Abstract: A work vehicle comprising a frame supported by a ground engaging device. A boom assembly is coupled to the frame. An attachment coupler is coupled to the boom assembly. An electronic data processor is communicatively coupled to a boom actuator, an attachment coupler actuator, a boom sensor, an attachment coupler sensor, and an operator input device. A computer readable storage medium comprising machine readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an operator input and for a tilt forward command, command the boom actuator to move the boom assembly to a frame contact position and then command the attachment coupler actuator to move the attachment coupler towards a lower position. For a tilt rearward command, command the attachment coupler actuator to move the attachment coupler towards an upper position and then command the boom actuator to move the boom assembly towards a raised position.

Abstract: An adaptive control system automatically controls an attachment position during a grading operation of a surface. The system comprises a frame, an attachment, first sensor, a second sensor, a laser receiver and a controller. The first sensor generates a first sensor signal indicative of an angle of the frame. The second sensor generates a second sensor signal indicative of an angle of the ground-engaging attachment. The laser receiver receives a laser signal from a laser beacon and generates a height signal based on the laser signal. The height signal is indicative of a position of either the attachment or the frame relative to the laser signal. The controller establishes a target grade based on a desired grade of the surface; identifies a position of the attachment; receives the first sensor signal; the second sensor signal; and the laser signal. The controller generates a first control signal or second control signal based on the inputs.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive calibration of a self-propelled work vehicle comprising a chassis and a blade front-mounted thereto for working a ground surface. First sensor signals correspond to a blade slope, and second sensor signals correspond to a chassis slope. During a first operating mode, a blade position is controlled relative to the chassis, based at least on a stored calibration value and a detected difference between the blade slope and a target slope of the ground surface, and a difference is also determined between the chassis slope and the target slope of the ground surface. During a second operating mode, the position of the blade is controlled relative to the chassis until the chassis slope corresponds to the target slope of the ground surface, and the stored calibration value is altered based on adjustments to the blade position during the second operating mode.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a main frame, a work implement, and a control system. The work implement is supported by the main frame and configured to carry a payload in use of the vehicle. The control system is supported by the main frame and configured to control operation of the vehicle. The control system includes a payload measurement system configured to provide payload input indicative of a variable payload carried by the work implement in use of the vehicle and a controller coupled to the payload measurement system.

Abstract: A joint orientation system is provided for a work vehicle having a chassis and an implement coupled to the chassis at a joint. The joint orientation system includes a first IMU positioned on a first side of the work vehicle relative to the joint and configured to collect a first IMU acceleration and a first IMU angular velocity and a second IMU positioned on a second side relative to the joint and configured to collect a second acceleration and a second angular velocity of the implement. A controller is configured to receive the first and second IMU accelerations and the first and second IMU angular velocities; determine a joint orientation correction based on IMU accelerations and IMU angular velocities; modify an estimate of joint orientation with the joint orientation correction to generate a current joint orientation; and output the current joint orientation for actuation of the implement.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a first joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing in at least one degree of freedom. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) detect when unintended joystick motion conditions occur during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when detecting unintended joystick motion conditions, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to increase the first joystick stiffness in a manner reducing susceptibility of the joystick device to unintended joystick motions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for controlling a work implement (e.g., front-mounted blade) relative to a work vehicle to produce a desired profile in a ground surface. Chassis-mounted sensor(s) detect an actual pitch velocity and an actual pitch angle of the chassis relative to the ground. Further sensor(s) detect an actual lift position of the blade relative to the chassis. A desired profile to be produced by the blade with respect to the ground surface is determined, for example via an automated grade control system, via manually-initiated trigger(s), and/or via time-based rolling averages of detected values. A position of the implement is automatically controlled as a function of each of the actual pitch velocity, the actual pitch angle of the chassis relative to the ground, and the actual lift position of the work implement relative to the chassis, corresponding to the desired profile with respect to the ground surface.

Abstract: A work vehicle comprising a pair of forks and an optical sensor. The optical sensor is configued to capture image data that includes the pair of forks and a moveable object. An electronic processor is configured to perform an operation by controllably adjusting the pair of forks, receive image data captured by the optical sensor, apply an aritificial neural network to identify whether the pair of forks are aligned for moving the moveable object based on the image data, wherein the artificial neural network is trained to receive the image data as input and to produce as the output an indication of whether the pair of forks are aligned for moving the moveable object, access operation information corresponding to whether the pair of forks are aligned for moving the moveable object from a non-transitory computer-readable memory, and automatically adjust an operation of the work vehicle based on the operation information.

