Patent ID: 8858392

Claim:
A method of operating a continuously variable hydro-mechanical transmission of a vehicle, comprising steps of: responsive to an inputted predetermined command to change an operating state or condition of the transmission or starting an engine of the vehicle: automatically engaging or maintaining engagement of a parking brake of the vehicle to hold the vehicle at an existing position; and automatically moving a swash plate of a hydrostatic power unit of the transmission to a predetermined position for movement of the vehicle in an anticipated direction; then, if a command is received to operate the transmission to move the vehicle in the anticipated direction, then automatically engaging the transmission for moving the vehicle, and gradually releasing the parking brake to allow the vehicle to move; or if a command is received to operate the transmission to move the vehicle in a direction opposite the anticipated direction, then automatically moving the swash plate to a predetermined position for movement of the vehicle in the direction opposite the anticipated direction, then automatically engaging the transmission to move the vehicle while gradually releasing the parking brake to allow the vehicle to move.