Abstract: A system and method for the controlled lowering and lifting of a load are disclosed. The system and method may include operating a work machine having a hydraulic system including a hydraulic actuator for supporting a load, a first control valve in fluid communication with the actuator, and a controller for operating the first control valve. In one embodiment, the controller includes a first algorithm for operating the first control valve in a load lowering operation. When an operational fault within the hydraulic system is detected, the controller can be configured to enter into a safe lowering mode. In the safe lowering mode, the first algorithm is disabled and a pulse width modulation (PWM) current is sent from the controller to the first control valve. A user interface is provided to allow an operator to control the PWM current duty ratio to allow the load supported by the actuator to be lowered.

Abstract: A torque sensing assembly of a differential of an axle assembly is shown in the present disclosure. The differential may include a differential housing portion, a drive pinion positioned within the differential housing portion, a ring gear, a carrier, a differential pinion, a first side gear, a second side gear, a first bearing, a first bearing support, and the torque sensing assembly. The first bearing is coupled to the differential housing portion and rotatable with the carrier. The first bearing support is coupled to the differential housing portion and used to support the first bearing. The torque sensing assembly is coupled to the first bearing support and operable to measure a strain thereof resulted from a separation force created between the drive pinion and ring gear.

Abstract: Sensing systems for agricultural equipment and related methods may be configured for detecting the operating state of rotating elements in agricultural implements. The sensing systems for an agricultural implement may include a rotating element and a monitoring center equipped with an alert mechanism. The sensing systems may include an inertial sensor, a microprocessor, a communication element, and a power supply. The sensing system may be a single element fixed directly to the rotating element.

Abstract: A coasting driving control method and system for a vehicle may determine virtual engine RPM for a current driving state using engine RPM, vehicle speed, and gear stage information by a controller when coasting is started with the clutch in the neutral position and outputs a downshifting instruction signal for a gear stage by the controller when the virtual engine RPM is less than a coasting engine RPM which is greater than an idling RPM by a predetermined value.

Abstract: A semi-mounted plough has a rear chassis, the plough trailing behind a plough-towing tractor in a laterally pivotable or steerable manner by a vertically oriented joint. In order to compensate lateral pulling for the tractor, which is generated by the traction force of the plough about the vertical axis of the tractor, an energy accumulator is arranged, which generates a torque counteracting the lateral pulling.

Abstract: A handheld trenching apparatus and method of forming a trench in ground using the apparatus. The apparatus has a frame, a cutting head, and a drive. The cutting head has a ground penetrating portion with a plurality of cutting members that are caused to be moved in a controlled path by the drive. The frame has an elongate frame part with the cutting head at one frame part end. The frame further has at least one graspable region spaced lengthwise of the elongate frame part from the first elongate frame part end. The ground penetrating portion is directed into the ground and while engaging the at least one graspable region the ground penetrating portion is moved in a trench forming direction as the drive is operated to thereby form a trench.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adjusting a position of an implement of a work vehicle to control a load on the work vehicle. The implement is movable by a hydraulic circuit controlled by a Grade Control System. The method includes: determining, by a processor of the work vehicle, a slip condition associated with the work vehicle; determining, by the processor, an engine speed condition associated with the work vehicle; determining, by the processor, an offset to adjust the position of the implement based on at least one of the slip condition and the engine speed condition; and outputting the offset to the Grade Control System to adjust the position of the implement based on the offset to control the load on the work vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle traction control system for a vehicle having a prime mover, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface and being capable of slipping, and a transmission having an input side operably coupled to the prime mover and an output side operably coupled to the at least one wheel. The traction control system includes a controller operable to react to wheel slip by automatically activating a plurality of reactions for reducing wheel slip, wherein the plurality of reactions are tiered such that the controller activates each reaction sequentially in a predetermined order.

