# US 2014/0151136 A1 · Single pedal propulsion system for straight travel of work vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151136 A1 - Document ID: US20140151136A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/690,170 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: Deere & Company - Applicants: Deere & Company - Inventors: Michael J. Boyle; Justin R. Shook; Mark K. Wall; Jeffrey A. Friebel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151136A1 ## CPC - B62D 11/02: by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides - B62D 11/005: {Hydraulic control systems} - B62D 11/04: by means of separate power sources - B62D 11/06: by means of a single main power source - E02F 9/225: {Control of steering, e.g. for hydraulic motors driving the vehicle tracks (steering in general B62D)} - F16D 1/00: Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements (attachment of wheels to axles for railway carriages B60B; for attachment of cranks to their shafts F16C3/10) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A work vehicle is disclosed with a propulsion system that is selectively operable in a first, turning mode or a second, straight mode. The vehicle includes a first traction device, a second traction device, a first steering input, and a second steering input. In the first, turning mode, an operator is able to steer the vehicle left, right, or straight by independently operating the first and second traction devices via the first and second steering inputs. In the second, straight mode, the operator is able to steer the vehicle straight by operating both the first and second fraction devices together via one of the first and second steering inputs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A work vehicle that is selectively operable in a first steering mode and a second steering mode, the work vehicle including: a chassis; a first traction device supporting the chassis; a second traction device supporting the chassis; a first steering input device that controls movement of the first traction device in the first steering mode; and a second steering input device that controls movement of the second traction device in the first steering mode and that controls movement of the first and second traction devices in the second steering mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first traction device moves independently of the second traction device in the first steering mode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The work vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first traction device moves faster than the second traction device in the first steering mode to turn the work vehicle right or left. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first fraction device moves together with the second traction device in the second steering mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The work vehicle of claim 4, wherein the first and second traction devices move together in the second steering mode to steer the work vehicle straight. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The work vehicle of claim 1, further including a mode selector for switching between the first and second steering modes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The work vehicle of claim 1, further including a hydraulic circuit operatively coupled to the first and second traction devices, the hydraulic circuit dividing a supply of hydraulic fluid equally between the first and second traction devices in the second steering mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The work vehicle of claim 1, further including a hydraulic circuit operatively coupled to the first and second traction devices, the hydraulic circuit including: a first directional control valve that directs hydraulic fluid to the first and second traction devices in the first steering mode; and a second directional control valve that directs hydraulic fluid to the first and second traction devices in the second steering mode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The work vehicle of claim 8, wherein: the first directional control valve directs hydraulic fluid to a tank in the second steering mode; and the second directional control valve directs hydraulic fluid to the tank in the first steering mode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first fraction device is disconnected from the first and second traction devices in the second steering mode. ### Claim 11 A work vehicle including: a chassis; at least one left traction device supporting the chassis; at least one right traction device supporting the chassis; a left steering input device; a right steering input device; and a mode selector for switching between a first steering mode and a second steering mode, wherein: in the first steering mode, the at least one left traction device is operated by the left steering input device and the at least one right traction device is operated by the right steering input device to steer the work vehicle straight, left, and right; and in the second steering mode, the at least one left traction device and the at least one right traction device are operated together by one of the left steering input device and the right steering input device to steer the work vehicle straight using only that one steering input device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The work vehicle of claim 11, wherein the work vehicle is an excavator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The work vehicle of claim 11, wherein the left steering input device includes a left foot pedal and the right steering input device includes a right foot pedal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The work vehicle of claim 13, wherein the work vehicle lacks a third foot pedal operatively coupled to either of the at least one left traction device and the at least one right traction device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The work vehicle of claim 11, wherein the at least one left traction device includes a left track and the at least one right traction device includes a right track. ### Claim 16 A method of operating a work vehicle, the work vehicle including a chassis, a first traction device supporting the chassis, and a second fraction device supporting the chassis, the method including the steps of: steering the work vehicle left or right by operating at least one of a first steering input device and a second steering input device, the first steering input device controlling movement of the first fraction device and the second steering input device controlling movement of the second fraction device; and steering the work vehicle straight by operating only the second steering input device, the second steering input device controlling movement of the first and second traction devices. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of steering the work vehicle left or right includes pushing the first steering input device father than the second steering input device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of steering the work vehicle straight includes equally dividing a supply of hydraulic fluid between the first and second traction devices. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further including the step of switching from steering the work vehicle right or left to steering the work vehicle straight by manipulating a mode selector input. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further including the step of switching from steering the work vehicle straight back to steering the work vehicle right or left by operating the first steering input device, wherein the first steering input device is disconnected from the first and second traction devices while steering the work vehicle straight.