Deere + Company

Brian E Biles

Sean Patrick West

Benjamin J Heimbuch

David LaVerne Sprinkle

Craig Alan Puetz

David G Reid

Allan N Schott

Roman Cisek

Eric T Lammers

Joel R Brummer

Chad E Schoneman

Mark A Eley

A work machine may include an electric motor, an idler wheel, a drivable track engaged with the idler wheel, and an actuator that is electrically powered by the electric motor and configured to move the idler wheel to adjust the tension in the drivable track based on the torque output of the electric motor. The work machine also includes a controller configured to automatically control the electrical current input to the electric motor based on one or more monitored control factors associated with the work machine.

Track tension management system and method

A power take-off (PTO) transmission unit transfers power between an input shaft and an output shaft. A gear set selectively couples the input shaft to the output shaft. A shift device includes a shift rail with ends forming inner pistons within chambers. The shift rail is configured to translate between first, second, and third positions based on the pressures of the chambers. Inner pistons nest within the outer pistons in the chambers. A shift fork and shift collar translate with the shift rail to, in the first position, engage the gear set such that power is transferred at a first speed ratio; in the second position, engage the gear set such that power is transferred at a second speed ratio; and in the third position, engage the gear set to provide a neutral mode in which the output shaft is free to rotate relative to the input shaft.

Power take-off arrangement for work vehicle

A brake/differential lock pedal linkage includes a two-stage manual control that may lock a differential before progressively engaging a brake. The manual control may be a foot pedal or hand lever. The linkage may include a brake cam lever that pivots on a brake cam shaft in response to movement of the manual control, a differential lock link connected between the brake cam lever and an actuator that can move a differential lock shaft to lock the differential, and a lost motion coupling between the brake cam lever and the actuator allowing the brake cam lever to pivot to a differential lock position in which the actuator moves the differential lock shaft sufficiently to lock the differential, before the brake cam lever pivots further to progressively engage the brake.

Brake/differential lock pedal linkage

A PTO clutch includes a lubrication shut-off valve that can slide between a first position blocking a port for lubrication oil to lubricate the PTO clutch, and a second position opening the port to lubricate the clutch. A relief valve is provided in the lubrication shut off valve, which opens in response to pressure spikes of activation oil and isolates the pressure spikes from the clutch piston.

PTO clutch with lubrication oil shut-off valve and integrated relief valve

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Falls, IA, United States of America

Brian E Biles