Abstract: A steerable, self-propelled vehicle includes a rotatable steering column that is connected to control the steering angle of one or more ground-engaging members of the vehicle. The vehicle includes between the steering column and the ground-engaging member a first steering servomechanism having at least a first steering assistance characteristic; a second steering servomechanism having a second steering assistance characteristic also being connected to act on the steering column. A controller is provided for causing the first and second steering assistance characteristics to influence the steering of the vehicle in dependence on one or more one or more control commands generated in the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle security system comprising a first interface, an immobilizer electronic control unit and an immobilizing electronic control unit, each of which is connected to a CAN bus. The security functions are installed on the immobilizer electronic control unit which can be accessed by a user using a vehicle access code. The information is communicated over the CAN bus in an encrypted format.

Abstract: A work machine having a diesel engine driving a plurality of ground movement devices to tow an agricultural implement. A torque estimating system is employed to determine the level of torque in the drive train between the diesel engine and the ground movement devices. The torque estimation device is a sensor determining the axial and radial deflection of an input shaft as a function of the torque transmitted between a pair of adjacent gears in the power train.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic collision avoidance, to be provided on a vehicle, includes a processing unit and a detection means for detecting positions of obstacles within an area of interest. The processing unit includes a position module configured for acquiring a current position of the vehicle, a speed module configured for acquiring a current speed of the vehicle, a steer module configured for acquiring a current steering degree of the vehicle, and a risk area module configured for calculating current possible trajectories of the vehicle according to values of said current position, speed and steering degree, thereby defining a current collision risk area.

Abstract: An electronic system for mapping a work site that includes a plurality of radar sensors to be provided on vehicles moving on the site, the radar sensors being able to detect objects included in a respective area of detection and acquire their relative positions. The system includes a speed module configured for determining a speed parameter for objects detected by the radar sensors, according to their relative positions. The system also includes a classification module configured for classifying detected objects as standing still or moving objects according to the respective speed parameters, and a map module configured for creating a common map of the site providing the positions of standing still objects detected in the site by said plurality of radar sensors, according to a reference system.

Abstract: A method of controlling the braking of a tractor-trailer combination, in which the tractor includes a drive train having an engine and at least one ground-engaging member driveably connected thereto, at least one ground-engaging member of the tractor includes at least one tractor brake, and at least one ground-engaging member of the trailer includes at least one trailer brake, the operation of which depends at least in part on the operative condition of the at least one tractor brake, includes the steps of, on the initiation of operation of the at least one tractor brake and the at least one trailer brake to brake the tractor-trailer combination, commencing operation of a timer that times the duration of operation of the at least one tractor brake and/or the at least one trailer brake.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a main bale chamber and a plunger reciprocally movable within the main bale chamber. The plunger has a duty cycle. A flywheel is associated with the movement of the plunger, and a driveline is associated with the flywheel and couplable with a power take-off of a traction unit. The baler is characterized by an auxiliary power system coupled with the driveline. The auxiliary power system includes a power indicator providing a plurality of output signals, each representing a parameter associated with power usage during the duty cycle of the plunger. A power device receives power from or transfers power to the driveline. An electrical processing circuit is coupled with the power indicator and the power device. The electrical processing circuit receives each output signal and controls operation of the power device, based on at least one output signal from at least one previous duty cycle.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a main bale chamber, a plunger, a gear box, and a stuffer unit. The plunger is reciprocally movable within the main bale chamber. The stuffer unit is driven by the plunger and the gear box, and is movable through a stuffer cycle for transferring crop material in charges into the main bale chamber. The agricultural baler further includes a hydraulic brake associated with and configured for acting as a brake on the stuffer unit during a portion of the stuffer cycle.

Abstract: An agricultural baler is characterized by an APS coupled with a driveline and configured for receiving power from the driveline, storing the power, and transmitting the stored power back to the driveline. An electrical processing circuit which is coupled with the APS is operable to control operation of the APS to rotate the flywheel upon start up of the baler.

Abstract: An oil level control device in a main tank of a supply circuit, the supply circuit comprising a main tank, a first pump which, in aspiration, is connected to the main tank, a main hydraulic circuit which is connected in inlet to the delivery of a charge pump and in outlet is connected to the main tank, a first auxiliary conduit, an auxiliary tank which receives oil from the first auxiliary conduit and which in discharge is placed in communication with the main tank. At least a control valve predisposed to control sending of oil from the first auxiliary conduit to the auxiliary tank or from the auxiliary tank to the main tank.

Abstract: A steerable, self-propelled vehicle includes a rotatable steering column that is connected to control the steering angle of one or more ground-engaging members of the vehicle. The vehicle includes between the steering column and the ground-engaging member a first steering servomechanism having at least a first steering assistance characteristic; a second steering servomechanism having a second steering assistance characteristic also being connected to act on the steering column. A controller is provided for causing the first and second steering assistance characteristics to influence the steering of the vehicle in dependence on one or more one or more control commands generated in the controller.

