Abstract: Highly accurate aerial photogrammetry is performed while avoiding increase in cost. A survey data processing device includes an image data receiving part, a location data receiving part, an identification marker detecting part, an identifying part, and a location identifying part. The image data receiving part receives image data of aerial photographs of vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with GNSS location identifying units and identification markers, respectively. The location data receiving part receives location data of the vehicles that are identified by the respective GNSS location identifying units. The identification marker detecting part detects the identification markers of the vehicles from the image data. The identifying part identifies each of the vehicles in the aerial photographs. The location identifying part identifies locations of ground control points (GCPs) in the aerial photographs by using the location data of the vehicles and by using the identification information.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for automatic detection of implement working width of an implement on a vehicle. The method includes tracking location of the vehicle; determining if the vehicle is making substantially parallel passes; if the vehicle is making substantially parallel passes the method also includes determining distances between consecutive passes; and calculating a calculated implement working width based on the distances between consecutive passes. A location sensor attached to the vehicle can be used for tracking the vehicle. Determining if the vehicle is making parallel passes can include grouping the location sensor readings into pass lines that each include sensor readings defining a single pass line; and determining if a current pass line is parallel to a prior pass line. Vehicle heading can be used for determining if pass lines are substantially parallel. Known implement working widths can be used to verify calculated implement working widths.

Abstract: An articulated tracked vehicle that has a main section, which includes a main frame, and a forward section. The main frame has two sides and a front end, and includes a pair of parallel main tracks. Each main track includes a flexible continuous belt coupled to a corresponding side of the main frame. The forward section includes an elongated arm. One end of the arm is pivotally coupled to the main frame near the forward end of the main frame about a transverse axis that is generally perpendicular to the sides of the main frame. The arm has a length sufficiently long to allow the forward section to extend below the main section in at least some degrees of rotation of the arm, and a length shorter than the length of the main section. The center of mass of the main section is located forward of the rearmost point reached by the end of the arm in its pivoting about the transverse axis.

Abstract: A system and a method of controlling starting of a vehicle may include: an accelerator pedal position sensor detecting position of an accelerator pedal; a vehicle speed sensor detecting vehicle speed; and a controller receiving information on input variables including the position of the accelerator pedal and the vehicle speed from the accelerator pedal position sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, determining a short term driving tendency index of a driver based on the information, and performing starting control according to the short term driving tendency index.

Abstract: A partially tracked utility vehicle and conversion are provided. The converted partially tracked utility vehicle has a chassis, front wheels, and a trailing link suspension. The trailing link suspension has a trailing link with a first end pivotably connected to said chassis and a second end pivotably connected to a walking beam at a walking beam pivot; a shock having a first end pivotably connected to a tension shaft and a second end pivotably connected to said trailing link; said walking beam further comprising a plurality of axle mounted bogey wheels for engaging a track of said partially tracked utility vehicle; a sprocket mounted to a traction drive of said utility vehicle for engaging and providing rotational power to said track; and an actuator attached to said chassis, said actuator having a shaft pivotably connected to said tension shaft and configured to rotate said tension shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steering control device capable of adjusting reference points of a plurality of motions, which are used for a steering operation in a steering operating unit, with high precision. In the steering control device, a control unit performs N-point learning under the condition that the absolute value of an operating amount in operation systems other than a target is smaller than a predetermined value (or substantially 0). This makes it possible to suppress the influence of operation systems other than the target on the steering of a vehicle M during N-point learning, making it possible to learn the N point in the operation system of the target with high precision. With this N-point learning for each target, even in an operation system which can be steered through a plurality of motions, it is possible to learn the N point of each motion with high precision.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes a pair of track assemblies including rubber treads with track bars, a front wheel assembly and a controller. The track assemblies are interconnected by respective front and rear axles extending substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel. The controller automatically controls a load imposed on the front wheel assembly in order to control the load imposed at the front axle of the track assemblies to minimize rubber tread wear.

