Method and system for controlling an engine stall

A method for controlling the hydraulic system of a working machine having an engine, a travel pump, a service pump and a micro-controller unit, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting an engine speed value, a travel pump pressure value and a service pump pressure value;
• transmitting the engine speed value, the travel pump value, and the service pump value as input values to the micro-controller unit;
• using the micro-controller unit to compare each detected value with a predetermined range to determine whether the engine will stall;
• and
• using the micro-controller unit to provide an output when at least one of the input values is outside the predetermined range and the engine will stall,
• using the output to activate an indicator, the indicator arranged to alert an operator that the at least one input value is outside the predetermined range and the engine will stall, thus enabling the operator to take corrective action to adjust at least one of the engine speed value, the travel pump value, and the service pump value, and wherein the indicator comprises an audible indication or a visual indication;
• and
• further comprising the step of:
• should the operator not take action in response to the indicator, using the micro-controller unit to adjust one or more of engine speed, travel pump pressure and service pump pressure, in response to the at least one input value being outside the predetermined range, thereby preventing the engine from stalling.

A working machine comprising an hydraulic system, the system comprising:

• an engine, and an engine speed sensor configured to detect the engine speed;
• a travel pump configured to actuate a travel actuator in response to a first operator input, and a travel pump pressure sensor configured to detect the travel pump pressure;
• a service pump configured to actuate a service actuator in response to a second operator input, and a service pump pressure sensor configured to detect the service pump pressure;
• and
• a micro-controller unit configured to receive input values from each sensor, and configured to determine whether each input value is within a predetermined range where the engine will not stall;
• wherein the micro-controller unit is configured to provide an output when at least one input value is outside the predetermined range,
• further comprising an indicator, the indicator consisting of an audio indication, a visual indication, or an audio-visual indication, and wherein the micro-controller unit output is first configured to activate the indicator when at least one input value is outside the predetermined range thereby alerting an operator that the first and/or second operator inputs will cause the engine to stall, and thus enabling the operator to take corrective action to adjust at least one of an engine speed value, the travel pump value, and/or the service pump value;
• and
• wherein the micro-controller unit is configured to not take corrective action unless the operator ignores the indicator.