Hitch assembly for articulated mobile machine

A locking plate, comprising:

• a generally triangular base plate;
• a plurality of holes formed at a base edge of the base plate;
• a single hole formed at a tip of the base plate opposite the base edge;
• and
• at least one tool engagement feature located between the plurality of holes and the single hole relative to a first direction.

A mobile machine, comprising:

• a front tractor having a first frame;
• a plurality of front traction devices rotationally supporting the first frame;
• a rear trailer having a second frame;
• a plurality of rear traction devices rotationally supporting the second frame;
• an engine supported by the first frame and configured to drive the plurality of front and rear traction devices;
• a hitch assembly pivotally connecting the rear trailer to the front tractor, the hitch assembly having:
• a yoke portion configured to pivot relative to the front tractor about a first axis;
• a bracket configured to receive at least one steering actuator that connects the first frame and the yoke portion;
• a tube portion extending from the yoke portion and configured to pivot relative to the rear trailer about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
• at least one bushing located radially between the tube portion and the second frame;
• a driveshaft connecting the engine to the rear traction devices and passing through the yoke portion and the tube portion;
• first and second hitch carriers located at opposing ends of the tube portion and configured to rotationally support the driveshaft, the second hitch carrier having a plurality of first holes;
• a plurality of fasteners configured to connect the second hitch carrier to the tube portion via the plurality of first holes;
• a thrust collar configured to threadingly engage an outer periphery of the second hitch carrier and having a plurality of second holes;
• and
• a locking plate having a single pin configured to engage at least one of the plurality of second holes, and a plurality of third holes configured to receive at least some of the plurality of fasteners,
• wherein:
• the plurality of second holes is greater than the plurality of first holes;
• and
• the locking plate is configured to lock a rotational position of the thrust collar relative to a rotational position of the second hitch carrier at about 15° increments.