Patent ID: 8554426

Claim:
An engine-powered vehicle having an automatic power management feature comprising: an engine having a set of built-in torque curves; a transmission with multiple gear ratios driven by the engine; a final drive configured to provide axle torque data to the transmission to establish engine torque sustained by the engine and to provide power for an external load; and an electronic controller for controlling both the engine and the transmission, the electronic controller having automatic speed control, and the electronic controller including a device configured to input data and receive data from the electronic controller and to evaluate at least one variable during automatic speed control mode; wherein the electronic controller receives data input from the engine, from the transmission, from the final drive, and from the device, and the electronic controller determines engine rpm and transmission gear as a result of the data received to maintain a selected vehicle speed by automatically up- shifting the transmission and reducing engine speed to reduce fuel consumption when a load on the vehicle is reduced and down-shifting the transmission and increasing engine speed when the load is applied, wherein the variable includes at least one of (a) a position of a selector switch, the selector switch being positionable in a field mode for operating the vehicle in a field, including tillage applications under changing load conditions, and a road mode for operating the vehicle during road hauling or transportation, (b) a position of a brake, (c) vehicle ground speed, (d) vehicle ground speed slippage, (e) an operator set maximum and minimum ground speed, (f) an operator set maximum and minimum gear setting, (g) system sensitivity, and (h) change in implement status.