Abstract: A control system for a mobile excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may have a ground engaging work tool, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor may be configured to sense a parameter indicative of a current travel speed of the mobile excavation machine and generate a speed signal in response thereto. The controller may be in communication with the ground engaging work tool and the sensor, and configured to receive the signal. The controller may also be configured to determine an amount of material currently being moved by the work tool and calculate a current productivity value associated with removal of the material based on the speed signal and the determined amount of material currently being moved. The controller may be further configured to control the ground engaging work tool to vary the amount of material currently being moved in response to the current productivity value.

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 control system for a mobile excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may have a ground engaging work tool, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor may be configured to sense a parameter indicative of a current travel speed of the mobile excavation machine and generate a speed signal in response thereto. The controller may be in communication with the ground engaging work tool and the sensor, and configured to receive the signal. The controller may also be configured to determine an amount of material currently being moved by the work tool and calculate a current productivity value associated with removal of the material based on the speed signal and the determined amount of material currently being moved. The controller may be further configured to control the ground engaging work tool to vary the amount of material currently being moved in response to the current productivity value.

Abstract: A work machine is often used to spread material from an initial location across a wider area. It is desirable to raise and lower a work implement of the work machine such that the material can be quickly and easily spread to a uniform or otherwise desirable thickness. The present invention provides a method and apparatus of automatically controlling the position of the work implement. The automatic implement control system of the present invention lowers and raises the work implement based on at least one of a directional characteristic of the work machine and a position of an operator input device. The work implement is then automatically lowered or raised to the desired position to facilitate an efficient work cycle for spreading material.

Abstract: A work machine is often used to spread material from an initial location across a wider area. It is desirable to raise and lower a work implement of the work machine such that the material can be quickly and easily spread to a uniform or otherwise desirable thickness. The present invention provides a method and apparatus of automatically controlling the position of the work implement. The automatic implement control system of the present invention lowers and raises the work implement based on at least one of a directional characteristic of the work machine and a position of an operator input device. The work implement is then automatically lowered or raised to the desired position to facilitate an efficient work cycle for spreading material.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the steady-state speed of a cylinder in an electrohydraulic system having multiple cylinders includes a plurality of levers for controlling each of the cylinders. A controller, in communication with the levers and the hydraulic cylinders, has a limited number of parameters defining at least one desired relationship between steady-state speed and lever position for each of the cylinders stored therein. The controller further determines a current desired relationship for each of the cylinders from the associated at least one desired relationships. Upon detecting movement of the lever, the controller determines a current position of the lever associated with one of the cylinders and then controls the steady-state speed of the associated cylinder based on the limited number of parameters defining the current desired relationship and the position of the lever.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controllably moving a moveable element within a hydraulic motor is disclosed. A lever device produces an operator command signal indicative of a desired velocity of the moveable element. An electronic controller receives the operator command signal, compares the operator command signal to a limit value, and produces a limited command signal in response to the operator command signal being greater than the limit value. An electrohydraulic controller receives the operator command signal and responsively controls the movement of the moveable element.

Abstract: A power management controller for a machine which may be subjected to work assignments taxing the available power of the machine which automatically allocates power to the machine subsystems to ensure continued acceptable machine performance as power demands change.

Abstract: A control system implements several methods for automating work functions of a machine. Single activation of an operator switch generates a command to automatically perform a desired work function. A controller determines whether conditions are satisfactory to perform the desired function. When the conditions are satisfactory, the work function is performed automatically without requiring the operator to manipulate levers that are otherwise used to control the work implement of the machine.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the steady-state speed of a cylinder in an electrohydraulic system having multiple cylinders includes a plurality of levers for controlling each of the cylinders. A controller, in communication with the levers and the hydraulic cylinders, has a limited number of parameters defining at least one desired relationship between steady-state speed and lever position for each of the cylinders stored therein. The controller further determines a current desired relationship for each of the cylinders from the associated at least one desired relationships. Upon detecting movement of the lever, the controller determines a current position of the lever associated with one of the cylinders and then controls the steady-state speed of the associated cylinder based on the limited number of parameters defining the current desired relationship and the position of the lever.

Abstract: A method and system for altering operating behavior of a sub-system component of a machine to suit a user's preference includes a database for storing a plurality of parameters associated with the operating behavior of the sub-system component. The parameters have sets of values associated therewith wherein each set of values define one of a plurality of acceptable operating behaviors for the sub-system component. A sub-system controller receives a selection signal from the operator via a user interface selecting one of the set of values of the parameters according to his/her preference. The sub-system controller then controls the sub-system component based on the selected set of values for the parameters.

Abstract: A positive flow control system is provided that uses open-centered control valves in a series connection to provide priority between different fluid circuits and to provide requested flow regardless of the load pressure while minimizing unused or wasted flow. This is accomplished by providing a restriction in the last open-centered control valve to controllably restrict the flow therethrough when the valve is in its neutral position and having the source of pressurized fluid at a minimum displacement position that substantially matches the rate of flow across the restriction. A controller controls the displacement of the source of pressurized fluid and the displacement of the respective open-centered control valves in proportional to the respective input commands. Initial movement of the last open-centered control valve closes off the restricted flow thereacross to the reservoir prior to the source of pressurized fluid being communicated to the associated actuator.