Abstract: A computer calibration method and apparatus for calibrating one or more auxiliary hydraulic valves on a work vehicle includes the steps of selecting a first auxiliary hydraulic valve, applying a valve opening signal to that valve, measuring a pressure in a flow restricted signal circuit coupled to the valve, comparing the first pressure with a predetermined pressure to see if the valve is cracked open and if the valve is not cracked open, incrementing the signal to a second level and repeating the foregoing steps until the first valve cracks open. The final step is saving a value indicative of the signal at which the valve just cracked open.

Abstract: A computer calibration method and apparatus for calibrating one or more auxiliary hydraulic valves on a work vehicle includes the steps of selecting a first auxiliary hydraulic valve, applying a valve opening signal to that valve, measuring a pressure in a flow restricted signal circuit coupled to the valve, comparing the first pressure with a predetermined pressure to see if the valve is cracked open and if the valve is not cracked open, incrementing the signal to a second level and repeating the foregoing steps until the first valve cracks open. The final step is saving a value indicative of the signal at which the valve just cracked open.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, the lubrication system includes a valve between the fluid conduit and the fluid pump, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a viscosity of the fluid and an actuator coupled to the valve, wherein the actuator opens and closes the valve in response to the signal from the sensor. A method for lubricating and cooling an axle within a housing includes the steps of pumping fluid from a reservoir through a first passage having a first cross sectional area, through a second adjacent passage having a second smaller cross sectional area and through a third passage having a third cross sectional area greater than the second cross sectional area to the interior of the housing. The method also includes the step of providing a source of air to the fluid after the fluid exits the second passage. Air is drawn into the fluid to aerate the fluid. The aerated fluid expels fluid from the interior of the housing to the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A lubrication system includes a fluid reservoir, a housing having an interior with an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupled to the reservoir, a fluid pump configured to pump fluid from the reservoir to the interior of the housing through the inlet and a fluid conduit between the fluid pump and the inlet of the axle housing. The conduit has an inflow portion, an outflow portion, a throat and an aspiration passage. The inflow portion has a first cross sectional area. The outflow portion has a second cross sectional area. The throat extends between the inflow and outflow portions, has an exit proximate the outflow portion and has a third cross sectional area less than the first and second cross sectional areas. The aspiration passage extends from a location proximate the exit of the throat to a source of air. Fluid pumped through the first and second internal portions of the fluid conduit by the fluid pump draws air into the outflow portion through the aspiration passage to aerate the fluid.

Abstract: A work vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal length and a transverse width which includes a remote fluid power supply system, the remote fluid power supply system includes a fluid pump, a fluid reservoir, a first valve fluidly connected to the pump and the reservoir, and a second valve fluidly connected to the pump and the reservoir. The first valve is located on a first side of a transverse center line of a work vehicle at one of the front and rear ends of the work vehicle. The second valve is located on a second opposite side of the transverse center line at said one of the front and rear ends of the work vehicle. In one embodiment, the work vehicle includes a three-point hitch having a pair of transversely spaced side links and an upper hitch link extending from the transverse center line, wherein the first and second valves are located on first and second opposite sides of the upper hitch link.

Abstract: A lubrication system includes a fluid reservoir, a housing having an interior with an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupled to the reservoir, a fluid pump configured to pump fluid from the reservoir to the interior of the housing through the inlet and a fluid conduit between the fluid pump and the inlet of the axle housing. The conduit has an inflow portion, an outflow portion, a throat and an aspiration passage. The inflow portion has a first cross sectional area. The outflow portion has a second cross sectional area. The throat extends between the inflow and outflow portions, has an exit proximate the outflow portion and has a third cross sectional area less than the first and second cross sectional areas. The aspiration passage extends from a location proximate the exit of the throat to a source of air. Fluid pumped through the first and second internal portions of the fluid conduit by the fluid pump draws air into the outflow portion through the aspiration passage to aerate the fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit has first and second pumps coupled to first and second directional valves, each controlling work mechanisms such as a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic motor. The directional valves are in a valve assembly having a fluid passage through it. The passage includes first and second input ports and a passage closure intermediate the ports to prevent cross-feeding of the pumps. The first valve is connected to the passage between the first port and the closure and the first pump flows fluid to the first port. Similarly, the second valve is connected to the passage between the second port and the closure and the second pump flows fluid to the second port. In a more-specific embodiment, the second pump is a variable displacement pump and the first pump is a fixed displacement pump also connected to a power steering system through a priority valve. Thus, the first pump flows fluid to the power steering system as well as to the first port.