Abstract: A work machine extending in a fore-aft direction includes a frame, a ground-engaging mechanism, a boom assembly to the frame, and a traction assist apparatus. The ground-engaging mechanism is configured to support the frame on a surface. The traction assist apparatus is coupled to the boom assembly. The traction assist apparatus has an attachment point for securing a tether.

Abstract: A method of moving material, using a first machine, from a first location to a second location, the second location being a dump bed of a second machine. The method includes determining, by a controller of the first machine, a type of a material to be moved, sending, by the controller of the first machine, the material type to a controller of the second machine, determining, by a controller of the second machine, a load distribution on the dump bed based on the material, determining, by the controller of the second machine, a first position of the dump bed at which a first dump should be unloaded from the first machine, and sending, by the controller of the second machine, an identification of the first position to the controller of the first machine.

Abstract: A hitch mechanism for a work vehicle configured for operation on slopes. The hitch mechanism couplable to a tether fixed in position up the slope. An arm extends outwardly and upwardly from the work vehicle frame and supports a tether engaging structure couplable to the tether. The arm is mounted to the frame structure beneath the body portion of the work vehicle and extends rearwardly from the frame to support the tether engaging structure rearwardly of the body portion and rearwardly of the ground engaging drive mechanism. The hitch includes a pivot structure coupling the arm to the frame that allows the arm to pivot about a horizontal axis such that the arm is shiftable vertically. A controller receives inputs corresponding to at least one vehicle parameter and is operatively coupled to an actuator for causing the arm to shift in response to changes in the vehicle parameter.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a saw blade sharpness mechanism for use on a tree sawing device, having a saw blade which rotates to saw trees. The saw blade dulls over time during normal operating conditions, and the speed of the saw blade decreases as the saw blade contacts the tree during sawing operation. The speed of the saw blade during sawing operations decreases more after repeated operations as the saw blade dulls. A sensor senses the speed of the saw blade. A processor receives inputs from the sensor and determines when the speed of the saw blade during tree sawing operation has decreased due to wear to a point that it would be more economical to replace the saw blade with a new sharper blade. When such condition is determined, the processor sends a signal to an indicator which sends a signal to the operator.

Abstract: A tree felling head comprising a frame is coupled to a boom assembly of a harvester. A saw is coupled to the frame and is configured to cut a tree. A sensor that senses cutting of the tree by the saw and outputs a first signal when the tree is cut by the saw. A grapple arm is coupled to the frame. At least one grapple arm actuator is coupled between the frame and the grapple arm. The grapple arm actuator is configured to move the grapple arm between a closed position, a gliding position, and an open position. A control system is in communication with the grapple arm actuator and the sensor. The control system receives the first signal output by the sensor and outputs a second signal to cause the grapple arm actuator to move the grapple arm to the gliding position.

Abstract: A bogie positioning system and method for a work machine. The bogie positioning system adapted to selectively engage a wheel of a work machine to a ground surface through a bogie assembly wherein the bogie assembly may have a front wheel coupled to a rear wheel through a bogie coupling mechanism. The bogie coupling mechanism comprising a beam with a rotary joint. The rotary joint allowing the front wheel to rotate about a rotary axis relative to the rear wheel. The beam is coupled to a chassis of the work machine with at least one actuator coupled to the beam. A control unit is in communication with the bogie assembly, a user input interface, and a plurality of sensors, generating command signals to actuate the actuator based on the input signals, thereby selectively engaging the front wheel or the rear wheel with the ground surface.

Abstract: A work machine extending in a fore-aft direction includes a frame, a ground-engaging mechanism, a boom assembly to the frame, and a traction assist apparatus. The ground-engaging mechanism is configured to support the frame on a surface. The traction assist apparatus is coupled to the boom assembly. The traction assist apparatus has an attachment point for securing a tether.

Abstract: A hitch mechanism for a work vehicle configured for operation on slopes. The hitch mechanism couplable to a tether fixed in position up the slope. An arm extends outwardly and upwardly from the work vehicle frame and supports a tether engaging structure couplable to the tether. The arm is mounted to the frame structure beneath the body portion of the work vehicle and extends rearwardly from the frame to support the tether engaging structure rearwardly of the body portion and rearwardly of the ground engaging drive mechanism. The hitch includes a pivot structure coupling the arm to the frame that allows the arm to pivot about a horizontal axis such that the arm is shiftable vertically. A controller receives inputs corresponding to at least one vehicle parameter and is operatively coupled to an actuator for causing the arm to shift in response to changes in the vehicle parameter.

Abstract: A forestry machine configured to cut timber, where the forestry machine comprises a felling head including a support frame having an accumulation pocket, an accumulating arm, and a harvest arm. The forestry machine further comprises a stator having coils thereon adapted to produce a time varying stator magnetic field, a rotor having at least either a set of slots or a set of permanent magnets mounted thereon facing the stator and adapted to produce a radially directed flux or an axially directed flux. The rotor is rotatably coupled to the stator in axial alignment therewith by the time varying stator magnetic field. The rotor comprises a saw blade.

