Abstract: Vehicles and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a main frame, a work implement, and a control system. The work implement is supported by the main frame and configured to carry a payload in use of the vehicle. The control system is supported by the main frame and configured to control operation of the vehicle. The control system includes a payload measurement system configured to provide payload input indicative of a variable payload carried by the work implement in use of the vehicle and a controller coupled to the payload measurement system.

Abstract: A work machine includes a chassis, a boom coupled to the chassis, and a work implement coupled to the boom and movable relative to the chassis. In system may further include dynamic payload weighing system configured to measure the payload weight on the work implement. The system may also include an electrohydraulic system controller in communication with the dynamic payload weighing system and an electrohydraulic control valve electrically coupled to the electrohydraulic system controller and moveable to a plurality of weight-specific valve positions based on the measured payload weight on the implement.

Abstract: A load sensitive ride system and method is disclosed for a vehicle with an implement movably attached by a boom cylinder. The system includes a payload weight measuring system that measures payload weight and generates a signal indicative of the payload weight, a ride control circuit that adjusts hydraulic flow to and from the boom cylinder; and a controller that receives the signal indicative of the payload weight, and sends compliance commands to adjust ride control compliance based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The system can include a tire inflation system that adjusts tire pressure. The controller can send inflation commands to adjust tire pressure based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The compliance commands can depend on the components and compliance adjustment methods of the ride control circuit.

Abstract: A work machine having a cab coupled to a frame, a steering system coupled to the frame, a controller configured to selectively articulate the steering system, a joystick assembly positioned in the cab and in communication with the controller, a steering wheel assembly positioned in the cab and configured to selectively articulate the steering system, and a steering wheel sensor coupled to the steering wheel assembly and in communication with the controller to identify movement of the steering wheel assembly. Wherein, the controller does not articulate the steering system responsive to movement of the joystick assembly when the steering wheel sensor identifies movement of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A work machine that has a chassis, a payload section, a controller, a payload sensor in communication with the controller, and an orientation sensor that identifies the orientation of the work machine to the controller. The controller determines a center of gravity for the work machine considering a payload weight identified by the payload sensor and sends an alert when the location of the center of gravity and the orientation of the work machine create an unstable condition.

Abstract: A work vehicle including a boom, a work implement, and a linkage sensor system having automated features to move the boom and the work implement. The work vehicle includes a frame, a boom actuator for the boom, a boom sensor to identify a boom position with respect to the frame, an implement actuator, and an implement sensor to identify a work implement position with respect to the boom. A controller receives boom position signals from the boom sensor and work implement signals from the implement sensor. The controller transmits a boom adjustment signal based on the boom position modified by boom sensor calibration values and transmits an implement adjustment signal based on the implement position modified by implement sensor calibration values. The implement sensor calibration values are determined during a calibration process when moving the boom from a lowest position to a highest position.

Abstract: A work machine includes a mechanical arm and a work implement coupled to the mechanical arm. The work implement is configured to receive a load. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the mechanical arm to move the arm between a first position and a second position. A sensor unit is configured to detect the load in the work implement. A valve is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator for supplying a fluid output to the hydraulic actuator. A controller is in communication with the value and the sensor unit. The controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the valve to adjust the fluid output to the hydraulic actuator, and wherein the controller is configured to derate the fluid output in response to a signal from the sensor unit that a load is at or above a threshold value.

Abstract: A work machine includes systems and methods for stability control and for calibrating the stability control. During operation the load on a work implement is detected and it is determined if the load is at or above a threshold value. A derated fluid output is determined if the load is at or above the threshold value. A control signal is output to the valve based on the derated fluid output. During calibration the pressure in a hydraulic cylinder is detected at one or more locations as a mechanical arm moves between a lower position and an upper position. One or more baseline values are established for the mechanical arm between the lower position and the upper position.