Abstract: A tractor configuration includes a mainframe structure, a control station having a means of controlling the tractor, an undercarriage system having one left side and one right side track assembly, a wheel mechanism containing one or more wheels located forward of the track assemblies, a power train for forcing both track assemblies to travel at the same or different speeds, a controller responsible for exerting force to transfer vertical load back and forth between the front portion of the track assemblies and the wheel mechanism and controlling the amount of weight carried by the wheel mechanism. The controller causes or allows the wheel or wheels of the wheel mechanism to follow the tractor's curved path caused by track speed difference.

Abstract: A vehicle behavior control apparatus including a deceleration control mechanism decelerating the vehicle to reduce a deviation between a target turning index value, which is determined based on a steering angle of the vehicle, and an actual turning index value. The deceleration control mechanism reduces the decrease gradient of the deceleration when a roll motion index value of the vehicle exceeds a threshold roll motion index value.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle having a unique suspension system for enabling handicapped individuals or invalids to easily access the vehicle and be self-transportable over ground or an ice surface.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for detecting and compensating for a traction steer event is provided. A first wheel speed of a first driven wheel is compared with a second wheel speed of a second driven wheel to determine whether a wheel slip condition has occurred. If a wheel slip condition is determined to have occurred, a current operating state of a vehicle is compared to an expected operating state of the vehicle to determine if a traction steer event has occurred. If a traction steer event is determined to have occurred, brake pressure is selectively applied to the first or second driven wheel to compensate for the traction steer event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method using GPS for dynamically adjusting side-to-side positioning of a farm implement along a geographical path.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes first and second pumps, first and second motors, and three valves for selectively creating combined and basic hydraulic flow. The arrangement of valves permits combined flow to be provided to both motors in series to cause high speed operation of the motors, and permits combined flow to be provided to one motor and basic flow to the other motor. When applied to a vehicle, the arrangement provides a steerable high speed series arrangement of the vehicle's drive motors.

Abstract: An endless belt system for a vehicle having a negative trail steering geometry is provided. The endless belt system replaces the wheels that steer a vehicle, particularly an all-terrain vehicle, to provide increased steerability and floatation over soft terrain.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with an additional crawler undercarriage includes assemblies to reduce the load pressure transferred to the ground and to improve off-road performance. The assemblies include components used in conventional mass-produced vehicles, with a chassis (1. 1), a body with optional cargo area (1.2), undercarriage, such as axles (1.3) with steered (1.4) and/or unsteered wheels (1.5), tires (1.6), wheel suspension, spring support, steering and brakes, and an engine-transmission unit (1.7) with drive components. An additional crawler undercarriage (2) can be mounted and/or retrofitted on the chassis (1.1) between the axles (1.3) and used for traction in any terrain. The additional crawler undercarriage (2) includes an undercarriage (2.1) with drive wheels (2.2) and carrying wheels (2.3) and revolving crawler chains/crawlers (2.4) and associated elements, first means (3) for providing an optionally extendable and retractable connection of the undercarriage (2.1) with the chassis (1.

Abstract: A semicrawler-type working vehicle is provided having a vehicle body (3), a front steering control wheel (7) arranged at a front side of the vehicle body, a drive shaft (26) and a pivot shaft (22) arranged at a rear side of the vehicle body, and a semicrawler unit (2) driven by the drive shaft. The semicrawler-type working vehicle comprises: a track frame (16) by which the semicrawler unit (2) is supported via the pivot shaft (22) so as to be pivotable relative to the vehicle body (3); a drive wheel (11) arranged on the drive shaft (26); a front driven wheel (12) and a rear driven wheel (13) that are supported by the track frame (16) such that a horizontal distance from the drive wheel (11) to the front driven wheel (12) is longer than a horizontal distance from the drive wheel (11) to the rear driven wheel (13); and a crawler belt (15) that is wound around the drive wheel (11), the front driven wheel (12), and the rear driven wheel (13).

