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Tractor with two engine settings

  • US 7,849,952 B2
  • Filed: 08/03/2007
  • Issued: 12/14/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A crop harvesting machine comprising:

  • a tractor frame;

    a crop harvesting header mounted on the tractor frame for movement across the ground to harvest a standing crop;

    the header having at least one header hydraulic motor having a rotating output drive for driving rotation of components of the header in the harvesting action;

    the tractor having a first driven ground wheel driven by a first hydraulic motor having a rotating output drive for rotating the first ground wheel and a second driven ground wheel driven by a second hydraulic motor having a rotating output drive for rotating the second ground wheel;

    a header control to provide a first control signal indicative of a requirement for supply of driving fluid to the at least one header hydraulic motor to drive the components thereof and a second control signal indicative of a requirement to halt supply of driving fluid to the at least one header hydraulic motor to drive the components thereof;

    a first pump for generating a flow in a first pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the first and second hydraulic motors;

    a second pump for generating a flow in a second pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the at least one header hydraulic motor;

    an internal combustion engine on the tractor frame for driving the first and second pumps;

    the second pump having a flow rate control system for supplying a constant rate of the second pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the at least one header hydraulic motor at a constant rotation rate regardless of changes of rpm of the engine;

    the engine having a fuel injection pump;

    an engine control system for controlling the fuel injection pump so as to control an amount of fuel injected and a timing of the injection;

    a driver control system including a throttle control actuable by the driver to move between a minimum engine speed position and a maximum engine speed position to provide a control signal to the engine control system;

    the engine control system being arranged to control fuel supply and injection timing so as to maintain engine power output at or below an allowable power output curve;

    the engine control system being arranged to provide at least two selectable settings for engine rpm where a first one of the settings is at a higher'"'"'engine rpm and a second one of the settings is at a reduced engine rpm;

    the first of the settings being selected in response to the second signal to halt drive to the header components;

    the second of the settings being selected in response to the first signal to drive the header components;

    the first setting being arranged such that, when selected, movement of the throttle control to the maximum engine speed position causes the engine control system to drive the engine at the higher engine rpm; and

    the second setting being arranged such that, when selected, movement of the throttle control to the maximum engine speed position causes the engine control system to drive the engine at the reduced engine rpm.

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