Abstract: A system for estimating a payload includes a torque sensor, a grade detector, and a machine acceleration sensor. A controller compares the angle of inclination to its threshold, compares the rate of change in the angle of inclination to its threshold, and compares the machine acceleration to its threshold. An estimate of the payload is determined based upon the output torque from the prime mover, the angle of inclination of the machine, and the unloaded mass but only if the angle of inclination of the machine is greater than the angle of inclination threshold, the rate of change in the angle of inclination is less than the inclination rate of change threshold, and the machine acceleration is less than the acceleration threshold.

Abstract: A drivetrain system is disclosed for use with a machine having a work tool. The drivetrain system may have a transmission with a plurality of clutches. The drivetrain system may also have an input device movable by an operator to generate a first signal indicative of a desired selection of a park setting or one of a plurality of travel settings, a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of loading of the work tool, and a controller in communication with the input device, the sensor, and the transmission. The controller may be configured to anticipate completion of a loading cycle based the second signal, and to selectively cause at least a first of the plurality of clutches to engage in a combination that produces one of the plurality of travel settings based on the anticipated completion of the loading cycle, notwithstanding the desired selection from the input device being the park setting.

Abstract: A drivetrain system is disclosed for use with a machine having a work tool. The drivetrain system may have a transmission with a plurality of clutches. The drivetrain system may also have an input device movable by an operator to generate a first signal indicative of a desired selection of a park setting or one of a plurality of travel settings, a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of loading of the work tool, and a controller in communication with the input device, the sensor, and the transmission. The controller may be configured to anticipate completion of a loading cycle based the second signal, and to selectively cause at least a first of the plurality of clutches to engage in a combination that produces one of the plurality of travel settings based on the anticipated completion of the loading cycle, notwithstanding the desired selection from the input device being the park setting.

Abstract: A system for estimating a payload includes a torque sensor, a grade detector, and a machine acceleration sensor. A controller compares the angle of inclination to its threshold, compares the rate of change in the angle of inclination to its threshold, and compares the machine acceleration to its threshold. An estimate of the payload is determined based upon the output torque from the prime mover, the angle of inclination of the machine, and the unloaded mass but only if the angle of inclination of the machine is greater than the angle of inclination threshold, the rate of change in the angle of inclination is less than the inclination rate of change threshold, and the machine acceleration is less than the acceleration threshold.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle during deceleration arising from a force resisting forward movement arising from an incline grade and a vehicle mass. The force of resistance to forward movement is determined at least based upon the incline grade. A destination gear is calculated based upon a set of gear-specific output curves and the force of resistance. The destination gear is compared to a current gear within which the machine is operating. The programmed controller executes an early downshift schedule when the destination gear is at least two positions lower than the current gear, thereby initiating a series of downshifts of the automatic transmission from the current gear to the destination gear. During each gear shift performed according to the early downshift schedule, shifting occurs at a cross-over point between output curves of current and next lower gears.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for grade-based anti-hunt shift control of an automatic transmission powering a machine. A shift controller determines a recommended gear in which to operate the transmission and sets an anti-hunt timer upon recommending a shift from a first gear to a second gear. The anti-hunt timer prevents a subsequent shift back to the first gear while the anti-hunt timer is running. A grade-based controller is configured to track machine operation and to determine when the machine operational factors change such that an estimated steady state gear differs from the second gear. When such a change is encountered, the grade-based controller clears the anti-hunt timer and sets a secondary timer. The clearing of the anti-hunt timer allows a downshift to accommodate the detected grade while the setting of the secondary timer prevents a subsequent clearing of the anti-hunt timer while the secondary timer is running.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for grade-based anti-hunt shift control of an automatic transmission powering a machine. A shift controller determines a recommended gear in which to operate the transmission and sets an anti-hunt timer upon recommending a shift from a first gear to a second gear. The anti-hunt timer prevents a subsequent shift back to the first gear while the anti-hunt timer is running. A grade-based controller is configured to track machine operation and to determine when the machine operational factors change such that an estimated steady state gear differs from the second gear. When such a change is encountered, the grade-based controller clears the anti-hunt timer and sets a secondary timer. The clearing of the anti-hunt timer allows a downshift to accommodate the detected grade while the setting of the secondary timer prevents a subsequent clearing of the anti-hunt timer while the secondary timer is running.

Abstract: A method implemented by a programmable controller to estimate the payload mass in a bed of a moving hauling machine. The method includes determining whether the machine is at a steady acceleration and grade, estimating transmission torque, calculating axle torque at at least one of the ground engaging elements, calculating force at said ground engaging element, determining the acceleration of the machine, calculating mass of the machine with the payload, adjusting the calculated mass of the machine with the payload based upon an estimated machine mass and rolling resistance, and providing an estimate of the mass of the payload.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle during deceleration arising from a force resisting forward movement arising from an incline grade and a vehicle mass. The force of resistance to forward movement is determined at least based upon the incline grade. A destination gear is calculated based upon a set of gear-specific output curves and the force of resistance. The destination gear is compared to a current gear within which the machine is operating. The programmed controller executes an early downshift schedule when the destination gear is at least two positions lower than the current gear, thereby initiating a series of downshifts of the automatic transmission from the current gear to the destination gear. During each gear shift performed according to the early downshift schedule, shifting occurs at a cross-over point between output curves of current and next lower gears.

