A method for adjusting the rotational speed of an internal combustion engine of a road-building machine which, in addition to a traction drive, has hydraulic motors which are connected to the internal combustion engine and which serve for driving working assemblies, in which method the rotational speed is adjusted as a function of the present power demand of the working assemblies, characterized in that the hydraulic motors are operated using fixed-displacement pumps, and residual volume flows presently to be discharged are reduced by flow valves for hydraulic motors of active working assemblies, for which purpose the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is automatically adapted during working operation.

A ratchet assembly may include a steer ring, a steer ring side structure, a steer cylinder bracket arm, a steer cylinder, a ratchet lock gear, a steering collar, a ratchet cylinder, a ratchet lock bar, and at least one sensor. When in a particular locked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring, the ratchet lock gear, and the steering collar. When in an unlocked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring around the ratchet lock gear.

A self-propelled earth working machine includes a machine frame, a working apparatus, at least one function apparatus, a drive system including first and second motors, a function transmission and a working transmission. The working transmission is configured to transmit torque between the drive system and the working apparatus. The working transmission connects the first motor and the second motor to the working apparatus for the transmission of torque such that the working apparatus may be driven to perform the earth working movement solely by the first motor or solely by the second motor or jointly by the first and second motors, wherein the working transmission connects the first motor to the working apparatus at a first transmission ratio and connects the second motor to the working apparatus at a second transmission ratio different from the first transmission ratio.