DIFFERENTIAL LOCK CONTROL IN ARTICULATED WORK MACHINE

摘要

A method of operating an articulated work machine (10) includes sensing an articulation angle and a wheel steering angle of the work machine (10), and controlling a locking state of a differential (60) responsive to a steering radius of the work machine. An articulated frame wheeled work machine (10) is further provided, and includes a front frame unit (12) with a wheel steering apparatus (30), a back frame unit (14) and an articulation apparatus (40) coupled between the front and back frame units (12, 14). First and second sensors (32, 42) are operable to sense a wheel steering angle and an articulation angle of the work machine (10), and an electronic controller (50) is provided which is configured to selectively lock or unlock a differential (60) of the back frame unit (14) responsive to a steering radius of the work machine (10).