Abstract: A depth guidance system for a work vehicle can be provided. In one example, the depth guidance system can include a depth sensor for detecting a depth of a work tool coupled to the work vehicle. The depth guidance system can include a first indicator light configured to illuminate in a first color indicating that the work tool is above a target depth-range. The depth guidance system can also include a second indicator light configured to illuminate in a second color indicating that the work tool is within the target depth-range. The depth guidance system can receive sensor signals from the depth sensor indicating that the work tool is at various depths and responsively activate a corresponding one of the first indicator light or the second indicator light for each depth among the various depths of the work tool.

Abstract: An automated design system for facilitating intelligent design of electromechanically controlled hydraulic systems. The automated design system utilizes one or more servers and one or more processors for accessing design information related to the hydraulic systems. The design system also includes a display device which provides an interface, an input device and a software program which allow a user to select various design characteristics related to a product design. The automated design system also provides text-based and graphical outputs pertaining to a product design.

Abstract: An estimate of the relative attitude between an implement and a vehicle body is computed from a body angular velocity measurement received from at least one body gyro mounted on the vehicle body and from an implement angular velocity measurement received from at least one implement gyro mounted on the implement. A first system state vector estimate corresponding to a first time instant includes a representation of a first relative attitude estimate. An updated system state vector is computed based at least in part on the first system state vector estimate, the body angular velocity vector measurement, and the implement angular velocity vector measurement. A second system state vector estimate corresponding to a second time instant is predicted based at least in part on the updated system state vector and a time-dependent system model. The second system state vector estimate includes a representation of a second relative attitude estimate.

Abstract: The blade control apparatus includes outputting an instruction to operate a hydraulic cylinder, calculating a target height of the blade tip according to absolute position data, vehicle body inclination angle data, and designed surface data, acquiring target height data at a first point of time, calculating an actual height of the blade tip at the first point of time according to the absolute position data, the vehicle body inclination angle data, and the cylinder length data, and estimating an estimated height of the blade tip at a third point of time later than the first point of time, according to an instruction at a second point of time earlier than the first point of time, and actual height data of the blade tip at the first point of time or a point of time earlier than the first point of time.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the occurrence of wheel slip in a traction vehicle includes a drivetrain, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface, and a ground-engaging implement moveable relative to the support surface. The method includes estimating a first force acting against the ground-engaging implement, estimating a second force provided by the at least one wheel operable to move the vehicle on the support surface, and controlling the ground-engaging implement based on a difference between the first force and the second force.

Abstract: A rollback control system and method are disclosed for a loader having a bucket movable between first and second positions by one or more hydraulic cylinders of a hydraulic circuit. The rollback control system includes a source of vehicle conditions data that indicates one or more observable conditions associated with the work vehicle. The rollback control system includes at least one controller that receives and processes the vehicle conditions data to determine a position of the bucket relative to a material. The at least one controller outputs one or more control signals to direct flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders to move the bucket to the second position based on the determined position of the bucket.

Abstract: A control system for a machine equipped with a ripping tool. The control system includes a first operator input for generating a ripping control signal that initiates an auto-ripping mode. A second operator input is provided for generating a speed select signal for changing the transmission output speed of the machine to a selected transmission output speed. The system further includes a controller with a memory. The controller is linked to the first and second operator inputs. The controller is programmed to receive a ripping control signal from the first operator input and to activate the auto-ripping mode or auto-ripping mode and deactivate the auto-shift mode. The controller is also programmed to receive a speed select signal from the second operator input and to deactivate the auto-ripping mode and adjust the power source to the selected transmission output speed.

Abstract: A work vehicle may include a chassis, a ground-engaging blade, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The blade may be movably connected to the chassis via a linkage assembly configured to allow the blade to be raised and lowered relative to the chassis. The sensor assembly may be configured to provide a chassis inclination signal indicative of an angle of the chassis relative to the direction of gravity and a blade inclination signal indicative of an angle of the blade relative to one of the chassis and the direction of gravity. The controller may be configured to receive the chassis and blade inclination signals, determine a target grade, determine a distance error based on the signals indicative of a distance between the blade and the target grade, and send a command to move the blade toward the target grade based on the distance error.

Abstract: A blade control system of the present invention includes a determining part which is configured to determine whether or not a distance between a designed surface and a cutting edge of a blade is less than or equal to a threshold to be determined based on a speed, and a lift cylinder controlling part which is configured to supply hydraulic oil to a lift cylinder for starting elevation of the blade when the determining part determines that the distance is less than or equal to the threshold.

Abstract: A blade system of the present invention includes: a blade angle calculating part configured to calculate sum of a forwardly tilting angle of a vehicle body with respect to a reference surface and a blade lifting angle of a lift frame with respect to a reference position; a difference angle calculating part configured to calculate a difference angle by subtracting a predetermined angle from the sum of the forwardly tilting angle and the blade lifting angle; an opening ratio setting part configured to set an opening ratio of a proportional control valve based on the difference angle; and a lift controlling part configured to control the proportional control valve in accordance with the opening ratio set by the opening ratio setting part until a predetermined period of time is elapsed after onset of dozing by a blade.

