Auxiliary interlock control system for power machine

An apparatus for controlling operation of a skid steer loader having a frame, wheels supporting the frame, a seat supported by the frame, a drive mechanism for driving the wheels, a lift arm structure manipulated by hydraulic actuators, and a hydraulic circuit providing hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic actuators, the apparatus comprising:

• an auxiliary coupling device connected to the hydraulic circuit to receive hydraulic fluid therefrom;
• an auxiliary valve controlling flow of hydraulic fluid to the auxiliary coupling device;
• an auxiliary valve control circuit coupled to the auxiliary valve and controlling the auxiliary valve;
• an operating state sensor coupled to the skid steer loader and providing an operating state signal indicative of an operating state of the skid steer loader;
• and
• a controller coupled to the auxiliary valve control circuit and the operating state sensor and providing an auxiliary interrupt signal to the auxiliary valve control circuit based on the operating state signal, the auxiliary valve control circuit controlling the auxiliary valve based on the auxiliary interrupt signal and based on operator inputs to the auxiliary valve control circuit.

A power machine comprising:

• a frame;
• wheels supporting the frame;
• a seat supported by the frame;
• a drive mechanism for driving the wheels;
• a lift arm structure manipulated by power actuators;
• a power circuit providing power to the power actuators;
• and
• a control apparatus comprising:
• an auxiliary coupling device connected to the power circuit to receive power therefrom;
• an auxiliary valve controlling application of power to the auxiliary coupling device;
• an auxiliary valve control circuit coupled to the auxiliary valve and controlling the auxiliary valve;
• an operating mode sensor coupled to the skid steer loader and providing an operating mode signal indicative of an operating mode of the skid steer loader;
• and
• a controller coupled to the auxiliary valve control circuit and the operating mode sensor and providing an auxiliary interrupt signal to the auxiliary valve control circuit based on the operating mode signal, the auxiliary valve control circuit closing the auxiliary valve based on the auxiliary interrupt signal and further controlling the auxiliary valve based on operator inputs to the auxiliary valve control circuit.