Systems and methods for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors.

A steer/brake system for a vehicle (with wheels and/or tracks) is disclosed. The system may comprise a steering system with an operator control and braking system for each side of the vehicle with a master cylinder for the brake mechanism and an interface between the braking system and the operator control. Operation may provide a phase where the interface is at least partially engaged and force may be applied through the interface to the master cylinder to engage the brake mechanism to provide modulation for the operator control. A steering emulation system may comprise the interface and a compliant element configured to provide modulation for the operator control. The system may comprise a shared hydraulic system; the brake mechanism may comprise the steering brake mechanism and the service brake mechanism.

A method for executing straight tracking control may include receiving an input command(s) associated with controlling the operation of a first-side drive system and/or a second-side drive system of a hydrostatic transmission of a work vehicle to drive the vehicle along a straight path. The method may also include receiving first and second speed signals associated with the output speeds of the drive systems, and modifying the first speed signal or the second speed signal based on a speed scaling factor to generate a corrected speed signal. In addition, the method may include determining an adjusted control command for controlling the operation of the hydrostatic transmission as a function of the input command(s) and a control output determined based on the corrected speed signal. Further, the method may include controlling the operation of the hydrostatic transmission based at least in part on the adjusted control command.

A vehicle includes motors each configured to drive a front wheel of the vehicle, an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) between rear wheels of the vehicle, and a controller to, responsive to vehicle turning and a power of each of the motors being less than a maximum value, alter operation of the motors to increase a difference between the powers. Otherwise, the controller operates the eLSD to bias torque toward one of the rear wheels.

Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability. Systems include steering and speed coordination systems that control the direction and speed of rotation of vehicle drive units.

A paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete having a main frame, center module, bolsters laterally movably, and a crawler track associated with respective aft and forward ends of the bolsters. A bolster swing leg for each crawler track supports an upright jacking column. A worm gear drive permits rotational movements of the crawler track and the jacking column. A hinge bracket is interposed between each swing leg and a surface of the bolsters to enable pivotal movements of the swing leg. A length-adjustable holder engages the pivot pin on the hinge bracket and pivotally engages the swing leg. The holder permits pivotal motions of the swing leg in its length-adjustable configuration and prevents substantially any motion of the swing leg in its fixed-length configuration. A feedback loop cooperates with transducers keeping the crawler tracks position. The paving machine can be reconfigured into a narrowed transport configuration.

A gang reel mower has a hybrid engine, generator and battery pack electric power system driving a pair of electric wheel motors for propelling the mower and for driving individual reel motors for powering a plurality of reel cutting units. A master controller is programmable with a selected clip and maintains the selected clip whether the mower travels straight ahead or is turning. The output power of the generator is damped and is gradually increased during high electrical loads to prevent step responses in the engine and thereby limit engine droop. During regenerative braking of the mower, the generator can be driven as a motor to use the engine as a load. This limits the voltage produced by the traction motors during regenerative braking from damaging the electrical system or overcharging the battery pack. Moreover, maximum transport and mowing ground speeds are automatically reduced during some turns of the mower.

A system controls steering of a motor vehicle in case of an imminent collision with an obstacle. The vehicle includes a system to locate the vehicle relative to its lane and to determine a lateral deviation from the lane center, a determination unit for determining the presence of obstacles, a gyrometer for measuring the rotation speed of the vehicle, and a steering device, the steering angle of which can be controlled based on the measurement of a steering angle sensor or the steering torque of which can be controlled. The control system includes a perception device for determining the maximum lateral distance available for movement of the vehicle relative to obstacles, a decision device for transmitting a correction request based on the trajectory of the vehicle and on the lateral maximum distance, and an intervention device for controlling the steering device to correct the trajectory of the vehicle.

A tracked all-terrain vehicle is shown which includes an internal combustion engine, an electric generator, and a plurality of electric motors which drive movement of the tracks of the tracked all-terrain vehicle.

A steering knuckle gearbox assembly (138) comprises a body having a housing portion (140) having a cavity defined in the housing portion (140); a mating portion (142) connected to the housing portion (140) and being pivotably mountable an axle frame (106a) of a vehicle; and a mounting portion (144) for having a steering link (90) of the vehicle pivotably mounted to the mounting portion (144). An input shaft (176) is rotationally supported by the housing portion (140) and extends into the cavity at its one end and is operatively connectable to a drive axle (94) of the vehicle at its other end. An output shaft (187) is rotationally supported by the housing portion (140) and extends into the cavity at its one end and is operatively connected to the input shaft (176) at its other end. The output shaft (187) is offset in height from the input shaft (176). A steerable track system for a vehicle is also described.