Deere & Company

Anthony K Kraft

Gregory Keith Werner

Michael J Ackerman

John Vikram Gundupalli

Onkar Babar

Todd F Velde

Brett S Graham

Craig Christofferson

Thomas L Kennedy

Steven Richard Sass

Amy K Jones

Alex R Vandegrift

Mark D Anderson

Christopher R Benson

Christopher J Meyer

Adam Zell

Kenneth Franck

Kyle A Holl

Mark E Hull

John C Lauper

Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

Work vehicle magnetorheological fluid joystick systems operable in modified joystick stiffness modes

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 system for maximizing productivity of a work vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a first sensor system that generates a first signal output indicative of a height of a material arranged forward of the work vehicle. A second sensor system generates a second signal output indicative of a position and height of a material transport blade coupled to the work vehicle. An actuator system configured to adjust the position and height of the material transport blade. An electronic data processor is communicatively coupled to each of the first sensor system, the second sensor system, and the actuator system. The electronic data processor determines a material flow rate based on the first and second signal outputs, and generates a command signal received by the actuator system to dynamically adjust a plurality of operating parameters associated with the material transport blade to maximize the material flow rate.

System and method for maximizing productivity of a work vehicle

Radial saddle for motor grader

Rigid saddle for motor grader

A controlled engine shutdown method is disclosed that includes monitoring exhaust system temperature, monitoring operator shutdown commands, and delaying engine shutdown based on exhaust system temperature. The method can include inhibiting any process that affects exhaust temperatures, for example DPF regeneration. The method can use a shutdown timer, allow operator override of the shutdown delay, and display a delay notification message. The method can also include predicting when an engine shutdown is expected, and delaying or aborting any process that would affect exhaust temperatures when an engine shutdown is predicted. Predicting can include monitoring various machine states, determining an average activity interval for the machine, determining a geographic shutdown area, determining a shutdown time of day and/or monitoring a machine fluid level.

Controlled engine shutdown method and engine shutdown prediction for exhaust system durability

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Epworth, IA, United States of America

Anthony K Kraft