Abstract: A machine includes a frame and an oscillating hitch. A first cylinder couples to a first side of the oscillating hitch and a first side of the frame. A second cylinder couples to a second side of the oscillating hitch and a second side of the frame. A first isolating mechanism couples to the first cylinder and rotates in response to a first rotation of the first cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A first angle sensor senses a first angular displacement of the first isolating mechanism about a first rotational axis. A second isolating mechanism couples to the second cylinder and rotates in response to a second rotation of the second cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A second angle sensor senses a second angular displacement of the second isolating mechanism about a second rotational axis.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame, a first steering arm, a second steering arm, a first hydraulic actuator coupled to the frame and the first steering arm, and a second hydraulic actuator coupled to the frame and the second steering arm. A first angle sensor measures a rotational displacement of the first hydraulic actuator relative to the first steering arm. A first link couples the first hydraulic actuator and the first sensor, and isolates movements other than the first rotational displacement. A second angle sensor measures a second rotational displacement of the second hydraulic actuator relative to the second steering arm. A second link couples the second hydraulic actuator and the second sensor, and isolates movements other than the second rotational displacement.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame and an oscillating hitch. A first cylinder couples to a first side of the oscillating hitch and a first side of the frame. A second cylinder couples to a second side of the oscillating hitch and a second side of the frame. A first isolating mechanism couples to the first cylinder and rotates in response to a first rotation of the first cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A first angle sensor senses a first angular displacement of the first isolating mechanism about a first rotational axis. A second isolating mechanism couples to the second cylinder and rotates in response to a second rotation of the second cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A second angle sensor senses a second angular displacement of the second isolating mechanism about a second rotational axis.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a machine is provided. The steering assembly includes a frame. The steering assembly also includes a steering column mounted on the frame. The steering column includes a steering input device and a controller communicably coupled to the steering input device. The steering assembly further includes a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering column. The steering wheel is disposed adjacent to the steering input device.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a machine is provided. The steering assembly includes a frame. The steering assembly also includes a steering column mounted on the frame. The steering column includes a steering input device and a controller communicably coupled to the steering input device. The steering assembly further includes a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering column. The steering wheel is disposed adjacent to the steering input device.

Abstract: In order to avoid cavitation in a boom cylinder head end at the beginning of a dig cycle, fluid from an alternate source is supplied to the head end before or in addition to fluid supplied by the main boom-up hydraulic circuit. In one embodiment, an electronic hydraulic valve, related sensors, and control system determines the beginning of a dig operation and uses fluid at an intermediate pressure to rapidly provide fluid to a boom head end cylinder to prevent voiding or cavitation before fluid under high pressure from the main pump can be brought to the cylinder. An on/off fluid switch is activated early in a dig operation to address low pressure at the boom cylinder head end and provide an alternate path for fluid into the cylinder in reaction to the boom being lifted by a motion of the stick and bucket in contact with the work surface.

Abstract: In order to avoid cavitation in a boom cylinder head end at the beginning of a dig cycle, fluid from an alternate source is supplied to the head end before or in addition to fluid supplied by the main boom-up hydraulic circuit. In one embodiment, an electronic hydraulic valve, related sensors, and control system determines the beginning of a dig operation and uses fluid at an intermediate pressure to rapidly provide fluid to a boom head end cylinder to prevent voiding or cavitation before fluid under high pressure from the main pump can be brought to the cylinder. An on/off fluid switch is activated early in a dig operation to address low pressure at the boom cylinder head end and provide an alternate path for fluid into the cylinder in reaction to the boom being lifted by a motion of the stick and bucket in contact with the work surface.

Abstract: A loading system for use with a haul vehicle and a loading machine configured to load material onto the haul vehicle is disclosed. The loading system has an identification tag located on the haul vehicle, an identification tag reader configured to recognize the identification tag, and a transmitter configured to deliver a first signal including information related to the identification tag. The loading system also has a transceiver configured to receive the first signal and deliver a second signal including loading information to the loading machine to initiate loading of the haul vehicle.

Abstract: A method of steering a vehicle with a hydraulic steering system is disclosed. A first control signal is sent to a pilot valve. The pilot valve is operated to direct pilot fluid to a main valve in response to the first control signal. The main valve is opened to a first position in response to the pilot fluid. Fluid is directed through the main valve to a first actuator. Resistance to actuation of the first actuator is detected. The detected resistance is compared to a threshold resistance. A second control signal is sent to the pilot valve when the detected resistance exceeds the threshold resistance. The pilot valve is operated to direct pilot fluid to the main valve in response to the second control signal. The main valve is opened to a second position in response to the pilot fluid. Fluid is directed through the main valve to the first actuator and a second actuator.