Abstract: A bogie positioning system and method for a work machine. The bogie positioning system adapted to selectively engage a wheel of a work machine to a ground surface through a bogie assembly wherein the bogie assembly may have a front wheel coupled to a rear wheel through a bogie coupling mechanism. The bogie coupling mechanism comprising a beam with a rotary joint. The rotary joint allowing the front wheel to rotate about a rotary axis relative to the rear wheel. The beam is coupled to a chassis of the work machine with at least one actuator coupled to the beam. A control unit is in communication with the bogie assembly, a user input interface, and a plurality of sensors, generating command signals to actuate the actuator based on the input signals, thereby selectively engaging the front wheel or the rear wheel with the ground surface.

Abstract: A forestry machine configured to cut timber, where the forestry machine comprises a felling head including a support frame having an accumulation pocket, an accumulating arm, and a harvest arm. The forestry machine further comprises a stator having coils thereon adapted to produce a time varying stator magnetic field, a rotor having at least either a set of slots or a set of permanent magnets mounted thereon facing the stator and adapted to produce a radially directed flux or an axially directed flux. The rotor is rotatably coupled to the stator in axial alignment therewith by the time varying stator magnetic field. The rotor comprises a saw blade.

Abstract: An electronic begin of regulation (EBOR) control system and method is disclosed for a hydraulic motor of a machine having an engine for producing power and a track system for moving. The EBOR system includes a flow source, variable displacement motor, pressure sensor and control unit. The operator sets a pressure setpoint. The flow source generates flow in a loop with the motor. The pressure sensor senses loop working pressure. The control unit adjusts motor displacement based on comparisons between the pressure setpoint and sensed loop working pressure. The flow source can be bidirectional, and different pressure sensors can be used depending on the direction. The pressure setpoint can be varied during operation, and the control unit can adjust the displacement of the motor based on comparisons between the latest pressure setpoint and the loop working pressure sensed by the appropriate pressure sensor.

Abstract: A stability warning system for a tree feller-buncher includes a first inertial measurement unit configured to measure an orientation of an undercarriage of the tree feller-buncher carrying at least one track, a second inertial measurement unit configured to measure an orientation of a boom coupled to the turntable, and a felling head operably connected to the boom. A controller is operable to estimate a center of gravity of the tree feller-buncher based on the measured orientation of the undercarriage and the measured orientation of the boom.

Abstract: A controlled lean system for a tree feller-buncher includes a sensor configured to measure an orientation of a boom coupled to the tree feller-buncher, and a felling head operably connected to the boom. A controller is operable to detect a cut tree carried by the felling head and to estimate a quantity of tree lean needed to reduce torsional load during rotation of the boom while carrying the cut tree based at least in part on the measured orientation of the boom.

Abstract: An electronic begin of regulation (EBOR) control system and method is disclosed for a hydraulic motor of a machine having an engine for producing power and a track system for moving. The EBOR system includes a flow source, variable displacement motor, pressure sensor and control unit. The operator sets a pressure setpoint. The flow source generates flow in a loop with the motor. The pressure sensor senses loop working pressure. The control unit adjusts motor displacement based on comparisons between the pressure setpoint and sensed loop working pressure. The flow source can be bidirectional, and different pressure sensors can be used depending on the direction. The pressure setpoint can be varied during operation, and the control unit can adjust the displacement of the motor based on comparisons between the latest pressure setpoint and the loop working pressure sensed by the appropriate pressure sensor.

Abstract: A logging information system includes a felling machine that includes a first global positioning system receiver and a sensor configured to measure an orientation of a felling head operably connected to the felling machine, and an information system controller operable to estimate a cut tree location based on a measured global position of the felling machine and a measured orientation of the felling head of the felling machine.

Abstract: A stability warning system for a tree feller-buncher includes a first inertial measurement unit configured to measure an orientation of an undercarriage of the tree feller-buncher carrying at least one track, a second inertial measurement unit configured to measure an orientation of a boom coupled to the turntable, and a felling head operably connected to the boom. A controller is operable to estimate a center of gravity of the tree feller-buncher based on the measured orientation of the undercarriage and the measured orientation of the boom.

Abstract: A controlled lean system for a tree feller-buncher includes a sensor configured to measure an orientation of a boom coupled to the tree feller-buncher, and a felling head operably connected to the boom. A controller is operable to detect a cut tree carried by the felling head and to estimate a quantity of tree lean needed to reduce torsional load during rotation of the boom while carrying the cut tree based at least in part on the measured orientation of the boom.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control system of a powered machine. The control system includes a hydraulic motor configured to drive a track system of the machine. The motor is operable with a variable displacement. A control valve is fluidly coupled to the motor. In addition, the control system includes a controller and an electro-hydraulic valve disposed in electrical communication with the controller and fluid communication with the control valve. The electro-hydraulic valve receives a signal from the controller, and based on the signal, the electro-hydraulic valve hydraulically varies the start of control pressure of the motor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control system of a powered machine. The control system includes a hydraulic motor configured to drive a track system of the machine. The motor is operable with a variable displacement. A control valve is fluidly coupled to the motor. In addition, the control system includes a controller and an electro-hydraulic valve disposed in electrical communication with the controller and fluid communication with the control valve. The electro-hydraulic valve receives a signal from the controller, and based on the signal, the electro-hydraulic valve hydraulically varies the start of control pressure of the motor.