Tractor draft sensing apparatus with sensing unit positioned outboard of each link

Abstract

A tractor draft sensing apparatus in which a shaft (14) is supported at laterally spaced locations (15) on a tractor and carries at locations (22) outboard of the shaft supports a pair of lower draft links (10) so that the imposition of a draft link (10) to monitor the deflection of the shaft (14) (or an extension (28) thereof) to provide a signal indicative of the draft force being imposed on each draft link. In a form of the sensing system for use on a tractor in which the draft links are raised by external piston and cylinder assemblies whose lower ends are secured to the tractor at locations outboard of the draft links and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the lower ends (36) of the cylinders (32) are connected with the tractor by hollow pins (33) through which the shaft (14) (or an extension (28) thereof) extends. Each sensing unit (42) is located outboard of the associated hollow pin (33) and the clearance between the hollow pin (33) and the shaft (14) (or its extension (28)) allows the shaft (or its extension) unrestricted freedom to deflect in response to draft forces within the designed operating range of the tractor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.