Adaptive eco mode

A work machine comprising:

• a frame;
• an attachment coupled to the frame;
• an attachment sensor adapted to detect the attachment being active and generate a grade control signal;
• a ground-engaging mechanism adapted to support the frame;
• an engine for driving the ground-engaging mechanism and the attachment, the engine coupled through a hydrostatic transmission to the ground-engaging mechanism and the attachment, the hydrostatic transmission including a hydrostatic circuit, the hydrostatic circuit including a pump, wherein the engine and the hydrostatic transmission are operable in an economy mode of operation;
• a motor adapted to further drive the ground-engaging mechanism;
• an engine speed sensor adapted to detect an engine speed of the engine and generate an engine speed signal;
• an engine load sensor adapted to generate an engine load signal;
• and
• a controller comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to automatically control:
• (a) detection of an economy mode signal from the hydrostatic transmission and the engine being operable in the economy mode of operation, (b) detection of a grade control signal from the attachment, and (c) detection of an engine load of the engine from the engine load signal for a designated time period that is fixed and stored in the memory, wherein the designated time period is a single constant value that does not vary based on an operating mode of the controller or historical operation of the work machine;
• and
• wherein when the detected economy mode signal is active and the detected grade control signal is active, the controller is configured to determine:
• wherein the detected engine load is greater than or equal to a maximum load threshold for the designated time period, then the controller is configured to set a power management parameter comprising at least one of the engine speed, pump flow of the pump, motor displacement of the motor, and motor speed of the motor to a maximum power;
• and
• wherein when the detected engine load is less than the maximum load threshold for the designated time period, then the controller is configured to set the power management parameter at a minimum power, and, during operation with the power management parameter set at the minimum power and the grade control signal is active, the controller is further configured to compares the engine speed signal to an anti-stall threshold stored in the memory and, when the engine speed is less than the anti-stall threshold, automatically increase at least one of the engine speed and a flow output of the pump to raise the engine speed above the anti-stall threshold while maintaining the economy mode of operation.