Work vehicle dig preparation control system and method

A control system for a work vehicle having a powertrain and at least one implement configured to engage with a material during a dig operation, the control system comprising:

• a power source including an engine configured to generate power;
• a transmission including at least one directional clutch and a plurality of control assembly clutches coupled together and configured for selective engagement to transfer the power from the engine to drive an output shaft of the powertrain of the work vehicle according to a plurality of modes;
• sensors configured to detect a vehicle direction, a vehicle ground speed, a vehicle draft load, and an implement position prior to the work vehicle performing a dig operation;
• and
• a controller coupled to the power source and the transmission, the controller having a processor and memory architecture configured to, prior the dig operation,
• receive information indicating the vehicle direction, the vehicle ground speed, the vehicle draft load, and the implement position from the sensors;
• determine that a dig preparation condition exists based on the received information, the dig preparation condition indicating that an operator of the work vehicle is preparing to engage in a dig operation;
• and
• generate, in response to determining the dig preparation condition exists, at least one dig preparation command for at least one of the transmission or the engine to prepare the powertrain for the work vehicle to perform the dig operation.

A work vehicle configured to engage with a material during a dig operation, comprising:

• a chassis;
• a powertrain supported by the chassis, the powertrain including a power source and a transmission, the power source including an engine configured to generate power, the transmission including at least one directional clutch and a plurality of control assembly clutches coupled together and configured for selective engagement to transfer the power from the engine to drive an output shaft of the powertrain of the work vehicle according to a plurality of modes;
• at least one implement supported by the chassis and configured to receive the power from the power source to engage with the material during the dig operation;
• sensors configured to detect a vehicle direction, a vehicle ground speed, a vehicle draft load, and an implement position prior to the work vehicle performing a dig operation;
• and
• a controller coupled to the power source and the transmission, the controller having a processor and memory architecture configured to, prior the dig operation,
• receive information indicating the vehicle direction, the vehicle ground speed, the vehicle draft load, and the implement position from the sensors;
• determine that a dig preparation condition exists based on the received information, the dig preparation condition indicating that an operator of the work vehicle is preparing to engage in a dig operation;
• and
• generate, in response to determining the dig preparation condition exists, at least one dig preparation command for at least one of the transmission or the engine to prepare the powertrain for the work vehicle to perform the dig operation.