Abstract: An engine control device for a vehicle is provided, which comprises a control unit configured to be connected to the engine of a vehicle and to control the switching of the engine from a first idle rotation speed to a second idle rotation speed in which the number of engine revolutions is lower compared to the number of revolutions of the first idle speed. The control device also includes a first sensor, configured to be connected to the engine and to instantaneously sense and transmit to the control unit the number of revolutions completed by the engine in the unit of time. The control device further includes a second sensor for detecting the presence of an operator at the vehicle controls, and the second sensor is configured to transmit to the control unit a signal indicating the presence of an operator at the vehicle controls.

Abstract: A tractor is disclosed having an engine fitted with a speed governor, drive wheels, a transmission connecting the engine to the drive wheels, a controller serving to select the effective transmission ratio, and an engine driven power take-off (PTO) shaft for driving ancillary equipment connected to the tractor. When in a part load operating mode in which the PTO shaft is connected to drive an implement and the tractor is moving, the governor is set to maintain the engine working point to follow a selected speed governor line on the speed/load map of the engine. The controller is operative to initiate a change in the transmission ratio when the engine speed cannot be maintained within the specified tolerance of the desired engine speed.

Abstract: A tractor is disclosed having an engine 10 fitted with a speed governor, drive wheels 22, a transmission 20 connecting the engine 10 to the drive wheels 22, a controller 26 serving to select the effective transmission ratio, and an engine driven power take-off (PTO) shaft 24 for driving ancillary equipment connected to the tractor. When in a part load operating mode in which the PTO shaft 24 is connected to drive an implement and the tractor is moving, the governor is set to maintain the engine working point to follow a selected speed governor line (110, 112, 114) on the speed/load map of the engine. The controller 26 is operative to initiate a change in the transmission ratio when the engine speed cannot be maintained within the specified tolerance of the desired engine speed.

Abstract: An engine control device for a vehicle is provided, which comprises a control unit configured to be connected to the engine of a vehicle and to control the switching of the engine from a first idle rotation speed to a second idle rotation speed in which the number of engine revolutions is lower compared to the number of revolutions of the first idle speed. The control device also includes a first sensor, configured to be connected to the engine and to instantaneously sense and transmit to the control unit the number of revolutions completed by the engine in the unit of time. The control device further includes a second sensor for detecting the presence of an operator at the vehicle controls, and the second sensor is configured to transmit to the control unit a signal indicating the presence of an operator at the vehicle controls.

Abstract: A tractor steer-by-braking pedal arrangement. The pedal arrangement has a central brake pedal connected on one side to a right side pedal, and on the other side to a left side pedal. The central brake pedal acts on a brake system to produce the desired braking action. Each of the two side pedals when foot-operated by the driver, generates an activating signal to activate an electronic brake system, which only activates the brake required to steer-by-braking in the desired direction.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission by means of which torque is transmitted from an engine to drive wheels of the vehicle, a braking system for applying a braking force to the drive wheels and a controller for setting the transmission ratio of the transmission. Additionally, means are provided for applying to the controller a signal indicative of the engine applied torque, and means for supplying to the controller a signal to indicate application of wheel brakes. The controller is operative when the brakes are applied to discontinue setting the transmission ratio in dependence upon the speed of the drive wheels and to set the transmission ratio instead in such a manner as to minimize the absolute value of the engine output torque or the torque transmitted through the transmission or to follow a desired torque setpoint.

Abstract: An apparatus for the parking lock of a vehicle, in particular, of an agricultural tractor. The apparatus comprises a parking lever mechanically linked to a braking lever by a cinematic chain. The braking lever comprises a tooth apt to engage at least a braking element vehicle. The braking lever is provided with a yielding device placed in correspondence to its own hinge. The yielding device is able to ease the engagement of the tooth with a gap comprised between two teeth of a driveline gear in order to guarantee a reliable parking lock of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to mounting of a stack of Belleville springs about a shaft. The individual springs of the stack are first positioned over the shaft. A jig is then placed over the shaft and the springs and has at least one axially extending pressure bar that is radially inwardly biased to urge the inner circumferences of all the springs into contact with axially aligned points on the surface of the shaft. The springs are then compressed using a compression element while they are still urged by the pressure bar against the shaft. Finally, to retain the springs on the shaft and maintain the springs in compression, a split retaining clip is pressed onto to the shaft until it engages in a groove.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the torque transferable by a mechanical drive between an engine and a shaft of a vehicle includes a first actuator which acts on a variable-speed drive, a second actuator which acts on a clutch to determine the degree of engagement/release of the clutch; and a measuring device for measuring the torque to or from the variable-speed drive. The first and second actuators and the measuring device are controlled by an electronic central control unit to protect the variable-speed drive and/or the clutch from mechanical overloading of the mechanical drive.

Abstract: A method and a jig for mounting of a stack of Belleville springs about a shaft. The individual springs of the stack are first positioned over the shaft. A jig is then placed over the shaft and the springs and has at least one axially extending pressure bar that is radially inwardly biased to urge the inner circumferences of all the springs into contact with axially aligned points on the surface of the shaft. The springs are then compressed using a compression element while they are still urged by the pressure bar against the shaft. Finally, to retain the springs on the shaft and maintain the springs in compression, a split retaining clip is pressed onto to the shaft until it engages in a groove.

