System and method of operating engines of work machines

A work machine, comprising:

• an engine;
• a transmission operably coupled to the engine to transfer power to one or more traction devices of the work machine to facilitate machine motion;
• and
• a control system for operating the engine, the control system including:
• a controller configured to:
• detect a request for a transmission shift of the transmission from a neutral gear to a desired starting gear;
• determine a current transmission output speed of the transmission;
• determine a desired transmission output speed of the transmission corresponding to the desired starting gear;
• and
• determine a desired minimum speed of the engine based on a difference between the current transmission output speed and the desired transmission output speed;
• and
• cause, based on the request for the transmission shift, the engine to operate at or above the desired minimum speed prior to a completion of the transmission shift from the neutral gear to the desired starting gear.

A control system for operating an engine of a work machine, the control system comprising:

• a controller configured to:
• detect a request for a transmission shift of a transmission of the work machine from a neutral gear to a desired starting gear;
• determine a current transmission output speed of the transmission;
• determine a desired transmission output speed of the transmission corresponding to the desired starting gear;
• determine a desired minimum speed of the engine based on a difference between the current transmission output speed and the desired transmission output speed;
• and
• cause, based on the request for the transmission shift, the engine to operate at or above the desired minimum speed prior to a completion of the transmission shift from the neutral gear to the desired starting gear.