Abstract: A method of operating a track-type machine having a drive wheel and an idler. The method includes operating the drive wheel to advance a drive track around the drive wheel and the idler thereby moving the track-type machine. The method further includes determining a force to be applied to the idler based on a direction of operation of the drive wheel and applying the force to the idler. The method may include varying the force applied to the idler as a function of a drawbar load of the machine. The method may include sensing a pressure of fluid being used to operate the drive wheel, wherein the force is determined based on the sensed pressure of fluid being used to operate the drive wheel. The method may include determining a force to be applied to the idler by selecting a recoil curve, sensing a position of the idler, and selecting the force to be applied based on a point on the selected recoil curve that corresponds to the sensed position of the idler on the selected recoil curve.

Abstract: There are situations in which an operator remains in an operator station of a work machine when an engine of the work machine is inactive. The present invention includes a control system for, and a method of, heating the operator station when the engine is inactive. A heating system of the work machine includes an electrically-powered coolant pump, a power source, and at least one piece of warmed machinery. An operator heat controller is moveable between a first and a second position, and is operable to connect the electrically-powered coolant pump to the power source when the engine is inactive and the operator heat controller is in the first position. Thus, by deactivating the engine and then moving the operator heat controller to the first position, the operator may supply electrical energy to the electrically-powered coolant pump, which is operably coupled to heat the operator station.

Abstract: A method of controlling the delivery of fluid to an engine includes receiving a fuel flow rate signal. An electric pump is arranged to deliver fluid to the engine. The speed of the electric pump is controlled based on the fuel flow rate signal.

Abstract: A method of managing power resources for an electrical system of a vehicle may include identifying enabled power sources from among a plurality of power sources in electrical communication with the electrical system and calculating a threshold power value for the enabled power sources. A total power load placed on the electrical system by one or more power consumers may be measured. If the total power load exceeds the threshold power value, then a determination may be made as to whether one or more additional power sources is available from among the plurality of power sources. At least one of the one or more additional power sources may be enabled, if available.

Abstract: A power system includes an engine having a first coolant circuit and a torque converter operatively connected to the engine and in fluid communication with the first coolant circuit. The power system also includes at least one auxiliary power unit having a second coolant circuit. The first coolant circuit is in fluid communication with the second coolant circuit.

Abstract: An electrical system for a vehicle includes a first power source generating a first voltage level, the first power source being in electrical communication with a first bus. A second power source generates a second voltage level greater than the first voltage level, the second power source being in electrical communication with a second bus. A starter generator may be configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus, and at least one additional power source may be configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus. The electrical system also includes at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus and at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus.

Abstract: A power system includes an engine having a first lubrication circuit and at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit. The first lubrication circuit is in fluid communication with the second lubrication circuit.

Abstract: There are situations in which an operator remains in an operator station of a work machine when an engine of the work machine is inactive. The present invention includes a control system for, and a method of, heating the operator station when the engine is inactive. A heating system of the work machine includes an electrically-powered coolant pump, a power source, and at least one piece of warmed machinery. An operator heat controller is moveable between a first and a second position, and is operable to connect the electrically-powered coolant pump to the power source when the engine is inactive and the operator heat controller is in the first position. Thus, by deactivating the engine and then moving the operator heat controller to the first position, the operator may supply electrical energy to the electrically-powered coolant pump, which is operably coupled to heat the operator station.

Abstract: A track tension actuator is provided for a track assembly having, an idler wheel, a drive wheel, a drive track entrained about the drive wheel and idler, and a hydraulic motor operable to advance the drive wheel. A drive circuit is operable to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor. The actuator is coupled to the idler wheel, and includes a travel chamber, travel piston, a recoil chamber, and a recoil piston. The recoil chamber is pressurized to urge the recoil piston in a first direction away from the drive wheel. The drive fluid pressurizes the travel piston, which in turn contacts and urges the travel piston in a second direction against the recoil piston to reduce the track tension.

Abstract: A track tension actuator is provided for a track assembly having, an idler wheel, a drive wheel, a drive track entrained about the drive wheel and idler, and a hydraulic motor operable to advance the drive wheel. A drive circuit is operable to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor. The actuator is coupled to the idler wheel, and includes a travel chamber, travel piston, a recoil chamber, and a recoil piston. The recoil chamber is pressurized to urge the recoil piston in a first direction away from the drive wheel. The drive fluid pressurizes the travel piston, which in turn contacts and urges the travel piston in a second direction against the recoil piston to reduce the track tension.

Abstract: A method of operating a track-type machine having a drive wheel and an idler. The method includes operating the drive wheel to advance a drive track around the drive wheel and the idler thereby moving the track-type machine. The method further includes determining a force to be applied to the idler based on a direction of operation of the drive wheel and applying the force to the idler. The method may include varying the force applied to the idler as a function of a drawbar load of the machine. The method may include sensing a pressure of fluid being used to operate the drive wheel, wherein the force is determined based on the sensed pressure of fluid being used to operate the drive wheel. The method may include determining a force to be applied to the idler by selecting a recoil curve, sensing a position of the idler, and selecting the force to be applied based on a point on the selected recoil curve that corresponds to the sensed position of the idler on the selected recoil curve.

Abstract: A track tensioning system for a track assembly having, an idler wheel, a drive wheel, a drive track entrained about the drive wheel and idler, and a hydraulic motor operable to advance the drive wheel. A drive circuit is operable to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor. An actuator coupled to the idler wheel has a travel chamber and a recoil chamber, and the recoil chamber is pressurized to urge the idler wheel in a first direction away from the drive wheel to tension the track. A controlled delivery mechanism in fluid communication with the drive circuit and the travel chamber of the actuator is operable to receive from the drive circuit pressurized fluid supplied to the hydraulic motor and responsively deliver a controlled quantity of fluid to the travel chamber of the actuator. The actuator is operable to reduce the track tension responsive to receipt of the controlled quantity of fluid.

Abstract: A rock cutting assembly of the type mounted to a machine capable of exerting downward force includes a plurality of cutters. Each cutter is connected with one of a plurality of separate cylinders for distributing the downward force provided by the machine evenly to each of the cutters.