Abstract: An automatic loading control system for loading a work implement of a work machine with material from a pile may include a lift sensor configured to monitor a lift actuator and communicate a lift signal. The system may also include a tilt sensor configured to monitor a tilt actuator and communicate a tilt signal. A speed sensor may be configured to communicate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the work machine. A control module may be configured to receive the lift signal, the tilt signal, and the speed signal and generate a signal to control a rim-pull based on at least one of a lift velocity of the lift actuator, a tilt velocity of the tilt actuator, and a work machine velocity to facilitate movement of the work implement through the pile.

Abstract: A loading system for use with a haul vehicle and a loading machine configured to load material onto the haul vehicle is disclosed. The loading system has an identification tag located on the haul vehicle, an identification tag reader configured to recognize the identification tag, and a transmitter configured to deliver a first signal including information related to the identification tag. The loading system also has a transceiver configured to receive the first signal and deliver a second signal including loading information to the loading machine to initiate loading of the haul vehicle.

Abstract: A method of steering a vehicle with a hydraulic steering system is disclosed. A first control signal is sent to a pilot valve. The pilot valve is operated to direct pilot fluid to a main valve in response to the first control signal. The main valve is opened to a first position in response to the pilot fluid. Fluid is directed through the main valve to a first actuator. Resistance to actuation of the first actuator is detected. The detected resistance is compared to a threshold resistance. A second control signal is sent to the pilot valve when the detected resistance exceeds the threshold resistance. The pilot valve is operated to direct pilot fluid to the main valve in response to the second control signal. The main valve is opened to a second position in response to the pilot fluid. Fluid is directed through the main valve to the first actuator and a second actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for a work machine may include a first steering actuator having a first and a second chamber. In addition, the steering system may include a second steering actuator having a third and a fourth chamber. A multi-position directional valve may include at least one low power position and at least one high power position. The low power position may be configured to direct fluid only to the first chamber during a low power turn to extend the first steering actuator. The high power position may be configured to direct fluid to the first chamber and the third chamber during a high power turn to retract the second steering actuator.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic system for a machine may include a brake charging system including at least one accumulator. A fan drive system may include a fan and a fan motor. A fluid source may be in communication with the brake charging system and the fan drive system. The fluid source may be configured to provide pressurized fluid to the brake charging system and the fan drive system to charge at least one accumulator and to drive a fan motor. A priority valve may be configured to provide pressure from the fluid source to the brake charging system, such that the fluid pressure at the accumulator is maintained at a substantially constant level during normal operating conditions.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic steering control system for directing fluid to steering actuators on a work machine may include a main valve configured to control fluid flow to the steering actuators. Left and right primary steering valves may be in communication with and configured to affect the main valve to control fluid flow to the steering actuators. Left and right redundant steering valves may be in communication with and configured to affect the main valve to control fluid flow to the steering actuators. A shuttle valve may be operably disposed between one of the right primary and the right redundant steering valves and the left primary and left redundant steering valves. The shuttle valve may be operable to selectively control fluid from the one of the right primary and the right redundant steering valves and the left primary and left redundant steering valves to the main valve to control the main valve.

Abstract: An operator input device includes an operator interface mechanism operable by an operator, a position sensor, a brake controller, and a resistive actuator. The operator interface mechanism is moveable in at least first and second directions along an axis. The position sensor is coupled to the operator interface mechanism for transmitting an operator interface mechanism position signal as a function of the position of the operator interface mechanism. The brake controller is coupled to the position sensor for receiving the operator interface mechanism position signal and responsively transmitting a brake signal. The resistive actuator is coupled to the brake controller and the operator interface mechanism and receives the brake signal and responsively applies a resistive force to the operator interface mechanism.

Abstract: An operator input device includes an operator interface mechanism operable by an operator, a position sensor, a brake controller, and a resistive actuator. The operator interface mechanism is moveable in at least first and second directions along an axis. The position sensor is coupled to the operator interface mechanism for transmitting an operator interface mechanism position signal as a function of the position of the operator interface mechanism. The brake controller is coupled to the position sensor for receiving the operator interface mechanism position signal and responsively transmitting a brake signal. The resistive actuator is coupled to the brake controller and the operator interface mechanism and receives the brake signal and responsively applies a resistive force to the operator interface mechanism.