Cold Planer Having Improved Mill Cutting Efficiency

Abstract

A cold planer is disclosed. The cold planer may include a frame having a first end and a second end. Further, a counterweight may be placed between the first end and a second end, and this counterweight may be movable between a current position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the cold planer. Furthermore, the cold planer may include a counterweight position sensor operatively connected to the counterweight and be configured to determine a current position of the counterweight and generate a counterweight position signal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to cold planers and, more specifically, relates to cold planers having improved mill cutting efficiency.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Cold planers, sometimes called road mills or profilers, are powered machines that generally include a frame, a power source, a mill positioned below the frame that is rotationally engaged with the power source and a conveyor system operatively engaged with the mill. The mill may further include a rotatable drum having numerous cutting tools disposed thereon. As power from the power source is transferred to the mill, this power is further transferred to the rotatable drum, thereby spinning this rotatable drum about its axis. As the rotatable drum spins, its cutting tools engage hardened asphalt, concrete and other materials of existing roadways, bridges, parking lots and the like, thereby removing layers of these existing structures. The spinning action of the cutting tools then transfer these removed layers to the conveyor system where they are transmitted to a separate powered machine for removal from a work site.

[0003] The rotational engagement of the cutting tools with hardened asphalt, concrete and the like generates dust and particulate matter, in addition to heat in the cutting tools. Consequently, cold planers commonly employ a milling fluid system that includes a milling fluid tank that holds milling fluid. This milling fluid is sent to the mill where it is sprayed over the rotatable drum and its cutting tools, thereby mitigating creation of dust and particulate matter, in addition to removing heat from the cutting tools.

[0004] The cutting efficiency of the cold planer is improved when its center of gravity is positioned over the mill and, more specifically, over the axis of the rotatable drum. However, as consumable materials, such as, for example, the milling fluid from the milling fluid tank or fuel from a fuel tank, are used, the center of gravity may shift away from this preferred position. This shift leads to decreased mill cutting efficiency, which in turn, leads to increased project lengths and increased fuel usage. Accordingly, cold planer designers are continually seeking ways to maintain mill cutting efficiency in response to the use of consumable materials.

[0005] One attempt to adjust the efficiency of a powered machine is disclosed in Chinese Patent No. 101392491 (the 491 patent). The '491 patent is directed to a paving machine having a screed that is extendible between a position close to the tail of the machine and a position further away from the tail of the machine. As the screed is extended from the position close to the tail of the machine to the position further away from the tail of the machine, the machine's center of gravity shifts rearward and the thickness of the asphalt layer it may lay down decreases. This shift therefore necessitates multiple passes of the machine to build a road having appropriate thickness when the screed is extended to the position further away from the tail of the machine, thereby decreasing machine efficiency. In order to solve this issue, the '491 patent describes a counterweight installed on the machine that is movable in response to the amount of screed extension. Consequently, when the screed is extended the counterweight may be moved in a direction opposite the tail end of the machine, thereby maintaining the appropriate distance between the screed and the unpaved underlayment.

[0006] While arguably effective for its specific purpose, the '491 patent is related to movement of a screed of a paving machine, and in no way related to a cold planer. Consequently, the '491 patent in no way describes, or alludes to, controlling a cold planer's mill cutting efficiency. Furthermore, since the '491 patent is related to movement of a screed, it in no way describes, or alludes to, controlling a cold planer's mill cutting efficiency in response to the use of consumable fluids. Accordingly, the system to control the efficiency of the paving machine described in the '491 patent would fail to meet the needs of the cold planer described herein.

[0007] The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more problems set forth above and/or other problems associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY

[0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cold planer is disclosed. The cold planer may include a frame having a first end and a second end. Further, a counterweight may be placed between the first end and a second end, and this counterweight may be movable between a current position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the cold planer. Furthermore, the cold planer may include a counterweight position sensor operatively connected to the counterweight that is configured to determine a current position of the counterweight and generate a counterweight position signal.

