Abstract: An actuated shear pin includes an actuator and pin body coupled to the actuator. The actuator selectively configures the pin body in a locking configuration or a stowed configuration. In the locking configuration, the pin body is placed in a travel path of two components configured to move relative to each other, to inhibit such relative movement. In the stowed configuration, the pin body is out of the travel path, thereby allowing the two components to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A system for controlling a ground engaging work implement includes a machine position sensor, a work surface position sensor, a work implement position sensor, and a controller. The controller determines the position of the machine, determines the topography of the work surface, determines a location of a pre-task trigger location adjacent the task start location, and determine a position of the lowest surface of the ground engaging work implement. The controller generates traverse signals to propel the machine from the task end location towards the task start location, generate work implement height signals to maintain the lowest surface of the ground engaging work implement at or above the traversing threshold height as the machine travels from the task end location towards the task start location, and generate work implement lowering signals to lower the work implement to the pre-task threshold height after the machine passes the pre-task trigger location.

Abstract: A system for controlling a ground engaging work implement includes a machine position sensor, a work surface position sensor, a work implement position sensor, and a controller. The controller determines the position of the machine, determines the topography of the work surface, determines a location of a pre-task trigger location adjacent the task start location, and determine a position of the lowest surface of the ground engaging work implement. The controller generates traverse signals to propel the machine from the task end location towards the task start location, generate work implement height signals to maintain the lowest surface of the ground engaging work implement at or above the traversing threshold height as the machine travels from the task end location towards the task start location, and generate work implement lowering signals to lower the work implement to the pre-task threshold height after the machine passes the pre-task trigger location.

Abstract: A controller uses a Kalman filter to develop an estimated position of an implement based on a previous implement position, an implement pitch, an implement pitch rate and an estimated implement linkage velocity. The controller moves the implement to a desired position based on the estimated position of the implement.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a ripping operation is disclosed. The method includes lowering a ripper of a machine to a depth under a work surface. The method determines when a drawbar pull of the machine is at a drawbar pull target for the machine. When the drawbar pull is greater than the drawbar pull target, reducing power source torque of the machine from a first power source torque to a second power source torque.

Abstract: A controller uses a Kalman filter to develop an estimated position of an implement based on a previous implement position, an implement pitch, an implement pitch rate and an estimated implement linkage velocity. The controller moves the implement to a desired position based on the estimated position of the implement.

Abstract: A method for detecting and mitigating errors in a positioning system includes receiving a first signal from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) indicative of a first position and a second signal from the GNSS indicative of a second position of a machine, determining a difference between the first position and the second position, detecting an error in a current position of the machine when the difference between the first and the second position exceeds a threshold of one of (a) a maximum distance given a maximum velocity, and (b) an actual distance determined based on an output of an inertial sensor on the machine, and mitigating the detected error in the current position of the machine by switching from an output of the positioning system to a position output determined based upon the output of the inertial sensor to update the current position.

Abstract: A drive system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drive system may have a travel speed sensor, at least one traction device speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the travel speed sensor and the at least one traction device speed sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a slip value associated with a traction device of the mobile machine based on signals generated by the travel speed sensor and the at least one traction device speed sensor, and determine a torque output value of the mobile machine. The control may also be configured to make a comparison of the slip value and the torque output value with a pull-slip curve stored in memory, and selectively update the pull-slip curve based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for detecting and mitigating errors in a positioning system includes receiving a first signal from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) indicative of a first position and a second signal from the GNSS indicative of a second position of a machine, determining a difference between the first position and the second position, detecting an error in a current position of the machine when the difference between the first and the second position exceeds a threshold of one of (a) a maximum distance given a maximum velocity, and (b) an actual distance determined based on an output of an inertial sensor on the machine, and mitigating the detected error in the current position of the machine by switching from an output of the positioning system to a position output determined based upon the output of the inertial sensor to update the current position.

Abstract: A cycle counter for a wheeled tractor scraper is disclosed. The cycle counter may have an ejector configured to push material from a bowl of the wheeled tractor scraper, a sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a position of the ejector, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine movement of the ejector toward a full dump position based on the pressure signal, and to record completion of a cycle for the wheeled tractor scraper after the ejector has reached the full dump position only if a value of the pressure signal exceeded a threshold value during movement of the ejector toward the full dump position.

