US 4,368,899 AGranted

Hitch mechanism for tractors and implements

AssigneeKansas State University Research Foundation

InventorsEdward A. Smalley, Mark J. Boguski, Todd A. Casey, Dwight D. Chipperfield

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Abstract

An automatic hitch mechanism that permits a tractor driver to connect and disconnect an implement without leaving the cab of the tractor. The hitch includes a tractor drawbar equipped with a power-driven slide member, hook member, and power coupling assembly all interconnected for coordinated movement so that during a hitching operation the hook member first swings into operative engagement with the latch ring of an implement and then, in a continuous sequence of automatic steps, the hook member is locked in its operative position, the power coupling assemblies of the tractor and implement are joined together, the jack supporting the implement tongue is retracted, and one of the coupling assemblies is de-stabilized so that thereafter the tractor and implement may execute turns and traverse uneven terrain without damaging or disengaging the coupling assemblies. Automatic unhitching of the tractor and implement involves a reversal in the direction and order of such steps.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A tractor hitch for connecting a tractor to an implement to be drawn thereby, comprising a tractor drawbar having a shank portion and a rear end portion;

a slide member slidably mounted upon said shank portion for rearward and forward movement therealong;
means for limiting the extent of sliding movement of said slide member along said shank portion;
a hook member pivotally mounted upon said rear end portion of said drawbar for pivotal movement in a vertical plane between lowered and raised positions, said hook member having a rear hook section that projects upwardly when said hook member is raised and having a front section providing a lever arm;
an expandable-contractable power drive assembly disposed along said shank portion and operatively connected to both said lever arm and said slide member for (a) raising said hook member and urging said slide member rearwardly when said assembly is contracted, and (b) directing said slide member forwardly and urging said hook member towards its lowered position when said assembly is expanded;
said front section of said hook member also having a heel portion and having a recess between said heel portion and said lever arm for receiving a portion of said slide member when said slide member is extended rearwardly and said hook member is raised, said heel portion being engagable with said slide member to (a) block entry of said slide member into said recess, while said assembly is contracting, until said hook member is fully raised, and (b) prevent lowering of said hook member, while said assembly is being expanded, until said slide member is withdrawn from said recess.

2 more elements

A tractor hitch for connecting a tractor to an implement, comprising a tractor drawbar having a shank portion and a rear end portion;

a slide member slidably mounted upon said shank portion for rearward and forward movement therealong;
means for limiting the extent of sliding movement of said slide member along said shank portion;
a hook member pivotally mounted upon said rear end portion of said drawbar for pivotal movement in a vertical plane between lowered and raised positions, said hook member having a rear hook section that projects upwardly when said hook member is raised and having a front section providing a lever arm;
an expandable-contractable power drive assembly disposed along said shank portion and operatively connected above said lever arm and said slide member for (a) raising said hook member and urging said slide member rearwardly when said assembly is contracted, and (b) directing said slide member forwardly and urging said hook member towards its lowered position when said assembly is expanded;
said assembly comprising a hydraulic cylinder and reciprocable piston disposed along said shank portion of said drawbar, one of said hook and slide members being connected to said piston and the other of said members being connected to said cylinder;
said front section of said hook member also having a heel portion and having a recess between said heel portion and said lever arm for receiving a portion of said slide member when said slide member is extended rearwardly and said hook member is raised, said heel portion being engagable with said slide member to (a) block entry of said slide member into said recess, while said assembly is contracting, until said hook member is fully raised, and (b) prevent lowering of said hook member, while said assembly is being expanded, until said slide member is withdrawn from said recess;
whereby, forward and rearward movement of said slide member occurs only when said hook member is in raised and locked position.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.