Object responsive control system for a work machine

1. An object responsive control system for a work machine having a frame, a longitudinal axis, ground engaging supports to support the frame on a geographic surface, a prime mover mounted on the work machine and drivingly coupled to the ground engaging supports, the prime mover propelling the work machine over the geographic surface, the system comprising:

a boom pivotally coupled to the frame;

an attachment pivotally coupled to the boom;

an object sensor adapted for sensing a presence of an undesirable object located in a travel path of the work machine, and further adapted to deliver an object signal upon sensing the undesirable object;

a boom sensor adapted for delivering a boom position signal;

a controller adapted for receiving the boom position signal, and further adapted to activate an object response upon receiving the object signal; and

an operator station supported by the frame, the operator station defining a location for an operator to operate the work machine while facing towards the attachment, a predetermined threshold defining where an operator's view of the travel path is at least partially obstructed by the attachment.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment comprises at least one of a bucket, a fork, and a spear.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the object sensor is further adapted to activate a secondary object signal upon sensing the undesirable object in the travel path of the work machine.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the object sensor comprises at least one of a laser sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an acoustic sensor, a light sensor, a color sensor, and a camera.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the object sensor is further adapted for sensing the presence of the undesirable object from the operator's point of view through a windshield of an operator's station within a field of view of the windshield.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment sensor for delivering an attachment position signal, the controller further adapted to activate the object response upon receiving the attachment position signal.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the object response is an automated electro-hydraulic braking of the boom.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the object response is at least one of an audible alarm, a visual indicator, an automated reduction in propel speed of the work machine, a steering of the work machine, and an automated electro-hydraulic braking of the ground-engaging supports.

9. An object responsive control system for a work machine having a frame, ground engaging supports to support the frame, an operator station supported by the frame, the operator station defining a location for an operator to operate the work machine while facing towards an attachment, a prime mover mounted on the work machine and drivingly coupled to the ground engaging supports, the prime mover propelling the work machine over the geographic surface, the system comprising:

a boom pivotally coupled to the frame;

the attachment pivotally coupled to the boom;

an object sensor adapted for sensing a presence of an undesirable object located in a travel path of the work machine, and further adapted to deliver an object signal for sensing the undesirable object on the geographical surface;

a boom sensor adapted for delivering a boom position signal;

a controller adapted for receiving the boom position signal, calculating an attachment elevational position based on the boom position signal;

and further adapted to activate an object response upon calculating the attachment elevational position above a predetermined threshold and receiving the object signal, wherein the predetermined threshold defines an elevational level where an operator's view of the travel path is at least partially obstructed by the attachment.

10. A method for providing an object responsive control for a work machine having a frame, ground engaging supports to support the frame, a prime mover mounted on the work machine and drivingly coupled to the ground engaging supports, an operator station supported by the frame; a boom pivotally coupled to the frame, an attachment pivotally coupled to the boom, the method comprising:

propelling the work machine on a travel path;

sensing an undesirable object located in the travel path of the work machine;

delivering an object signal upon sensing the undesirable object in the travel path of the work machine;

delivering a boom position signal;

calculating an attachment position based on the boom position signal;

activating an object response based upon receiving the object signal; and

wherein a predetermined threshold defines where an operator's view of the travel path is at least partially obstructed by an attachment when operating the work machine from the operator's station.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the operator's view of the travel path is defined by an operator's point of view though a windshield of an operator station within a field of view of the windshield.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the attachment comprises at least one of a bucket, a fork, and a spear.

13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising delivering an attachment position signal, activating the object response upon receiving the attachment position signal.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising activating a secondary object response upon sensing the undesirable object in the travel path of the work machine.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the object response is at least one of an audible alarm, a visual indicator, an automated reduction in propel speed, a steering of the work machine, and an automated electro-hydraulic braking of the ground-engaging supports.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the object response comprises at least one of an audible alarm and a visual indicator.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the object response is an automated electro-hydraulic braking of the ground-engaging supports.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the object response is an automated electro-hydraulic braking of the boom.