Abstract: A system for controlling an earth moving machine may comprise: a speed sensor configured to communicate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the machine; an operator bucket lift command input configured to communicate an operator-input bucket lift command; and a controller configured to: receive the speed signal and the operator-input bucket lift command; determine a torque of the machine; using the speed signal and the determined torque, determine a controller-generated bucket lift command; and provide a bucket lift command which is the larger of the operator-input bucket lift command and the controller-generated bucket lift command.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame supported on at least a first axle and a second axle and a work implement that is hydraulically powered to be displaced with respect to the frame. A powertrain disposed on the machine generates a first force for propelling the machine with respect to the ground. The machine can include an electronic controller that communicates with the powertrain and a hydraulic sensor on the hydraulic actuator. The controller is configured to determine the weight distribution directed through the front and rear axles of the machine based in part on the dynamic positioning of the work implement.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame supported on at least a first axle and a second axle and a work implement that is hydraulically powered to be displaced with respect to the frame. A powertrain disposed on the machine generates a first force for propelling the machine with respect to the ground. The machine can include an electronic controller that communicates with the powertrain and a hydraulic sensor on the hydraulic actuator. The controller is configured to determine the weight distribution directed through the front and rear axles of the machine based in part on the dynamic positioning of the work implement.

Abstract: A machine includes a power generation system; a propulsion system; a work implement coupled to a body of the machine via a linkage that includes at least one actuator; a perception system configured to generate a signal that is indicative of a position of the machine relative to a material receptacle; and a controller operatively coupled to the perception system, the propulsion system, the power generation system, and the at least one actuator. The controller is configured to receive the signal from the perception system, determine a location of the work implement relative to the material receptacle based at least in part on the signal from the perception system, and actuate at least one of the propulsion system, the power generation system, and the at least one actuator based on the determined location of the work implement relative to the material receptacle.

Abstract: An overspeed protection method for a machine having an engine drivably coupled to a pump is disclosed. The method includes determining a speed of a rotatable component connected to the engine based on an engine speed and determining a minimum power limit based on the speed of the rotatable component. The minimum power limit corresponds to a minimum power required to retard the engine in order to prevent an overspeed condition of the rotatable component. The method further includes determining a minimum flow limit based on a predetermined relationship between the minimum power limit and the minimum flow limit. The minimum flow limit corresponds to a required flow of the pump in order to provide the minimum power limit. The method further includes regulating the pump in order to achieve the minimum flow limit.

Abstract: A method for generating a training plan for an operator of a machine to perform an operation is provided. The method includes receiving data associated with one or more functional parameters of the machine. The functional parameters include at least one of an operation parameter, an operator attribute parameter, and an environmental parameter. The method includes identifying a value of each of the functional parameters based on the data. Further, the method includes determining, in real-time, the training plan based on the identification of the functional parameters. The method includes communicating the instruction to the operator for performing the operation on the machine based on the training plan. The method includes monitoring the operation for being in conformance with the training plan. The method includes generating an alarm, when the operation performed by the operator deviates from the instructions of the training plan.

Abstract: An overspeed protection method for a machine having an engine drivably coupled to a pump is disclosed. The method includes determining a speed of a rotatable component connected to the engine based on an engine speed and determining a minimum power limit based on the speed of the rotatable component. The minimum power limit corresponds to a minimum power required to retard the engine in order to prevent an overspeed condition of the rotatable component. The method further includes determining a minimum flow limit based on a predetermined relationship between the minimum power limit and the minimum flow limit. The minimum flow limit corresponds to a required flow of the pump in order to provide the minimum power limit. The method further includes regulating the pump in order to achieve the minimum flow limit.

Abstract: A machine control system including an impeller clutch pedal sensor, a power source sensor, a torque converter output speed sensor, an implement lever sensor and a controller is provided. The impeller clutch pedal sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of an impeller clutch command. The implement lever sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired hydraulic flow corresponding to an implement lever command. The controller is configured to determine a desired output torque, at a current torque converter output speed, based on the signals from the impeller clutch pedal sensor and the power source sensor. The controller is configured to modulate at least one of the speed of the power source or an engagement of an impeller clutch based on the desired output torque and the implement lever command.

Abstract: A machine bucket assembly includes a bucket having a top section, a bottom section, and a curved middle section. The bucket assembly may also include a kinematic reaction point about which the bucket is configured to rotate. A loadability index of the bucket may be between approximately 0.95 and 1.05. The loadability index is a ratio of a distance between the kinematic reaction point and a tip of the bottom section and a distance between the kinematic reaction point and a tip of the top section.

Abstract: A machine control system including an impeller clutch pedal sensor, a power source sensor, a torque converter output speed sensor, an implement lever sensor and a controller is provided. The impeller clutch pedal sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of an impeller clutch command. The implement lever sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired hydraulic flow corresponding to an implement lever command. The controller is configured to determine a desired output torque, at a current torque converter output speed, based on the signals from the impeller clutch pedal sensor and the power source sensor. The controller is configured to modulate at least one of the speed of the power source or an engagement of an impeller clutch based on the desired output torque and the implement lever command.

Abstract: An automated bucket loading control method includes determining a bucket tilt parameter for a bucket of the machine which corresponds with a partial bucket load, and capturing a partial bucket load by controllably tilting the bucket in a pile of material according to the determined bucket tilt parameter. A control system includes a sensor configured to monitor a bucket tilt parameter and output a bucket tilt signal, and further includes an electronic payload controller coupled with the sensor which is configured to output bucket tilting control commands. The electronic payload controller is further configured to determine a value for the bucket tilt parameter that corresponds with a target partial bucket load and output corresponding bucket tilting control commands during moving a bucket of the machine in a material pile to capture a partial bucket load.

Abstract: A machine bucket may include an upper pin hole and a lower pin hole. The machine bucket may also include a bottom section. A distance between the lower pin hole and a tip of the bottom section may have a first length. The machine bucket may also include a top section. A distance between the lower pin hole and a tip of the top section may have a second length. A ratio of the first length to the second length may be equal to a value between approximately 0.95 and 1.05. The machine bucket may further include a middle section located between the bottom section and the top section. At least a portion of the middle section may be curved.

Abstract: A method of loading a truck with material using a loader includes a step of determining a target load for a final pass. Material is loaded into a bucket of the loader in excess of the target load. Excess material is dumped from the bucket back to the pile in a controlled manner to arrive at a target load of reposed material in the bucket. The target load amount of the material in the bucket, which is less than a total amount of material originally loaded in the bucket is dumped into the truck by pitching the bucket. The bucket may be pitched to a determined pitch angle that is based upon the target load using an appropriate material curve stored on the loader. The pitch control algorithm can be calibrated by sensing the reposed weight of material in the bucket, and comparing that to an expected reposed weight, and then updating one of the material curves if there is a deviation.