Externally controlled switch mechanism
A control mechanism for a refuse vehicle includes a first control valve that operates a first hydraulically controlled mechanism and a second control valve that operates a second hydraulically controlled mechanism. The control mechanism also includes a plurality of switches and a pneumatic control mechanism. The plurality of switches generates a valve select signal and a mode signal. The pneumatic control mechanism selectively controls the first control valve and the second control valve based on the valve select signal and the mode signal. An operator of the refuse vehicle actuates the plurality of switches while the operator is operating the pneumatic control mechanism.
1. A control mechanism for a refuse vehicle comprising:
a first control valve that operates a first implement associated with the refuse vehicle;
a second control valve that operates a second implement associated with the refuse vehicle;
a switch device that generates a valve select signal and a mode signal;
a controller selectively controls the first control valve and the second control valve based on the valve select signal and the mode signal;
wherein the switch device is actuated by the controller; and
the switch device generates a first valve control signal and a first mode signal when the switch device is in a first position.
2. The control mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the controller selectively controls the first control valve in a manual mode based on the first valve select signal and the first mode signal.
3. The control mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the switch device generates a second valve control signal and a second mode signal when the switch device is in a second position.
4. The control mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the controller selectively controls the first control valve in an automatic mode based on the second valve select signal and the second mode signal.
5. The control mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the switch device generates a third valve control signal and a third mode signal when the switch device is in a third position.
6. The control mechanism of claim 5 , wherein the controller selectively controls the second control valve in a manual mode based on the third valve select signal and the third mode signal.
7. The control mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the switch device is coupled to the control mechanism.
8. A method for operating a refuse vehicle comprising:
a first control valve for operating a first implement associated with the refuse vehicle;
a second control valve for operating a second implement associated with the refuse vehicle;
generating a valve select signal and a mode signal;
selectively instructing the first control valve to lift, lower, move forward, or tilt the first implement based on the valve select signal and the mode signal; and
selectively instructing the second control valve to extend, retract, raise, lower, grab, or release the second implement based on the valve select signal and the mode signal.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising generating a first valve control signal and a first mode signal and selectively controlling the first control valve in a manual mode based on the first valve select signal and the first mode signal.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising generating a second valve control signal and a second mode signal.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising selectively controlling the first control valve in an automatic mode based on the second valve select signal and the second mode signal.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising generating a third valve control signal and a third mode signal.
13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising selectively controlling the second control valve in a manual mode based on the third valve select signal and the third mode signal.