Agricultural feed mixer with volumetric responsive automatic transmission

A method for generating a control cycle for gear control of a transmission of a feed mixer having at least one mixing chamber, the method comprising:

• initiating a learning mode of a control program;
• starting a prime mover and engaging a power-take-off shaft interconnected with a transmission;
• receiving a transmission speed signal and comparing with a predetermined speed signal, and if the transmission speed signal is greater than the predetermined speed signal, then communicating an up shift command to the transmission;
• receiving one or more level input signals from a plurality of mixing chamber sensors representative of a sensed level of feed material loaded in the mixing chamber;
• upon sensing a predetermined level of feed material in the mixing chamber, providing an indication to the control program that a first shift set point has been achieved, and storing the first shift set point for subsequent access by the control program;
• detecting a decrease in feed material via the level input signals during unloading of the feed material;
• upon sensing a predetermined level of remaining feed material in the mixing chamber, providing an indication to the control program that a second shift set point has been achieved, and storing the second shift set point for subsequent access by the control program;
• detecting completion of feed material unloading and disengage the power-take-off shaft;
• and
• sensing completion of the control cycle once the speed signal indicates a speed of zero.

A method for executing a pre-programmed control cycle for shifting gears in a feed mixer transmission comprising:

• selecting a pre-programmed control cycle for operating a feed mixer;
• detecting an input by a control unit indicating the start of the control cycle;
• starting a prime mover and engaging a power-take-off shaft interconnected with a transmission;
• receiving a transmission speed signal and comparing with a predetermined speed signal, and if the transmission speed signal is greater than the predetermined speed signal, then communicating a shift command to the transmission to change to a higher gear;
• receiving one or more level input signals from a plurality of mixing chamber sensors, representative of a sensed level of feed material loaded in the mixing chamber;
• calculating at least one of a volume of feed material and a level of feed material in the mixing chamber based on the level input signals;
• sensing whether the volume or level of feed material is greater than or equal to a first pre-programmed feed level shift point;
• if so, then communicating a shift command to the transmission to change to a lower gear;
• sensing whether the volume or level of feed material is decreasing, via the mixing chamber sensors, to identify whether the feed material is being unloaded from the mixing chamber;
• sensing whether the volume or level of feed material is less than a second pre-programmed level shift point, and if so, then communicating a shift command to the transmission to change to a higher gear;
• detecting that the feed material is substantially unloaded from the mixing chamber via the mixing chamber sensors;
• and
• disengaging the power-take-off shaft.

A method for shifting gears in a transmission of a feed mixer, the method comprising:

• receiving a speed signal from a speed sensor indicating a rotational speed of at least one of a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft;
• sending a shift command to the transmission to shift into a lowest gear upon receiving an indication from the speed sensor that the rotational speed is zero;
• enabling a gear shift lock-out to prevent the feed mixer from shifting gears;
• disabling the gear shift lock-out upon sensing that the rotational speed is greater than a pre-determined minimum speed, the transmission temperature is below a pre-determined maximum temperature, and the transmission oil pressure is above a pre-determined minimum pressure;
• sensing if a gear shift has occurred after disabling the gear shift lock-out;
• and
• sensing if the rotational speed increases above or decreases below the pre-determined minimum speed, and if the rotational speed decreases below the minimum speed, then sending a shift command to the transmission to shift into a lower gear.