Case: Hydrostatic Travel Drive Control
We developed control logic for the hydrostatic travel drive of a heavy mobile drilling rig used in mining and underground operations. The machine combines a large, high-inertia chassis with a hydrostatic drivetrain (pump + motor) and multiple operating modes, including a transport/high-speed range. The key challenge was making the machine decelerate smoothly and predictably without oscillations caused by drivetrain inertia, and ensuring high-traction climbing performance without stalling the engine under sudden load spikes.
What we engineered
1) Stable hydrostatic drive behavior for a high-inertia machine
We tuned the interaction between engine RPM control, pump command, and motor displacement so the system remains stable during throttle-off events and transitions—avoiding the “hunting/oscillation” effect when vehicle inertia back-drives the hydraulic motor and disturbs engine speed control.
2) Predictable deceleration and braking feel
We implemented deceleration strategies so the rig slows down smoothly when the operator releases the pedal, and responds proportionally when braking input is applied—without pressure spikes and unpleasant drivetrain noises.
3) Anti-stall protection (“Anti-Stall”)
A protection layer compares commanded vs. actual engine RPM and reduces hydraulic load progressively when RPM drops toward a stall threshold—keeping the engine running and maintaining controllability in demanding conditions.
4) Electronic traction management / PCOR-like function (pressure-based)
We implemented an electronic equivalent of Pressure Compensator Override (PCOR) using pressure feedback in the travel circuit. When load increases (pressure rises), the control logic automatically adjusts motor displacement to increase tractive effort while reducing speed, helping the machine climb and push through resistance without stalling.
5) Transport-mode safeguards
Because high-speed / low-displacement motor range provides less tractive reserve, we added logic to prevent aggressive load events from causing sharp engine bog-down and unstable behavior during climbs or sudden resistance.
RESULT
The drilling rig’s travel drive became noticeably smoother and more predictable in real operation—especially during deceleration and load changes—while maintaining the ability to climb and work under heavy resistance without stalling. Pressure spikes during overrun/braking events were reduced to non-critical levels, oscillations tied to inertia and engine-speed feedback were stabilized, and traction performance improved through automatic load-aware motor displacement control. The outcome is a more controllable machine, with behavior that matches operator expectations in harsh mining conditions.