Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis and a body assembly. The body assembly includes a series of panels configured to contain a volume of refuse therein, a ramp, and an ejector. The panels define a hopper volume and a storage volume. The ramp is disposed within the hopper volume. The ejector is configured to fully eject refuse from the storage volume. The ejector includes a wall at least partially defining an opening within a plane and a coupling pivotally and fixedly coupling a panel to the wall. The wall is movable within the storage volume. The panel is selectively rotatable relative to the wall between a closed position and an open position. The panel extends at least partially across the opening when selectively rotated into the closed position and is angularly offset relative to the plane of the opening when selectively rotated into the open position.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis and a body assembly. The chassis includes a cab positioned at one end of a frame. The body assembly includes a plurality of panels configured to contain a volume of refuse therein, a ramp, and an ejector. The plurality of panels define a longitudinal direction, a hopper volume and a storage volume, the ramp is disposed within the hopper volume, and the ejector is configured to fully eject refuse from the storage volume. The ejector includes a wall at least partially defining an opening within a plane and a panel pivotally coupled to the wall. The panel is selectively rotatable relative to the wall between a closed position and an open position, the panel spanning the opening when selectively rotated into the closed position and angularly offset relative to the plane of the opening when selectively rotated into the open position.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis and a body assembly. The chassis includes a cab positioned at one end of a frame. The body assembly includes a plurality of panels configured to contain a volume of refuse therein, a ramp, and an ejector. The plurality of panels define a longitudinal direction, a hopper volume and a storage volume, the ramp is disposed within the hopper volume, and the ejector is configured to fully eject refuse from the storage volume. The ejector includes a wall at least partially defining an opening within a plane and a panel pivotally coupled to the wall. The panel is selectively rotatable relative to the wall between a closed position and an open position, the panel spanning the opening when selectively rotated into the closed position and angularly offset relative to the plane of the opening when selectively rotated into the open position.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for reducing fuel consumption of a work vehicle is disclosed. The method may generally include determining, with a controller, a load power requirement for the work vehicle, determining a plurality of candidate engine speeds at which the load power requirement is achievable, analyzing stored efficiency data for a transmission and at least one additional component of the work vehicle to determine a power loss value for each candidate engine speed, determining a candidate engine power for each candidate engine speed based on the load power requirement and the power loss values and analyzing stored fuel efficiency data based on the candidate engine powers to determine a target engine speed for the work vehicle.

Abstract: A method for performing a shuttle shift with a transmission of a work vehicle is disclosed, wherein the transmission includes an input shaft, a counter shaft and a plurality of driven shafts extending generally parallel to the input and counter shafts. The method may include disengaging a clutch associated with a first directional gear of a directional shaft of the plurality of driven shafts. The first directional gear may be configured to rotate the directional shaft in a first direction. Additionally, the method may include engaging clutches associated with at least two gears of at least one secondary driven shaft of the plurality of driven shafts to reduce a rotational speed of the directional shaft and, after the rotational speed of the directional shaft is reduced, engaging a clutch associated with a second directional gear of the directional shaft such that the directional shaft rotates in a second direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle includes a variable displacement pump configured to pressurize a fluid based on a pump stroke, a clutch, and a controller that is coupled to the variable displacement pump and the clutch. The clutch is positioned to selectively couple the variable displacement pump with an engine when engaged and selectively decouple the variable displacement pump from the engine when disengaged. The controller is configured to generate a first command signal to decrease the pump stroke and thereafter generate a second command signal to disengage the clutch.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for reducing fuel consumption of a work vehicle is disclosed. The method may generally include determining, with a controller, a load power requirement for the work vehicle, determining a plurality of candidate engine speeds at which the load power requirement is achievable, analyzing stored efficiency data for a transmission and at least one additional component of the work vehicle to determine a power loss value for each candidate engine speed, determining a candidate engine power for each candidate engine speed based on the load power requirement and the power loss values and analyzing stored fuel efficiency data based on the candidate engine powers to determine a target engine speed for the work vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle includes a first hydraulic circuit, a second hydraulic circuit, and a main actuator. The first hydraulic circuit includes a first pump having a flow outlet; a first pressure line having a pump end coupled to the flow outlet of the first pump; and a first load sensing line having a pump end coupled to the first pump and a pressure end coupled to the first pressure line. The second hydraulic circuit includes a second pump having a flow outlet; a second pressure line having a pump end coupled to the flow outlet of the second pump; and a second load sensing line having a pump end coupled to the second pump and a pressure end coupled to the second pressure line. The main actuator is coupled to the first pressure line and the second pressure line and is configured to oppose a load force. The first load sensing line is separate from the second load sensing line such that the first pump and the second pump respond independently to the load force.

Abstract: A method for operating a work vehicle in an automatic speed control mode is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving an input associated with a desired ground speed of the work vehicle, determining with a controller to implement a gear change and an erpm change in order to maintain the work vehicle at the desired ground speed, wherein the gear change includes a gear prep phase and a ratio change phase and controlling a timing parameter of at least one of the gear change or the erpm change such that the ratio change phase and the erpm change occur substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle includes a variable displacement pump configured to pressurize a fluid based on a pump stroke, a clutch, and a controller that is coupled to the variable displacement pump and the clutch. The clutch is positioned to selectively couple the variable displacement pump with an engine when engaged and selectively decouple the variable displacement pump from the engine when disengaged. The controller is configured to generate a first command signal to decrease the pump stroke and thereafter generate a second command signal to disengage the clutch.

