is carried out automatically by the control system, wherein step d) includes carrying out a material handling maneuver with the implement at the second region, and wherein step b) is carried out automatically by the control system, and further wherein step b) includes carrying out a material handling maneuver with the implement at the second region and depositing material. 
     
     
         9 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein step b) is carried out automatically by the control system, wherein step b) includes moving the material handling implement to a first position of the second region and is carried out automatically by the control system, wherein step d) includes returning the material handling implement to a second position of the second region different from the first position of the second region. 
     
     
         10 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the method is used to dig a hole. 
     
     
         11 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the material is at least one of frangible material and loose material. 
     
     
         12 . A method as defined in  claim 11  wherein the method is used to transfer the frangible or loose material from the first region to the second region. 
     
     
         13 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the material handling implement is a bucket or a shovel. 
     
     
         14 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein steps a), b), c) and d) are carried out whilst the chassis of the machine is stationary. 
     
     
         15 . A method as defined in  claim 1  including:
 e) arranging a control system to automatically return the material handling implement to the first region by positioning it at a third position of the first region different to the first and second positions of the first region, the second position of the first region being intermediate, the first position of the first region and the third position of the first region, 
 f) returning the material handling implement to the second region. 
 
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 15  wherein step f) is carried out automatically by the control system. 
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein steps a), b), c), d), e) and f) are carried out whilst the chassis of the machine is stationary. 
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein steps a), b), c) and d) are carried out whilst the chassis of the machine is stationary and prior to carrying out steps e) and f) the chassis of the machine is moved to a different and/or adjacent location.