Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a pump stack in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a pump stack mounting arrangement including a pump stack, a crossmember with a web having an opening providing clearance for passage through the opening of at least one successive pump of the pump stack, and a removable mounting plate adapted for attachment to the crossmember and the at least one successive pump on an opposite side of the crossmember from a proximal end of the pump to provide support for a distal end of the pump stack. By removing the mounting plate, detaching any successive pump in the stack from its immediately preceding pump in the pump stack, and moving the detached part of the pump stack axially through the opening, clearance is provided for servicing a pump in the stack without removal of the whole pump stack or the crossmember.

Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system has a DEF system with improved DEF purge cycling during which time DEF is returned to a DEF storage tank. The DEF system adapts its methodology based on a condition within the DEF system. A purge valve may be arranged in a doser feed line between a DEF supply module and a DEF doser module. A purging control system may be configured to control the purge valve based on detected states within the DEF system, such as a detected state that corresponds to a plugged DEF doser module. If a plugged doser module is detected, the purge valve may be opened to vent the doser module feed line to atmosphere which allows the DEF to be returned to the DEF storage tank without creating a siphon effect that could draw additional DEF from the DEF storage tank into the supply module.

Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system has a DEF system with improved DEF purge cycling during which time DEF is returned to a DEF storage tank. The DEF system adapts its methodology based on a condition within the DEF system. A purge valve may be arranged in a doser feed line between a DEF supply module and a DEF doser module. A purging control system may be configured to control the purge valve based on detected states within the DEF system, such as a detected state that corresponds to a plugged DEF doser module. If a plugged doser module is detected, the purge valve may be opened to vent the doser module feed line to atmosphere which allows the DEF to be returned to the DEF storage tank without creating a siphon effect that could draw additional DEF from the DEF storage tank into the supply module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a pump stack in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a pump stack mounting arrangement including a pump stack, a crossmember with a web having an opening providing clearance for passage through the opening of at least one successive pump of the pump stack, and a removable mounting plate adapted for attachment to the crossmember and the at least one successive pump on an opposite side of the crossmember from a proximal end of the pump to provide support for a distal end of the pump stack. By removing the mounting plate, detaching any successive pump in the stack from its immediately preceding pump in the pump stack, and moving the detached part of the pump stack axially through the opening, clearance is provided for servicing a pump in the stack without removal of the whole pump stack or the crossmember.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for providing task-specific ride-height control in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a controllable ride-height trailing arm suspension system for independently joining each wheel to a frame of the applicator. Each trailing arm suspension system includes upper and lower suspension arms, an extensible air strut, and an angular position sensor operatively interconnected to one another and disposed between a rolling axis of the ground engaging wheel independently supported by that suspension system and a point of attachment of the suspension system to the frame, such that the position sensor detects a relative angular position between the upper and lower suspension arms at a present extension of the air strut. An electronic control unit utilizes the angular positions detected by the sensors, in conjunction with a desired task input, to control the air struts in a manner providing a ride-height corresponding to the desired task input.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for providing task-specific ride-height and speed control in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a controllable ride-height trailing arm suspension system, including an extensible air strut and an angular position sensor, for independently joining each wheel to a frame of the applicator. An electronic control unit utilizes the angular positions detected by the sensors, in conjunction with a desired task input, to control the air struts in a manner providing a ride-height corresponding to the desired task input. The electronic control unit also controls maximum speed of the applicator for each task, per a predetermined schedule, or in response to a suspended load of the applicator.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for detecting and controlling the height of a frame of a self-propelled agricultural product applicator above a ground surface utilize a trailing link suspension system including an angular position sensor and extensible air strut, for connecting ground engaging wheels of the applicator to the frame of the applicator. Height of the applicator above the ground surface is determined by measuring relative angular rotation of upper and lower suspension arms of the suspension system about a suspension pivot axis, using the angular position sensor. Height is controlled by regulating a flow of pressurized air to the air strut, to thereby control extension of the air strut in a manner that controls a frame to axle, ride-height, distance of the suspension system.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for providing task-specific ride-height control in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a controllable ride-height trailing arm suspension system for independently joining each wheel to a frame of the applicator. Each trailing arm suspension system includes upper and lower suspension arms, an extensible air strut, and an angular position sensor operatively interconnected to one another and disposed between a rolling axis of the ground engaging wheel independently supported by that suspension system and a point of attachment of the suspension system to the frame, such that the position sensor detects a relative angular position between the upper and lower suspension arms at a present extension of the air strut. An electronic control unit utilizes the angular positions detected by the sensors, in conjunction with a desired task input, to control the air struts in a manner providing a ride-height corresponding to the desired task input.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for providing task-specific ride-height and speed control in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a controllable ride-height trailing arm suspension system, including an extensible air strut and an angular position sensor, for independently joining each wheel to a frame of the applicator. An electronic control unit utilizes the angular positions detected by the sensors, in conjunction with a desired task input, to control the air struts in a manner providing a ride-height corresponding to the desired task input. The electronic control unit also controls maximum speed of the applicator for each task, per a predetermined schedule, or in response to a suspended load of the applicator.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for detecting and controlling the height of a frame of a self-propelled agricultural product applicator above a ground surface utilize a trailing link suspension system including an angular position sensor and extensible air strut, for connecting ground engaging wheels of the applicator to the frame of the applicator. Height of the applicator above the ground surface is determined by measuring relative angular rotation of upper and lower suspension arms of the suspension system about a suspension pivot axis, using the angular position sensor. Height is controlled by regulating a flow of pressurized air to the air strut, to thereby control extension of the air strut in a manner that controls a frame to axle, ride-height, distance of the suspension system.

Abstract: Vehicle chassis with effective load sharing joints and reinforcing structure. The chassis of the invention use self piercing rivets and other fabrication techniques to improve their structural and performance characteristics. These improvements result from, among other things, effective load distribution through high-shear resistant fasteners and strengthening of structural elements with reinforcing layers.