Deere & Company

Thomas Alan Porter

David J Myers

Gregory Keith Werner

Kevin W Campbell

Kyle E Leinaar

Michael R Goodpaster

Megan L Pence

A work vehicle includes a torque converter having a lock up clutch and a controller that conditionally allows operation of the lock up clutch in a locked position or an unlocked position. The controller determines a plurality of active work vehicle parameters during operation of the work vehicle and includes a plurality of ready to dig parameters. The controller determines a ready to dig condition or a non-digging condition of the work vehicle by comparing at least two of the active work vehicle parameters to at least two corresponding ready to dig parameters. The controller disallows operation of the lock up clutch in the locked position in response to the ready to dig condition, allows operation of the lock up clutch in locked or unlocked positions in response to a non-digging condition. Operation of the lock up clutch avoids the engine from stalling in a ready to dig condition.

Torque converter control based on work vehicle parameters

A control system of a work machine including an operator's cab and an implement, the system comprising a vehicle control unit for controlling the machine; a first control device located in the cab for controlling a steering function of the machine; a second control device located in the cab for controlling the implement; a CB transceiver located in the cab, the CB transceiver configured to receive and transmit signals; and a CB microphone control disposed on the first control device or the second control device, the CB microphone control being operably actuable between an active position and an inactive position, where in the active position the transceiver is enabled to transmit a signal, and in the inactive position the transceiver is enabled to receive a signal.

Integrated CB microphone control

A work vehicle comprising a motor, a drive unit for driving a ground engaging portion, a torque converter for variably transferring power from the motor to the ground engaging portion, a lubrication circuit for providing lubrication fluid to the torque converter, and a control valve located between the torque converter and the lubrication circuit. The work vehicle further having a linkage for performing a work function, an actuator to controllably move the linkage, a sensor coupled to the actuator to sense a force opposing the actuator, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the control valve. The controller is adapted to command a crowd reduction in response to the sensed force opposing the linkage, whereby the pressure of the lubrication fluid provided to the torque converter is reduced.

Crowd control system for a loader

An articulated four wheel drive work vehicle is provided with a front axle having a front differential and a rear axle having a rear differential. Both differentials are provided with hydraulically operated differential locks that are coupled to respective solenoid control valves. The solenoid control valves are coupled to a microprocessor. The microprocessor has a manual mode in which the differential locks are controlled by a foot pedal in the operators cab and an automatic mode in which the microprocessor controls the differential locks in response to speed signals from the axles and the transmission. The microprocessor calculates a predicted axle speed based on the transmission output speed signal received by a transmission speed sensor. The microprocessor then compares this signal to the actual axle speed signals received from axle speed sensors and triggers the respective solenoid valve if the difference is greater than a programmed amount. An articulation angle sensor sends an articulation angle signal to the microprocessor. If the articulation is greater than a programmed amount the solenoid locks are released.

Growing community of inventors

Durango, IA, United States of America

Thomas Alan Porter