METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RETARDING A WORK MACHINE HAVING A FLUID-COOLED BRAKE SYSTEM

摘要

A method for retarding a work machine (10) having a fluid-cooled brake system (22) includes the step of advancing said work machine (10) at a first ground speed during a first period of time. The method also includes the step of sensing a fluid temperature of brake coolant circulating through said brake system (22) during the first period of time. The method further includes the step of advancing said work machine (10) at a second ground speed during a second period of time based on said fluid temperature. During retarding of the work machine (10), the radiator fan (40) is operated at a predetermined, maximum fan speed irrespective of engine speed of the work machine's engine (12). Moreover, during retarding of the work machine (10) according to the method of the present invention, the circulation pumps of the work machine's brake cooling system (22) are operated at a predetermined, maximum pump speed irrespective of engine speed of the work machine's engine (12). An apparatus for retarding a work machine (10) is also disclosed.