Provided herein is an auxiliary hybrid system (AHS) that may be configured to provide electrical propulsion to an e.g., internal combustion-powered vehicle through the use of a battery and electric motor. Alternatively, the AHS may be configured to increase range to electric vehicles through the use of an internal combustion-powered generator. In either embodiment, the AHS is added to a vehicle without altering the operation of the vehicles standard drivetrain, allowing the vehicle to operate conventionally when the AHS is not engaged. The AHS is compatible with a wide range of vehicles with a minimum of vehicle-specific parts.

A method of differentially steering a hydraulically driven vehicle includes measuring left and right swash plate angles of pumps which drive left and right wheels of the vehicle and if the angles are different from one another and the larger swash plate angle is equal to or exceeds a threshold value then reducing the larger swash plate angle. If the larger swash plate angle is between the threshold value and a lower limit, or below the lower limit the swash plate angle is increased. Control systems and vehicles include swash plate angle sensors and actuators in communication with a controller which effects the steering control method.

One example provides a ride on air injection machine including one or more steerable wheels, a compressed air system providing compressed air, one or more air inject tines to inject compressed air from the compressed air system into the grounds, and a steering system. The steering system includes a steering wheel, a cylinder coupled to the steerable wheels, the cylinder including opposing internal chambers and being moveable to steer the steerable wheels and a control valve assembly to direct compressed air from the compressed air system to the internal chambers and to bleed compressed air from the internal chambers based on a position of the steering wheel to move the cylinder steer the steerable wheels.

A control device and a method for enabling power steering of a vehicle in case of unintentional shutdown of a combustion engine of the vehicle are provided. The vehicle comprises, in addition to the combustion engine, a starter configured to crank the combustion engine and a hydraulic power steering system comprising a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by the combustion engine. The method comprises a step of, in response to an indication of need of power steering, activating the starter to crank the combustion engine so that the combustion engine drives the hydraulic pump. A computer program, a computer-readable medium and a vehicle are also provided.

Apparatus for providing hydraulic line pressure and vacuum respectively to the steering subsystem and the braking subsystem of a wheeled motor vehicle comprises a battery powered electric motor which drives one or more of a hydraulic pump and a vacuum pump. When the engine is stopped while the vehicle is moving, to save fuel, the electric motor drives the pumps, so that hydraulic pressure and vacuum are provided for continued safe operation of the vehicle.

A cooperative steering apparatus including an input shaft rotating as a steering wheel of a vehicle rotates, a drive motor including a rotor that rotates independently of the input shaft, and a speed reducer including a wave generator rotating as the rotor rotates, a flex spline rotating as the input shaft rotates, a circular spline rotating as at least one of the wave generator and the flex spline rotates, and an output shaft rotating coaxially with the circular spline, wherein when the vehicle travels in an autonomous driving mode, the input shaft does not rotate, and only the rotor rotates so that the output shaft rotates.

An auxiliary pump arrangement includes an auxiliary pump having a pump inlet configured to receive a flow of hydraulic fluid from a primary power steering pump via a hydraulic supply conduit, and a pump outlet. An actuator is connected to the auxiliary pump, the actuator comprising a clutch connectable to a driveline of the vehicle; wherein the auxiliary pump arrangement is configured to assume an engaged state in which the clutch connects the auxiliary pump to a driveline when a first pressure exceeds a second pressure, and a disengaged state in which the clutch disconnects the auxiliary pump from the driveline when the second pressure exceeds the first pressure.

An engine control device for an industrial vehicle includes a seating detector configured to detect a seating state of a driver relative to a driver seat, a neutral detector configured to detect whether a direction operating member of the industrial vehicle is positioned in a neutral position, a fuel supply member configured to supply a fuel to the engine, a first controller configured to stop an output of a driving force from the engine when the seating detector detects that the driver is away from the driver seat, and a second controller configured to restart the output of the driving force from the engine in case that the seating detector detects that the driver is seated on the driver seat and the neutral detector detects that the direction operating member is positioned in the neutral position, after the first controller stops the output of the driving force from the engine.

A hydraulic system for controlling at least one steerable caster wheel of an agricultural machine includes a first actuator having a piston and including an inboard fluid port for supplying fluid to a first side of the piston to move the piston in a first direction, and an outboard fluid port for supplying fluid to a second side of the piston to move the piston in a second direction. A first fluid pressure equalizer is fluidically coupled to the first side actuator and operable to equalize fluid pressure over a period of time between the first side and the second side of the piston of the first side actuator.

A hydraulic system for controlling a pair of steerable caster wheels includes a left steering command valve, a right steering command valve, and a rear steering control valve. A supply pressure fluid circuit interconnects a pressure source and the rear steering control valve. A command valve supply fluid circuit interconnects the rear steering control valve with both the right steering command valve and the left steering command valve. A left side steering fluid circuit interconnects a left side actuator and the left steering command valve. A right side steering fluid circuit interconnects a right side actuator and the right steering command valve. A fluidic tie rod fluid circuit interconnects both the left side actuator and the right side actuator with the rear steering control valve. A tank return fluid circuit interconnects the rear steering control valve, the left and right steering command valves, and a tank.