Three point hitch draft sensing system

A draft sensing mechanism comprising:

• a hitch frame adapted to be attached to a frame of a vehicle:
• left and right link supports each link support coupling a corresponding left and right draft link to a corresponding left and right side of the hitch frame;
• left and right draft bars, each draft bar having a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, each draft bar having a second portion which projects from its first portion, draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports deflecting the second portions of the draft bars;
• a draft force transducer generating a draft force signal in response to deflection thereof;
• and
• a linkage unit which mechanically sums deflection of the second portions of the draft bars and applies the summed deflection to the transducer.

(bolts separate under overload) In a vehicle having a draft link for coupling an implement to a hitch frame, a draft force sensing system comprising:

• a draft force transducer generating a draft force signal in response to deflection thereof;
• a linkage unit which deflects the transducer in response to deflection of a sensing member;
• and
• a draft bar having a first art which is coupled to the draft link and having a second part which moves in response to changes in draft forces applied to the draft link, the second end being engagable with the sensing member, and the second part disengaging from the sensing member when the second part moves at least a certain distance away from the sensing member.

(bolts separate under overload) In a vehicle having left and right draft links for coupling an implement to a hitch frame, a draft force sensing system comprising:

• a draft force transducer generating a draft force signal in response to deflection thereof;
• a linkage unit which deflects the transducer in response to deflection of left and ring sensing members;
• and
• left and right draft bars, each having a first part which is coupled to a corresponding one of the draft links and having a second part which moves in response to changes in draft forces applied to the corresponding draft link, the second end being engagable with a corresponding one of the sensing members, and the second parts disengaging from the corresponding sensing member when the second part moves at least a certain distance away from the corresponding sensing member.

In a vehicle having left and right draft links for coupling an implement to a hitch frame, a draft force sensing system comprising:

• a pivotal first arm, the first arm having an first portion movable in response to draft force applied to the left draft link and having an second portion;
• a pivotal second arm, the second arm having an first portion movable in response to draft force applied to the right draft link and having an second portion;
• and
• a transducer engagable with the second portions of the first and second arms, the transducer generating an electrical signal representing a distance between the second portions, the second portions of the arms disengaging from the transducer when draft force exceeds a threshold.