Method and apparatus for mounting an implement to a tractor

A method of mounting an implement to a prime mover having a pair of transversely spaced attachment brackets with an opening extending therethrough, said implement having a frame;

• a pair of mounting arms;
• and at least one articulated lift arm, including an extension means interconnecting said frame and said at least one lift arm to effect a relative pivotal movement between said at least one lift arm and said frame, said extension means being selectively connectable to a power supply for selectively controlling the pivotal movement of said at least one lift arm, each said mounting arm having a threaded member threadably engaged with said mounting arm and extending outwardly therefrom in axial alignment therewith, said threaded member terminating in a head having a first collar affixed thereto, said first collar having a size dimension greater than said opening in said attachment bracket, while said head has a size dimension sufficiently small to be insertable through said opening, comprising the steps of:
• positioning said prime mover adjacent to said implement such that said mounting arms are generally aligned with said attachment brackets;
• connecting said extension means to said power supply;
• then extending said extension means to effect relative pivotal movement between said at least one lift arm and said frame until said mounting arms are in general alignment with said attachment brackets;
• then moving said prime mover toward said implement until the heads of said threaded member are inserted into the openings in the corresponding said attachment brackets with said first collars being positioned on one side of said attachment brackets between said implement and said attachment brackets;
• then placing a second collar on each said head on the opposing side of the corresponding said attachment bracket from the corresponding said first collar and retaining said second collars on the corresponding head by a removable fastener;
• then rotating said heads to thread said threaded member into the corresponding said mounting arm until said second collars engage the corresponding said attachment brackets;
• and
• then further rotating said threaded members into the corresponding said mounting arms to draw said mounting arms into full engagement with said attachment brackets.