Abstract: Method of sharing hydraulic fluid, includes: inputting first signal from a first manual control and second signal from a second manual control; sending a first control signal controlling a first valve in response to first signal; sending a second control signal controlling a second valve in response to second signal, wherein the first valve and second valve direct flow through a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit, respectively, wherein the first sub-circuit moves a boom arm and the second sub-circuit moves an implement; determining whether the boom arm and implement are in a first, second, third, or fourth condition; modifying at least one of the first and second control signals when the boom arm and implement are in first or second conditions; and controlling the first valve using the unmodified or modified first control signal and controlling the second valve using unmodified or modified second control signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine. One such feature includes an operator actuable selector which provides a selector signal based on an operator input. A controller receives the selector signal and provides an auxiliary output signal to control an auxiliary valve in a selected one of an on/off mode and a proportional mode based on the selector signal.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic control system for loading a bucket of an earthmoving machine includes sensors for sensing when the machine is crowding a pile of material to be loaded. A command signal generator monitors the sensed "crowd" parameters to trigger one of a learning or playback mode for hydraulic cylinder command signals when the parameter indicates pile contact.

Abstract: A ground leveling control system for a bulldozer, comprising: (a) a cutting edge position detector for detecting a position of a cutting edge of a blade with respect to the ground; and (b) a blade controller for controlling the blade to be lifted or lowered such that the cutting edge position of the blade detected by the cutting edge position detector is kept coincident with a preset target cutting edge position.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the bounce of a work implement attached to a machine having an electro-hydraulic system. The method comprises the steps of sensing the operating pressure in an actuator arrangement connected between the frame of the machine and the work implement, monitoring an upper and a lower operating pressure level in the actuator arrangement to establish a threshold pressure level and altering the pressure level in the actuator arrangement in the event the threshold level is exceeded to re-establish the threshold pressure level. Once the original threshold level is attained, the system is reset. This effectively eliminates the bounce of the work implement at the initial onset of the bounce and resets the system to react to future bounces.

Abstract: The device is mounted in an agricultural machine comprising two links for drawing an implement, a lifter member and a central control unit for controlling the member. The device comprises: two horizontal bars carried in the form of brackets from the chassis of the machine; and four resistive elements deposited on flat faces of the bars symmetrically with respect to a neutral axis defined in this latter, made of a material having an electrical resistance proportional to the deformations to which they are subject and connected in a Wheatstone bridge circuit in such a way such that this arrangement generates an electrical signal proportional to the imbalance of the bridge caused by the deformations to which the elements are subjected, and which are transmitted from the traction force on the implement.

Abstract: Impact rippers are useful for ripping solid rock. The service life of the impactor can be extended if the impactor is operated only when the ripper shank is loaded sufficient to transmit the impact energy into the material being ripped. The subject control system uses control signals generated by a plurality of signal generating means when the ripper shanks are loaded above a predetermined level to control the operation of the hydraulically actuated impactors associated with such ripper shanks. The number of control signals being generated is also used to control the volume of fluid made available for use by the impactors being operated at an given time to control the operating speed thereof. Thus, only the impactor(s) associated with a ripper shank(s) loaded above the predetermined level is operated thereby avoiding non-productive and harmful impactor operation if the ripper shank(s) is not sufficiently loaded.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a pavement breaker which includes a carriage, a lifting means for raising and lowering an impact arm which impact arm includes a tool for impacting a surface, mounted on one end and an oscillating member mounted on the other end. The control apparatus basically includes electrical apparatus for measuring the total weight being applied through the lifting means to the tool when it is in contact with the surface to be impacted and apparatus for limiting the amount of horizontal force that can be applied to the impact arm during the process of impacting the surface of the earth. A processor receives an electrical signal from the electrical apparatus which is applied to the lift control apparatus in a manner to stabilize the lifting force. A signal output is generated by the horizontal force limiting apparatus when a predetermined amount of horizontal force is received by the electrical device.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor having six wheels which are each hydraulically drivable by individual hydraulic motors through hydraulic fluid supplied by respective hydraulic pumps. With each pump driving only one wheel, skidding of a wheel does not affect drive to other wheels. The pumps are all driven by a single engine. Selectively operable automatic control means control the speed of the wheels when, for example, the tractor is turning. Control means are also responsive to the drag resistance of an implement hitched to the tractor's lifting members and cause such lifting members to raise when the implement's resistance exceeds a predetermined limit. In addition, speed of the vehicle is automatically reduced by reason of such resistance and, further, the position of the implement relative to the ground may be adjusted to offset at the location of the implement upward and downward movement of tandem wheel pairs at the rear of the tractor.

