Abstract: A display system and method for a work machine having grade control is disclosed. The display system includes the frame of the work machine, a grading element, an actuator, a grade control system, a display, a sensor, and a controller. The actuator is coupled to the grading element to controllably drive movement of the movable grading element. The display is configured to display information related to movement of the grading element relative to a target zone. The sensor provides detection signals from which a distance between a position of the grading element and the target zone can be determined. The controller has a non-transitory computer readable medium with a program instruction to grade the surface. The program instructions when executed causes a processor the controller to do the following. The controller receives the detection signals and changes the scale of the display information based on the detection signals.

Abstract: A working machine includes an undercarriage supported by first and second ground engaging units powered by first and second drive units, a main frame supported by the undercarriage, a first sensor configured to sense an orientation and relative angular motion of the main frame with respect to the undercarriage, a second sensor configured to sense an orientation and relative angular motion of the main frame in an external reference frame independent of the undercarriage, and a controller functionally linked to the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to receive commands corresponding to an intended movement of the first and second ground engaging units, and generate control signals to the first and second drive units to achieve or maintain the intended movement taking into account a detected orientation of the main frame relative to the undercarriage and a detected orientation of the main frame in the external reference frame.

Abstract: A working machine includes an undercarriage supported by first and second ground engaging units powered by first and second drive units, a main frame supported by the undercarriage, a first sensor configured to sense an orientation and relative angular motion of the main frame with respect to the undercarriage, a second sensor configured to sense an orientation and relative angular motion of the main frame in an external reference frame independent of the undercarriage, and a controller functionally linked to the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to receive commands corresponding to an intended movement of the first and second ground engaging units, and generate control signals to the first and second drive units to achieve or maintain the intended movement taking into account a detected orientation of the main frame relative to the undercarriage and a detected orientation of the main frame in the external reference frame.

Abstract: A fleet management control system and method are disclosed for a plurality of work vehicles each having a respective work tool. The work vehicles are associated with an owner and a plurality of operators. The fleet management system includes a source of input data that provides operator identification data for the work vehicles and operator permissions data that indicates at least which of the work vehicles each of the operators is permitted to operate. The fleet management system includes a remote processing system having a processor that receives and processes the operator identification and operator permissions data, outputs fleet management data that includes a fleet operator profile for the work vehicles based on the operator identification and operator permissions data, and communicates the fleet management data to a controller of each of the work vehicles.

Abstract: A fleet management control system and method are disclosed for a plurality of work vehicles each having a respective work tool. The work vehicles are associated with an owner and a plurality of operators. The fleet management system includes a source of input data that provides operator identification data for the work vehicles and operator permissions data that indicates at least which of the work vehicles each of the operators is permitted to operate. The fleet management system includes a remote processing system having a processor that receives and processes the operator identification and operator permissions data, outputs fleet management data that includes a fleet operator profile for the work vehicles based on the operator identification and operator permissions data, and communicates the fleet management data to a controller of each of the work vehicles.

Abstract: A ripper depth limit system and method that includes a lift input for operator controls to raise and lower the ripper, a depth limit input, a lift sensor input that senses the ripper lift cylinder position, and a controller that processes the inputs to generate, execute and revise ripper lift cylinder commands that keep the ripper above the ripper depth limit. The depth limit input can select the ripper depth limit from a plurality of predefined depth limits, or between minimum and maximum ripper depths, or by some other method. The ripper depth limit system can also include a pitch input for operator controls of ripper pitch, and a pitch sensor that senses ripper pitch cylinder position, and the controller can process the pitch inputs to generate, execute and revise ripper pitch and lift cylinder commands that keep the ripper above the ripper depth limit.

Abstract: A bulldozer blade is coupled to the forward ends of right and left push-beams of a push frame by pivotal connections defining a transverse axis about which pitch adjustments of the blade pitch may be made by right and left push-beam cylinders provided between the beams and blade, the cylinders also effecting tilt adjustments of the blade about a longitudinal axis located midway between the push-beams. The push frame is, mounted for pivoting vertically about a second transverse axis so as to adjust the height of the blade, with a pair of lift cylinders being coupled between the bulldozer and the blade for effecting this adjustment. An electro-hydraulic control system including an electronic controller is provided for effecting individual or simultaneous control of the push-beam cylinders for effecting blade tilt and pitch adjustments in accordance with operator inputs, with, position feedback being provided by cylinder position sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to automated hardware in the loop testing. A method of automated diagnostic testing is described as monitoring, modifying, overwriting, providing and/or providing read-only access to input data given to a tested application and output data provided by a tested application to compare a desired relationship between input data and output data. A preferred system includes a communication network with a preferred method including a controller area network to associate a test controlling system to a tested application. An automated diagnostic testing system comprises a test controlling system operably coupled to a tested application.