Abstract: A drive system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drive system may have a travel speed sensor, at least one traction device speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the travel speed sensor and the at least one traction device speed sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a slip value associated with a traction device of the mobile machine based on signals generated by the travel speed sensor and the at least one traction device speed sensor, and determine a torque output value of the mobile machine. The control may also be configured to make a comparison of the slip value and the torque output value with a pull-slip curve stored in memory, and selectively update the pull-slip curve based on the comparison.

Abstract: The disclosure describes, in one aspect, an implement control system that includes a controller operatively connected to an implement. The controller is adapted to receive a signal from an input device indicative of a desired implement movement by an operator and to receive an automatically generated signal indicative of an automatically determined implement movement. The controller is further adapted to determine whether to move the implement based on the input device signal or the automatically generated signal. The controller is adapted to generate a control signal to move the implement based on the input device signal when a portion of the implement is above a desired cutting plane.

Abstract: A cycle counter for a wheeled tractor scraper is disclosed. The cycle counter may have an ejector configured to push material from a bowl of the wheeled tractor scraper, a sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a position of the ejector, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine movement of the ejector toward a full dump position based on the pressure signal, and to record completion of a cycle for the wheeled tractor scraper after the ejector has reached the full dump position only if a value of the pressure signal exceeded a threshold value during movement of the ejector toward the full dump position.

Abstract: A tool control system for a scraper is disclosed. The tool control system may have a tool, a first tool actuator configured to move the tool, and a first sensor configured to detect a position parameter of at least one of the tool and the first tool actuator and to generate a corresponding first signal. The tool control system may also have a tool member operatively connected to the tool, a second tool actuator connectable to the tool member in a plurality of configurations to move the tool member, and a second sensor configured to detect a position parameter of at least one of the tool member and the second tool actuator and to generate a corresponding second signal. The tool control system may further have a controller configured to make a comparison of the first and second signals, and to determine a current connection configuration based on the comparison.

Abstract: A tool control system for a scraper is disclosed. The tool control system may have a tool, a first tool actuator configured to move the tool, and a first sensor configured to detect a position parameter of at least one of the tool and the first tool actuator and to generate a corresponding first signal. The tool control system may also have a tool member operatively connected to the tool, a second tool actuator connectable to the tool member in a plurality of configurations to move the tool member, and a second sensor configured to detect a position parameter of at least one of the tool member and the second tool actuator and to generate a corresponding second signal. The tool control system may further have a controller configured to make a comparison of the first and second signals, and to determine a current connection configuration based on the comparison.

Abstract: The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a method for determining a position on a machine relative to a reference position on the machine. The method includes determining the reference position in a coordinate system, determining a first desired position on the machine in the coordinate system, and determining the first desired position relative to the reference position. The method further includes updating a control system using the first relative desired position.

Abstract: The disclosure describes, in one aspect, an implement control system that includes a controller operatively connected to an implement. The controller is adapted to receive a signal from an input device indicative of a desired implement movement by an operator and to receive an automatically generated signal indicative of an automatically determined implement movement. The controller is further adapted to determine whether to move the implement based on the input device signal or the automatically generated signal. The controller is adapted to generate a control signal to move the implement based on the input device signal when a portion of the implement is above a desired cutting plane.

Abstract: The disclosure describes, in one aspect, an implement control system including a controller operatively connected to an implement. The controller is adapted to receive a first signal and a second signal from a system in operative communication with the implement. The first signal is indicative of a desired load control condition and the second signal is indicative of a desired grade control condition. The controller is further adapted to determine a first target position having a first comparable characteristic associated with the first signal and to determine a second target position having a second comparable characteristic associated with the second signal. The controller is also adapted to generate a control signal to move the implement to the first target position or to the second target position based in part on the first comparable characteristic and the second comparable characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining a status of a relief valve located within a fluid system having a pump and an actuator valve. The fluid system 102 is located on an earth moving machine, and the pump delivers fluid to the actuator 110, 112 through the actuator valve 108. The system 102 includes a pressure compensation assembly 130 adapted to control the fluid pressure of the system by bypassing fluid flow. The system 102 also includes a relief valve, and a pressure sensor. The method includes the steps of positioning the actuator valve in a closed position, deactivating the pressure compensation assembly, and sensing a relief pressure of the system.