Abstract: In combination with a conventional laser beam control system for controlling an earth scraping and storing apparatus, such as a box blade for example, for leveling terrain, an improvement detecting when the box blade is full and overflowing is imminent and sensing the level of the box blade relative to the ground. The improvement overrides the functions of the conventional laser beam controls, when desirable, whereby overfilling and bogging down of the box blade is prevented and whereby rough terrain is readily and effectively leveled.

Abstract: Apparatus (19) for sensing forces (29) such as in a power transmission apparatus (10) and magnifying the sensed forces suitably to provide an output (28) such as for use in controlling associated equipment (12, 18) to limit the forces. The sensing apparatus (19) includes a flexible beam (30) having a first portion (34) which is fixedly retained as to a fixed portion (23, 24) of the wall member defining the deflectible portion (22). Beam (30) further includes a second portion (33) which is connected to a deflectible wall portion (22) of the wall member (21) which is deflected as a function of force transmission through the apparatus. The flexible beam (30) is provided with a distal arm (31) which is swung by the deflection of the beam to provide an output signal (28) at the distal end (32) of the arm so as to provide a preselected magnification of the deflection of the deflectible wall portion (22). A stabilizer (57 ) is provided for stabilizing movement of the arm (31) by the deflectible beam (30).

Abstract: A laser beam level control system for an earth-moving machine is provided with an automatic override function to temporarily block blade-down signals and raise the blade when lowering it or leaving it at its previous height would increase the force required to drive the machine across the ground above a preselected value which does not exceed the tractional force capability of the machine's drive wheels or exceed the machine's available horsepower.

Abstract: A device for lifting an implement carried by an agricultural tractor three-point linkage has a flexible bar connected at its ends to the said lower linkage arms for rotation about a transverse axis, the reaction forces transmitted from the ground to the implement, when the latter is lowered into the ground, causing flexural deformation of the bar in a horizontal plane to effect operation of a distributor control shaft through a linkage which includes a first lever fixed at one end to the center of the bar, and acting through an inclined slot and pin on a second lever so that the weight of the implement when lifted from the ground causes the linkage arms to rotate about their connections to the respective tie-rods, deforming the flexible bar in a vertical plane and causing rotation of the distributor control shaft in a sense to return the implement rapidly to the ground.

Abstract: A tractor three-point linkage has a hydraulic single-acting actuator for raising lower linkage arms through a linkage including respective vertical tie rods. A flexible compensating bar is rotatably supported by two fixed brackets on the tractor, the central region of the bar cooperating with a cam surface on a pivoted intermediate member acting through a mechanical transmission on the displaceable valve member of a distributor which controls the operation of the actuator to lift the linkage arms when the ground reaction force on the implement exceeds a limit. To increase the speed of return of the implement to the ground the invention provides for return movement of the distributor valve in response to vertical flexure of the bar caused by the weight of the implement, when lifted out of the ground, acting on the bar through the arms.

Abstract: A laser beam level control system for an earth-moving machine is provided with an automatic override function to temporarily block blade-down signals and raise the blade when lowering it or leaving it at its previous height would increase the force required to drive the machine across the ground above a preselected value which does not exceed the tractional force capability of the machine's drive wheels or exceed the machine's available horsepower.

Abstract: In a civil machine comprising a working tool provided on a vehicle with a travelling mechanism and a drive therefor, an automatic control system comprises a stroke detector for detecting the amount of stroke of a lifting cylinder operating to move the working tool up and down, an inclination angle detector for detecting the inclination angle of the vehicle, an arithmetic unit for obtaining data representative of the height of the working tool from the detection signals of the two detectors, and a control for operating the lifting cylinder by using the data to control the position of the working tool with high accuracy.

Abstract: The control system is provided with a detector that detects whether the ripper is operated in a piercing operating mode or a digging operating mode. In the piercing operating mode the angle of the shank is adjusted to a preset piercing angle, while in the digging operating mode the shank angle is adjusted to a preset digging angle thereby effecting optimum piercing and digging operations. Limit switches for detecting upper and lower limit positions of the shank are provided for raising and lowering the shank between these limit positions while adjusting the shank angle. Further an overload detector is provided for raising the shank when its load exceeds a predetermined load and lowering the shank when the load decreases below it. A manual preference control device also provided for enabling manual control during automatic control.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a ripper used on a construction equipment in which a load detector is provided on the ripper for detecting load acting on the ripper shank and lift cylinders are actuated to automatically raise the shank when overload is applied to the shank during ripping operation. The ripper is also provided with a depth detector for detecting upper and lower limit positions of the shank and the vertical movement of the shank can be limited between the upper and lower limits. When no overload is applied, the shank is maintained at the lower limit position to rip the ground at a predetermined penetration depth.