Patent ID: 7415822

Claim:
A vehicle including a frame, a plurality of traction devices configured to propel the frame on the ground, a plurality of hydraulic actuators, brakes configured to control the speed of the vehicle, and a hydraulic control system including a pressure source providing pressurized hydraulic fluid, a load sense system detecting the maximum pressure needed by the plurality of hydraulic actuators during operation of the vehicle, a plurality of hydraulic controls controlling the supply of pressurized fluid to the plurality of hydraulic actuators, the plurality of hydraulic controls using the maximum pressure detected by the load sense system to regulate the pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided to the plurality of hydraulic actuators, a pressure source control coupled to the load sense system and pressure source to control the pressure output from the pressure source based on the maximum pressure detected by the load sense system, a load sense input to the load sense system that maintains the maximum pressure detected by the load sense system at least at a predetermined pressure, the hydraulic control system including a system margin substantially equal to pressure losses between the pressure source and at least one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators and the predetermined pressure being greater than the system margin, and a hydraulic fluid accumulator supplying pressurized fluid to the brakes, the predetermined pressure being sufficient to provide a charge for the hydraulic fluid accumulator sufficient for a predetermined number of applications of the brakes.