[0009] In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for improving a mill cutting efficiency of a cold planer is disclosed. The system may include a counterweight located between a first end and a second end of a frame and be movable between a current position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the cold planer. Further, this system may include a counterweight position sensor operatively connected to the counterweight and configured to determine a counterweight position signal. Moreover, this system may include a milling fluid tank sensor operatively connected to a milling fluid tank and configured to generate a milling fluid tank level signal. Finally, this system may include an actuator operatively coupled to the counterweight that is configured to move the counterweight.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for improving mill cutting efficiency of a cold planer is disclosed. The method may include the step of sensing a counterweight position. Further, this method may include the step of sensing a fluid tank level. Additionally, this method may include the step of transmitting a counterweight position signal and a fluid tank level signal

[0011] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary cold planer constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side, cut-away view of an exemplary mill that may be used in conjunction with the cold planer of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary cold planer having a counterweight system that may be used in conjunction with the mill of FIG. 2.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary control system that may be used in conjunction with the counterweight system of FIG. 3 to generate a cold planer having improved mill cutting efficiency.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another exemplary control system that may be used in conjunction with the counterweight system of FIG. 3 to generate a cold planer having improved mill cutting efficiency.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps of a method for improving mill cutting efficiency of a cold planer manufactured in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to FIG. 1, a cold planer is shown and generally referred to by reference numeral 10. As seen there, cold planer 10 may include a frame 12, and frame 12 may have a first end 14 and a second end 16. Such cold planer 10 may further include a power source 18 operatively connected to the frame 12 and such power source 18 may be located between the first end 14 and the second end 16 of cold planer 10. The power source 18 may be provided in any number of different forms including, but not limited to, Otto and Diesel cycle internal combustion engines, electric motors, hybrid engines and the like.

[0019] Cold planer 10 may further include a fuel tank 20 operatively engaged with frame 12 that may be located between first end 14 and second end 16. Fuel tank 20 may contain fuel 22 for the power source 18. Accordingly, if power source 18 is an Otto cycle engine, fuel tank 20 may hold gasoline as fuel 22. Alternatively, if power source 18 is a Diesel cycle engine, fuel tank 20 may hold diesel as fuel 22.

[0020] Cold planer 10 may also include a milling fluid tank 24 operatively engaged with frame 12 and may be located between the first end 14 and second end 16 of frame 12. The milling fluid tank 24 may hold a milling fluid 26. While not intending to be limiting, milling fluid 26 may be water, propylene glycol, mixtures of water and propylene glycol and the like. In other instances, milling fluid 26 may additionally include surface-tension modification agents such as anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants or non-ionic surfactants. In other instances, milling fluid 26 may include gelling agents.

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, cold planer 10 may further include a mill 28 that is operatively connected to, and positioned below, frame 12. Moreover, mill 28 may be rotationally engaged with power source 18 and further include a rotatable drum 30 that may include cutting tools 32 disposed thereon. As power from the power source 18 is transferred to the mill 28, this power may further be transferred to the rotatable drum 30, thereby causing the rotatable drum 30 to spin about a drum axis 34. As the rotatable drum 30 spins about its drum axis 34, the cutting tools 32 may engage hardened materials 36, such as, for example, asphalt and concrete, of existing roadways, bridges, parking lots and the like. Moreover, as the cutting tools 32 engage such hardened materials 36, the cutting tools 32 remove layers of these hardened materials 36. The spinning action of the rotatable drum 30 and its cutting tools 32 then transfers the hardened materials 36 to a conveyor system 38 where they transmitted to a separate powered machine and removed from a work site.

[0022] The rotational engagement of the cutting tools 32 with hardened materials 36 generates dust and particulate matter. Further, this engagement generates heat in the cutting tools 32, thereby decreasing their service life. Accordingly, a cold planer 10 commonly introduces milling fluid 26 from milling fluid tank 24 into mill 28 during operation. The introduction of milling fluid 26 into mill 28 mitigates the generation of excess dust and particulate matter and removes heat from the cutting tools 32. Both of which increases the service life of cutting tools 32.

[0023] The mill cutting efficiency 40 of a cold planer is improved when the cold planer's 10 center of gravity 42 is positioned over mill 28 and, more specifically, over the drum axis 34. However, when consumable fluids, such as fuel 22 and milling fluid 26, are used, center of gravity 42 may shift away from this preferred position. In turn, this shift may lead to decreased mill cutting efficiency 40, leading to increased project time lengths and fuel usage.

