US 10,568,254 B2 · Tractor system and method

Abstract

An attachment system for removably attaching an implement under a vehicle. The mounting system includes a vehicle frame. The vehicle frame has a pair of spaced apart frame portions. Each of a pair of hitch receiving points is connectable with a respective one of the frame portions. An implement includes support structure extending for a length. A pair of hitch pins is associated with the support structure. The hitch pins are spaced apart in a direction along the length of the support structure. Each hitch pin is for attachment to a respective one of the hitch receiving points. A structural member is associated with the support structure and has a portion adapted to attach to structure outboard of a frame portion. A lift mechanism is connectable with a portion of the vehicle frame. The lift mechanism is attachable with the structural member to move the hitch pins relative to the hitch receiving points.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An attachment system comprising:

a vehicle having a vehicle frame with a pair of spaced apart frame portions;
a pair of receiving points, each receiving point being connectable with a respective one of the frame portions and located under the vehicle frame;
an implement comprising:
a support structure having a length;
a pair of hitch pins associated with the support structure and spaced apart in a direction along the length of the support structure, each hitch pin for operative attachment to a respective one of the receiving points;
and
a structural member having a lower portion attached to the support structure at a distance offset from a central portion of the length of the support structure and an upper portion for attachment to the vehicle frame, the upper portion being offset from the central portion of the length of the support structure at the same distance as the lower portion;
and
a lift mechanism connectable with a portion of the vehicle frame, the lift mechanism is attachable with the structural member to move the hitch pins relative to the receiving points.

6 more elements

A method of installing and removing an implement under a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle having a vehicle frame with a pair of spaced apart frame portions;
connecting a pair of hitch receiving points with the vehicle frame, each hitch receiving point being connected with a respective one of the frame portions;
providing an implement that includes support structure having a length, a pair of hitch pins associated with the support structure and spaced apart in a direction along the length of the support structure, each hitch pin for operative attachment to a respective one of the hitch receiving points, and a structural member having a lower portion attached to the support structure at a distance offset from a central portion of the length of the support structure and an upper portion for attachment to the vehicle frame, the upper portion being offset from the central portion of the length of the support structure at the same distance as the lower portion;
and
installing or removing the implement with a lift mechanism connected with a portion of the vehicle frame, the lift mechanism is attachable with the structural member to move the hitch pins relative to the hitch receiving points.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tractor system and method

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Tractor system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13