Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring at least one parameter including mass flow rate or moisture content of material moved by a conveyor are disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of applying an electric field to the material using a non-intrusive sensor assembly, generating signals related to the dielectric value of the material, and processing the signals to determine the parameter. The apparatus includes a capaciflector sensor assembly located along a surface of the conveyor to generate an electric field applied to the material and a processing circuit to determine the parameter based upon the signals output from the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first conductor spaced between a stationary member of the conveyor and the material, and a second conductor spaced between the first conductor and the stationary member to act as a shield for reducing parasitic capacitance between the first conductor and a reference plane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for wireless remote control of an output element coupled to a work vehicle. The output element performs work external to the vehicle and is actuated by an actuator controlled by an output controller in response to at least a remote control signal. The apparatus includes a wireless remote transmitter movable with respect to the vehicle and a wireless receiver supported by the vehicle. The transmitter has an actuatable input device for generating a command signal, a transmitter antenna, and a transmitter control circuit which receives the command signal from the input device, generates the remote control signal in response to the command signal, and applies the remote control signal to the transmitter antenna for wireless transmission to the work vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for a hitched or trailed implement coupled to a work vehicle is disclosed herein. The control system allows control to be selectively transferred between various types of implements by use of a hydraulic selector valve. An electronic control unit controls the actions of a hitch assembly actuator, a trailed implement, an auxiliary device, or some combination thereof as determined by the configuration of the hydraulic selector valve.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a power takeoff shaft of a work vehicle having a hitch includes a hitch position sensor and a control circuit. The hitch position sensor is configured to generate a hitch position signal. The control circuit is coupled to the hitch position sensor and is configured to receive the hitch position signal, to compare the hitch position signal to a first predetermined hitch position and a second predetermined hitch position, to engage the power takeoff shaft when the hitch crosses the first predetermined hitch position and to disengage the power takeoff shaft when the hitch crosses the second predetermined hitch position.

Abstract: A hitch assembly control system for an off-highway vehicle such as an agricultural tractor is operable in both position and draft control modes. The control system is capable of transitioning from the position mode to the draft mode, and from the draft mode to the position mode, under particular conditions. For the transition from position to draft mode, these conditions include a target hitch position being greater than both a hitch position command and a hitch position feedback. For the transition from draft to position mode, these conditions include the hitch position command being greater than the hitch position plus a hysteresis factor, or less than the hitch position command that existed back at the transition into the draft mode.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling the position of an implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement is moveable by a hydraulic positioning assembly including an actuator and a valve assembly which control the flow of fluid to the actuator in response to control signals. The valve assembly includes raise and lower valves, each valve requiring a control signal equal to a threshold value before the valve opens and fluid begins to flow. The system includes a sensor to detect the position of the implement and a control circuit. In response to a change in a position command, the control circuit applies a control signal to the appropriate raise or lower valve based upon the respective threshold value. The control signal may include a component for moving the implement at a desired rate of movement. After undesirable implement movement is detected, the control circuit modifies the threshold value.

Abstract: A system for controlling a function of a machine system including an off-road work vehicle, a moveable device, and a positioning assembly including an actuator for moving the device in response to a control signal. The system includes an operator-adjustable input device which generates an input signal, and a control circuit which generates the control signal for moving the moveable device in a first or a second manner depending upon the rate of change of the input signal. The first manner is selected when the input signal changes slowly, and the second manner is selected when the input signal changes quickly. The system may include a sensor for sensing a parameter of the machine system and a command device for generating a command signal. A control signal is generated based at least upon the difference between the sensed parameter and command signals. Also disclosed is a system for controlling the elevation of an implement carried or trailed by a work vehicle.

Abstract: A site-specific farming system for performing work on an agricultural field while soil compaction conditions of the field are being recorded includes a vehicle such as a tractor equipped with an element carrying farming tools for working the field, such as a plow. Sensors, including hitch load pins and/or strain gauge type sensors, detect the load on the tools due to the soil compaction. A location signal generation circuit generates signals relating to the location at which the force signal is sampled. The force data is correlated with the locations at which the force was sampled. The correlated data is stored in a memory. The user interface may include re-definable switches. A display may show a field map including the soil condition values, including soil compaction, and other sensed data.

