Caterpillar Inc.

Joseph R Manley

Ethan Tevis

Kendall R Harrell

Dustin J Funk

Ryan David Funk

Nathaniel P O'Brien

Jaspen T Patenaude

A method of operating a machine with at least one hydraulically actuated friction clutch. The method includes selecting, via a mode selector, a starting point defining an initial setting. An endpoint defining a peak setting is selected via the mode selector. A control curve is employed based on at least the selecting of the starting point and the selecting of the endpoint. An inching pedal of the machine is positioned to between 0 percent depressed and 100 percent depressed. At least one control command is generated as a function of the employing of the control curve and the positioning of the inching pedal. At least one control valve of at least one hydraulically actuated friction clutch is operated according to the at least one control command.

Inching systems and methods

A method of monitoring oil level in a transmission system of a machine is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an oil pressure and calculating an average value of the oil pressure over a first predetermined time duration. The method further includes calculating a variance of the oil pressure from the average value and recording a deviation if the variance is beyond a threshold variance. The method further includes detecting a low oil level condition if a count of deviations is above a threshold count within a second predetermined time duration.

System and method of monitoring oil level in transmission system of machine

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Bixby, OK, United States of America

Joseph R Manley