Granted Patent B2

US 12,571,171 · App. 18/355,493 · Granted Mar 10, 2026

Inventors: Dieter Bungarten (Neustadt, DE); Sebastian Winkels (Windeck, DE)

Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH

E01C23/088E01C23/127E01C2301/50

Abstract

Claims (50)

1 . A self-propelled earth working machine, comprising:

a machine frame;

a traveling gear supporting the machine frame;

a power source supported from the machine frame and configured to supply the earth working machine with power;

a working unit including a housing enclosure for providing an earth working zone;

a cutting drum rotatable about a working axis and accommodated in the working unit and configured for earth working operation;

a liquid coolant supply configured to conduct liquid coolant into the working unit;

a discharge tank configured to hold liquid coolant and supported from the machine frame; and

a discharge line system connecting the working unit to the discharge tank and configured to conduct liquid coolant from the working unit into the discharge tank;

wherein the machine frame includes a conveyor belt holding fixture configured to releasably accommodate a conveyor belt for transporting removed earth material away from the working unit; and

wherein the discharge tank is releasably mounted on the conveyor belt holding fixture in exchange for the conveyor belt.

2 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , wherein:

the discharge tank includes a vacuum apparatus configured to remove gas from the discharge tank.

3 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , wherein:

the discharge tank includes an agitator configured to keep liquid coolant collected in the discharge tank in motion.

4 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , further comprising:

a transfer pump configured to transfer liquid coolant collected in the discharge tank from the discharge tank.

5 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , further comprising:

a filter apparatus configured to filter particles which are suspended in the liquid coolant collected in the discharge tank out of the liquid coolant.

6 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , further comprising:

a transfer pump configured to transfer liquid coolant collected in the discharge tank from the discharge tank;

a filter apparatus configured to filter particles which are suspended in the liquid coolant collected in the discharge tank out of the liquid coolant;

a reservoir configured to provide the liquid coolant for use by the liquid coolant supply; and

a return line connecting the discharge tank to the reservoir;

wherein the transfer pump and the filter apparatus are disposed in the return line.

7 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , further comprising:

a baffle located in the discharge tank downstream from an inlet of the discharge line system into the discharge tank.

8 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one connection formation communicating with the discharge tank and configured for temporary connection of a fluid line to the discharge tank.

9 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , wherein:

the working unit is a swappable working unit that is releasable from the machine frame according to an intended use of the working unit.

10 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , wherein:

the discharge tank is swivel mounted on the machine frame such that the discharge tank may be swiveled about a swivel axis parallel to a yaw axis of the earth working machine.

11 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 10 , further comprising:

a swivel actuator configured to perform a swiveling movement of the discharge tank about the swivel axis.

12 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 1 , wherein:

the traveling gear includes at least three wheels or tracks rollable on a contact area of the earth working machine, at least one of the wheels or tracks being steerable; and

the cutting drum is located longitudinally between a front end of a front-most one of the wheels or tracks and a rear end of a rear-most one of the wheels or tracks when the wheels or tracks are oriented for straight-ahead travel of the earth working machine.

13 . A self-propelled earth working machine, comprising:

a machine frame;

a traveling gear supporting the machine frame;

a power source supported from the machine frame and configured to supply the earth working machine with power;

a working unit including a housing enclosure for providing an earth working zone;

a cutting drum rotatable about a working axis and accommodated in the working unit and configured for earth working operation;

a liquid coolant supply configured to conduct liquid coolant into the working unit;

a discharge tank configured to hold liquid coolant and supported from the machine frame; and

a discharge line system connecting the working unit to the discharge tank and configured to conduct liquid coolant from the working unit into the discharge tank;

wherein the discharge tank is inclinable relative to the machine frame about an axis of inclination parallel with respect to a contact area of the earth working machine.

14 . The self-propelled earth working machine of claim 13 , further comprising:

an inclination actuator configured to perform an inclining movement of the discharge tank about the axis of inclination.

Assignments (1)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (25)