Methods and systems for operating a driveline that includes two electric machines are described. In one example, one electric machine is operated in a generator mode and the other electric machine is operated in a motor mode so that electric power that is generated by the electric machine that is operated in the generator mode is consumed by the electric machine that is operated in the motor mode.

A wheel speed sensing system for a work vehicle having an engine, a transmission, a differential, and an axle, defining a central longitudinal axis and coupled to the differential. The wheel speed sensing system includes a sensor target disposed at the axle and a sensor configured to transmit a sensor signal, wherein the sensor is located adjacently to the sensor target. The sensor target includes a plurality of step splines each having a top surface and first and second planar sidewalls. The sidewalls of the step splines are aligned along a radius extending from the central longitudinal axis, such that the sides are undercut with respect to the top surface. An intersection of each of the sidewalls with the top surface defines an edge forming a relatively sharp transition configured to be sensed by the sensor. A chamfer at the intersection of the sidewalls and the top surface is also contemplated.

A drive control device for a multi-axle-driving electrified vehicle including a first driving axle that is rotationally driven by a first electric motor and a second driving axle that is rotationally driven by a second electric motor includes: an axle load distribution change control unit configured to perform axle load distribution change control for changing an axle load distribution for the first driving axle and the second driving axle; and a drive control unit configured to control operations of the first electric motor and the second electric motor. The drive control unit is configured to perform driving force change control for changing driving forces of the first electric motor and the second electric motor when the axle load distribution change control unit performs the axle load distribution change control.

A tandem wheel assembly for a work vehicle includes a tandem wheel housing, a center drive member rotatably disposed within the housing, first and second wheel end assemblies, a coupler between each wheel end drive member and the center drive member, and a brake assembly. Each wheel end assembly includes an input shaft, a wheel end drive member mounted thereon, a wheel end gear train coupled to the input shaft, an output shaft coupled to the wheel end gear train, and a wheel end hub coupled to the output shaft for supporting one of the wheels. The brake assembly is coupled to the tandem wheel housing and to the input shaft or the output shaft of at least one of the first wheel end assembly or the second wheel end assembly and reduces the amount of backlash.

A tandem wheel assembly for a work vehicle includes a tandem wheel housing, a center drive member rotatably disposed within the housing, first and second wheel end assemblies, a coupler between each wheel end drive member and the center drive member, and a brake assembly. Each wheel end assembly includes an input shaft, a wheel end drive member mounted thereon, a wheel end gear train coupled to the input shaft, an output shaft coupled to the wheel end gear train, and a wheel end hub coupled to the output shaft for supporting one of the wheels. The brake assembly is coupled to the tandem wheel housing and to the input shaft or the output shaft of at least one of the first wheel end assembly or the second wheel end assembly and reduces the amount of backlash.

Methods and systems for an electric drive assembly are provided herein. In one example, an electric drive system is provided that includes two multi-motor drive units with associated planetary gear reductions that have asymmetric gear ratios. The planetary gear reduction in each drive unit includes a ring gear and a sun gear that are rotationally coupled to a pair of motors and a carrier rotationally coupled to an output gear that interfaces with a gear reduction of an axle assembly.

A system and method to add an additional drive axle to a vehicle may include an auxiliary shaft aperture bored through the differential housing and an auxiliary shaft sleeve mounted over the aperture. An auxiliary shaft has a splined end interconnected to a modified pinion and a short transfer drive shaft interconnect disposed on an opposite end thereof, the short transfer drive shaft interconnect extending out from the modified differential housing through the auxiliary shaft sleeve. A short transfer drive shaft is operatively interconnected to the auxiliary shaft and rotational therewith. Further, an additional drive axle assembly is mounted to the vehicle rearward of the original drive axle, and the modified differential is operatively interconnected to an additional drive axle via the short transfer drive shaft, such that when the short transfer drive shaft rotates with the auxiliary shaft, the additional drive axle rotates with the original drive axle.

Drivetrain systems and methods are provided. In one example, the drivetrain system includes an interaxle differential (IAD) configured to receive power from a prime mover, a motor configured to drive a planetary gearset, and a ball ramp actuator configured to selectively engage a plurality of plates in a clutch pack of a friction clutch in response to receiving rotational input from the planetary gearset. In an engaged configuration, the friction clutch prevents speed differentiation between a first IAD output and a second IAD output.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.