Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus control system includes a plurality of directional control valves. Each valve serves to selectively convey pressurized fluid to a hydraulic consumer which is detachably connected to a respective hydraulic output. A plurality of user interface devices control the valves. A terminal includes a display and user input means. The display displays a graphic associated with each hydraulic output. Each graphic includes a displayed user-definable label.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor (10) control system comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) (16) is provided in addition to a method of controlling a tractor (10). The ECU (16) is arranged to receive in real time signals from a plurality of sensors (40, 42) associated with operating functions of the tractor. The ECU (16) is also arranged to output control signals to a plurality of controlled operating components. Macroinstructions, or macros, are inputted to the ECU (16) by a user by direct definition or Internet download for example. Each macro comprises a condition and a command. The condition includes a trigger value and a corresponding input variable sensed by a respective sensor (40, 42, 50). The command involves the transmission of one of said output control signals to control an operating component in a predetermined manner. The ECU (16) is operable to run said macro during which the command is executed in response to the condition being met.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor (10) control system comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) (16) is provided in addition to a method of controlling a tractor (10). The ECU (16) is arranged to receive in real time signals from a plurality of sensors (40, 42) associated with operating functions of the tractor. The ECU (16) is also arranged to output control signals to a plurality of controlled operating components. Macroinstructions, or macros, are inputted to the ECU (16) by a user by direct definition or Internet download for example. Each macro comprises a condition and a command. The condition includes a trigger value and a corresponding input variable sensed by a respective sensor (40, 42, 50). The command involves the transmission of one of said output control signals to control an operating component in a predetermined manner. The ECU (16) is operable to run said macro during which the command is executed in response to the condition being met.

Abstract: A control system for an implement (10) mounted on a tractor (11) via a three point linkage (10) and which has one or more depth control wheels (13) which contact the ground and which support at least part of the weight of the implement. The three point linkage has an upper link (17) and two lower links (14, 15), the upper link including an adjusting means such as an hydraulic cylinder (18) to vary its effective length and the lower links being provided with raising means (16) to raise the implement. The control system has a control unit (23) which received signals indicative of the level of slippage of one or more wheels of the tractor and which in response to a wheel slippage level above a first level (X) operates the adjusting means (18) to shorten the effective length of the upper link (17) to transfer some of the weight of the implement (10) onto the tractor to reduce wheel slippage.

Abstract: A control system for an implement (10) mounted on a tractor (11) via a three point linkage (10) and which has one or more depth control wheels (13) which contact the ground and which support at least part of the weight of the implement. The three point linkage has an upper link (17) and two lower links (14, 15), the upper link including an adjusting means such as an hydraulic cylinder (18) to vary its effective length and the lower links being provided with raising means (16) to raise the implement. The control system has a control unit (23) which received signals indicative of the level of slippage of one or more wheels of the tractor and which in response to a wheel slippage level above a first level (X) operates the adjusting means (18) to shorten the effective length of the upper link (17) to transfer some of the weight of the implement (10) onto the tractor to reduce wheel slippage.

Abstract: An apparatus controls a vehicle having an engine including a throttle having a throttle position sensor, the throttle being adjustable to vary the speed of the vehicle, a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, and drive means there between providing a variable drive ratio, and a transmission controller for controlling the drive ratio between said input and output shafts, and at least one axle in driving connection with the output shaft of the said transmission, wherein the controller comprises a selector operable to select between first and second modes of operation, in said first mode the throttle and transmission are operated individually by the operator in said second mode, operation of the throttle and transmission is interconnected and performed by means of a computer program.

Abstract: An apparatus controls a vehicle having an engine including a throttle having a throttle position sensor, the throttle being adjustable to vary the speed of the vehicle, a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, and drive means there between providing a variable drive ratio, and a transmission controller for controlling the drive ratio between said input and output shafts, and at least one axle in driving connection with the output shaft of the said transmission, wherein the controller comprises a selector operable to select between first and second modes of operation, in said first mode the throttle and transmission are operated individually by the operator in said second mode, operation of the throttle and transmission is interconnected and performed by means of a computer program.