[0024] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that cold planer 10 designers are continually seeking ways to improve mill cutting efficiency 40 in response to the use of consumable materials, such as fuel 22 and milling fluid 26. Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 3, a system for improving mill cutting efficiency 40 of a cold planer 10 is depicted and generally referred to by reference numeral 44. As seen there, this system may include a counterweight 46 located between the first end 14 and the second end 16 of frame 12. Moreover, counterweight 46 may be movable between a current position 48 and a second position 50 along a longitudinal axis 52 of cold planer 10. As fuel 22 from fuel tank 20, or milling fluid 26 from milling fluid tank 24, is consumed, center of gravity 42 may shift away from its preferred position over drum axis 34. Accordingly, in operation, the position of counterweight 46 may be shifted towards or away from drum axis 34, thereby shifting center of gravity 42 towards this location and having the effect of increasing mill cutting efficiency 40.

[0025] While FIGS. 1 and 3 demonstrate counterweight 46 being located nearer to the second end 16 of frame 12, than first end 14, it should be understood that counterweight 46 may be located anywhere between the first end 14 and the second end 16. Further, while these figures depict the current position 48 closer to first end 14 of frame 12, than second end 16, it should be understood that counterweight 46 may be moved back and forth along longitudinal axis 52. Therefore, current position 48 is only a reference point, and counterweight 46 may just as easily move from being closer to second end 16 of frame 12 towards first end 14.

[0026] Turning now to FIG. 4, a first control system that may be used in conjunction with the system 44 for improving mill cutting efficiency 40 of a cold planer 10 is depicted and generally referred to by reference numeral 54. Such first control system 54 may include a counterweight position sensor 56 that is operatively connected to the counterweight 46, and this counterweight position sensor 56 may be configured to determine the current position 48 of the counterweight and generate a counterweight position signal 58. Moreover, this counterweight position signal 58 may be indicative of a counterweight moment about the center of gravity 42 of cold planer 10.

[0027] Next, this first control system 54 may include a milling fluid tank sensor 60 operatively connected to milling fluid tank 24. This milling fluid tank sensor 60 may be configured to generate a milling fluid tank level signal 62, and this milling fluid tank level signal 62 may be indicative of a milling fluid moment about the center of gravity 42 of cold planer 10. Further, the first control system 54 may include a fuel tank sensor 64 operatively connected to fuel tank 20 that is configured to generate a fuel tank level signal 66. This fuel tank level signal 66 may be indicative of a fuel moment about the center of gravity 42 of cold planer 10.

[0028] Further, first control system 54 may include an operator interface 68. The operator interface 68 may be operatively connected to the counterweight position sensor 56, the milling fluid tank sensor 60 and the fuel tank sensor 64. Moreover, operator interface 68 may be configured to receive counterweight position signal 58, milling fluid tank level signal 62 and fuel tank level signal 66, and further configured to display current mill cutting efficiency 40 based on the counterweight position signal 58, milling fluid tank level signal 62 and fuel tank level signal 66. Additionally, operator interface 68 may be further configured to generate a counterweight movement signal 70. For example, operator interface 68 may include a switch, or other signal generating device adapted to be actuated by the operator.

[0029] Finally, this first control system 54 may also include an actuator 72. This actuator 72 may be configured to receive the counterweight movement signal 70, and further configured to move the counterweight 46 between the current position 48 and second position 50 in response to the counterweight movement signal 70. Actuator 72 can take many forms, such as, a hydraulic ram or a worm gear drive.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of a control system that may be used in conjunction with the system 44 for improving mill cutting efficiency 40 of a cold planer 10 is depicted and generally referred to by reference numeral 74. This embodiment is similar to the first control system 54, but rather than relying on the operator to monitor the mill cutting efficiency 40, and actuate the actuator 72, it uses a processor to automatically do so. More specifically, a second control system 74 may include a counterweight position sensor 56 that is operatively connected to the counterweight 46, and this counterweight position sensor 56 may be configured to determine the current position 48 of the counterweight and generate a counterweight position signal 58. Moreover, this counterweight position signal 58 may be indicative of a counterweight moment about the center of gravity 42 of cold planer 10.

