Traction control apparatus and method for a hydrostatically driven work machine

摘要

A traction control apparatus for a work machine having an engine and a hydrostatic drive system that powers a first and second set of ground engaging traction devices is disclosed. The hydrostatic drive system includes a variable displacement pump being rotatably driven by the engine, and first and second variable displacement motors which receive pressurized fluid from the variable displacement pump, the first motor driving the first set of ground engaging traction devices and the second motor driving the second set of ground engaging traction devices. The control apparatus includes a first speed sensor that produces a first speed signal indictative of the rotational speed of the first set of ground engaging traction devices and a second speed sensor that produces a second speed signal indictative of the rotational speed of the second set of ground engaging traction devices. An electronic controller receives the first and second speed signals, compares the speed signal magnitudes to each other to determine which set of the ground engaging traction devices are slipping, and decreases the displacement of the motor associated with the slipping ground engaging traction device to increase the torque associated with the motor associated with the non-slipping ground engaging traction device.