Automatic tractor hitch system for trailing implements

A hitch system for automatically hitching a tractor to a trailing implement, comprising:

• an implement connector bank assembly that includes at least one of an electrical connector that is operably coupled to an electrical system of an implement that can be hitched to and trail behind a tractor and a hydraulic connector that is operably coupled to a hydraulic system of the implement that can be hitched to a drawbar of the tractor and trail behind the tractor;
• a tractor connector bank assembly that includes at least one of an electrical connector that is operably coupled to an electrical system of the tractor and a hydraulic connector that is operably coupled to a hydraulic system of the tractor, wherein the tractor connector bank assembly is movable separately from the tractor to selectively engage the implement connector bank assembly for operably coupling at least one of the electrical and hydraulic systems of the implement and tractor to each other;
• and
• a first actuator arranged between the tractor connector bank assembly and the tractor for moving the tractor connector bank assembly in a generally horizontal direction so as to advance the tractor connector bank assembly toward or retract the tractor connector bank assembly from the implement connector bank assembly, the first actuator having an inward position in which the tractor connector bank assembly is spaced relatively closer to the tractor and an outward position in which the tractor connector bank assembly is spaced relatively further from the tractor;
• and
• a second actuator arranged between the tractor connector bank assembly and the tractor for moving the tractor connector bank assembly in a generally vertical direction so as to vertically align the tractor connector bank assembly with the implement connector bank assembly, the second actuator having a lowered position in which the tractor connector bank assembly is spaced relatively closer to the drawbar of the tractor and a raised position in which the tractor connector bank assembly is spaced relatively further from the drawbar of the tractor.

A hitch system for automatically hitching a tractor to a trailing implement, comprising:

• an implement connector bank assembly that includes an electrical connector that is operably connected to an electrical system of an implement that can be hitched to a drawbar of and trail behind a tractor, and a pair of hydraulic connectors that are operably connected to a hydraulic system of the implement;
• an implement bank frame that supports the implement connector bank assembly;
• a telescoping mount arranged between the implement bank frame and a tongue of the implement, the telescoping mount supporting the implement connector bank frame for allowing the implement connector bank assembly to move in a generally vertical direction with respect to the tongue of the implement;
• a first pivot arranged between the implement bank frame and the telescoping mount for allowing the implement connector bank assembly to pivot with respect to the tongue of the implement;
• an tractor connector bank assembly that includes an electrical connector that is operably connected to an electrical system of the tractor and a pair of hydraulic connectors that are operably connected to a hydraulic system of the tractor, the implement and tractor connector bank assemblies being adapted to engage each other for connecting the electrical and hydraulic systems of the implement and the tractor to each other;
• a tractor bank frame that supports the tractor connector bank assembly;
• an actuator assembly that can be operated remotely by an operator on the tractor, the actuator assembly arranged between the tractor and the tractor bank frame so as to move the tractor connector bank assembly along a first movement path and a second movement path that is different from the first movement path for aligning the tractor connector bank assembly with the implement connector bank assembly independently of movement of the tractor, the actuator assembly including a first hydraulic ram that has an inward position in which the tractor connector bank assembly is spaced relatively closer to the tractor and an outward position in which the tractor connector bank assembly is spaced relatively further from the tractor, and a second hydraulic ram that has a lowered position in which the tractor connector bank assembly is spaced relatively closer to the drawbar of the tractor and a raised position in which the tractor connector bank assembly is spaced relatively further from the drawbar of the tractor, wherein movement of the first and second hydraulic rams of the actuator assembly can align and engage the implement and tractor connector bank assemblies with each other without moving the tractor;
• a second pivot arranged between the tractor bank frame and the actuator assembly for allowing the tractor connector bank assembly to pivot with respect to the tractor, wherein the first and second pivots define respective pivot axes that are arranged generally perpendicular to each other;
• an alignment system that includes a pair of pins and a pair of receptacles that are arranged with respect to the implement and tractor connector bank assemblies so that engagement of the pairs of pins and receptacles during movement of the implement and tractor connector bank assemblies toward each other forces aligning movement of the implement and tractor connector bank assemblies for engagement therebetween;
• a lock system that is arranged between the implement and tractor connector bank assemblies, the lock system including a clasp and an electric motor that selectively moves the clasp between a first position that corresponds to a locked position of the lock system in which the implement and tractor connector bank assemblies are secured to each other and a second position that corresponds to an unlocked position of the lock system in which the implement and tractor connector bank assemblies can move with respect to each other;
• and
• a hitch pin that is connected to and actuated by the actuator assembly for allowing the operator on the tractor to remotely insert the hitch pin through the tongue of the implement and the drawbar of the tractor.