Patent ID: 7530185

Claim:
A backhoe loader, comprising: a frame; a boom having a first boom end and a second boom end, the first boom end pivotally attached to the frame; a tool pivotally attached to the second boom end, the tool being adapted to perform a work function; a tool actuator adapted to controllably pivot the tool about the second boom end; a boom actuator adapted to controllably pivot the boom about the frame; a controller in communication with at least one of the tool actuator and the boom actuator, the controller having a first mode and a second mode; a command input device in communication with the controller, the command input device adapted to generate a first boom command signal upon a first manipulation of the command input device corresponding to a desired boom movement, the command input device adapted to generate a first tool command signal upon a second manipulation of the tool command input device corresponding to a desired tool movement; and at least one sensor detecting an inclination of the tool with respect to the frame and generating a corresponding tool angle signal indicative of the inclination of the tool, the first mode enabling the controller to receive the first tool command signal and ignore the tool angle signal while generating first controller command signals controlling at least one of the tool actuator and the boom actuator, the second mode enabling controller to respond to the tool angle signal and generate second controller command signals to maintain the inclination of the tool by controlling the at least one of the tool actuator and the boom actuator, the second mode allowing the controller to receive first tool command signals and generate third controller command signals controlling the tool actuator, the controller capable of making the third controller command signals proportional to the second manipulation of the command input device using a second controller command signal to the tool as the third controller command signal at no second manipulation of the command input device and a maximum second controller command as the third controller command signal at a maximum second manipulation of the tool command input device.