Electronic implement control

An apparatus for controlling an implement connected to a work vehicle and movable to and between a plurality of positions, comprising:

• means for sensing the position of the implement and responsively producing an implement position signal;
• means for selecting a desired kickout position;
• a mounting bracket connected to the vehicle;
• a control lever being pivotably connected to said mounting bracket and movable between first and second positions;
• a rocker bar connected to said control lever;
• means for producing a control signal in response to movement of the control lever;
• a solenoid having an actuator rod being in contact with said rocker bar and movable to a detent position in response to said solenoid being energized;
• a biasing means for urging said actuator rod toward said detent position;
• and
• detent control means for controllably energizing said solenoid in response to said control signal having a value indicative of the control lever being moved beyond a detent position and said implement position signal being indicative of the implement having a predetermine relationship with and deenergizing said solenoid in response to the implement being substantially in the desired kickout position.

An apparatus for controlling an implement connected to a work vehicle and movable to and between a plurality of positions, comprising:

• means for sensing the position of the implement and responsively producing an implement position signal;
• a mounting bracket connected to the vehicle;
• a control lever being pivotally connected to said mounting bracket and movable between first and second positions;
• a rocker bar connected to said control lever;
• means for producing a control signal in response to movement of the control lever;
• an implement control for receiving said control signal and responsively producing an implement signal;
• means for moving the implement in response to the implement signal;
• a solenoid having an actuator rod being in contact with said rocker bar and movable to a detent position in response to said solenoid being energized;
• and
• detent control means for energizing said solenoid in response to said control signal having a value indicative of the control lever being moved beyond a lower detent position and said implement position signal being indicative of the implement being below a predetermined return-to-dig position and for de-energizing said solenoid in response to the implement position signal being indicative of the implement being a predetermined distance below the predetermined return-to-dig position.

An apparatus for controlling an implement connected to a work vehicle and movable to and between a plurality of positions, comprising:

• means for sensing the position of the implement and responsively producing an implement position signal;
• means for selecting a desired kickout position;
• a mounting bracket connected to the vehicle;
• a control lever being pivotably connected to said mounting bracket and movable between first and second positions;
• a rocker bar connected to said control lever;
• a control shaft connected to and between said control lever and said mounting plate and having a longitudinal axis;
• a first gear connected to said control shaft and being pivotally movable about said axis in response to movement of the control lever;
• means for producing a control signal in response to movement of the control lever;
• a second gear connected to and between said first gear and said control signal producing means;
• an implement control for receiving said control signal and responsively producing an implement signal;
• means for moving the implement in response to the implement signal;
• a solenoid having an actuator rod being in contact with said rocker bar and movable to a detent position in response to said solenoid being energized;
• a biasing means for urging said actuator rod toward said detent position;
• and
• detent control means for controllably energizing said solenoid in response to said control signal having a value indicative of the control lever being moved beyond a raise detent position and said implement position signal being indicative of the implement being below a predetermined dump height and deenergizing said solenoid in response to the implement being substantially in the desired kickout position.