Abstract: A method of controlling the braking of a tractor-trailer combination (10) in which the tractor (11) includes a drive train having an engine and at least one ground-engaging member (14, 16) driveably connected thereto via an adjustable-ratio transmission; at least one ground-engaging member (14, 16) of the tractor includes at least one tractor brake; and at least one ground-engaging member (17) of the trailer (12) includes at least one further, trailer brake, comprises the steps of determining (i) the deceleration of the tractor-trailer combination (10) resulting from braking effort applied via the tractor brake and/or (ii) the deceleration of the tractor-trailer combination resulting from engine braking. The method also includes establishing from one or both the said, determined decelerations as a target value in a control system a braking effort of the trailer brake that approximates the braking of the tractor-trailer combination (10) to the braking of the tractor (11) when considered alone.

Abstract: A steerable, self-propelled vehicle (20) includes a rotatable steering column that is connected to control the steering angle of one or more ground-engaging members of the vehicle. The vehicle includes between the steering column and the ground-engaging member a first steering servomechanism having at least a first steering assistance characteristic; a second steering servomechanism having a second steering assistance characteristic also being connected to act on the steering column. A controller is provided for causing the first and second steering assistance characteristics to influence the steering of the vehicle in dependence on one or more one or more control commands generated in the controller.

Abstract: A PTO transmission system in a vehicle for transmitting power to a PTO shaft driving an implement comprises a planetary drive unit having first and second input and output coupled to the PTO shaft. The first and second inputs are coupled to an output shaft of the vehicle engine and to an output shaft of a drive motor, respectively. A control system controls the transfer of power from a power source to the drive motor. The power source is a variable power generating source driven by the PTO shaft. The drive motor is configured and adapted to decrease or increase the rotational speed of the output of the planetary drive unit on an increase or decrease of the power transferred to it, respectively.

Abstract: A method of controlling the motion of a coupled tractor-trailer combination in which the tractor includes a drive train having an engine and at least one ground-engaging member driveably connected to thereto via an adjustable ratio transmission may generally include detecting whether one or more preconditions relating to motion of the tractor-trailer combination is/are occurring. The method may also include detecting whether one or more further prevailing conditions that are indicative of a likelihood of adverse vehicle motion is/are occurring. In addition, if at least one precondition and at least one further condition are occurring, the method may include effecting a control action selected from the list including activating the at least one trailer brake and/or adjusting a adjustable parameter of the drive train in order to effect controlled deceleration of the tractor-trailer combination.

Abstract: Agricultural vehicle comprising a body to which a front axle is pivotally connected. The agricultural vehicle includes a hydraulic cylinder mounted as a suspension system between the body and the axle. The hydraulic cylinder is fluid-connected, via a steerable valve, to one of an open oil reservoir and an accumulator.

Abstract: Apparatus for braking a coupled tractor-trailer combination (10) in which the tractor (11) includes a drive train (12) one or more operational parameters of which is adjustable and having an engine and at least one ground-engaging member driveably connected thereto via an adjustable ratio transmission; and the trailer includes at least one ground engaging member having at least one trailer brake (28), includes a control circuit (36) for the trailer brake (28) having a control device and one or more fault detectors, the apparatus also including a controller that adjusts one or more parameters of the drive train in response to detection of one or more faults by one or more said fault detectors. A method of operating the apparatus includes carrying out such adjustment when one or more faults is detected.

Abstract: A PTO transmission system in a vehicle for transmitting power to a PTO shaft driving an implement comprises a planetary drive unit having first and second input and output coupled to the PTO shaft. The first and second input means are coupled to an output shaft of the vehicle engine and to an output shaft of a drive motor, respectively. A control system controls the transfer of power from a power source to the drive motor. The power source is a variable power generating source driven by the PTO shaft. The drive motor is configured and adapted to decrease or increase the rotational speed of the output of the planetary drive unit on an increase or decrease of the power transferred to it, respectively.

Abstract: A work vehicle is provided having a first pair of wheels mounted to a vehicle body via a fixed axle and a second pair of wheels mounted to the vehicle body via a pivotable axle. The work vehicle includes an anti-rollover system with at least two load sensors mounted at an axle housing near different ones of the first pair of wheels to measure a downward force borne by each respective wheel, the at least two load sensors being operationally connected to a processor. The processor is configured to send anti-rollover commands to the anti-rollover system based on signals received from the at least two load sensors.

Abstract: A variable pitch fan is provided, which comprises a plurality of blades (2), a supporting device (3) for supporting the blades (2), a rotation device (18) for rotating the supporting device (3) around a rotation axis (X), so that the blades (2) rotate with the supporting device (3) to control an air flow, and an adjusting device for adjusting a pitch of the blades by tilting each blade (2) around a respective tilt axis (Z), the adjusting device comprising a driven element (4) fixed relative to a blade (2). The adjusting device further comprises a mechanical driving element (5) supported by the supporting device (3) so as to rotate with the supporting device (3), the mechanical driving element (5) being linearly displaceable relative to the supporting device (3) and being coupled to the driven element (4) so that a linear motion of the mechanical driving element (5) is converted into a rotary motion of the driven element (4) around the tilt axis (Z).