Patent ID: 6854549

Claim:
A work machine, comprising: an engine; a plurality of wheels; a source of hydraulic fluid; a hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump connected with the engine, a motor, a pressure signal line connected between the pump and the motor for transferring hydraulic fluid at various flows therebetween so that the motor drives the plurality of wheels at various speeds responsive to the flow of the hydraulic fluid, and a valve disposed within the pressure signal line and movable from a closed position to a plurality of open positions for selectively neutralizing the hydraulic fluid flow to control the ground speed of the work machine independent from the engine speed; and an electronic engine speed control system operatively associated with and located remotely from the hydrostatic transmission, wherein the electronic engine speed control system includes a governor control, an electronic control module, an operator switch connected to the control module and movable to a set position which sends an input signal with a desired engine speed value to the control module, an engine sensor connectable between the engine and the control module for sensing the speed of the engine and sending an input signal with an actual engine speed value to the control module, an actuator connectable between the control module and the governor control and responsive to a control signal from the control module for moving the governor control to any one of the plurality of positions, the control signal being delivered to the actuator as a function of the desired and actual values so that the engine speed is electronically set and maintained at the desired speed, and means for disrupting the control signal so that the engine speed is no longer electronically set and maintained at the desired speed.