[0031] Further, this second control system 74 may include a milling fluid tank sensor 60 operatively connected to milling fluid tank 24. This milling fluid tank sensor 60 may be configured to generate a milling fluid tank level signal 62, and this milling fluid tank level signal 62 may be indicative of a milling fluid moment about the center of gravity 42 of cold planer 10. Further, the first control system 54 may include a fuel tank sensor 64 operatively connected to fuel tank 20 that is configured to generate a fuel tank level signal 66. This fuel tank level signal 66 may be indicative of a fuel moment about the center of gravity 42 of cold planer 10.

[0032] Next, second control system 74 may include a controller 76 that may be implemented to control the movement of the counterweight 46 between current position 48 and second position 50. The controller 76 may include a microprocessor 78 for executing specified programs that control and monitor various functions associated with cold planer 10, including movement of counterweight 46 between current position 48 and second position 50, in addition to other functions outside the scope of the current disclosure. The microprocessor 78 includes a memory 80, such as read only memory (ROM) 82, for storing a program or programs, and a random access memory (RAM) 84 which serves as a working area for use in executing the programs stored in memory 80. Although microprocessor 78 is shown, it is also possible and contemplated to use other electronic components such as a microcontroller, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) chip or any other integrated circuit device.

[0033] Controller 76 may be operatively connected to the counterweight position sensor 56, the milling fluid tank sensor 60 and the fuel tank sensor 64. Furthermore, controller 76 may be configured to receive counterweight position signal 58, milling fluid tank level signal 62 and fuel tank level signal 66 and generate a mill cutting efficiency signal 86 and send this mill cutting efficiency signal to the operator interface 68 that is operatively connected to controller 76, where the operator interface 68 may configured to display the mill cutting efficiency signal 86. Furthermore, controller 76 may utilize mill cutting efficiency signal 86 to automatically determine whether movement of counterweight 46 is necessary in order to shift center of gravity 42 of cold planer 10 towards drum axis 34, and in doing so may generate a counterweight movement signal 70 to automatically do so.

[0034] Finally, this second control system 74 may also include an actuator 72. This actuator 72 may be configured to receive the counterweight movement signal 70, and further configured to move the counterweight 46 between the current position 48 and second position 50 in response to the counterweight movement signal 70. Like the first control system 54 described before, actuator 72 can take many forms, such as, a hydraulic ram or a worm gear drive.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0035] In operation, mill cutting efficiency 40 of cold planer 10 is improved when center of gravity 42 is positioned over the mill 28 and, more specifically, over drum axis 34. However, as consumable materials, such as, for example, milling fluid 26 from milling fluid tank 24 or fuel 22 from fuel tank 20, are used, center of gravity 42 may shift away from this preferred position. This shift may lead to a decrease in mill cutting efficiency 40, which in turn, leads to increased project lengths and increased fuel usage. Accordingly, the current application also discloses novel and non-obvious methods directed to improve mill cutting efficiency 40.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary flowchart is shown depicting sample steps which may be followed to improve cold planer 10 mill cutting efficiency 40. Step 88 of the method may include sensing a counterweight 46 position. Such counterweight 46 position may be with sensed with counterweight position sensor 56 that is operatively connected to counterweight 46, and counterweight position sensor 56 may generate a counterweight position signal 58.

[0037] Step 90 of the method may include sensing a fluid tank level. Since both milling fluid 26 and fuel 22 may be consumed during operation of cold planer 10, both fuel tank level and milling fluid tank level may be sensed. The milling fluid tank level may be sensed with milling fluid tank sensor 60 that is operatively connected to milling fuel tank 24, and milling fluid tank sensor 60 may generate a milling fluid tank level signal 62. Further, fuel tank level may be sensed with fuel tank sensor 64, and fuel tank level signal 66 may be generated by fuel tank sensor 64.

[0038] In one mode of operation, only milling fluid tank level may be sensed, while in another mode of operation, only fuel tank level may be sensed. Further, both milling fluid tank level and fuel tank level may be sensed simultaneously. Consequently, the current disclosure identifies that while many projects utilizing cold planer 10 need milling fluid 26, most operations utilizing cold planer 10 require fuel 22. Accordingly, it is envisioned that the fuel tank level sensing portion of the current disclosure may be employed separately from the milling fluid tank level sensing portion. Additionally, and because of the foregoing, it is envisioned that fuel tank level portion of the current disclosure may be employed on a cold planer 10 lacking a milling fluid tank 24, and its attendant milling fluid 26.

