Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability.

A steering system and method is described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels, and a steering input device for receiving manual steering input. Front and rear hydraulic steering devices may be coupled, respectively, to the front and rear wheels. Front and rear valve assemblies may be configured, respectively, to steer the front and rear wheels. In a manual steering mode, the front valve assembly may be disabled with respect to the front steering device, and the front hydraulic steering device may steer the front wheels based upon the manual steering input. In a rear steering assist mode, a rear steering command may be determined based upon the manual steering input, and the rear wheels steered based upon the rear steering command. In an automated steering mode, the front and rear wheels may be automatically steered based upon a target path of travel for the vehicle.

A steering system and method is described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels, and a steering input device for receiving manual steering input. Front and rear hydraulic steering devices may be coupled, respectively, to the front and rear wheels. Front and rear valve assemblies may be configured, respectively, to steer the front and rear wheels. In a manual steering mode, the front valve assembly may be disabled with respect to the front steering device, and the front hydraulic steering device may steer the front wheels based upon the manual steering input. In a rear steering assist mode, a rear steering command may be determined based upon the manual steering input, and the rear wheels steered based upon the rear steering command. In an automated steering mode, the front and rear wheels may be automatically steered based upon a target path of travel for the vehicle.

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

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

A harvester and a method for harvesting a crop is disclosed. The harvester includes two track drives positioned on opposite ends of a front axle of the harvester, each of the track drives including two main wheels that are arranged successively in the driving direction of the harvester, at least one auxiliary wheel positioned between the main wheels, and at least one track that surrounds the main wheels. The auxiliary wheel can interact with a bottom section of the track so that the forces to be deflected via the particular track drive into ground can be deflected at least proportionately using the auxiliary wheel. To reduce the shearing forces into the ground when the harvester turns, a control unit, depending on the steering angle of the harvester, controls a lifting unit to lift a front main wheel of a particular track drive from its home position to a lifted position.

A harvester and a method for harvesting a crop is disclosed. The harvester includes two track drives positioned on opposite ends of a front axle of the harvester, each of the track drives including two main wheels that are arranged successively in the driving direction of the harvester, at least one auxiliary wheel positioned between the main wheels, and at least one track that surrounds the main wheels. The auxiliary wheel can interact with a bottom section of the track so that the forces to be deflected via the particular track drive into ground can be deflected at least proportionately using the auxiliary wheel. To reduce the shearing forces into the ground when the harvester turns, a control unit, depending on the steering angle of the harvester, controls a lifting unit to lift a front main wheel of a particular track drive from its home position to a lifted position.

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.

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.