Abstract: An operating device for an electronic household appliance contains a rotary control knob being mounted on a control panel such that a carrier of the rotary control knob can rotate about an axis of rotation relative to the control panel, an angle of rotation detection device for detecting an angle position of the carrier, and a control device that is connected to the angle of rotation detection device and evaluates a measurement signal generated by the angle of rotation detection device. The rotary control knob further contains an operating element that is attached in a non-rotatable manner to the carrier and embodied in an elastically deformable manner and the rotary control knob contains a sensor that is attached in a non-rotatable manner to the carrier and detects any deformation of the operating element. The control device is connected to the sensor and evaluates a measurement signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A draft control device of tractor includes a top link fixing bracket fixed at the rear side of the tractor, a top link swing bracket hinge-coupled to the top link fixing bracket through a connection pin, and carrying out rotational motion with respect to the axial center of the connection pin according to the change of the compressive force of a top link in response to the change of work machine traction resistance, a leaf spring provided between the top link fixing bracket and the top link swing bracket to supply restoring force for the rotational motion of the top link swing bracket with respect to the top link fixing bracket, and a sensitivity adjustment unit provided between the top link swing bracket and the leaf spring, and changing an acting point, where the top link swing bracket pushes the leaf spring, to adjust work machine traction load sensitivity.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine implement. The control system includes a measurement sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide an implement measurement signal and an operator command signal, and to determine an adjusted implement command based signal based on the implement measurement signal and the operator command signal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine. The control system includes a sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the implement measurement signal, determine whether a main threshold condition is met, and to determine an adjusted implement command based at least in part on the implement measurement signal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine implement. The control system includes a measurement sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide an implement measurement signal and an operator command signal, and to determine an adjusted implement command based signal based on the implement measurement signal and the operator command signal.

Abstract: A control system for an implement (10) mounted on a tractor (11) via a three point linkage (10) and which has one or more depth control wheels (13) which contact the ground and which support at least part of the weight of the implement. The three point linkage has an upper link (17) and two lower links (14, 15), the upper link including an adjusting means such as an hydraulic cylinder (18) to vary its effective length and the lower links being provided with raising means (16) to raise the implement. The control system has a control unit (23) which received signals indicative of the level of slippage of one or more wheels of the tractor and which in response to a wheel slippage level above a first level (X) operates the adjusting means (18) to shorten the effective length of the upper link (17) to transfer some of the weight of the implement (10) onto the tractor to reduce wheel slippage.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for controlling movements of a work vehicle. The positional or geometric state of an equipment assembly for handling objects or material is determined and the control scheme which governs operation of at least one driveline component of the vehicle is varied depending on the determined equipment assembly state.

Abstract: A method for producing ground surfaces with a hydraulic excavator including a shovel applicable to the surface of the ground, and a lifting cylinder for lifting and lowering the excavator equipment. The lifting cylinder of the excavator equipment is actively connected with at least one work pump via a control device actuated by the operator; and whereby the lifting cylinder is lifted, lowered or blocked depending on the switching position of the control device. For compensating the weight of the excavator equipment and for adjusting an approximately constant pressure of application of the shovel to the surface of the ground as the excavator equipment is moving and working, the lifting side of the lifting cylinder, upon actuation of an actuating element, is automatically acted upon by an adjustable compensation pressure by supplying or evacuating a hydraulic medium.

Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a mechanism is provided. A first rate limit is assigned to a first input device that is operable to generate a first signal to control the operation of the mechanism. A second rate limit is assigned to a second input device that is operable to generate a second signal to control the operation of the mechanism. At least one of the first and second input devices are manipulated to effect a desired change in the operation of the mechanism. A maximum allowable rate of change in the operation of the mechanism is identified based on the first and second signals and the first and second rate limits. A rate of change in the operation of the mechanism to achieve the desired change in the operation of the mechanism is determined based on a comparison of the maximum allowable rate of change in the operation of the mechanism with a last used rate of change in the operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle/implement hitch control system is responsive to a wheel slip signal indicative of the slippage of the driven wheels of the vehicle. The control system generates an integrated slip signal using an integration function, generates a proportional slip signal using a proportional function, and generates a combined slip signal as a combination of the integrated slip signal and the proportional slip signal. An operator-controllable slip response adjuster generates slip response signals. A hitch control signal is generated as a function of the slip response signal and the combined slip signal, so that the operator can vary the response of the hitch control signal to the integrated slip signal, to a mixture of the integrated slip signal, and to various multiples of the proportional slip signal only.

