Tool recognition and control system for a work machine

A control system for electronically configuring certain systems of a work machine wherein the work machine includes an implement system and other systems operable for controlling the operation of certain work tools which are mountable to the work machine, each work tool having a set of operating parameters associated therewith which affect the operation of at least some of the systems of the work machine used to control the operation of the work tools, said control system comprising:

• at least one operator input device actuatable to control at least certain operations of a work tool when that work tool is mounted to the work machine;
• means for selecting any one of a plurality of different sets of operating parameters for controlling at least certain operations of the work machine, each set of operating parameters corresponding to the operation of a different work tool when that work tool is mounted to the work tool;
• and
• an electronic controller coupled with said at least one operator input device and with said selecting means for receiving signals therefrom, said controller being operable to receive a signal from said selecting means indicative of which set of operating parameters have been selected for use, and a signal from said at last one operator input device indicative of controlling at least certain operations of a particular work tool based upon the selected set of operating parameters;
• said electronic controller being further coupled with the implement and other systems of the work machine operable for controlling the operation of the work tools and outputting appropriate signals thereto for electronically configuring such systems in accordance with the selected set of operating parameters for a particular work tool when said controller receives a signal from the selecting means indicative of which set of operating parameters has been selected for use, said certain machine systems being thereafter configured such that operation of such systems will be compatible with the selected operating parameters for that particular work tool;
• and
• wherein the work machine includes a transmission system for controlling the direction of movement of the work machine and an operator input drive control device actuatable to command a particular direction of movement of the work machine, and wherein at least one of the parameters associated with the selected set of operating parameters affects the steering of the work machine, said electronic controller being coupled with said transmission system and with said operator input drive control device and outputting signals to said transmission system to control the steering operation of the work machine based upon said at least one parameter affecting such steering, said outputted signal being indicative of a particular steering mode gain effective between actuation of the operator input drive control device and operation of the transmission system.