Method of reducing fuel consumption in loaders, excavators, backhoe loaders and the like

A method of reducing fuel consumption in a machine with an internal combustion engine providing simultaneous ground propulsion via a torque converter and hydraulic implement propulsion via a hydraulic pump. The engine controller uses a first engine map that defines primary operating constraints, the method comprising obtaining and implementing a torque limit that falls within the primary operating constraints 520, wherein if a torque demand exceeds the limit then the engine speed will drop 560, and if the ratio between the engine and ground propulsion drops below a threshold then the torque limit will be removed and the engine will reinstate the primary operating constraints. If the speed drops below a threshold speed, the torque limit may increase gradually. If the engine speed drops below a second threshold speed for a period of time, the torque limit may be removed, and primary operating constraints may be reinstated. Torque limits could be applied to engine speeds higher than 50% of a maximum speed defined by the primary operating constraints. The machine could have a loader implement or backhoe.