Patent ID: 8333248
Filing Date: 2012-12-18
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
1. An automatic pitch hold system for a ripper that includes a ripper pitch cylinder and a ripper lift cylinder, the ripper pitch hold system comprising: an operator pitch input generating an operator pitch signal for controlling the pitch angle of the ripper; an operator lift input generating an operator lift signal for controlling the raising and lowering of the ripper; an operator pitch hold controller for generating a pitch hold activation signal to maintain the pitch angle of the ripper at a ripper pitch angle hold setting; a pitch cylinder sensor coupled to the ripper pitch cylinder for sensing the position of the ripper pitch cylinder and generating a pitch cylinder position signal; a lift cylinder sensor coupled to the ripper lift cylinder for sensing the position of the ripper lift cylinder and generating a lift cylinder position signal; and a ripper electro-hydraulic controller for processing the operator lift and pitch signals, the lift and pitch cylinder position signals and the pitch hold activation signal, and when the pitch hold activation signal is activated for generating and outputting ripper pitch and lift cylinder commands that maintain the pitch angle of the ripper at the ripper pitch angle hold setting while raising or lowering the ripper based on the operator lift signal.