Abstract: A work vehicle that operates on a surface comprising an implement and an optical sensor. The optical sensor is configured to capture image data that includes the implement. An electronic processor is configured to perform an operation by controllably adjusting a position of the implement relative to the work vehicle, receive image data captured by the optical sensor, apply an artificial neural network to identify whether the implement is in contact with the surface based on the image data from the optical sensor, wherein the artificial neural network is trained to receive the image data as input and to produce as the output an indication of whether the implement is in contact with the surface, access operation information corresponding to whether the implement is in contact with the surface from a non-transitory computer-readable memory, and automatically adjust an operation of the work vehicle based on the accessed operation information.

Abstract: A work machine includes a chassis, a boom coupled to the chassis, and a work implement coupled to the boom and movable relative to the chassis. In system may further include dynamic payload weighing system configured to measure the payload weight on the work implement. The system may also include an electrohydraulic system controller in communication with the dynamic payload weighing system and an electrohydraulic control valve electrically coupled to the electrohydraulic system controller and moveable to a plurality of weight-specific valve positions based on the measured payload weight on the implement.

Abstract: Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, a controller architecture, and an implement tracking data source configured to track movement of the implement during operation of the work vehicle. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary an MRF resistance force impeding joystick movement relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) track movement of the implement relative to a virtual boundary utilizing data provided by the implement tracking data source; and (ii) command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the MRF resistance force based, at least in part, on implement movement relative to the virtual boundary.

Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a self-propelled work vehicle comprising a work attachment and at least left and right ground engaging units driven by respective first and second drivetrains. Upon determining transition from a first operating mode to a second operating mode (e.g., creep mode), the method includes selectively derating at least a portion of the drivetrain speed commands corresponding to propulsion of the work vehicle (e.g., the average of left and right track speeds), independent of a portion of the drivetrain speed commands corresponding to steering (e.g., the difference between the track speeds). The derate value may optionally be applied only to propulsion commands that produce forward motion, and not for reverse motion. Separate (non-zero) derate settings may optionally be provided for reverse and/or steering functions. Derate functionality may optionally be implemented upon detecting particular types (e.g. dozer) of attachments, or an associated work state.

Abstract: A terrain-based travel assist system and method are provided for stability control in a self-propelled work vehicle such as an excavator comprising ground engaging units and at least one work implement configured for controllably working terrain. Upon selecting or determining a travel mode for the work vehicle, the respective predetermined target positions and/or operations of the at least one work implement are retrieved from data storage, corresponding to the determined travel mode. Feedback signals are received from sensors corresponding to respective current positions and/or operations of the at least one implement, and in some embodiments to a vehicle speed. Control signals are generated for automatically controlling the at least one work implement to the respective predetermined target positions and/or through the respective operations, responsive to the determined travel mode and the received feedback signals.

Abstract: A load sensitive ride system and method is disclosed for a vehicle with an implement movably attached by a boom cylinder. The system includes a payload weight measuring system that measures payload weight and generates a signal indicative of the payload weight, a ride control circuit that adjusts hydraulic flow to and from the boom cylinder; and a controller that receives the signal indicative of the payload weight, and sends compliance commands to adjust ride control compliance based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The system can include a tire inflation system that adjusts tire pressure. The controller can send inflation commands to adjust tire pressure based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The compliance commands can depend on the components and compliance adjustment methods of the ride control circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for adaptive calibration of a self-propelled work vehicle comprising a chassis and a blade front-mounted thereto for working a ground surface. First sensor signals correspond to a blade slope, and second sensor signals correspond to a chassis slope. During a first operating mode, a blade position is controlled relative to the chassis, based at least on a stored calibration value and a detected difference between the blade slope and a target slope of the ground surface, and a difference is also determined between the chassis slope and the target slope of the ground surface. During a second operating mode, the position of the blade is controlled relative to the chassis until the chassis slope corresponds to the target slope of the ground surface, and the stored calibration value is altered based on adjustments to the blade position during the second operating mode.

Abstract: A mobile machine includes a tool coupled to the mobile machine by one or more controllable linkages. The machine includes a user interface mechanism configured to receive input from an operator. The machine includes one or more controllers configured to implement surface follow logic configured to receive the input from the user interface mechanism and identify a desired movement of the tool relative to a control surface, based on the input. The one or more controllers configured to implement control signal generator logic that generates a control signal to control the one or more controllable linkages, based on the identified movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for controlling a work implement (e.g., front-mounted blade) relative to a work vehicle to produce a desired profile in a ground surface. Chassis-mounted sensor(s) detect an actual pitch velocity and an actual pitch angle of the chassis relative to the ground. Further sensor(s) detect an actual lift position of the blade relative to the chassis. A desired profile to be produced by the blade with respect to the ground surface is determined, for example via an automated grade control system, via manually-initiated trigger(s), and/or via time-based rolling averages of detected values. A position of the implement is automatically controlled as a function of each of the actual pitch velocity, the actual pitch angle of the chassis relative to the ground, and the actual lift position of the work implement relative to the chassis, corresponding to the desired profile with respect to the ground surface.