Dennis R Yoder

US Patent:

61387827, Oct 31, 2000

Filed:

Feb 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/257717

Inventors:

Lawrence Vernon Anderson - Cedar Falls IA
John Wayne Schletzbaum - Hudson IA
Ronald Lee Mayfield - Cedar Falls IA
Dennis Royal Yoder - Grundy Center IA
Benjamin Michael Witte - Fairbank IA
Raymond Yifei Hou - Waterloo IA
Sanjay Ishvarlal Mistry - Waterloo IA

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

B62D 1104

US Classification:

180 644

Abstract:

A steering control system for a tracked vehicle includes an engine driven variable displacement steering pump which drives a hydraulic motor. A control system senses steering wheel position, vehicle speed, engine speed and forward/reverse vehicle direction. As a function of these sensed inputs, a control signal is generated and is used to control the swashplate angle of an engine-driven variable displacement pump which drives a steering motor which drives a differential track drive mechanism. The control system also determines a ratio of motor speed to vehicle speed and generates a powerboost signal when the ratio exceeds a threshold value. The powerboost signal is communicated to the engine controller which causes the engine to increase its power output. This modifies the engine fuel delivery curve based on the steering system power requirement and increases the power available for turning the vehicle.