Abstract: A fluid control system including a variable displacement pump having a load system control and configured to operate in an open center mode. A pump control is operable between a first arrangement and a second arrangement. The pump control receives pressurized fluid from a first load sensor pressure in fluid communication with the pump and an actuator return pressure in fluid communication with an actuator configured to operate using pressurized fluid from the system, the pump control providing a selective pump control pressure to the pump load system control. When the system is operating in a standby mode, the pump operates in a first minimized displacement condition. When the system is in a stall mode, the pump operates in a second minimized displacement condition.

Abstract: A ride control system uses speed, pressure, hand throttle, foot throttle and seat position information associated with a tractor-loader-backhoe to determine when to engage and disengage the ride control system for the tractor-loader-backhoe. Once the ride control system is engaged, the ride control system can be disengaged in response to either an operator command or a measured speed of the tractor-loader-backhoe being below a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A work machine includes a pivotable arm having a first gripping device formed therein, the arm operatively connected to an attachment for securing an object between the first gripping device and the attachment. A second gripping device is removably securable to the arm near the first gripping device, the second gripping device configured to at least partially secure an object between the second gripping device and the attachment.

Abstract: A ride control system uses speed, pressure, hand throttle, foot throttle and seat position information associated with a tractor-loader-backhoe to determine when to engage and disengage the ride control system for the tractor-loader-backhoe. Once the ride control system is engaged, the ride control system can be disengaged in response to either an operator command or a measured speed of the tractor-loader-backhoe being below a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a fluid circuit to operate at least one implement for performing work, the fluid circuit having at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The first operating mode is configured to operate within a first predetermined flow rate range within a first predetermined fluid pressure level range. The second operating mode is configured to operate within a second predetermined flow rate range and within a second predetermined fluid pressure level range. In response to the fluid circuit operating within the second operating mode, a maximum pressure value of the second predetermined fluid pressure level range is greater than a maximum pressure value of the first predetermined fluid pressure level range, and a maximum value of the second predetermined flow level range is less than a maximum value of the first predetermined flow level range.

Abstract: A work machine includes a fluid circuit for use with an attachment configured to operate using one of a uni-directional flow and a bi-directional flow through the attachment. An operator-enabled mode selection switch operably connects to a controller. An electrical circuit includes the operator-enabled mode selection switch and a second operator-enabled switch. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the attachment. In response to the mode selection switch being operator-actuated to a bi-directional mode setting, the first control valve via the controller is actuatable to one of the bi-directional positions, electrical power being unavailable to the second operator-enabled switch of the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A fluid control system including a variable displacement pump having a load system control and configured to operate in an open center mode. A pump control is operable between a first arrangement and a second arrangement. The pump control receives pressurized fluid from a first load sensor pressure in fluid communication with the pump and an actuator return pressure in fluid communication with an actuator configured to operate using pressurized fluid from the system, the pump control providing a selective pump control pressure to the pump load system control. When the system is operating in a standby mode, the pump operates in a first minimized displacement condition. When the system is in a stall mode, the pump operates in a second minimized displacement condition.

Abstract: A work machine includes a pivotable arm having a first gripping device formed therein, the arm operatively connected to an attachment for securing an object between the first gripping device and the attachment. A second gripping device is removably securable to the arm near the first gripping device, the second gripping device configured to at least partially secure an object between the second gripping device and the attachment.

Abstract: An open center hydraulic system that includes a variable displacement pump having an inlet, an outlet and a sensing port, the pump configured to provide reduced fluid flow in response to a predetermined fluid pressure differential between the outlet and the sensing port. A first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit each serve as signal lines with the pump sensing port. During operation of the second fluid circuit, reduced fluid flow from the pump outlet is achieved as a result of the sum of induced fluid pressure reductions of respective controlled pressure reduction devices approaching the predetermined pump fluid pressure differential.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a fluid circuit to operate at least one implement for performing work, the fluid circuit having at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The first operating mode is configured to operate within a first predetermined flow rate range within a first predetermined fluid pressure level range. The second operating mode is configured to operate within a second predetermined flow rate range and within a second predetermined fluid pressure level range. In response to the fluid circuit operating within the second operating mode, a maximum pressure value of the second predetermined fluid pressure level range is greater than a maximum pressure value of the first predetermined fluid pressure level range, and a maximum value of the second predetermined flow level range is less than a maximum value of the first predetermined flow level range.

