Deere & Company

Adam Zell

Anthony K Kraft

Joseph B Fochs

Katherine S Rogers

A method and control system operable to control movement of a work implement of a work vehicle. The control system includes a reservoir that retains fluid, a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, and an actuator in fluid communication with the pump. The actuator has a first side and a second side. A control valve is fluidly positioned between the pump and the actuator, a first proportional relief valve is fluidly positioned between the pump and the first side of the actuator, and a second proportional relief valve is fluidly positioned between the pump and the second side of the actuator. The first proportional relief valve is configured to permit flow of fluid from the first side of the actuator to the reservoir when a pressure at the first side of the actuator exceeds a pressure set point.

Variable float and variable blade impact

A closed loop feedback circle drive system utilized onboard a motor grader includes an operator input device, a blade, and a multi-speed hydraulic motor having a motor output shaft. The motor output shaft is mechanically linked to blade such that motor output shaft rotation drives rotation of the blade about a blade rotation axis. A controller is operably coupled to the operator input device and to the multi-speed hydraulic motor. The controller is configured to: (i) receive blade rotation commands via the operator input device to rotate the blade about the rotation axis in a commanded manner; and (ii) control the multi-speed hydraulic motor to implement the blade rotation commands, while repeatedly adjusting the rotational speed of the motor output shaft to reduce variations in a rotational velocity of the blade due to changes in blade loading conditions occurring during motor grader operation.

Closed loop feedback circle drive systems for motor graders

A draft frame positioning system of a motor grader having a main frame includes an adjustable draft frame configured to be moved to one of a plurality of positions and a moldboard coupled to the draft frame. The moldboard is movable based on the position of the draft frame. A saddle assembly is coupled between the draft frame and the main frame, and the saddle assembly includes a first saddle arm, a second saddle arm, and a saddle top member coupled between the first and second saddle arms. A saddle positioning cylinder moves between an extended position and a retracted position, and the cylinder is coupled at one end to the main frame or the saddle top member and at an opposite end to the saddle assembly. A movement of the saddle positioning cylinder induces movement of the draft frame to any of its plurality of positions.

Motor grader saddle positioning system and method thereof

A control system controls movement of a work implement of a work vehicle and includes a pump, a first actuator in fluid communication with the pump, a first control valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the first actuator, a first proportional relief valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the first actuator, a second actuator in fluid communication with the pump, a second control valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the second actuator, and a second proportional relief valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the second actuator. The first proportional relief valve permits flow of fluid from the first actuator upon an impact at a first set force. The first set force is adjusted by a user. The second proportional relief valve permits egress of fluid from the second actuator upon an impact at a second set force. The second set force is adjusted by a user.

Adjustable work implement

A work vehicle includes a first frame, a second frame pivotally coupled to the first frame at an articulation joint, and a control circuit operable to control relative movement of the first and second frames about the articulation joint. The control circuit includes a pump, an actuator in fluid communication with the pump, and a first valve assembly coupled to a user-manipulable control. The first valve assembly is configured to direct fluid from the pump to the actuator in response to movement of the user-manipulable control to pivot the first and second frames. The control circuit also includes a second valve assembly configured to direct fluid from the pump to the actuator in response to receiving an electronic control signal to pivot the first and second frames.

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Dubuque, IA, United States of America

Adam Zell