Abstract: A method for performing a shuttle shift with a transmission of a work vehicle is disclosed, wherein the transmission includes an input shaft, a counter shaft and a plurality of driven shafts extending generally parallel to the input and counter shafts. The method may include disengaging a clutch associated with a first directional gear of a directional shaft of the plurality of driven shafts. The first directional gear may be configured to rotate the directional shaft in a first direction. Additionally, the method may include engaging clutches associated with at least two gears of at least one secondary driven shaft of the plurality of driven shafts to reduce a rotational speed of the directional shaft and, after the rotational speed of the directional shaft is reduced, engaging a clutch associated with a second directional gear of the directional shaft such that the directional shaft rotates in a second direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied within a transmission of a work vehicle. The method may generally include receiving a signal associated with a load condition of the work vehicle, determining a desired pressure for the hydraulic fluid supplied within the transmission based on the load condition and controlling a valve such that hydraulic fluid is supplied within the transmission at the desired pressure, wherein the transmission includes an input shaft, a counter shaft and at least two driven shafts extending parallel to the input and counter shafts.

Abstract: A method for operating a work vehicle in an automatic speed control mode is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving an input associated with a desired ground speed of the work vehicle, determining with a controller to implement a gear change and an erpm change in order to maintain the work vehicle at the desired ground speed, wherein the gear change includes a gear prep phase and a ratio change phase and controlling a timing parameter of at least one of the gear change or the erpm change such that the ratio change phase and the erpm change occur substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle includes a first hydraulic circuit, a second hydraulic circuit, and a main actuator. The first hydraulic circuit includes a first pump having a flow outlet; a first pressure line having a pump end coupled to the flow outlet of the first pump; and a first load sensing line having a pump end coupled to the first pump and a pressure end coupled to the first pressure line. The second hydraulic circuit includes a second pump having a flow outlet; a second pressure line having a pump end coupled to the flow outlet of the second pump; and a second load sensing line having a pump end coupled to the second pump and a pressure end coupled to the second pressure line. The main actuator is coupled to the first pressure line and the second pressure line and is configured to oppose a load force. The first load sensing line is separate from the second load sensing line such that the first pump and the second pump respond independently to the load force.

Abstract: A method and associated system for compensation of vehicle speed lag resulting from changing load conditions in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) vehicle includes detecting and measuring true engine torque resulting from load changes placed on the vehicle engine. A true engine speed droop is calculated from the true engine torque. A compensated engine speed signal is generated based on the calculated true engine speed droop and is applied to the engine to produce a true engine speed that corresponds to a target engine speed at the load condition corrected for true engine speed droop.

Abstract: An engine-powered vehicle having an automatic power management feature is provided. It includes an engine, a transmission with multiple gear ratios driven by the engine, a final drive which provides axle torque data to the transmission to establish engine torque, and an electronic controller for controlling both the engine and the transmission. The electronic controller has automatic speed control, and it also has a device to input data, receive data, and to evaluate at least one variable during automatic speed control. When the electronic controller receives data input from the engine, transmission, final drive, and device, the electronic controller determines engine rpm and transmission gear as a result of the data received to maintain a selected speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied within a transmission of a work vehicle. The method may generally include receiving a signal associated with a load condition of the work vehicle, determining a desired pressure for the hydraulic fluid supplied within the transmission based on the load condition and controlling a valve such that hydraulic fluid is supplied within the transmission at the desired pressure, wherein the transmission includes an input shaft, a counter shaft and at least two driven shafts extending parallel to the input and counter shafts.

Abstract: A method and associated system for compensation of vehicle speed lag resulting from changing load conditions in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) vehicle includes detecting and measuring true engine torque resulting from load changes placed on the vehicle engine. A true engine speed droop is calculated from the true engine torque. A compensated engine speed signal is generated based on the calculated true engine speed droop and is applied to the engine to produce a true engine speed that corresponds to a target engine speed at the load condition corrected for true engine speed droop.

Abstract: An engine-powered vehicle having an automatic power management feature is provided. It includes an engine, a transmission with multiple gear ratios driven by the engine, a final drive which provides axle torque data to the transmission to establish engine torque, and an electronic controller for controlling both the engine and the transmission. The electronic controller has automatic speed control, and it also has a device to input data, receive data, and to evaluate at least one variable during automatic speed control. When the electronic controller receives data input from the engine, transmission, final drive, and device, the electronic controller determines engine rpm and transmission gear as a result of the data received to maintain a selected speed.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an engine-powered vehicle is provided. When the vehicle is placed in an automatic speed control mode, an electronic controller receives data from the vehicle's engine, transmission, a final drive, and a device which evaluates at least one variable. The electronic controller determines engine rpm and transmission gear as a result of the data received, and automatically up-shifts the transmission and reduces engine speed to reduce fuel consumption when a load on the vehicle is reduced and down-shifts the transmission and increases engine speed when a load is applied.