SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING ENGINES OF WORK MACHINES

A method of operating an engine of a work machine, via a controller, includes detecting a request for a transmission shift of a transmission of the work machine from a neutral gear to a desired starting gear; determining a current transmission output speed of the transmission; determining a desired transmission output speed of the transmission corresponding to the desired starting gear; determining a desired minimum speed of the engine based on a difference between the current transmission output speed and the desired transmission output speed; and causing, based on the request for the transmission shift, the engine to operate at or above the desired minimum speed prior to a completion of the transmission shift from the neutral gear to the desired starting gear.