Abstract: A work vehicle includes a work implement operatively connected to a frame through an actuator having a cylinder and a piston rod. Control circuitry is operatively connected to the actuator and includes a processer and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions and the processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to: identify one of an initial retracted reference position of the piston rod based on an initial minimum retracted distance or an initial extended reference position of the piston rod based on an initial maximum extended distance; identifying an end of stroke position of the piston rod after identifying one of the initial retracted reference position of the piston rod or the initial extended reference position of the piston rod; and moving the work implement with respect to the work vehicle based on a work implement command modified by the identified end of stroke position.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Abstract: A work machine comprising a power conversion system, a ground-engaging mechanism, a traveling body, a moveable structure, a user input, and a controller. The traveling body is coupled to the ground-engaging mechanism which is controllable to move the traveling body relative to the ground surface. The movable structure has an actuator controllable to move the movable structure relative to the traveling body wherein the actuator receives power through the power conversion system. The user input generates a user input signal. The sensor generates a sensory signal. A controller with a processor thereon is operable to execute a position control algorithm to receive a user input signal; receive a sensor signal, determine a position of the movable structure relative to the traveling body; and responsively control the power conversion system to control the ground-engaging mechanism or the actuator to avoid interference of a boundary limit with an object sensed.

Abstract: A work machine having a traveling body, a moveable structure coupled to the traveling body, a sensor operable to generate a sensory signal, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the sensor. The controller including a processor and a memory having a position control algorithm stored thereon. The processor is operable to execute the position control algorithm to receive a boundary command establishing a defined boundary; receive a sensory signal from the sensor related to the movement of the movable structure; determine a position of the movable structure relative to the traveling body; and limit movement of one of the ground-engaging mechanism of the traveling body or the actuator of the moveable structure as the traveling body moves along the travel path when the position of the movable structure is within an allowable distance from the defined boundary.

Abstract: A system includes calibrating a grade control system of a work vehicle having a controller operatively connected to a camera. A plurality of cylinders operative to move a blade on the vehicle. The blade includes one or more blade markers. One of the cylinders moves to a predetermined configuration that is between 0% and 100% of maximum stroke length, and the camera takes a corresponding image of the one or more blade markers. The controller measures a corresponding location of the one or more blade markers using the corresponding image and calibrates the grade control system based on the corresponding location of the one or more blade markers. The stored corresponding location can be an initial calibration location or a corresponding calibration location that was previously determined during operating conditions of the work vehicle. The grade control system is calibrated in real-time while the work vehicle is operating or stationary.

Abstract: A self-propelled work vehicle is provided with work state estimation and associated control techniques. The work vehicle comprises ground engaging units, a work implement configured for controllably working terrain, and various onboard sensors. A controller is functionally linked to at least the one or more onboard sensors and configured to ascertain a first parameter or operation of the work vehicle, determine a work state of the work vehicle, based at least in part on respective input signals from one or more onboard sensors, and generate a control signal for controlling at least a second parameter or operation of the work vehicle, responsive to the ascertained first parameter or operation and the determined work state. The control signals may be provided for proactive adjustments to engine speed, movements of the work implement, movements of the work vehicle itself, etc.

Abstract: A mobile machine includes a powertrain that propels the mobile machine about a worksite and a controllable subsystem configured to affect a surface of the worksite. The mobile machine includes a terrain sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the surface and generate sensor signals indicative of the characteristic of the surface. The mobile machine includes a control system configured to control the controllable subsystem, with a control signal, to affect the portion of the surface. The control system is configured to receive a sensor signal from the terrain sensor after the controllable subsystem has affected the portion of the surface, the sensor signal indicative of the characteristic of the portion of the surface after the controllable subsystem affects the portion of the surface and control the mobile machine based on the sensor signal and control signal.

Abstract: A work vehicle including a body, an operational frame movable relative to the body about a primary joint, a linkage arrangement configured to adjust a position of the operational frame relative to the body, and a working implement coupled to the operational frame and movable relative to the body. A first sensor is positioned on the body. A second sensor is positioned on at least one of the operational frame, the linkage arrangement, and the working implement. A processor is configured to receive a first signal from the first sensor, where the first signal is representative of a measurement sensed by the first sensor, receive a second signal from the second sensor, where the second signal is representative of a measurement sensed by the second sensor, and determine a measurement error of the first sensor based on the signals from the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A mobile machine includes a load carrying mechanism configured to carry a load of material during operation of the mobile machine at a worksite. The mobile machine includes a position detection system configured to determine a position of the mobile machine and generate a position output indicative of the position of the mobile machine. The mobile machine includes a measuring system configured to determine a measure of the load and generate a measure output indicative of the measure of the load. The mobile machine also includes a material movement tracking system configured to receive the position output from the position detection system and the measure output from the measuring system and, based on both the position and the measure output, generate a material tracking indicator indicative of movement of the load of material around the worksite.

