Patent ID: 8666618

Claim:
A machine control system for use with a machine having a power source and a transmission, the machine control system comprising: a clutch configured to connect an output of the power source with an input of the transmission; a plurality of sensors configured to generate signals indicative of current operations of the machine; an operator input device configured to indicate an operator desired reduction in an amount of torque transferred from the power source to the transmission; and a controller in communication with the clutch, the operator input device, and the sensors, the controller being configured to determine a current machine application based on the signals, and being configured to vary an actuating force of the clutch based on the current machine application and a displacement of the operator input device such that a same displacement of the operator input device during different machine applications results in different actuating forces of the clutch, wherein the actuating force is reduced as a value of the input increases from a deadband where substantially no change in the actuating force is affected toward a maximum displaced position; as the value of the input increases directly after the deadband, the actuating force varies at a slower rate during a digging application than a non-digging application; and as the value of the input approaches the maximum displaced position, the actuating force varies at a slower rate during the non-digging application than the digging application.