Abstract: A work machine having a cab coupled to a frame, a steering system coupled to the frame, a controller configured to selectively articulate the steering system, a joystick assembly positioned in the cab and in communication with the controller, a steering wheel assembly positioned in the cab and configured to selectively articulate the steering system, and a steering wheel sensor coupled to the steering wheel assembly and in communication with the controller to identify movement of the steering wheel assembly. Wherein, the controller does not articulate the steering system responsive to movement of the joystick assembly when the steering wheel sensor identifies movement of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An actuator is connected to a frame and a boom arm to pivot the boom arm with respect to the frame. A spool valve directs fluid from a pump into a selected side of the actuator. A first anti-cavitation valve is fluidly positioned between the first end of the actuator and the reservoir to permit fluid flow from the reservoir to the first end of the actuator while the first anti-cavitation valve is open and inhibit fluid flow from the first end of the actuator to the reservoir. A second anti-cavitation valve is fluidly positioned between the second end of the actuator and the reservoir to permit fluid flow from the reservoir to the second end of the actuator while the second anti-cavitation valve is open and inhibit fluid flow from the second end of the actuator to the reservoir.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a work vehicle having a lift system to which an implement is attachable via a connection assembly includes a weight detection subsystem operable with the lift system and configured to transfer signals representative of a weight supported by the lift system. The monitoring system also includes a position detection subsystem operable with the connection assembly and configured to transfer signals representative of a state of the connection assembly. A controller is in operable communication with the weight detection subsystem and the position detection subsystem and is configured to receive signals from the weight detection subsystem and from the position detection subsystem, determine a condition of the connection assembly based on the signals received, and output a signal based at least in part on the determined condition.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a material handling vehicle implement includes coupling a boom arm to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame, rotating a boom arm with respect to the vehicle frame with a first actuator, coupling an attachment to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm, rotating the attachment with respect to the boom arm with a second actuator, sensing a velocity of the attachment, communicating the sensed velocity to a control system, sensing a weight of the attachment, communicating the sensed weight to the control system, calculating a kinetic energy of the attachment based upon the sensed velocity and the sensed weight of the attachment, and adjusting fluid flow through the control valve to limit a range of movement of the attachment in response to the calculated kinetic energy of the attachment exceeding a pre-determined kinetic energy.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic fluid flow to an implement of a material handling vehicle includes coupling a boom arm to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame, rotating a boom arm with respect to the vehicle frame with an actuator, coupling an attachment to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm, sensing a pressure of fluid in the actuator, communicating the sensed pressure to a control system, determining a baseline pressure of the attachment based upon the sensed pressure of the fluid in the actuator, and limiting fluid flow to the actuator with a control valve in response to the sensed pressure of the fluid in the actuator being above the baseline pressure.

Abstract: An implement vibration system and method is disclosed that includes a vibration activation device; an electrohydraulic mechanism and a controller. The controller monitors the vibration activation device and sends movement signals to the electrohydraulic mechanism to control implement movement. When the vibration activation device is activated, the controller sends vibration signals to the electrohydraulic mechanism to cause the implement to vibrate. An operator control can send implement commands where the movement signals are based on the implement commands, and when vibration is activated the controller can superimpose the vibration signals on the movement signals. The vibration signals can cause a hydraulic cylinder to repeatedly extend and retract. An electrohydraulic control valve can receive the movement signals and control hydraulic flow to the hydraulic cylinder based on the movement signals. The vibration signals can be complementary signals.

Abstract: A method for controlling a valve spool that includes providing a control valve having a first end and a second end with a spool disposed therebetween, a hydraulic component, a controller, a first control circuit and a second control circuit, selectively controlling the pressure in the first end and the second end with the controller, identifying an active state, with the controller, and applying an active pressure to both the first end and the second end with the corresponding first control circuit and second control circuit during the active state, and identifying a first command, with the controller, and providing a command pressure to the first end through the first control circuit and a release pressure to the second end through the second control circuit during the first command. Wherein, the spool is moved within the control valve and the hydraulic component is engaged during the first command.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a method includes monitoring a position of an actuator during operation of the actuator, determining that an actuator command value is greater than an actuator command value threshold, starting a timer upon a movement of the actuator through a starting position during the operation of the actuator at the actuator command value, determining satisfaction of at least one condition, and stopping the timer upon satisfaction of the at least one condition and movement of the actuator through an ending position.

Abstract: A control system for a material handling vehicle has a boom arm connected to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame. An actuator is connected to the vehicle frame and the boom arm to cause the boom arm to rotate about the vehicle frame, and an attachment is connected to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm. The control system includes a controller that is configured to calculate a pre-determined acceleration limit of the attachment, and a sensor that senses acceleration of the attachment and communicate the sensed acceleration to the controller. The controller is configured to compare the pre-determined acceleration limit of the attachment to the sensed acceleration of the attachment and is configured to adjust a control valve to limit flow to the actuator in response to the sensed acceleration of the attachment being above the pre-determined acceleration upper limit.

Abstract: A work machine includes systems and methods for stability control and for calibrating the stability control. During operation the load on a work implement is detected and it is determined if the load is at or above a threshold value. A derated fluid output is determined if the load is at or above the threshold value. A control signal is output to the valve based on the derated fluid output. During calibration the pressure in a hydraulic cylinder is detected at one or more locations as a mechanical arm moves between a lower position and an upper position. One or more baseline values are established for the mechanical arm between the lower position and the upper position.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic fluid flow to an implement of a material handling vehicle includes coupling a boom arm to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame, rotating a boom arm with respect to the vehicle frame with an actuator, coupling an attachment to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm, sensing a pressure of fluid in the actuator, communicating the sensed pressure to a control system, determining a baseline pressure of the attachment based upon the sensed pressure of the fluid in the actuator, and limiting fluid flow to the actuator with a control valve in response to the sensed pressure of the fluid in the actuator being above the baseline pressure.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a material handling vehicle implement includes coupling a boom arm to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame, rotating a boom arm with respect to the vehicle frame with a first actuator, coupling an attachment to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm, rotating the attachment with respect to the boom arm with a second actuator, sensing a velocity of the attachment, communicating the sensed velocity to a control system, sensing a weight of the attachment, communicating the sensed weight to the control system, calculating a kinetic energy of the attachment based upon the sensed velocity and the sensed weight of the attachment, and adjusting fluid flow through the control valve to limit a range of movement of the attachment in response to the calculated kinetic energy of the attachment exceeding a pre-determined kinetic energy.