Method and apparatus for controlling an implement of a work machine

A method for controllably moving a work implement of an earth moving machine in response to the position of an operator controlled joystick, the work implement including a boom and a bucket being attached thereto, the work implement including a hydraulic lift cylinder for lifting and lowering the boom and a hydraulic tilt cylinder for dumping and racking the bucket, comprising the steps of:

• sensing the positions of the lift and tilt cylinders and producing respective implement position signals;
• receiving the implement position signals and operator command signal, reducing the operator command signal in response to a predetermined position of the lift and tilt cylinder, and producing an electrical valve signal based on the reduced operator command signal to reduce the elevational velocity of the boom as the bucket pivots to a predetermined angular position, such that the movement of the boom is quickly stopped as the bucket pivots within a predetermined distance of the boom;
• and
• receiving the electrical valve signal and controllably providing hydraulic fluid flow to the respective hydraulic cylinders in response to a magnitude of the electrical valve signal.

A method for controllably moving a work implement of an earth moving machine in response to the position of an operator controlled joystick, the work implement including a boom and a bucket being attached thereto, the work implement including a hydraulic lift cylinder for lifting and lowering the boom and a hydraulic tilt cylinder for pivoting the bucket, comprising the steps of:

• sensing the positions of the lift and tilt cylinders and producing respective implement position signals;
• receiving the implement position signals and operator command signal, reducing the operator command signal in response to a predetermined position of the lift and tilt cylinder, and producing an electrical valve signal based on the reduced operator command signal to prevent the bucket from pivoting into the boom;
• and
• receiving the electrical valve signal and controllably providing hydraulic fluid flow to the respective hydraulic cylinders in response to a magnitude of the electrical valve signal.

A method for controllably moving a work implement of an earth moving machine in response to the position of an operator controlled joystick, the work implement including a boom and a bucket being attached thereto, the work implement including a hydraulic lift cylinder for lifting and lowering the boom and a hydraulic tilt cylinder for pivoting into the bucket, comprising the steps of:

• sensing the positions of the lift and tilt cylinders and producing respective implement position signals;
• receiving the implement position signals and operator command signal, reducing the operator command signal as the boom is being moved and the bucket is being pivoted, and producing an electrical valve signal based on the reduced operator command signal, such that the movement of the boom is quickly stopped as the bucket pivots within a predetermined distance of the boom;
• and
• receiving the electrical valve signal and controllably providing hydraulic fluid flow to the respective hydraulic cylinders in response to a magnitude of the electrical valve signal.