Method and apparatus for controlling a loader (third function auxillary)

Abstract

An articulating tractor having an auxiliary kit for utilizing one or more loader capabilities. Articulating tractor includes an articulating frame having a first articulation end and second articulation end. Articulating tractor also includes a first assembly mounted to the first articulation end of the articulating frame, and a second assembly mounted to the second articulation end of the articulating frame separated from the first assembly. Articulating tractor includes a switch of an auxiliary kit that operably engages with the first assembly. Articulating tractor includes a control system that operably engages with the second assembly. The switch is configured to control hydraulic power of a hydraulic system provided with the articulating tractor between a first operating setting and a second operating setting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An articulating tractor, comprising:
 an articulating frame having a first articulation end, a second articulation end opposite to the first articulation end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first articulation end and the second articulation end;   a first assembly mounted to the first articulation end of the articulating frame;   a second assembly mounted to the second articulation end of the articulating frame separated from the first assembly;   a switch of an auxiliary kit operably engaged with the first assembly; and   a control system operably engaged with the second assembly;   wherein the switch is configured to control hydraulic power of a hydraulic system positioned on the second assembly between a first operating position and a second operating position.   
     
     
         2 . The articulating tractor of  claim 1 , wherein when the switch is in the first operating position, the hydraulic power is directed to the hydraulic system to actuate an implement operably engaged with the second assembly in a first set of directions and in a second set of directions; and
 wherein when the switch is in the second operating position, the hydraulic power is directed to the hydraulic system to actuate the implement operably engaged with the articulating frame in the first set of directions, in the second set of directions, and in a third set of directions.   
     
     
         3 . The articulating tractor of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating frame further comprises:
 a pivot point positioned between the first articulation end and the second articulation end;   wherein the control system is separated and spaced apart from the switch by the pivot point.   
     
     
         4 . The articulating tractor of  claim 3 , wherein the switch is positioned between the first articulation end of the pivot point; and
 wherein the control system is positioned between the second articulation end and the pivot point.   
     
     
         5 . The articulating tractor of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first side of the articulating tractor; and   a second side of the articulating tractor opposite to the first side;   wherein the switch and the control system are collectively positioned at the first side of the articulating tractor or the second side of the articulating tractor.   
     
     
         6 . The articulating tractor of  claim 1 , wherein the switch, the control system, and the hydraulic system are each collectively positioned to one side of the articulating tractor relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The articulating tractor of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic system comprises:
 a set of hydraulic actuators; and   at least one check valve mechanism operatively in communication with a controller and the set of hydraulic actuators;   wherein the control system is separated and spaced apart from the at least one check valve mechanism and the hydraulic actuators by a pivot point positioned between the first articulation end and the second articulation end.   
     
     
         8 . The articulating tractor of  claim 1 , wherein the control system comprises:
 a first input device operatively engaged with the hydraulic system to actuate an implement operably engaged with the articulating frame in a first set of directions;   a second input device operatively engaged with the hydraulic system to actuate the implement operably engaged with the articulating frame in a second set of directions; and   a third input device operatively engaged with the hydraulic system to actuate the implement operably engaged with the articulating frame in a third set of directions;   
     
     
         9 . The articulating tractor of  claim 8 , wherein the third input device is located on the second input device. 
     
     
         10 . The articulating tractor of  claim 8 , wherein the first input device, the second input device, and the third input device are collectively positioned to one side of the articulating tractor relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . A method of translating one or both of a pair of loading arms and an implement of an articulating tractor, comprising:
 actuating a switch of an auxiliary kit of the articulating tractor from a first operating position to a second operating position;   applying at least one input on a control system of the articulating tractor;   outputting a signal, by a controller of the articulating tractor, upon receiving the at least one input on the control system;   directing hydraulic power to at least one set of hydraulic lines of a hydraulic system of the articulating tractor, by a check valve mechanism of the hydraulic system and an auxiliary check valve mechanism of the auxiliary kit, based on the signal sent by the controller; and   translating the one or both of the pair of loading arms and the implement of the articulating tractor.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein when the switch is in the first operating position, the hydraulic power is directed to the hydraulic system to actuate the one or both of the pair of loading arms and the implement in a first set of directions and in a second set of directions; and
 wherein when the switch is in the second operating position, the hydraulic power is directed to the hydraulic system to actuate the one or both of the pair of loading arms and the implement in the first set of directions, in the second set of directions, and in a third set of directions.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 defining a pivot point of an articulating frame of the articulating tractor between a first articulation end and a second articulation end opposite to the first articulation end; and   separating the control system from the switch by the pivot point.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 defining a longitudinal axis between a first articulation end of the articulating tractor and a second articulation end of the articulating tractor opposite to the first articulation end; and   positioning the switch and the control system, collectively, to one side of the articulating tractor relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 positioning the switch and the control system, collectively, at a first side of the articulating tractor or a second side of the articulating tractor opposite to the first side.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 defining a longitudinal axis between a first articulation end of the articulating tractor and a second articulation end of the articulating tractor opposite to the first articulation end; and   positioning the switch, the control system, and the hydraulic system, collectively, to one side of the articulating tractor relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 defining a pivot point of an articulating frame of the articulating tractor between a first articulation end and a second articulation end; and   separating the control system from the check valve mechanism by the pivot point.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of translating the one or both of the pair of loading arms and the implement further comprising:
 actuating the one or both of the pair of loading arms and the implement in a first set of directions by a first input device of the control system;   actuating the one or both of the pair of loading arms and the implement in a second set of directions by a second input device of the control system; and   actuating the one or both of the pair of loading arms and the implement in a third set of directions by a third input device of the control system.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the third input device is located on the second input device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 defining a longitudinal axis between a first articulation end of the articulating tractor and a second articulation end of the articulating tractor opposite to the first articulation end; and   positioning the first input device, the second input device, and the third input device, collectively, to one side of the articulating tractor relative to the longitudinal axis.