Abstract: A system for physically positioning a hitch assembly at an initialized position prior to subsequent automatic control of the hitch position. The system includes an actuator for positioning an implement coupled to a work vehicle in response to control signals generated by a control circuit. The control circuit compares the sensed implement position to a predetermined position and, based upon the comparison, commands movement of the implement to an initialized position upon receipt of an input signal generated by an input device. The system may include an upper limit device or position command device used to set the predetermined position, and may include a display which indicates when the implement position is above the upper limit position or not equal to the commanded position. The input signal may be processed in another manner when the implement position is not above the limit position and is equal to the commanded position upon start-up.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a work vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes multiple active vibration isolators mounted between the chassis and cab of the vehicle. Each isolator includes mounts attached to the cab and the chassis, and a spring and a hydraulic actuator are connected between the mounts. The actuator includes a cylinder and a piston moveable therein. The actuator moves the cab relative to the chassis when pressurized hydraulic fluid is selectively supplied and relieved to the actuator by a valve assembly responsive to a valve control signal. The isolator includes a first sensor to measure the displacement between the mounts, and a second sensor to measure movement of the cab due to disturbances in the chassis. The multiple isolators are controlled by a common control circuit which receives the sensed signals and generates the valve control signals to attenuate transmission of force between the cab and the chassis and to control the displacements.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling the position of an implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement is moveable by a hydraulic positioning assembly including an actuator and a valve assembly which control the flow of fluid to the actuator in response to control signals. The valve assembly includes raise and lower valves, each valve requiring a control signal equal to a threshold value before the valve opens and fluid begins to flow. The system includes a sensor to detect the position of the implement and a control circuit. In response to a change in a position command, the control circuit applies a control signal to the appropriate raise or lower valve based upon the respective threshold value. The control signal is generated by using a predetermined gain. When undesirable implement movement such as an overshoot condition is detected, the control circuit modifies the gain value. The modified gain value is used to generate subsequent control signals for actuating the implement.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a work vehicle includes an active vibration isolator mounted between the chassis and the cab which controls movement of the cab relative to the chassis in response to a control signal depending on a detected condition (e.g., bumpiness) of a surface ahead of the vehicle. The method of controlling the system includes detecting the bumpiness of the surface on which the vehicle travels, adjusting a performance parameter in response to the detected bumpiness, generating the control signal in response to the detected bumpiness, and applying the control signal to the isolator. Apparatus for such an active suspension system is also disclosed. Bumpiness can be estimated or monitored using vehicle speed, past performance, geo-referenced maps and forward-looking sensors. The adjustable performance parameters include gain and frequency response. The system allows an operator to manually adjust the gain and, thus, the frequency response.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a work vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes at least one active vibration isolator mounted between the chassis and cab of the vehicle. The isolator moves the cab relative to the chassis in response to a control signal generated by a control circuit. The control circuit communicates to a second vehicle system via a communication interface. The communicated data includes a parameter of the second vehicle system related to a force applied to the vehicle during operation of the second vehicle system. The control signal is generated at least partly in response to the parameter so as to minimize the vibration on the cab caused by operation of the second vehicle system. Cab movement may be disabled when ground speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined speed threshold or when an operator presence sensor detects that the operator is not present.

