Pipelayer and diesel hybrid pipelayer power control strategy

A pipelayer comprising:

• a frame;
• a plurality of ground engaging members movably supporting the frame;
• a boom assembly supported on the frame, the boom assembly including a boom;
• a counterbalance assembly supported on the frame, the counterbalance assembly including a counterweight, the counterweight being movably supported on the frame to counterbalance the boom assembly;
• a cab conditioning system;
• a first power source including an engine;
• a second power source including at least one battery;
• and
• a control system including at least one controller, the control system being configured to store a reference profile for the pipelayer, the reference profile including a lower battery power threshold, the at least one controller being configured to:
• access the reference profile,
• determine a power level of the at least one battery,
• compare the power level of the at least one battery to the lower battery power threshold,
• if the power level of the at least one battery is not less than the lower battery power threshold, operate at least the cab conditioning system from the second power source, and
• if the power level of the at least one battery is less than the lower battery power threshold, start the engine to recharge the at least one battery while operating at least the cab conditioning system.

In a hybrid pipelayer including a frame supporting a cab, a boom assembly and a counterbalance assembly, the counterbalance assembly including a movably supported counterweight to counterbalance the boom assembly, a plurality of ground engaging members movably supporting the frame, an ignition switch, a cab conditioning system, a first power source including an engine, and a second power source including at least one battery, a method of providing power to the cab conditioning system, the method comprising:

• determining a power level of the at least one battery,
• comparing the power level of the at least one battery to a lower battery power threshold,
• if the power level of the at least one battery is not less than the lower battery power threshold, operating at least the cab conditioning system from the second power source, and
• if the power level of the at least one battery is less than the lower battery power threshold, operating the engine to recharge the at least one battery while operating at least the cab conditioning system from the at least one battery.