Abstract: A global positioning system based navigation system for a ground vehicle, in particular an agricultural ground vehicle such as a tractor, combine, sprayer, or the like, includes an inertial compensation assembly that provides inertial augmentation to compensate global positioning system based navigation information such as position, course, and track spacing for errors caused by variation of ground vehicle attitude (i.e., roll and yaw) over non-level terrain.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has sprung suspensions that can be locked to prevent vertical movement with respect to the chassis of the vehicle. The operator controls include a switch that the operator can manipulate to lock the suspensions on command. The switch is mounted on a joystick that is used to perform other vehicle functions such as moving the vehicle, raising loader arms, or tilting the bucket or other implement attached to the loader arms. The switch is located on the joystick such that the operator can manipulate the switch without having to remove his hands from the joystick.

Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a target steering angle operation unit for operating target steering angles of front wheels and rear wheels, a steering increase/steering return determination unit for determining as to whether steering wheel manipulation is in an increasing state or in a return state, a target rotation center azimuth operation unit for operating a target rotation center azimuth so that a rotation center azimuth &thgr; is decreased in a case of steering increase and a rotation center azimuth &thgr; is increased in a case of steering return, a vehicle behavior estimation unit for estimating a vehicle behavior based on the target rotation center azimuth, a corrected target rotation center azimuth operation unit for operating a corrected target rotation center azimuth so that the vehicle behavior does not exceed a specified value, and a corrected target steering angle operation unit for operating a corrected target steering angle realizing the corrected target rotation center azimuth.

Abstract: A vehicle is driven by a central track assembly and differential speed steering wheels in flanking relation thereto.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle which has a body which may be configured as a boat hull, a pair of spaced apart front wheels, an endless track located rearwardly of the spaced apart front wheels, drive means operative to drive at least the endless track, a steering means connected to the spaced apart front wheels. The vehicle is able to handle most types of snow and land conditions and can also be configured to operate in water.

Abstract: A vehicle with a driving track assembly and a pair of secondary driving and steering assemblies disposed on opposing lateral sides of the track. Each secondary driving and steering structure includes a ground engaging driving and steering structure that is preferably a ground engaging wheel. The driving track assembly includes an endless ground engaging track that drives the vehicle. The flanking driving and steering structures also engage the ground and are rotated to impart force to the vehicle. A steering device is operatively connected to the secondary driving and steering assemblies. the steering device control operation of the secondary driving and steering assemblies so as to affect a vehicle steering operation wherein the ground engaging driving and steering structures are operated to turn said vehicle with respect to said vehicle driving and steering direction.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a main frame structure, a track assembly mounted to the main frame structure and having an single, endless ground-engaging track extending in a longitudinal direction. A pair of steerable ground-engaging wheels flank the track, constructed and arranged to exert a ground bearing pressure sufficient to change a direction of travel of the track in response to turning of the wheels to steer the vehicle. Steering structure is operatively associated with the wheels to turn the wheels. Power drive structure is mounted with respect to the main frame structure and is constructed and arranged to drive the wheels and the track simultaneously so as to move the vehicle along the ground. The wheels are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the main frame structure so as to change a position thereof with respect to the main frame structure, thereby permitting driving, steering and ground pressure of the vehicle to be adjusted in accordance with ground conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a main frame structure, a track assembly mounted to the main frame structure and having a single, endless ground-engaging track extending in a longitudinal direction. A pair of steerable ground-engaging wheels flank the track, constructed and arranged to exert a ground bearing pressure sufficient to change a direction of travel of the track in response to turning of the wheels to steer the vehicle. Steering structure is operatively associated with the wheels to turn the wheels. Power drive structure is mounted with respect to the main frame structure and is constructed and arranged to drive the wheels and the track simultaneously so as to move the vehicle along the ground. The wheels are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the main frame structure so as to change a position thereof with respect to the main frame structure, thereby permitting driving, steering and ground pressure of the vehicle to be adjusted in accordance with ground conditions.