Abstract: A method implemented by a programmable controller in a hauling machine having an engine, moveable ground engaging elements, and a bed actuable by at least one hoist cylinder controlled by an operator hoist control device, determines whether the bed is empty by determining a position of the operator hoist control device, applying a gain dependent upon the position, applying an integrator over time to provide a resultant hoist figure, comparing the resultant hoist figure to a hoist minimum constant, and, if the hoist figure is less than or equal to the hoist maximum constant, concluding that the bed is empty.

Abstract: A worksite management system for use with a mobile machine is disclosed. The worksite management system may have a control module located onboard the mobile machine and configured to store a least one operational relationship, and an offboard controller located at a worksite of the mobile machine in communication with the control module. The offboard controller may be configured to generate an analysis of machine performance at the worksite. The offboard controller may be further configured to cause remote reconfiguration of the at least one operational relationship based on the analysis to positively affect performance of the mobile machine.

Abstract: A worksite management system for use with a mobile machine is disclosed. The worksite management system may have a control module located onboard the mobile machine and configured to control operations of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the control module. The controller may be configured to anticipate a non-failure machine performance irregularity, and determine an adjustment to an operation of the mobile machine that positively affects the machine performance irregularity. The controller may also be configured to cause implementation of the adjustment before the machine performance irregularity occurs.

Abstract: A machine includes a drive train with an electronically controlled transmission in communication with an electronic engine controller. The machine ground speed is limited by executing a vehicle speed limit algorithm in the electronic transmission controller. This algorithm generates an engine control message that is communicated to the electronic engine controller. The power output of the engine is reduced responsive to the engine control message. The machine responds by not exceeding a prescribed speed limit programmed into the electronic transmission controller. This vehicle speed limiting strategy is particularly applicable to machines without a vehicle speed limiting algorithm resident in the electronic engine controller.

Abstract: A worksite management system for use with a mobile machine is disclosed. The worksite management system may have a control module located onboard the mobile machine and configured to store a least one operational relationship, and an offboard controller located at a worksite of the mobile machine in communication with the control module. The offboard controller may be configured to generate an analysis of machine performance at the worksite. The offboard controller may be further configured to cause remote reconfiguration of the at least one operational relationship based on the analysis to positively affect performance of the mobile machine.

Abstract: A worksite management system for use with a mobile machine is disclosed. The worksite management system may have a control module located onboard the mobile machine and configured to control operations of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the control module. The controller may be configured to anticipate a non-failure machine performance irregularity, and determine an adjustment to an operation of the mobile machine that positively affects the machine performance irregularity. The controller may also be configured to cause implementation of the adjustment before the machine performance irregularity occurs.

Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic transmission of a machine includes a step of identifying an upcoming gear ratio change from a current gear ratio to a proposed gear ratio. An estimated power output value, based on the proposed gear ratio and a current engine speed, is determined. The estimated power output value is adjusted based on a derated operating condition. If the estimated power output value is greater than or equal to a current power output value, a gear evaluation identifier is set to a first value. If the estimated power output value is less than the current power output value, the gear evaluation identifier is set to a second value.

Abstract: A method of controlling a machine drive having a driveline PTO establishes a driveline torque perturbation via conversion of internal inertia through two transmission neutral conditions. In an example, when a request is received, e.g., from an operator, to shift the driveline PTO from a first mode to a second mode, the transmission is automatically modulated between its first neutral condition and its second neutral condition while the driveline PTO is shifted from the first mode to the second mode, thus minimizing torque lock and facilitating mode changes.

Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic transmission of a machine includes a step of identifying an upcoming gear ratio change from a current gear ratio to a proposed gear ratio. An estimated power output value, based on the proposed gear ratio and a current engine speed, is determined. The estimated power output value is adjusted based on a derated operating condition. If the estimated power output value is greater than or equal to a current power output value, a gear evaluation identifier is set to a first value. If the estimated power output value is less than the current power output value, the gear evaluation identifier is set to a second value.

Abstract: A method of controlling driveshaft speed includes generating an overspeed protection action signal if an engine speed limit and a requested transmission gear ratio correspond to a driveshaft overspeed condition. An operating method for a machine includes disengaging a relatively higher transmission gear, and inhibiting re-engagement of the higher transmission gear responsive to an overspeed protection action signal. An electronic controller for the machine is configured to generate an overspeed protection action signal responsive to an engine speed limit and requested transmission gear ratio.

Abstract: A machine includes a drive train with an electronically controlled transmission in communication with an electronic engine controller. The machine ground speed is limited by executing a vehicle speed limit algorithm in the electronic transmission controller. This algorithm generates an engine control message that is communicated to the electronic engine controller. The power output of the engine is reduced responsive to the engine control message. The machine responds by not exceeding a prescribed speed limit programmed into the electronic transmission controller. This vehicle speed limiting strategy is particularly applicable to machines without a vehicle speed limiting algorithm resident in the electronic engine controller.