Abstract: An automatic work light control is provided for a work vehicle. The work light may be automatically turned off when a work tool is at or beyond a predetermined height or angle and automatically turned off when the work tool is within the predetermined height or angle.

Abstract: A ripper depth limit system and method is disclosed. The ripper depth limit system includes a lift input for operator controls to raise and lower the ripper, a depth limit input, a lift sensor input that senses the ripper lift cylinder position, and a controller that processes the inputs to generate, execute and revise ripper lift cylinder commands that keep the ripper above the ripper depth limit. The depth limit input can select the ripper depth limit from a plurality of predefined depth limits, or between minimum and maximum ripper depths, or by other means. The ripper depth limit system can also include a pitch input for operator controls of ripper pitch, and a pitch sensor that senses ripper pitch cylinder position, and the controller can process the pitch inputs to generate, execute and revise ripper pitch and lift cylinder commands that keep the ripper above the ripper depth limit.

Abstract: A ripper pitch hold system and method for a ripper that includes pitch and lift cylinders. The system includes operator pitch and lift inputs, operator pitch hold input, cylinder position inputs, and a controller. The controller processes the inputs and generates pitch and lift cylinder commands that maintain the ripper pitch angle at a pitch hold setting. The controller can update the pitch hold setting with and maintain the pitch angle at the latest operator pitch input. Alternatively, the controller can cease to process operator pitch inputs, and maintain the pitch angle at the pitch hold setting. The pitch hold input can include an activation control, and pitch selector. The pitch angle and pitch hold setting can be set to the angle selected by the pitch selector. The pitch selector can include operator adjustable and fixed pitch settings. Operator adjustable executing operator pitch commands and fixed ignoring operator pitch commands.

Abstract: A ripper pitch hold system and method for a ripper that includes pitch and lift cylinders. The system includes operator pitch and lift inputs, operator pitch hold input, cylinder position inputs, and a controller. The controller processes the inputs and generates pitch and lift cylinder commands that maintain the ripper pitch angle at a pitch hold setting. The controller can update the pitch hold setting with and maintain the pitch angle at the latest operator pitch input. Alternatively, the controller can cease to process operator pitch inputs, and maintain the pitch angle at the pitch hold setting. The pitch hold input can include an activation control, and pitch selector. The pitch angle and pitch hold setting can be set to the angle selected by the pitch selector. The pitch selector can include operator adjustable and fixed pitch settings. Operator adjustable executing operator pitch commands and fixed ignoring operator pitch commands.

Abstract: A method of controlling an idle speed of an engine of a vehicle includes evaluating a plurality of instantaneous current requirements of the vehicle at respective points in time. The engine is a variably set to idle speeds based upon the evaluated instantaneous current requirement of the vehicle such that the idle speeds are above minimum engine idle speeds required to produce alternator output currents that satisfy the evaluated instantaneous current requirements of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention comprises a work vehicle, a boom attached to the vehicle, a tool pivotally attached to the boom, an actuator for controllably moving the tool about its pivot, and an angular velocity sensor for sensing the angular velocity of the tool. A controller is adapted to perform a tool auto-hold function, automatically maintaining an initial tool orientation by processing the angular velocity data and commanding movement of the tool actuator to hold the angular velocity at zero. The controller is adapted to discontinue the tool auto-hold function when the operator manipulates a tool command input device affecting tool actuator movement, and resume the tool auto-hold function at the new orientation affected by the operator. Manipulation of an auto-hold command input device allows the operator to selectively enable and disable the tool auto-hold function.

Abstract: The invention comprises a work vehicle, a boom attached to the vehicle, a tool pivotally attached to the boom, an actuator for controllably moving the tool about its pivot, and an angular velocity sensor for sensing the angular velocity of the tool. A controller is adapted to perform a tool auto-hold function, automatically maintaining an initial tool orientation by processing the angular velocity data and commanding movement of the tool actuator to hold the angular velocity at zero. The controller is adapted to discontinue the tool auto-hold function when the operator manipulates a tool command input device affecting tool actuator movement, and resume the tool auto-hold function at the new orientation affected by the operator. Manipulation of an auto-hold command input device allows the operator to selectively enable and disable the tool auto-hold function.