Abstract: A system for controlling wheel slippage of a vehicle carrying or trailing an implement when slip above a slip limit is detected. The implement is coupled to an implement positioning system including an actuator for raising and lowering the implement in response to a control signal. The system includes a first sensor for sensing an operating parameter such as draft force or implement position, a second sensor for sensing the vehicle's apparent speed, and a third sensor for sensing the vehicle's ground speed. The system may include a fourth sensor for sensing a second operating parameter. The system also includes a control circuit configured to generate a slip signal based upon the apparent speed and the ground speed, and to operate in a first manner when the slip signal is below a slip limit and in a second manner when the slip signal is above the slip limit.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a work vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes an active vibration isolator mounted between the chassis and cab of the vehicle. The isolator includes mounts attached to the cab and the chassis, and a spring and a hydraulic actuator are connected between the mounts. The actuator includes a cylinder and a piston moveable therein. An elastomeric vibration isolator is connected in series with the actuator to damp high frequency vibrations. The actuator moves the cab relative to the chassis when pressurized hydraulic fluid is selectively supplied and relieved to the actuator by a valve assembly responsive to a valve control signal. A sensor measures movement between the piston and the chassis. The sensor is located coaxial to the piston on an external surface of the isolator for ready access. A control circuit generates the valve control signal in response to the sensed signal to attenuate transmission of force between the cab and chassis.

Abstract: A system for reducing oscillations of an implement carried by a vehicle in a lifted position during travel. The implement is coupled to an implement positioning system including an actuator for raising and lowering the implement in response to a control signal. The system includes at least one load sensor for sensing implement load, a position sensor for sensing implement position, and a control circuit configured to generate a control signal to the actuator in a first manner based at least upon implement position and in a second manner based at least upon implement load. The control circuit transitions from the first manner of operation to the second manner of operation upon detecting oscillations of the implement beyond a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling the position of an implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement is moveable by a hydraulic positioning assembly including an actuator and a valve assembly which control the flow of fluid to the actuator in response to control signals. The valve assembly includes raise and lower valves, each valve requiring a control signal equal to a threshold value before the valve opens and fluid begins to flow. The system includes a sensor to detect the position of the implement and a control circuit. In response to a change in a position command, the control circuit applies a control signal to the appropriate raise or lower valve based upon the respective threshold value. The control signal may include a component for moving the implement at a desired rate of movement. After undesirable implement movement is detected, the control circuit modifies the threshold value.

Abstract: A control system for engaging, disengaging and re-engaging a front wheel drive in an agricultural vehicle includes a control circuit configured to receive signals representative of vehicle operating parameters and to generate control signals corresponding to the desired state (i.e. engaged or disengaged) of a front wheel drive engagement circuit. Sensors are associated with the rear wheels, rear service brakes, implement positioning circuit, the vehicle body and the front axle to provide parameter signals related to wheel speed, braking, implement position and vehicle speed. Control logic executed by the control circuit in a continuously cycled routine determines the desired state of the engagement circuit based upon all operating parameters. The control circuit applies an appropriate control signal to the engagement circuit causing engagement or disengagement in accordance with the desired state.

Abstract: A system for regulating wheel slippage of a vehicle carrying or trailing an implement. The system includes sensors for sensing the vehicle's apparent speed and ground speed and an input device. The system also includes a control circuit configured to generate a slip signal based at least upon the apparent speed and the ground speed, and to generate a control signal applied to an actuator for moving the implement. The input device can be manipulated to enable and disable slip regulation and to set a slip reference value. The input device can be manipulated to derive the slip reference value from the slip signal, and to increment and decrement the slip reference value. The control circuit regulates wheel slippage by modifying the control signal when the slip signal exceeds the slip reference value with slip regulation enabled.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes an articulation joint between a front section and a rear section. The articulation joint comprises two vertically spaced pivotal support bearings defining a rotational axis of the joint. First and second drive trains extend through the joint for transmitting drive power between the front and rear sections of the vehicle. Steering actuators which are coupled between the front and rear sections for selectively articulating the joint are trunnion-mounted, providing a compact articulation joint. Free volumes are provided adjacent to cap ends of the actuators to allow for pivotal movement of the steering actuators during articulation of the joint. The first drive train extends between an engine in one section of the vehicle and a transmission in the other section for driving the transmission and a first set of wheels, while the second drive train extends from the transmission to the first section of the vehicle for driving a second set of wheels.