Abstract: A tractor comprises a tractor frame, driven ground engaging means, and an electronic tractor controller. A baler comprises a baler frame coupled or connected to the tractor frame, a crop receiving means, a baling chamber, a bale size sensor associated with the baling chamber, and an electronic baler controller. The baler controller is operable to submit a halt signal to the tractor controller when a bale size signal provided by the bale size sensor indicates that a bale has reached a size equal to or exceeding a first predetermined size. A control method includes the baler controller generating a tractor halt signal in response to certain conditions of the baler system and the tractor controller preventing tractor motion in response to the halt signal.

Abstract: A tractor comprises a tractor frame, driven ground engaging means, and an electronic tractor controller. A baler comprises a baler frame coupled or connected to the tractor frame, a crop receiving means, a baling chamber, a bale size sensor associated with the baling chamber, and an electronic baler controller. The baler controller is operable to submit a halt signal to the tractor controller when a bale size signal provided by the bale size sensor indicates that a bale has reached a size equal to or exceeding a first predetermined size. A control method includes the baler controller generating a tractor halt signal in response to certain conditions of the baler system and the tractor controller preventing tractor motion in response to the halt signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle with coordinated steering. There is a need for a vehicle wherein Ackerman steered front wheels are coordinated with differentially steered and driven rear wheels. Such a vehicle includes Ackerman steerable front wheels and differentially driven left and right rear wheels. A steered wheel angle sensor is coupled to the front wheels and generates a steered wheel angle value. A front steering unit steers the front wheels and a differential drive unit drives the rear wheels. A control unit is coupled to the steering input sensor, to the steered wheel angle sensor, and to the front steering unit and the differential drive unit. The control unit generates the front steering control signal and the rear drive/steering control signal, and coordinates the steering operation of the front wheels with the differential steering/driving of the rear wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle with coordinated steering. There is a need for a vehicle wherein Ackerman steered front wheels are coordinated with differentially steered and driven rear wheels. Such a vehicle includes Ackerman steerable front wheels and differentially driven left and right rear wheels. A steered wheel angle sensor is coupled to the front wheels and generates a steered wheel angle value. A front steering unit steers the front wheels and a differential drive unit drives the rear wheels. A control unit is coupled to the steering input sensor, to the steered wheel angle sensor, and to the front steering unit and the differential drive unit. The control unit generates the front steering control signal and the rear drive/steering control signal, and coordinates the steering operation of the front wheels with the differential steering/driving of the rear wheels.

Abstract: A hitch control system controls a vehicle hitch to which implements can be attached. The hitch control system includes a spring-centered primary command lever which is manually moveable from a centered position to deflected positions, and which automatically returns to the centered position when released from a deflected position. A control unit generates a hitch command signal in part as a function of the lever position. The control unit has a closed-loop control mode wherein the valve command signal is generated in response to parameter, such as position and draft force, and the hitch command signal. The control unit moves the hitch in a step-wise manner by a predetermined amount in response to momentary deflection of the command lever to one of the deflected positions, and the amount of hitch movement is independent of an amount and duration of deflection of the command lever if the duration is not more than a predetermined duration.

Abstract: The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countries in the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.

Abstract: A control lever assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing which supports a guide plate having a slot and a recess formed in a central portion of the slot. A carrier member is pivotally coupled to the housing about a pivot pin. A lever has a shaft which is supported by the carrier and which is rotatable and axially movable relative to the carrier. The lever has a knob which is mounted on an end of the shaft and which is received by the slot. A spring is coupled between the shaft and the carrier and is biased to rotate the knob and to urge the lever towards the pivot pin. When the knob is in the slot and outside of the recess, the slot walls prevent rotation of the knob and maintain the lever in a first rotary orientation. When the knob is moved into the recess, the spring is automatically able to rotate the knob and lever into a second rotary orientation.

Abstract: A vehicle electric drive system includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor/generator driven by the engine, a first inverter/rectifier coupled to motor/generator, a bus coupled to the first inverter/rectifier, a second inverter/rectifier coupled to the bus, and a traction motor/generator coupled to an output of the second inverter/rectifier, an operator speed control member, and a controller coupled to the second inverter/rectifier for controlling a current output of the second inverter/rectifier as a function of a position of the speed control member. Also included is an operator controlled foot pedal and a transducer coupled to the foot pedal and generating a signal representing foot pedal position which is supplied to the controller. The controller limits current supplied by the second inverter/rectifier to the traction motor/generator to a limit current as a function of the transducer signal.

Abstract: A tractor includes various actuators or functions, such as a powershift transmission, a hitch and hitch control system, a PTO, a plurality of selective control valves, etc., all controlled by one or more control units in response to sensed parameters and operator manipulated control devices, such as switches, knobs and levers. A function management system includes a programmed control unit which has a learn/save mode which is operable while the vehicle is moving. During the learn/save mode the operator performs a sequence of manual manipulations of the operator control devices, and the control unit records and then stores information pertaining to the sequence of operations, together with information pertaining to the distances traveled by the tractor between operations.

Abstract: A tractor includes various actuators or functions, such as a powershift transmission, a hitch and hitch control system, a PTO, a plurality of selective control valves, etc., all controlled by one or more control units in response to sensed parameters and operator manipulated control devices, such as switches, knobs and levers. A function management system includes a programmed control unit which has a learn/save mode which is operable while the vehicle is moving. During the learn/save mode the operator performs a sequence of manual manipulations of the operator control devices, and the control unit records and then stores information pertaining to the sequence of operations, together with information pertaining to the distances traveled by the tractor between operations.

Abstract: A control device for an infinitely variable transmission includes a control lever that is movable along a guide slot and whose position within the slot indicates the commanded speed and direction. The control lever is moved forward from a zero speed position to a maximum forward speed position. Between the zero speed position and maximum forward speed position is a set point position corresponding to a set point speed. A set speed adjuster, such as a potentiometer, enables the operator to adjust the set point speed that is commanded when the control lever is placed in the set point position. The speed for positions of the control lever between the zero and the set point positions varies proportionally between zero and the set point speed. Likewise, the speed for positions of the control lever between the set point position and the maximum forward speed position varies proportionally between the set point speed and the maximum forward speed.