Abstract: A work machine includes a fluid circuit for use with an attachment configured to operate using one of a uni-directional flow and a bi-directional flow through the attachment. An operator-enabled mode selection switch operably connects to a controller. An electrical circuit includes the operator-enabled mode selection switch and a second operator-enabled switch. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the attachment. In response to the mode selection switch being operator-actuated to a bi-directional mode setting, the first control valve via the controller is actuatable to one of the bi-directional positions, electrical power being unavailable to the second operator-enabled switch of the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An open center hydraulic system that includes a variable displacement pump having an inlet, an outlet and a sensing port, the pump configured to provide reduced fluid flow in response to a predetermined fluid pressure differential between the outlet and the sensing port. A first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit each serve as signal lines with the pump sensing port. During operation of the second fluid circuit, reduced fluid flow from the pump outlet is achieved as a result of the sum of induced fluid pressure reductions of respective controlled pressure reduction devices approaching the predetermined pump fluid pressure differential.

Abstract: An earth-working vehicle, such as a backhoe loader, has an implement, such as a backhoe, mounted in a manner that the implement can be shifted transversely with respect to the vehicle. A hydraulic motor and roller cable or rack are secured to the vehicle main frame and implement supporting plate to position the implement transversely of the vehicle without the jerky movements of prior backhoe loaders.

Abstract: An earth-working vehicle, such as a backhoe loader, has an implement, such as a backhoe, mounted in a manner that the implement can be shifted transversely with respect to the vehicle. A hydraulic motor and roller cable or rack are secured to the vehicle main frame and implement supporting plate to position the implement transversely of the vehicle without the jerky movements of prior backhoe loaders.

Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic system for a work vehicle is provided that includes a first fixed displacement hydraulic pump whose outlet is connected to a priority valve. The priority valve, in turn, directs the pump's flow to a first group of closed center backhoe valves on a primary circuit and a second group of open center loader valves on a secondary circuit. A second hydraulic pump is provided with independent load sensing capability to supplement fluid flow provided by the first pump.

Abstract: An articulated wheel loader provides a cushioned deceleration at the limits of its turning to the left and to the right by reducing fluid flow through a hydraulic steering cylinder as the articulated frames approach abutment. The throttled fluid flow causes a variable displacement pump to de-stroke, which further cushions the deceleration.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a hydraulic cylinder includes a piston head configured to slide axially within the hydraulic cylinder in response to changes in hydraulic pressure. The piston head has an axial through-hole. A piston rod has a proximal end axially abutting the piston head and a distal end extending outward through an end of the hydraulic cylinder. The proximal end of the piston rod has a threaded bore co-axial with the axial through-hole in the piston head. A bolt has a bolt head and an unthreaded shank portion adjacent the bolt head and a threaded shank portion away from the bolt head. The bolt secures the piston head to the proximal end of the piston rod when the bolt shank is inserted through the axial through-hole in the piston head and is threadingly engaged in the threaded bore in the piston rod. An annular washer is positioned and held captive on the unthreaded portion of the bolt shank between the bolt head and the piston head.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a hydraulic cylinder includes a piston head configured to slide axially within the hydraulic cylinder in response to changes in hydraulic pressure. The piston head has an axial through-hole. A piston rod has a proximal end axially abutting the piston head and a distal end extending outward through an end of the hydraulic cylinder. The proximal end of the piston rod has a threaded bore co-axial with the axial through-hole in the piston head. A bolt has a bolt head and an unthreaded shank portion adjacent the bolt head and a threaded shank portion away from the bolt head. The bolt secures the piston head to the proximal end of the piston rod when the bolt shank is inserted through the axial through-hole in the piston head and is threadingly engaged in the threaded bore in the piston rod. An annular washer is positioned and held captive on the unthreaded portion of the bolt shank between the bolt head and the piston head.

Abstract: A variable metering fluid control valve comprising a valve body having at least one work port and one exhaust port with the ports in fluid communication with a spool bore and an exhaust core, said exhaust core having an exhaust core land and a reciprocating valve spool in the spool bore to control communication of fluid between the work port and the exhaust core, with said valve spool having a land portion with a plurality of variable length metering notches, wherein the land portion of the valve spool remains in contact with the exhaust core land through the full stroke of the valve spool. The variable length metering notches may be varied in width, depth, and cross-section so that precise control of the fluid system is achieved.