Patent ID: 6354023
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: E01H,E02F,G05G

Abstract:
A snow grooming vehicle comprising: a frame supported and propelled by ground engaging tracks; an operator's cabin mounted to said frame; implement coupling means for at least one snow working implement carried by said frame; at least two sets of implement actuators which are subject to operational control by the operator from within the operator's cabin; each set of implement actuators being controllable by a joystick independently of the control of any other set of implement actuators; an engine for driving said ground engaging tracks; said joystick having a hand grip portion positioned for convenient manipulation into various positions by the operator when sitting into said operator's cabin in a normal command position; electrical transducer means operatively associated with said joystick for generating an electrical signal representative of the position of said joystick; manual control switching means operable by the operator from its normal command position for selecting a set of implement actuators of which the operator desires to change the condition by means of said joystick thereby to adjust the position or setting of an implement according to the position of said joystick; a controller having at least two inputs and one output and generating an output signal representative of the position of said joystick for operatively controlling the set of implement actuators selected by the operator; said manual control switching means being coupled to a first input of said controller; the electrical signal produced by said electrical transducer means being coupled to a second input of said controller; whereby while said manual control switching means is actuated, said controller generates an output signal representative of the position of said joystick, which is used to operatively control a predetermined set of implement actuators; said joystick being adapted to control at least one other set of implement actuators when said manual control switching means is not actuated.