The AGL Model 304 Machine Control System is an advanced land leveling and earth-moving machinery control system designed for ease of use and powerful performance. It integrates automated control, survey data management, and precise elevation adjustments to optimize grading operations.
Function Description:
The Model 304 system provides automated control for both on/off and proportional hydraulic valves, allowing for precise blade adjustments. It supports automatic or manual survey data entry, automatically calculating totals and averages of field elevation data. The system displays data in feet, inches, or meters, offering flexibility for various project requirements. A key feature is its ability to make automatic blade elevation changes, which is particularly useful for building pad or ditch bank work. The system also includes a computer, data recorder, and/or printer output connection for data management and reporting. Its compact size facilitates easy mounting, and an optional remote control switch box is available for armrest mounting, enhancing operator convenience.
The system operates through several modes:
- LEDs Unlit (Manual Control): In this mode, the blade and sensor elevation can be manually controlled using the BLADE and MAST switches. The blade can also be controlled automatically.
- PRESET: This mode allows the operator to change the ELEVATION window number to match a reference elevation using the + and - buttons.
- SURVEY: During a survey, the sensor moves up or down the mast to follow the laser signal, and the ELEVATION window displays the changing elevation. The system automatically records data at specified intervals (e.g., 50-foot intervals after initial markers are set). After a row is surveyed, pressing the - button pauses the timer, pulses the survey LED, and displays the average elevation. Pressing the + button restarts the timing sequence. Data is only recorded when a center signal is received, preventing incorrect elevation data from contaminating the survey.
- SET AUTOMAST: This mode allows presetting a sensor elevation change value using the + and - buttons.
- ACTIVATE AUTOMAST: Once an ELEVATION CHANGE VALUE is programmed, pressing the + button changes the sensor elevation by the programmed amount. Pressing the - button returns the sensor to its original elevation, which is beneficial for tasks like building ditch banks, house pads, or leveling large areas with multiple transmitters.
- SLEEP: After a short delay, pressing the SELECT button puts the system into SLEEP mode. All changes made are stored as default until reprogrammed.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Input Power: 12 or 24 VDC operation, negative ground. Nominal 10 Amp minimum current requirement, 20 Amp maximum with auxiliary outputs. Note: 12 VDC Mast Motor and Solenoid Valve Coils are standard; 24 VDC must be specified if required.
- Output Power: 5 Amp maximum per Valve Solenoid or Mast Drive. 2.5 Amp maximum if signal duration exceeds two (2) minutes. 0.1 Amp maximum output during short circuit condition.
- Temperature Range: -20 to 70 Degrees C.
- Data Output: Standard RS-232 output, transmitting ASCII code at 9600 BAUD, 8 DATA BITS, NO PARITY, and XON/XOFF. Manual and automatic modes provide station number and elevation data in a 22-character line. Continuous mode provides elevation data only in an 8-character line every half (1/2) second, transmitted only when the 360 Sensor CENTER light is lit.
- Sensor Display: 7 sensor channels with bright LEDs for day or night operation. Two LEDs indicate "OFF SENSOR" and the direction of the last received laser reference signal. The 360 Sensor works with 12 or 24 VDC power.
Usage Features:
- Operating Modes: The SELECT button cycles through various operating modes (PRESET, SURVEY, SET AUTOMAST, ACTIVATE AUTOMAST, SLEEP), indicated by LEDs.
- Menu Items: The system allows customization of factory default settings, including sensitivity, valve speed (down and up), mast speed, elevation units (inches, feet, meters), and survey type (manual, automatic, continuous data entry). The menu is accessed by pressing AUTO BLADE and SELECT simultaneously.
- 360° Sensor Display: Provides clear visual feedback on sensor status and laser signal direction.
- SMART Electric Mast Drive: Pulse-starts the mast with slow, positive movements for accurate readings, supplies high start-up currents, limits continuous current, and senses stalled conditions (TOPPED or BOTTOMED out), shutting down the drive and alerting the operator. The system automatically attempts to restart the mast without damaging the drive circuit or motor.
- Compensated Pump Output: Offers a separate output to maintain full pump pressure when high oil volume is required, especially useful for tractor hydraulic systems with low-pressure standby.
Maintenance Features:
- Update Compatibility: Older 302 Systems can be updated to the 304 Control System by replacing only the Control Panel, J-Box, and J-Box Cable, as the sensor, mast, and control cables are compatible.
- Solenoid Drive Outputs: All power outputs feature automatically resetting fuse links. In case of a short circuit, only the affected function is disabled, and power is automatically restored once the problem is corrected.
- Troubleshooting: The manual provides examples for troubleshooting common issues, such as a scraper blade dropping through the center during a down correction, with clear steps to adjust settings via the menu.
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