Abstract: A tractor steer-by-braking pedal arrangement. The pedal arrangement has a central brake pedal connected on one side to a right side pedal, and on the other side to a left side pedal. The central brake pedal acts on a brake system to produce the desired braking action. Each of the two side pedals when foot-operated by the driver, generates an activating signal to activate an electronic brake system, which only activates the brake required to steer-by-braking in the desired direction.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the torque transferable by a mechanical drive between an engine and a shaft of a vehicle includes a first actuator which acts on a variable-speed drive, a second actuator which acts on a clutch to determine the degree of engagement/release of the clutch; and a measuring device for measuring the torque to or from the variable-speed drive. The first and second actuators and the measuring device are controlled by an electronic central control unit to protect the variable-speed drive and/or the clutch from mechanical overloading of the mechanical drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for the parking lock of a vehicle, in particular, of an agricultural tractor. The apparatus comprises a parking lever mechanically linked to a braking lever by a cinematic chain. The braking lever comprises a tooth apt to engage at least a braking element vehicle. The braking lever is provided with a yielding device placed in correspondence to its own hinge. The yielding device is able to ease the engagement of the tooth with a gap comprised between two teeth of a driveline gear in order to guarantee a reliable parking lock of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle is described having a continuously variable transmission by means of which torque is transmitted from an engine to drive wheels of the vehicle, a braking system for applying a braking force to the drive wheels and a controller for setting the transmission ratio of the transmission in such a manner as to maintain a desired speed of the drive wheels or of the engine. In the invention means are provided for applying to the controller a signal indicative of the engine applied torque, and means for supplying to the controller a signal to indicate application of wheel brakes. The controller is operative when the brakes are applied to discontinue setting the transmission ratio in dependence upon the speed of the drive wheels and to set the transmission ratio instead in such a manner as to minimise the absolute value of the engine output torque or the torque transmitted through the transmission or to follow a desired torque setpoint.

Abstract: The invention relates to mounting of a stack of Belleville springs about a shaft. The individual springs of the stack are first positioned over the shaft. A jig is then placed over the shaft and the springs and has at least one axially extending pressure bar that is radially inwardly biased to urge the inner circumferences of all the springs into contact with axially aligned points on the surface of the shaft. The springs are then compressed using a compression element while they are still urged by the pressure bar against the shaft. Finally, to retain the springs on the shaft and maintain the springs in compression, a split retaining clip is pressed onto to the shaft until it engages in a groove.

Abstract: Steering equipment is provided with a transmission shaft (4) mounted so that it can turn within a steering column (2), and with a control device (8) for actuating an operating unit; the control device (8) being provided with a switch (9) and a control member (18), which has substantially the shape of the sector of a circle and can move between an operative position, a resting position in which the control member (18) sets itself about a longitudinal axis (3) of the steering column (2), and a position of actuation of the switch (9).

Abstract: Steering equipment is provided with a transmission shaft (4) mounted so that it can turn within a steering column (2), and with a control device (8) for actuating an operating unit; the control device (8) being provided with a switch (9) and a control member (18), which has substantially the shape of the sector of a circle and can move between an operative position, in which the control member (18) sets itself about a longitudinal axis (3) of the steering column (2), and a position of actuation of the switch (9).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the attitude of an agricultural implement drawn by an agricultural tractor, the device including a lift; two deflection sensors located at the attachment points of the bottom arms of the lift to the frame of the agricultural tractor; and an electronic central control unit for processing data received from the sensors and controlling lifting and lowering of the implement by the lift as a function of the data detected by the two sensors; the device being characterised in that each of the sensors has a locking device for adjusting the position of each of the sensors with respect to the frame so that each of the sensors assumes a predetermined tilt with respect to the ground.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the attitude of an agricultural implement drawn by an agricultural tractor, the device including a lift; two deflection sensors located at the attachment points of the bottom arms of the lift to the frame of the agricultural tractor; and an electronic central control unit for processing data received from the sensors and controlling lifting and lowering of the implement by the lift as a function of the data detected by the two sensors; the device being characterised in that each of the sensors has locking means for adjusting the position of each of the sensors with respect to the frame so that each of the sensors assumes a predetermined tilt with respect to the ground.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit with one or more electrically operated hydraulic distributors is provided for an agricultural or earthmoving machine. A pump unit supplies pressurized fluid to the hydraulic distributors which, in turn, supply the pressurized fluid, on command, to the hydraulic power take-offs of the hydraulic circuit. An electronic central control unit controls the electrically operated valves of the hydraulic distributors to regulate supply of the pressurized fluid to the hydraulic power take-offs. The hydraulic circuit also includes a self-calibrating device for determining, on command, the position, in a reference plane, of the response curves of individual electrically operated valves, so that the pressurized fluid supply set by the driver of the vehicle for any one hydraulic power take-off always corresponds exactly with the amount actually supplied by the take-off.