Abstract: Joint assemblies are useful for connecting one structure to another structure. When the various structures deflect or bend, edge loading occurs therebetween. The subject joint assembly includes a pin positioned between a first and second structure. An insert is free floating positioned around the pin for contacting either of the first or second structures. A crown shaped surface is utilized on the insert at a substantially central location therealong. The crown shaped surface directs forces to the center of the insert to reduce edge loading.

Abstract: When operating a work machine such as a backhoe, fuel consumption, pollution and noise can be decreased by reducing engine speed below a throttle setting when a set of equipment attached to a rear side of a work machine body is idled for a predetermined period of time. The engine speed is reduced by a control system including an electronic control module having an engine speed reduction algorithm. When the electronic control module determines that a seat assembly that is rotatably mounted to the work machine body is in a forward-facing position, the engine speed reduction algorithm is inactive. When the electronic control module determines that the seat assembly in a rearward-facing position, the engine speed reduction algorithm is active. By basing, at least in part, the activation and deactivation of the engine speed reduction algorithm on the seat assembly position, the engine speed reduction algorithm will be active when the backhoe is operable.

Abstract: The present invention is a control system for controlling movement of a work implement from a dig location to a dump location. The work implement has at least four degrees of freedom defined by a swing joint angle &thgr;swing, a boom joint angle &thgr;boom, a stick joint angle &thgr;stick, and a bucket joint angle &thgr;bucket. In one embodiment, the control system comprises a central processing unit and a memory device. The control system further comprises an initialization module stored on the memory device and adapted to determine specified initial and final joint angles for an initial cycle of the work implement indicative of the specified dig and dump locations, respectively. The control system further comprises a hydraulic valve connected to the central processing unit and to the work implement. The control system further comprises a fuzzy control module stored on the memory device.