[0039] Turning back to FIG. 6, step 92 of the method may further involve transmitting counterweight position signal 58 and fluid tank level signal to operator interface 68 or controller 76. As should be understood from above, fluid tank level signal may include milling fluid tank level signal 62, fuel tank level signal 66, or both milling fluid tank level signal 62 and fuel tank level signal 66. Consequently, fuel tank level signal transmitted will depend on whether the content of the current disclosure is utilized on a cold planer 10 including milling fluid tank 24 and fuel tank 20, or only fuel tank 20. Moreover, fluid tank level signal transmitted will depend on whether the mode of operation only requires the milling fluid tank be sensed, only the fuel tank level be sensed, or both the milling fluid tank level and fuel tank level be sensed.

[0040] Turning now to first control system 54, the operator interface 68 may be configured to receive counterweight position signal 58, milling fluid tank level signal 62 and fuel tank level signal 66. Moreover, operator interface 68 may be further configured to display current mill cutting efficiency 40 based on counterweight position signal 58, milling fluid tank level signal 62 and fuel tank level signal 66. Accordingly, under first control system 54, cold planer 10 operator may receive mill cutting efficiency 40 from operator interface 68 and determine whether current position 48 of counterweight 46 is correct based on mill cutting efficiency 40 displayed by operator interface 68. If cold planer 10 operator determines current position 48 of counterweight 46 is correct based on mill cutting efficiency 40 displayed by operator interface 68, then the method may maintain counterweight position at step 96, and steps 88-96 may be repeated until center of gravity 42 shifts away from being positioned over drum axis 34.

[0041] When change is necessary, a switch, or other signal generating device adapted to be actuated by the operator, may be actuated and generate a counterweight movement signal 70 at step 98. At step 100, the counterweight movement signal 70 may be transmitted to the operator interface 68 and is further transmitted to actuator 72 that is configured to receive counterweight movement signal 70, and is additionally configured to move counterweight 46 between current position 48 and second position 50 in response to counterweight movement signal 70. At step 102 actuator 72 may be actuated to move counterweight 46 between current position 48 and second position 50, and steps 88-102 may be repeated until center of gravity 42 is repositioned over drum axis 34.

[0042] Turning now to second control system 74, controller 76 may include a microprocessor 78 for executing specified programs that monitor and control movement of counterweight 46 between current position 48 and second position 50. Further, microprocessor 78 may include memory 80, such as read only memory (ROM) 82, for storing a program or programs, to monitor and control movement of counterweight 46 between current position 48 and second position 50, in addition to random access memory (RAM) 84 that may serve as a working area for use in executing the program or programs stored in memory 80 to control movement of counterweight 46.

[0043] Memory 80 may include data, such as in the form of a table, including location of center of gravity 42 based on counterweight position signal 58, milling fluid tank level signal 62 and fuel tank level signal 66. Microprocessor 78 may then compare the counterweight position signal 58, milling fluid tank level signal 62 and fuel tank level signal 66 to data and determine whether counterweight position is correct based on fluid tank level at step 94. When microprocessor 78 determines current position 48 of counterweight 46 is correct then the method may maintain counterweight position at step 96, and steps 88-96 may be repeated until center of gravity 42 shifts away from being positioned over drum axis 34.

[0044] When microprocessor 78 determines current position 48 of counterweight 46 is incorrect based on fluid tank level at step 96, microprocessor 78 may generate a counterweight movement signal 70 at step 98. At step 100, counterweight movement signal 70 may be transmitted to the operator interface 68 and may be further transmitted to actuator 72 that is configured to receive counterweight movement signal 70, and is additionally configured to move counterweight 46 between current position 48 and second position 50 in response to counterweight movement signal 70. At step 102 actuator 72 may be actuated to move counterweight 46 between current position 48 and second position 50, and steps 88-102 may be repeated until center of gravity 42 is repositioned over drum axis 34.

[0045] The above description is meant to be representative only, and thus modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, these modifications fall within the scope of present disclosure and are intended to fall within the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cold planer, comprising: a frame having a first end and a second end; a counterweight placed between the first end and the second end, and movable between a current position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the cold planer; and a counterweight position sensor operatively connected to the counterweight and configured to determine the current position of the counterweight and generate a counterweight position signal.

