Tractor-implement arrangement for establishing frictional engagement therebetween

In the combination of a tractor and implement to be towed by said tractor, including means for connecting said tractor to said implement, a take-off shaft on said tractor having a drive coupling on its rear end, a Cardan shaft on said implement having a driven coupling on its forward end for driving engagement with said drive coupling, said Cardan shaft being extensible and including spring means to hold it resiliently extended and two pivotal joints, including a pivotal joint adjacent its forward end, connecting said driven coupling to said shaft, and a second joint adjacent said implement for vertical pivotal movement of said shaft, a guiding element pivotally connected to said tractor below said take-off shaft and inclined downwardly and rearwardly, a nonrotatable guiding shoe located on said drive coupling for rotatably supporting said driven coupling, resilient means supporting said Cardan shaft against vertical downward movement and in position for said shoe to engage said guiding element, so that said guiding element guides said shoe and driven coupling into engagement with said drive coupling when said tractor moves toward said implement for connecting to said implement, said pivotal joints being spaced on said shaft, and said resilient means supporting said Cardan shaft support said shaft against downward movement about the rearward pivotal joint and also support said driven coupling against downward movement about the forward pivotal joint.