Attachment assembly for powered implements

A method of attaching an implement to a tractor, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an attachment assembly extending from the tractor, wherein the attachment assembly comprises a tractor-side frame and an implement-side frame rotatably coupled with the tractor-side frame, wherein the attachment assembly is configured to be shifted between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the implement-side frame comprises connection elements configured to attach the implement to the implement-side frame, and wherein the connection elements provide at least four points of connection for the implement;
• (b) shifting the attachment assembly to the open configuration;
• (c) securing the implement-side frame to the implement;
• and
• (d) shifting the attachment assembly to the closed configuration.

An attachment assembly for connecting an agricultural implement to a tractor, said attachment assembly comprising:

• a tractor-side frame configured to extend from the tractor;
• an implement-side frame configured to be removably attached to the implement, wherein said implement-side frame comprises a pair of vertical support elements,
• wherein said implement-side frame is configured to rotate with respect to said tractor-side frame;
• and
• a power take-off (PTO) adapter configured to connect a PTO drive element of the tractor with a PTO receiving element of the implement, wherein said PTO adapter comprises an adapter plate that includes keys extending from lateral sides of said adapter plate, wherein said keys are configured to be received within slots formed in said vertical support elements, and wherein said slots each includes a lower portion having an arcuate shape.

A method of attaching an implement to a tractor, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an attachment assembly extending from the tractor, wherein the attachment assembly comprises a tractor-side frame and an implement-side frame rotatably coupled with the tractor-side frame, wherein the attachment assembly is configured to be shifted between a closed configuration and an open configuration;
• (b) connecting a PTO drive element of the tractor with a PTO receiving element of the implement via a power take-off (PTO) adapter engaged with the implement-side frame, wherein the PTO adapter comprises an adapter plate having keys engaged within slots formed in the implement-side frame, wherein in the closed configuration an orientation of the PTO adapter is aligned with the tractor-side frame;
• and
• (c) shifting the attachment assembly to the open configuration, wherein during said shifting of step (c), the implement-side frame is rotated away from the tractor-side frame and the keys of the PTO adapter translate through lower, arcuate shaped portions of the slots of the implement-side frame such that the orientation of the PTO adapter remains generally aligned with the tractor-side frame.