Abstract: A draft force imposed upon a tractor by a ground engaging member of an implement attached with the tractor is controlled. A signal in a drivetrain of the tractor is detected, wherein the signal may be an electrical signal such as a voltage or current signal representative of a sensed draft force imposed upon the tractor by the ground engaging member of the implement attached with the tractor. The detected drivetrain signal may also be a data signal representative of the sensed draft force. The sensed signal representative of the sensed draft force is compared with a desired draft force. An output signal is generated based on a difference between the sensed current representative of the sensed draft force and the desired draft force. The generated output signal may be used to effect a vertical movement of the ground engaging member of the implement relative to the ground.

Abstract: Steering a vehicle in an electronic steering mode of operation that includes a front axle steering system, a rear axle steering system, one or more vehicle environment sensors, and a controller operatively coupled with the front axle steering system, the rear axle steering system, and the vehicle environment sensors. Commanding the vehicle to operate at a desired vehicle speed, detecting a lateral force acting on the vehicle in response to input from the vehicle environment sensors, and determining an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a predicted lateral acceleration of the vehicle from the desired vehicle speed. Determining a lateral acceleration error by comparing the predicted lateral acceleration to the actual lateral acceleration, and determining if the lateral acceleration error exceeds a lateral acceleration limit, then turning both of the front axle steering system and the rear axle steering system to a crab steering correction angle.

Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a tracked vehicle with a prime mover that provides a torque to the tracked vehicle, a final drive sprocket configured to provide a final drive torque on a track, a transmission mechanically coupled to the prime mover and the final drive sprocket to selectively transfer at least some of the torque generated by the prime mover to the final drive sprocket, at least one idler wheel that contacts the track, and an electric motor that provides an idler torque to the at least one idler wheel. Wherein, torque is distributed to the track through both the final drive sprocket and the idler wheel.

Abstract: Steering a vehicle in an electronic steering mode of operation that includes a front axle steering system, a rear axle steering system, one or more vehicle environment sensors, and a controller operatively coupled with the front axle steering system, the rear axle steering system, and the vehicle environment sensors. Commanding the vehicle to operate at a desired vehicle speed, detecting a lateral force acting on the vehicle in response to input from the vehicle environment sensors, and determining an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a predicted lateral acceleration of the vehicle from the desired vehicle speed. Determining a lateral acceleration error by comparing the predicted lateral acceleration to the actual lateral acceleration, and determining if the lateral acceleration error exceeds a lateral acceleration limit, then turning both of the front axle steering system and the rear axle steering system to a crab steering correction angle.

Abstract: An engine power delivery system provides bifurcated power-flow with transmission bypass. An engine power delivery system includes an engine that has an output element. A transmission has an input shaft coupled with the engine output element, wherein the engine is configured to generate more power than the transmission is capable of handling. A multi-speed gearing arrangement is included in the transmission and is coupled to the input shaft. An output shaft is coupled with the gearing arrangement and a vehicle axle is coupled with the output shaft to be driven thereby. A generator is configured to be intermittently driven by the engine. A motor is configured to receive electric power from the generator and to drive the vehicle axle without the transmission exceeding the maximum power rating.

Abstract: An engine power delivery system provides bifurcated power-flow with transmission bypass. An engine power delivery system includes an engine that has an output element. A transmission has an input shaft coupled with the engine output element, wherein the engine is configured to generate more power than the transmission is capable of handling. A multi-speed gearing arrangement is included in the transmission and is coupled to the input shaft. An output shaft is coupled with the gearing arrangement and a vehicle axle is coupled with the output shaft to be driven thereby. A generator is configured to be intermittently driven by the engine. A motor is configured to receive electric power from the generator and to drive the vehicle axle without the transmission exceeding the maximum ii power rating.

Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a tracked vehicle with a prime mover that provides a torque to the tracked vehicle, a final drive sprocket configured to provide a final drive torque on a track, a transmission mechanically coupled to the prime mover and the final drive sprocket to selectively transfer at least some of the torque generated by the prime mover to the final drive sprocket, at least one idler wheel that contacts the track, and an electric motor that provides an idler torque to the at least one idler wheel. Wherein, torque is distributed to the track through both the final drive sprocket and the idler wheel.

Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.

Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.

Abstract: A drawbar support assembly includes a rail member attached to a hitch frame, a slider member and a drawbar support. The slider member is slidable in the rail member. The drawbar support has rollers which rollingly engage the slider member so that the drawbar is swingable laterally. The rail member includes a forwardly facing curved slot which slidably receives the tabs which project from the slider member. A spring unit is coupled between the rail member and the slider member and operates to urge the slider member to a central position relative to the rail member.

Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.

Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.

Abstract: A drawbar support assembly includes a rail member attached to a hitch frame, a slider member and a drawbar support. The slider member is slidable in the rail member. The drawbar support has rollers which rollingly engage the slider member so that the drawbar is swingable laterally. The rail member includes a forwardly facing curved slot which slidably receives the tabs which project from the slider member. A spring unit is coupled between the rail member and the slider member and operates to urge the slider member to a central position relative to the rail member.

Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism includes a draft frame adapted to be attached to a frame of a vehicle. The draft frame has left and right supports adapted to be coupled to corresponding left and right draft links. A draft strap has a left end fixed to a front side of the left support and a right end fixed to a front side of the right support. The draft strap is deflectable in response to draft forces applied to the left and right supports. A draft sensor is attached to the draft strap. The sensor generates a draft signal in response to deflection of the draft strap.

Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism includes a draft frame adapted to be attached to a frame of a vehicle. The draft frame has left and right supports adapted to be coupled to corresponding left and right draft links. A draft strap has a left end fixed to a front side of the left support and a right end fixed to a front side of the right support. The draft strap is deflectable in response to draft forces applied to the left and right supports. A draft sensor is attached to the draft strap. The sensor generates a draft signal in response to deflection of the draft strap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drawbar support assembly. There is a need for a drawbar support assembly which can adapt to different types of drawbars. An adaptable drawbar support assembly includes a generally U-shaped front support member for coupling to and supporting the front end of the drawbar. A front spacer member mounts in the front support member above or below the front end of the drawbar. A generally U-shaped rear support member couples to and supports the drawbar. A rear spacer member mounts in the rear support member below the drawbar. The rear spacer member is removable from the rear support member when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A ball coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A clevis coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted below the front end of the drawbar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drawbar support assembly. There is a need for a drawbar support assembly which can adapt to different types of drawbars. An adaptable drawbar support assembly includes a generally U-shaped front support member for coupling to and supporting the front end of the drawbar. A front spacer member mounts in the front support member above or below the front end of the drawbar. A generally U-shaped rear support member couples to and supports the drawbar. A rear spacer member mounts in the rear support member below the drawbar. The rear spacer member is removable from the rear support member when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A ball coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A clevis coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted below the front end of the drawbar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drawbar support assembly. There is a need for a drawbar support assembly which can adapt to different types of drawbars. An adaptable drawbar support assembly includes a generally U-shaped front support member for coupling to and supporting the front end of the drawbar. A front spacer member mounts in the front support member above or below the front end of the drawbar. A generally U-shaped rear support member couples to and supports the drawbar. A rear spacer member mounts in the rear support member below the drawbar. The rear spacer member is removable from the rear support member when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A ball coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A clevis coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted below the front end of the drawbar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drawbar support assembly. There is a need for a drawbar support assembly which can adapt to different types of drawbars. An adaptable drawbar support assembly includes a generally U-shaped front support member for coupling to and supporting the front end of the drawbar. A front spacer member mounts in the front support member above or below the front end of the drawbar. A generally U-shaped rear support member couples to and supports the drawbar. A rear spacer member mounts in the rear support member below the drawbar. The rear spacer member is removable from the rear support member when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A ball coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A clevis coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted below the front end of the drawbar.