Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor monitoring movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing in at least one degree of freedom. A controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to increase the joystick stiffness when the joystick is moved into a first predetermined detent position to generate a first MRF detent; and (ii) selectively activate a first detent-triggered function of the work vehicle based, at least in part, on joystick movement relative to the first MRF detent.

In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing and a joystick, which is rotatable relative to the base housing and which is biased toward a joystick return position. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary an MRF resistance force impeding movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller configured to: (i) selectively enable an operator adjustment of the joystick return position by a work vehicle operator; and (ii) when enabling the operator adjustment of the joystick return position, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to maintain the MRF resistance force at a predetermined level until the operator adjustment of the joystick return position is terminated.

In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, a controller architecture, and an implement tracking data source configured to track movement of the implement during operation of the work vehicle. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary an MRF resistance force impeding joystick movement relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) track movement of the implement relative to a virtual boundary utilizing data provided by the implement tracking data source; and (ii) command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the MRF resistance force based, at least in part, on implement movement relative to the virtual boundary.

A hydraulic system of a construction machine includes: control valves interposed between a main pump and hydraulic actuators; and first solenoid proportional valves connected to pilot ports of the control valves. The hydraulic system further includes: a brake for a slewing motor; and a second solenoid proportional valve connected to a brake release port of the brake by a secondary pressure line and connected to an auxiliary pump by a primary pressure line. A switching valve including a pilot port connected to the secondary pressure line by a pilot line is interposed between the auxiliary pump and the first solenoid proportional valves.

A work vehicle includes a vehicle main body, a work implement attached to the vehicle main body, an operating lever configured to operate the work implement, an imparting section configured to impart force to the operating lever, an acceleration detection section configured to detect acceleration of the vehicle main body, and a control section configured to control the imparting section to automatically adjust a magnitude of the force imparted to the operating lever based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection section.

There is provided a work machine which can improve accuracy of control of an actuator when a pressure difference between a hydraulic pump and the actuator is large and the demanded flow rate of the actuator is small. An auxiliary flow rate controller is configured such that an opening area of a main valve changes between a maximum opening area and zero according to the opening area of a pilot variable restrictor when the opening area of the pilot variable restrictor is equal to or more than a predetermined opening area and that the opening area of the main valve is zero irrespective of the opening area of the pilot variable restrictor when the opening area of the pilot variable restrictor is less than the predetermined opening area.

A multiple mode operational system for a work machine may comprise a frame, a ground-engaging mechanism coupled to the frame, an attachment, an object detector, and a multiple mode control system. The multiple mode control system may include a control device and a controller receiving a signal from the control device. The controller may have a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The first operational mode may enable a first sensitivity response to the control device and the second operational mode may enable a second sensitivity response to the control device. The controller may be configured to receive an object signal from the object detector and modify the operational mode of the controller based on a detected distance of the object from a reference point.

A shovel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body pivotally mounted on the lower traveling body, a hydraulic pump mounted on the upper turning body, a hydraulic actuator driven by hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump, an operating device used to operate the actuator, and a control device configured to control an acceleration/deceleration characteristic of the hydraulic actuator in response to an operation of the operating device depending on a work mode.

A work vehicle includes a cab, a driver's seat disposed inside the cab, a first steering device, a second steering device, a seating sensor, and a control unit. The first steering device is disposed in front of the driver's seat. The first steering device is configured to perform a steering operation of the vehicle. The second steering device is disposed to a side of the driver's seat. The second steering device is configured to perform a steering operation of the vehicle. The seating sensor detects whether or not an operator is sitting in the driver's seat. The control unit disables the steering operation with the second steering device when the seating sensor detects that the operator is not sitting in the driver's seat.

A cruise control system for work machines. The system comprises one or more levers for controlling the velocity of the work machine and one or more magnet assemblies. The magnet assemblies comprise means of overcoming the neutral bias of a control lever so that the velocity of the work machine may be maintained without manual input from the operator. The magnets may act directly upon a control lever or a surface adjacent a control lever. Additional controls may be employed to set a maximum cruising speed for the work machine when cruise control is engaged.