Abstract: A control device controls the draft for moving the working machine, such as a plow, up or down. The working machine is mounted on a tractor by way of a hydraulic lifting device which is adjusted to the tilling depth predetermined by a tilling depth setter which depends on the increase or decrease of traction resistance detected by a draft sensor. When the lifting machine is changed from the ascending position to the descending position, the draft control function is stopped for a specified short time or a specified short distance to lower the working machine quickly. However, the quick lowering of the working machine is inhibited when the relationship between the detected value by the draft sensor and the preset value by the tilling depth setter is not at the descending position of the working machine.

Abstract: A hitch control system includes a draft force sensor, a hitch position sensor, an operator command lever, an upper hitch position limit setter, a mixer setter, a drop rate setter and a control unit which generates control signals as a function thereof. The control system includes a first (load) control mode wherein the hitch is controlled as a linear function primarily of sensed draft force and a second control mode wherein the hitch is controlled purely as a non-linear function of sensed hitch position. In the load control mode, a reference position value is used as a set point representing only the lower range of positions of the hitch. Draft force sensitivity and system gain values are derived from the mix setter so that increasing the sensitivity also increases the system gain. The sensitivity value is limited within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A tractor implement draft force control system in which desired and actual implement draft force values are compared to provide a draft force error signal. The system is responsive to the error signal to control the working depth and hence the draft force of the implement. A deadband operates on the error signal to render error signals within the deadband ineffective to control the working depth of the implement and a deadband control means adjusts the width of the deadband so that the deadband width is maintained dependent on components of the error signal above a predetermined frequency. Thus the system can be arranged not to respond to high frequency spurious components of the draft force signal but is able to respond to the lower frequency components of this signal which are representative of the true draft force variations.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for a tractor comprising a control valve for a hydraulic unit for a work device, a position control lever and a draft control lever for changing over the valve through position and draft link assemblies, a position feedback assembly, a draft feedback assembly for switching the valve to maintain the draft on the work device at an approximately constant value, and a position control spool operating arm and a draft control spool operating arm arranged above and below the spool of the valve in intersecting relation thereto, the draft feedback assembly being interlocked with the draft link assembly. The control valve is disposed under the case of the hydraulic unit, while the link assemblies are accommodated in a space inside one side wall of the case and having an open lower side to make the apparatus easy to assemble.

Abstract: An automatic feedback control system for use with an off-road vehicle having an adjustable-elevation, ground-engaging implement, such as an agricultural tractor with a three-point hitch and a plough or cultivator, is disclosed. The automatic control system provides an engine-sensing draft control system which adjusts the height or elevation of the ground-engaging implement so as to maintain the draft or load forces experienced by the vehicle at a substantially constant level. The determination of the draft being produced by the ground-engaging implement is determined by the engine speed deviation from a target point speed which is indicated by an operator-set desired no-load engine speed and an operator-set engine lug-down value or load.

Abstract: A hitch control system includes an algorithm which prevents undesired and/or unexpected hitch movement upon start-up of the control system, depending upon the actual hitch position, the commanded hitch position and an operator set limit position.

Abstract: A control system and method for adjusting the depth of a tractor-drawn draft implement in response to a detection of draft load. The control system compares actual engine rpm to a stored or mapped value of engine rpm at zero engine load conditions for the throttle setting in use. An indication of engine lug-down is thereby obtained. Through the use of another memory related to the engine torque versus rpm curve, for the actual throttle setting in use, a draft load signal is obtained. As determined by an operator sensitivity setting, a preselected portion of the draft load signal is then combined with a preselected portion of an actual draft depth position signal to form a feedback signal. A signal represntative of the draft depth desired by the operator is then combined with the feedback signal to form a command signal for raising or lowering the draft implement via a hydraulic powerlift valve.