Abstract: A work vehicle, a method of determining a weight of a payload supported by a work tool mounted to an upper structure of a work vehicle, and a method of calibrating a weight of a payload supported by a work tool mounted to an upper structure of a work vehicle are provided. The work vehicle includes an undercarriage having a plurality of ground engaging members supporting the work vehicle, an upper structure rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a vertical axis, a rotation sensor configured to determine a rotation angle of the upper structure relative to the undercarriage, a work tool mounted to the upper structure and configured to support a payload, and a controller configured to determine a weight of the payload based at least partially on the rotation angle of the upper structure relative to the undercarriage.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a first joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing in at least one degree of freedom. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) detect when unintended joystick motion conditions occur during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when detecting unintended joystick motion conditions, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to increase the first joystick stiffness in a manner reducing susceptibility of the joystick device to unintended joystick motions.

Abstract: A counterweight removal protection system and a method of controlling removal of the counterweight to avoid damage to an imaging sensor system of a work vehicle, such as an excavator. The imaging sensor system includes an imaging sensor supported by the counterweight and configured to transmit an imaging sensor signal to a vehicle controller to determine the state of the imaging sensor signal. A user interface in the work vehicle includes a selectable touch button to enable removal of the counterweight depending on the state of the imaging sensor signal. An interlock device prevents lowering the counterweight based on the state of the imaging sensor signal. In one embodiment, the imaging sensor signal is a heartbeat signal.

Abstract: A method performed by a computing system for a work machine at a worksite includes automatically identifying a set of local devices corresponding to the worksite based on signals detected from the set of local devices. Each of the local devices is configured to transmit correction data for correcting position data derived from a satellite navigation signal. One or more of the local devices is selected from the set of local devices, and the satellite navigation system is received, and used to generate the position data indicative of a geographic position of the work machine at the worksite. The method includes receiving the correction data from the one or more local devices, generating corrected position data by applying the correction data to the position data, and controlling the work machine based on the corrected position data.

Abstract: A work vehicle for tracking a payload through a dump cycle having am implement, a volume sensor, a location tracker, an operation sensor, and a computing device. The volume sensor may be configured to sense a volume of material in the implement and generate a corresponding volume data signal. The location tracker may be configured to generate a location data signal indicative of the location of the implement. The operation sensor may be configured to detect an operation characteristic of a dump cycle of the implement and generate an operation data signal indicative of the operation characteristic. The computing device may be operable to execute a payload tracking algorithm to receive the volume data signal, the location data signal, the operation data signal, store the input signal to generate a tracking metric corresponding to the payload.

Abstract: A work vehicle comprising a work vehicle control comprising a standard configuration and an updated configuration. A controller is configured to receive a geospatial positioning signal, a boom position signal, an attachment position signal, and an operator input. The controller is configured to reference a memory device and change the work vehicle control between the standard configuration and the updated configuration. The controller is configured to control an elevation of the attachment according to a grade command.

Abstract: A grade management system configured to control a depth of a dig includes a vehicle including an arm assembly coupled to an implement, the implement configured to dig into a surface, and an implement position sensor coupled to the arm assembly, the implement position sensor configured to detect a position of the implement relative to the vehicle, wherein in response to digging into the surface with the implement, detecting the position of the implement relative to the vehicle and determining whether any portion of the implement reaches a targeted depth into the surface.

Abstract: A work vehicle, a method of determining a weight of a payload supported by a work tool mounted to an upper structure of a work vehicle, and a method of calibrating a weight of a payload supported by a work tool mounted to an upper structure of a work vehicle are provided. The work vehicle includes an undercarriage having a plurality of ground engaging members supporting the work vehicle, an upper structure rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a vertical axis, a rotation sensor configured to determine a rotation angle of the upper structure relative to the undercarriage, a work tool mounted to the upper structure and configured to support a payload, and a controller configured to determine a weight of the payload based at least partially on the rotation angle of the upper structure relative to the undercarriage.

Abstract: A worksite control system includes a communication system configured to receive weather data corresponding to a worksite, a weather model generation logic configured to generate a weather model based on the weather data, a worksite action identification logic configured to identify a worksite action based on the weather model, and a control signal generator configured to generate a machine control signal that controls a machine associated with the worksite based on the identified worksite action.

Abstract: A local operator-controlled work machine receives a wake-up call when it is not running. The wake-up call turns on a user interface in the machine. A remote machine configuration system loads a job file onto the machine and the machine turns off again.