2. The cold planer according to claim 1, wherein the counterweight position signal is indicative of a counterweight moment about a center of gravity of the cold planer.

3. The cold planer according to claim 2, further including a milling fluid tank sensor operatively connected to a milling fluid tank and configured to generate a milling fluid tank level signal.

4. The cold planer according to claim 3, wherein the milling fluid tank level signal is indicative of a milling fluid moment about the center of gravity of the cold planer.

5. The cold planer according to claim 4, further including a fuel tank sensor operatively connected to a fuel tank and configured to generate a fuel tank level signal.

6. The cold planer according to claim 5, wherein the fuel tank level signal is indicative of a fuel moment about the center of gravity of the cold planer.

7. The cold planer according to claim 6, further including an actuator operatively connected to the counterweight and configured to move the counterweight between the current position and the second position.

8. The cold planer according to claim 7, further including an operator interface operatively connected to the counterweight position sensor, the milling fluid tank sensor and the fuel tank sensor, and configured to display mill cutting efficiency based on the counterweight position signal, the milling fluid tank level signal and the fuel tank level signal.

9. The cold planer according to claim 8, wherein the operator interface is further configured to generate a counterweight movement signal, and the actuator is further configured to receive the counterweight movement signal and move the counterweight between the current position and the second position.

10. The cold planer according to claim 7, further including a controller and an operator interface, the controller operatively connected to the counterweight position sensor, the milling fluid tank sensor, the fuel tank sensor and the operator interface, the controller configured to receive the counterweight position signal, the milling fluid tank level signal and the fuel tank level signal, generate a mill cutting efficiency signal and a counterweight movement signal, and the operator interface configured to receive and display the mill cutting efficiency signal.

11. The cold planer according to claim 10, wherein the actuator is further configured to receive the counterweight movement signal and move the counterweight between the current position and the second position.

12. A system for improving a mill cutting efficiency of a cold planer, comprising: a counterweight located between a first end and a second end of a frame and movable between a current position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the cold planer; a counterweight position sensor operatively connected to the counterweight and configured to determine a counterweight position signal; a milling fluid tank sensor operatively connected to a milling fluid tank and configured to generate a milling fluid tank level signal; and an actuator operatively coupled to the counterweight and configured to move the counterweight.

13. The system according to claim 12, further including an operator interface operatively connected to the counterweight position sensor and the milling fluid tank sensor, configured to receive the counterweight position signal and the milling fluid tank level signal, configured to display the mill cutting efficiency based on the counterweight position signal and the milling fluid tank level signal, and configured to generate a counterweight movement signal.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is configured to receive the counterweight movement signal and move the counterweight between the current position and the second position.

15. The system according to claim 12, further including a controller and an operator interface, the controller operatively connected to the operator interface, the counterweight position sensor and the milling fluid tank sensor, the controller configured to receive the counterweight position signal and the milling fluid tank level signal, and generate a mill cutting efficiency signal and a counterweight movement signal, and the operator interface configured to receive and display the mill cutting efficiency signal.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the actuator is configured to receive the counterweight movement signal and move the counterweight between the current position and the second position.

17. A method for improving a mill cutting efficiency of a cold planer, comprising: sensing a counterweight position; sensing a fluid tank level; and transmitting a counterweight position signal and a fluid tank level signal.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein fluid tank level signal is a milling fluid tank level signal, and further including transmitting the counterweight position signal and the milling fluid tank level signal to an operator interface, the operator interface configured to display the mill cutting efficiency based on the counterweight position signal and the milling fluid tank level signal and sending a counterweight movement signal to an actuator, the actuator configured to receive the counterweight movement signal and move a counterweight between a current position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the cold planer.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein fluid tank level signal is a milling fluid tank level signal, and further including sending the counterweight position signal and a milling fluid tank level signal to a controller, the controller configured to receive the counterweight position signal and the milling fluid tank level signal, generate a mill cutting efficiency signal based on the counterweight position signal and the milling fluid tank level signal and sending a counterweight movement signal to an actuator, the actuator configured to receive the counterweight movement signal and move a counterweight between a current position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the cold planer.

20. The method according to claim 19, further including an operator interface, the operator interface configured to receive and display the mill cutting efficiency.