Earth working – With drive means for tool or cleaner – With specific relationship of mast-type hitch to implement
Patent
1991-01-16
1993-03-16
Reese, Randolph A.
Earth working
With drive means for tool or cleaner
With specific relationship of mast-type hitch to implement
172272, 172439, 403334, 403361, 180 533, A01B 59043
Patent
active
051936232
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to improved hitching assemblies. In particular, it relates to hitching assemblies for hitching agricultural implements to tractors but of course it is to be understood that it can be used for connecting earth working machines and the like to various implements.
Conventional agricultural and/or earth working machines are provided with releasable connections or hitches for coupling the prime mover to a selected implement. For agricultural purposes the prime mover is a tractor provided with a three point linkage assembly which couples to the implements to be used, enabling the implements to be raised, lowered or tilted as required.
The three point linkage arms are normally connected to the implement to be attached to the tractor by pin connections in which respective pins are inserted through clevis mountings to pin the apertured end of each respective link to the implement. While such connections are extremely efficient and simple in use, their connection and disconnection to various implements can be a tedious and sometimes difficult operation due to the need to force the retaining pins through apertures which may not be accurately aligned.
Many attempts have been made to overcome this disadvantage by providing so called "quick hitches". Such quick hitches include adaptors which are generally fixedly secured to the prime mover and the implement and are provided with complementary connectors which can be remotely coupled to secure the implement to the prime mover. Such hitches have not gained widespread acceptance. It is believed that this is at least partly due to their unreliable operation and/or complexity which often results in mechanical failure when working in harsh environments. Furthermore, many of the so called quick hitches do not permit the implement to be connected to the prime mover without the requirement for the operator of the prime mover to leave the driving position to align components of the quick hitch or to seek assistance in the coupling operation.
The present invention aims to alleviate the abovementioned disadvantages and to provide hitching assemblies which will be reliable and efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in a hitch assembly for coupling an implement to a primer mover, said hitch assembly including a first connector assembly adapted for mounting to a prime mover and a second connector assembly connectible to an implement and co-operable with said first connector assembly to fixedly secure the implement to said prime mover. Preferably the first connector assembly is in the form of a mounting frame which is adapted for adjustable connection to a prime mover by suitable linkage means. It is also preferred that the first connector assembly is provided with engagement means which engages with complementary engagement means on the second connector assembly to provide the connection therebetween.
Preferably the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly each include a similarly shaped mounting frame which may be round, square or polygonal in shape. The mounting frame may be in the form of a flat plate like member or alternatively, it may include an assembly of frame members. Suitably the mounting frame includes at least one laterally extending lower, frame member upon which there may be located suitable mountings for the attachment of said mounting frame to either a prime mover or an implement. Alternatively, the mounting frame may include two laterally extending lower frame members at opposite sides of an intermediate central frame portion.
The engagement means associated with each connector assembly may include an engagement member which engages a complementary engagement member associated with an opposing connector assembly. Preferably each connector assembly includes an upper central engagement member and a pair of laterally spaced engagement members. Each engagement member may include com
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Reese Randolph A.
Schindler Edwin D.
Warnick Spencer
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