Hitch control system with start-up lock-out

Claim 2

In a vehicle having connecting means for attaching a ground-penetrating implement thereto and actuating means for raising and lowering the hitch through a range of positions in response to control signals applied to an input thereof, a control system comprising: an operator-controlled device for generating a command signal representing a desired characteristic; a position sensor for sensing the actual hitch position; an operator-controlled limit setter for generating an electrical limit signal distinct from the command signal and representing a desired limit position to the positions occupied by the hitch; and means for automatically generating said control signals as a function of the command signal and of a sensed parameter, and including means operable, upon start-up of the control system, to prevent automatic hitch movement until the hitch is manually moved to the limit position as a result of operator movement of the operator-controlled device if, upon start-up, the actual hitch position is beyond the limit position.

Claim 3

The control system of claim 1, wherein: the actuating means comprises hydraulic devices; and the means operable upon start-up comprises means for preventing hitch movement despite hydraulic device fluid leakage.

Claim 4

In a vehicle having connecting means for attaching a ground-penetrating implement thereto and actuating means for raising and lowering the hitch through a range of positions in response to control signals applied to an input thereof, a control system comprising: an operator-controlled device for generating a command signal representing a desired characteristic; a position sensor for sensing the actual hitch position; an operator-controlled limit setter for generating an electrical limit signal distinct from the command signal and representing a desired limit position to the positions occupied by the hitch; and means for automatically generating said control signals as a function of the command signal and of a sensed parameter, and including means operable upon start-up of the control system to prevent hitch movement until the limit setter is adjusted by the operator so that the limit signal corresponds to actual hitch position if, upon start-up, the actual hitch positions is beyond the limit position.

Claim 5

In a vehicle having connecting means for attaching a ground-penetrating implement thereto and actuating means for raising and lowering the hitch through a range of positions in response to control signals applied to an input thereof, a control system comprising: an operator-controlled device for generating a command signal representing a desired characteristic; a position sensor for sensing the actual hitch position; an operator-controlled limit setter for generating an electrical limit signal distinct from the command signal and representing a desired limit position to the positions occupied by the hitch; and means for automatically generating said control signals as a function of the command signal and of a sensed parameter, and including means operable upon start-up of the control system to prevent hitch movement until the limit setter is adjusted by the operator so that the limit signal corresponds to actual hitch position if, upon start-up, the actual hitch positions is beyond the limit position.

Claim 6

The control system of claim 3, wherein: the actuating means comprises hydraulic devices; and the means operable upon start-up comprises means for preventing hitch movement despite hydraulic device fluid leakage.

Claim 7

In a vehicle having connecting means for attaching a ground-penetrating implement thereto and actuating means for raising and lowering the hitch and implement in response to control signals applied to an input thereof, a control system comprising: an operator-controlled device for generating a position signal representing a desired position of the hitch; stop means for mechanically preventing movement of the operator-controlled device beyond a stop position; a position sensor for sensing hitch position; and a control unit for generating said control signals as a function of the position signal and of the sensed hitch position, the control unit including: means operable upon start-up of the control system for comparing the position of the operator-controlled device to the stop position for preventing movement of the hitch if the position of the operator-controlled device differs from the stop position and for moving the hitch towards a position corresponding to the stop position after the operator-controlled device is manually moved to the stop position.

Claim 8

In a vehicle having connecting means for attaching a ground-penetrating implement thereto and actuating means for raising and lowering the hitch and implement in response to control signals applied to an input thereof, a control system comprising: an operator-controlled device for generating a position signal representing a desired position of the hitch; stop means for mechanically preventing movement of the operator-controlled device beyond a stop position; a position sensor for sensing hitch position; and a control unit for generating said control signals as a function of the position signal and of the sensed hitch position, the control unit including: means operable upon start-up of the control system for comparing the position of the operator-controlled device to the stop position for preventing movement of the hitch if the position of the operator-controlled device differs from the stop position and for moving the hitch towards a position corresponding to the stop position after the operator-controlled device is manually moved to the stop position.

Claim 9

The control system of claim 5, wherein the control unit further comprises: means for moving the hitch to a position corresponding to the stop position if the lever is moved to the stop position from a position away from the stop position.

Claim 10

The control system of claim 5, wherein: the actuating means comprises hydraulic devices; and the means operable upon start-up comprises means for preventing hitch movement despite hydraulic device fluid leakage.