Abstract: A tractor control system has a work implement, an actuator for the work implement, an electronic circuit utilizing an analog/digital technique and including an analog/digital control unit and a device for measuring a factor dominating the performance of the actuator and providing a first signal representing the actual value of the control system, a second signal representing a set point value, and a third signal in analog form representing the difference between the values of the first and second signals. The difference constitutes the control deviation for governing the analog/digital control unit which controls the actuator. A converter converts the third signal to digital form by a sampling device for sampling at a sampling frequency f.sub.o to establish a dead range in a time dimension. The sampling device provides pulses. A comparator circuit processes the digital signal and includes comparators having limit values defining the dead range set therein.

Abstract: The position control and force control of a device mounted to a tractor, in particular for controlling the depth penetration of a plough, is supplemented by a lowering speed-responsive control to limit the lowering speed to a predetermined maximum value in order to increase safety of operation. Activating and disabling the lowering speed signal takes place in response to operating a mode select switch provided for the position control and force control as well as in response to a high-speed actuation of the mounted device. Furthermore, the lifting and lowering function of the hydraulic jack of the mounted device may be locked to prevent undesired motions of the mounted device when the system is put in operation.

Abstract: A force measuring procedure and a force measuring apparatus are used to control the power hoist of an agricultural tractor. The force measuring procedure operates in such a manner that the relative displacement of a point on an elastic system is detected by at least one Hall sensor disposed on either the elastic system or on the fixed frame with the Hall sensor being located in a magnetic field with a predeterminable magnetic flux. For this the force measuring apparatus has a flex rod attached to at least one of a pair of lower hitches which indicates the bending moment, and the Hall sensor is mounted with its detector surface essentially in the primary plane of bending deformation of the flex rod and is connected to the control circuit of the power hoist.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the sensitivity of a tractor draft sensing and control system of the type including a draft sensing mechanism having an output link shiftable along its length in response to changes in draft and a draft control linkage having an input arm mounted for swinging movement about a pivot. The input arm is provided with a generally radially extending slot, and the output link is provided with structure slideably received within the slot. A control member, which is adjusted by a screw rod, selectively positions the structure within the slot to vary the moment arm of the input arm which, in turn, varies the sensitivity of the system.

Abstract: The draft control consists of a three-point hitch mechanism which automatically raises or lowers the hitched implement so that a predetermined draft load can be maintained. An increase or decrease draft load on the implement is sensed by an upper hitch arm. A linkage mechanism transfers this force through a number of links of proper length, such that, the implement is raised with excessive draft load and lowered the implement as the draft load decreases from the excessive level. The draft load that is to be maintained is determined by the location of the middle link in one of a plurality of holes in the attaching linkage. Structure is provided to lock out the draft control.

Abstract: An automatic position control apparatus for a ground working vehicle equipped with a liftable working implement. The control apparatus is adapted to automatically control lifting and lowering of the implement so that the deviation of the draft value of the implement acutally detected by a draft detector from the draft value preset by a draft setting unit is maintained within a permissible range preset by a sensitivity setting unit. The control apparatus is characterized in that the apparatus includes a detector for detecting that the deviation is not decreasing outside the permissible range above the maximum permissible value thereof so as to automatically control the lift of the implement only while the deviation detector is in detecting operation.

Abstract: A draft load sensing mechanism for a vehicle having a torsion bar carrying the draft load from the lower draft arms which produce a torsion load on the bar. A preload adjusting screw applies a preload torque to the torsion bar and a load limit adjusting screw limits the maximum torque load that can be applied to the torsion bar responsive to the draft load on the vehicle.

Abstract: A load-sensing device for sensing strain on the rear drive housing responsive to draft loads on the vehicle for generating a signal for controlling the raising and lowering of an implement through a hydraulic system of distributing vehicle weight or vehicle and implement weight.