Abstract: A method for mitigating powertrain abuse on a grade can include determining the grade a machine is on, the machine including an impeller clutch located between an engine and a powertrain so as to connect and disconnect engine power from the powertrain; and if the grade is over a threshold, a controller ignores any operator input to the impeller clutch such that machine speed retarding is utilized to keep the machine at a proper speed.

Abstract: A method for mitigating powertrain abuse on a grade can include determining the grade a machine is on, the machine including an impeller clutch located between an engine and a powertrain so as to connect and disconnect engine power from the powertrain; and if the grade is over a threshold, a controller ignores any operator input to the impeller clutch such that machine speed retarding is utilized to keep the machine at a proper speed.

Abstract: A method for retrofitting a plurality of position sensors on a machine includes installing the plurality of position sensors on the machine, wherein the position sensors include at least two inertial measurement units (IMUs). The method further includes calibrating orientation of the IMUs, obtaining measurements from the IMUs, determining relative differences between the measurements obtained from the IMUs, and processing the relative differences using a Kalman filter procedure to determine positional data of the machine.

Abstract: A system for controlling an earth moving machine may comprise: a speed sensor configured to communicate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the machine; an operator bucket lift command input configured to communicate an operator-input bucket lift command; and a controller configured to: receive the speed signal and the operator-input bucket lift command; determine a torque of the machine; using the speed signal and the determined torque, determine a controller-generated bucket lift command; and provide a bucket lift command which is the larger of the operator-input bucket lift command and the controller-generated bucket lift command.

Abstract: A method for retrofitting a plurality of position sensors on a machine includes installing the plurality of position sensors on the machine, wherein the position sensors include at least two inertial measurement units (IMUs). The method further includes calibrating orientation of the IMUs, obtaining measurements from the IMUs, determining relative differences between the measurements obtained from the IMUs, and processing the relative differences using a Kalman filter procedure to determine positional data of the machine.

Abstract: A system for controlling an earth moving machine may comprise: a speed sensor configured to communicate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the machine; an operator bucket lift command input configured to communicate an operator-input bucket lift command; and a controller configured to: receive the speed signal and the operator-input bucket lift command; determine a torque of the machine; using the speed signal and the determined torque, determine a controller-generated bucket lift command; and provide a bucket lift command which is the larger of the operator-input bucket lift command and the controller-generated bucket lift command.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for controlling acceleration of a machine when the machine exits a grade. The system, method, and apparatus may determine a virtual gear having a maximum speed limit equivalent that matches the speed of the machine as the machine exits the grade. The system, method, and apparatus may also deactivate an automatic retarding control (ARC) strategy, which may be activated when the machine is on the grade to reduce and limit the speed of the machine to no more than a set speed, if the ARC strategy is active as the machine exits the grade. The system, method, and apparatus may also control automatic downshift of a transmission system to the virtual gear if the ARC mode was activing during the exit from the graded surface and is now deactive.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for controlling acceleration of a machine when the machine exits a grade. The system, method, and apparatus may determine a virtual gear having a maximum speed limit equivalent that matches the speed of the machine as the machine exits the grade. The system, method, and apparatus may also deactivate an automatic retarding control (ARC) strategy, which may be activated when the machine is on the grade to reduce and limit the speed of the machine to no more than a set speed, if the ARC strategy is active as the machine exits the grade. The system, method, and apparatus may also control automatic downshift of a transmission system to the virtual gear if the ARC mode was activing during the exit from the graded surface and is now deactive.