Abstract: A tractor includes an internal combustion engine for delivering torque, wheels or tracks for imparting a propulsive force to the ground, and a power takeoff shaft for delivering torque to implements attached thereto. The power takeoff shaft is driven by a mechanical drive connection to the engine. An electrical motor/generator is drivingly connected to the engine, and at least one electrical motor is arranged to deliver a propulsion force to the wheels or tracks. The motor is electrically connected to, and powered by, the electrical motor/generator. A battery is connected to the electrical motor/generator and to the electrical motor so that electrical energy can be passed therebetween. The motor/generator can also operate as a motor so that the power takeoff shaft is at least partially powered by electrical energy from the battery.

Abstract: A tractor includes an internal combustion engine for delivering torque, wheels or tracks for imparting a propulsive force to the ground, and a power takeoff shaft for delivering torque to implements attached thereto. The power takeoff shaft is driven by a mechanical drive connection to the engine. An electrical motor/generator is drivingly connected to the engine, and at least one electrical motor is arranged to deliver a propulsion force to the wheels or tracks. The motor is electrically connected to, and powered by, the electrical motor/generator. A battery is connected to the electrical motor/generator and to the electrical motor so that electrical energy can be passed therebetween. The motor/generator can also operate as a motor so that the power takeoff shaft is at least partially powered by electrical energy from the battery.

Abstract: A tractor (100) comprises an internal combustion engine (107) for delivering torque, wheels (101-104) or tracks for imparting a propulsive force to the ground, and a power takeoff shaft (110) for delivering torque to implements attached thereto. The power takeoff shaft is driven by a mechanical drive connection to the engine. An electrical motor/generator (115) is drivingly connected to the engine, and at least one electrical motor (121-124) is arranged to deliver a propulsion force to the wheels or tracks. The motor is electrically connected to, and powered by, the electrical motor/generator. A battery (120) is connected to the electrical motor/generator and to the electrical motor so that electrical energy can be passed therebetween. The motor/generator can also operate as a motor so that the power takeoff shaft is at least partially powered by electrical energy from the battery.

Abstract: A tractor (100) comprises an internal combustion engine (107) for delivering torque, wheels (10-104) or tracks for imparting a propulsive force to the ground, and a power takeoff shaft (110) for delivering torque to implements attached thereto. The power takeoff shaft is driven by a mechanical drive connection to the engine. An electrical motor/generator (115) is drivingly connected to the engine, and at least one electrical motor (121-124) is arranged to deliver a propulsion force to the wheels or tracks. The motor is electrically connected to, and powered by, the electrical motor/generator. A battery (120) is connected to the electrical motor/generator and to the electrical motor so that electrical energy can be passed therebetween. The motor/generator can also operate as a motor so that the power takeoff shaft is at least partially powered by electrical energy from the battery.

Abstract: A multi-ratio tractor transmission system including a series arrangement of a speed changing gearbox and a range changing gearbox. The system is selectively operable in a field working automatic mode and a road working automatic mode, wherein the transmission can only operate automatically within its speed change gearbox when the system is operating in the field working automatic mode.

Abstract: A vehicle system has a steering circuit which includes a steering actuator supplied with pressurize fluid from a pressure source to turn an associated vehicle wheel to the left or right in response to the movement of the steering wheel. A feedback circuit is provided which includes a steering motor connected with the steering wheel and supplied with pressurized fluid via an electronically controlled feedback control valve means in response to signals received from a control unit to generate a steering feedback force acting on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle steer by wire system which has a steering wheel for setting a desired turn angle of a vehicle wheel, a steering wheel turn sensor for sensing the desired turn angle, a hydraulic steering actuator for turning the wheel, a wheel turn sensor for sensing the current wheel turn angle and a control unit for receiving the desired turn angle and current wheel turn angle signals. An electronically controlled steering actuator control valve means is provided for supplying pressurized fluid to the steering actuator via a steering circuit in response to signals from the control unit to turn the wheel to the desired turn angle. A hydraulic motor connected with the steering wheel is provided to provide steering feedback to the steering wheel via a feedback circuit which includes an electrically controlled hydraulic feedback control valve means which directs fluid to and from the hydraulic motor in response to the signals from the control unit to generate the steering feedback.

Abstract: A multi-ratio tractor transmission system including a series arrangement of a speed changing gearbox and a range changing gearbox. The system is selectively operable in a field working automatic mode and a road working automatic mode, wherein the transmission can only operate automatically within its speed change gearbox when the system is operating in the field working automatic mode.

Abstract: A vehicle system has a steering circuit which includes a steering actuator supplied with pressurize fluid from a pressure source to turn an associated vehicle wheel to the left or right in response to the movement of the steering wheel. A feedback circuit is provided which includes a steering motor connected with the steering wheel and supplied with pressurized fluid via an electronically controlled feedback control valve means in response to signals received from a control unit to generate a steering feedback force acting on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle steer by wire system which has a steering wheel for setting a desired turn angle of a vehicle wheel, a steering wheel turn sensor for sensing the desired turn angle, a hydraulic steering actuator for turning the wheel, a wheel turn sensor for sensing the current wheel turn angle and a control unit for receiving the desired turn angle and current wheel turn angle signals. An electronically controlled steering actuator control valve means is provided for supplying pressurized fluid to the steering actuator via a steering circuit in response to signals from the control unit to turn the wheel to the desired turn angle. A hydraulic motor connected with the steering wheel is provided to provide steering feedback to the steering wheel via a feedback circuit which includes an electrically controlled hydraulic feedback control valve means which directs fluid to and from the hydraulic motor in response to the signals from the control unit to generate the steering feedback.

Abstract: A tractor cab roof (10) has a first area of glass (11) adjacent a front edge 912) of the roof and a second area of glass (13) adjacent a rear edge (14) of the roof, and an air conditioning/ventilation unit (15) is located between the two areas of glass. One or both areas of glass (11, 13) can be opened for further ventilation and are provided with gas struts 22, 23 to support the glass in an open position. The air conditioning/ventilation unit (15) may be located centrally in a transverse sense relative to the cab roof or alternatively the air conditioning/ventilation unit (15) can be split into two parts which are located towards the sides (18) of the cab roof to minimise the effect of the unit on the visibility through the two glass areas (11,13).

Abstract: A transmission controller for a multi-ratio tractor transmission is disclosed, the controller comprising a control dial (40) which is rotatable in one direction from a central position (43) into a field working zone (42) of movement and in the other direction into a road working zone (44) of movement to set the engine speed at which the transmission (11, 12) changes up in ratio when working in the field and on the road respectively.

Abstract: A body panel assembly for a tractor engine hood comprises a top panel (8), side panels (12) and a front grille panel (18). Forward ends of the top and side panels are secured to a frame (3) mounted on or integral with the front of the tractor chassis (1). The grille panel (18) is mounted at least partially by releasable means on an alignment member or members (17, 26) whose exact position may be adjusted during the assembly process to ensure accurate alignment of the front grille panel (18) to the side panel (12).

Abstract: In a hood assembly 1 for a vehicle, the assembly 1 comprises a substantially planar top panel 4 and side panels 2 depending from the region of respective opposite side edges of the top panel 4, the assembly further comprising hinge means 11 for pivoting the top and side panels together with respect to some mounting point on the vehicle about a main axis 10 substantially in the plane of the top panel, the side panels being hingedly mounted with respect to the top panel such that a degree of pivotal movement of each side panel 2 with respect to the top panel 4 is possible about a respective secondary axis 16 substantially perpendicular to the main axis 10.