AU2018222972A1 - Hitch adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

00 Cl A hitch adapter 40 for mounting a work implement to a hitch mounted to a boom or arm of a work machine; wherein the hitch adapter comprises an implement mount end 44 and a hitch mount end 42, the hitch mount end 42 having a first hitch mounting pin 60 and a second hitch mounting pin 62 that are spaced a distance apart, and one or each hitch mounting pin has a pin body and a pin member operatively associated with Nl the pin body that together define an effective pin diameter, wherein each pin member is moveable with respect to the pin body so as to increase or decrease the effective Nl pin diameter between a first effective pin diameter and a second effective pin Co diameter. Cl Figure 2 for publication. m to COo uCO ca,

Description

HITCH ADAPTER

Field

The present disclosure relates to an adapter for use with a hitch for attaching work implements to a boom or arm of a work machine.

Background

Work implements such as buckets, shovels, rippers and the like are conventionally mounted to an end of a boom or arm of a work machine by manually passing a mounting pin through mounting holes in the implement and the end of the boom or arm. This is time consuming and tedious. In order to address this problem, hitches have become industry standard. Hitches are essentially permanently mounted to the end of a boom or arm by pins passing through the implement mounting holes. Likewise the implement has mounting pins passing through the boom mounting holes. The hitch has opposed couplings that can engage the implement mounting pins.

A common hitch has a fixed coupling and a hydraulically operable coupling that can be actuated by the work machine operator without requiring manual coupling of the hitch and implement. This is extremely advantageous when changing work implements.

It is also commonly known that in practice, mounting pin size and spacing differ between implements and hitches. Different work machine manufacturers have dedicated hitch sizes. This means that it is not possible to use a hitch to engage an implement that does not have compatible mounting pins size and/or spacing. When work machine owners order a new work implement for use with their existing hitch, they must supply desired measurements to the work implement manufacturer such that the new work implement will be compatible with the existing hitch. These measurements include (1) pin diameter, (2) distance between pin centres and (3) distance between mounting ears.

Other implements such as auger drives and vacuum lifters have a single mounting pin. As a hitch has two couplings, in order to use single mount implements with a hitch, a twin pin attachment is generally provided that can be used with a hitch. A twin pin attachment has an upper twin pin hitch mount and a lower single pin implement mount.

In order to address the problem of hitch work implement incompatibility, hitch adapters have been proposed for connecting an implement to an incompatible hitch. Each adapter has a hitch mount that has measurements that are compatible with a hitch from one manufacturer and an implement mount with measurements compatible with a work implement from a 1

2018222972 30 Aug 2018 different manufacturer. In practice, there are limitations with such a solution as a separate adapter is required for each hitch from each manufacturer.

The present disclosure is addressed towards an alternative hitch adapter, alternative mounting pins and methods of mounting a work implement to a boom or arm of a work machine.

Definition

In the present description and claims, the term “comprising” shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term “comprising” such as “comprise” and “comprises”.

Summary

In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a hitch adapter for mounting a work implement to a hitch mounted to a boom or arm of a work machine; wherein the hitch adapter comprises an implement mount end and a hitch mount end, the hitch mount end having a first hitch mounting pin and a second hitch mounting pin that are spaced a distance apart, and one or each hitch mounting pin has a pin body and a pin member operatively associated with the pin body that together define an effective pin diameter, wherein each pin member is moveable with respect to the pin body so as to increase or decrease the effective pin diameter between a first effective pin diameter and a second effective pin diameter.

The work machine may be any work machine having a boom or arm that in use has a hitch mounted thereto and includes excavators, cranes, back-hoes and the like.

The hitch to which the adapter is suitably mounted is suitably a conventional hitch having a hitch body, a first mounting pin coupling for receiving an implement mounting pin having a first pin diameter and a second mounting pin coupling for receiving an implement mounting pin.

The implement mount of the adapter may be any suitable mount for a desired work implement.

The implement mount may be a single pin mount for use with for example vacuum lifters, auger drives or vibrating plates/compactors.

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Alternatively the implement mount may be a two pin mount for mounting buckets, shovels and the like.

The implement mount may also be dedicated to a specific work implement. It will be appreciated that the disclosed hitch adapter can allow a specific work implement to be mounted to a hitch having pin couplings that are incompatible with the implement mounting pins.

It may also be appreciated that the ability to change effective pin diameter may also be used to reduce tolerances between the hitch couplings and the hitch adaptor pins. Such tolerances may occur as a result of wear. This can create a significant safety hazard as it can lead to unintended movement or release of the hitch adapter and mounted implement.

The hitch adapter has two mounting pins that each have a pin body and a pin member that together define an effective pin diameter. The effective pin diameter can be changed by moving the pin member relative to the pin body by providing an actuator for such movement.

In one specific aspect, the or each hitch mounting pin may a slotted pin in which a pin member is mounted within the slot and can be actuated to move between an extended position that defines the first effective pin diameter and a withdrawn position that defines the second effective pin diameter.

The or each hitch mounting pin may have a fixed diameter section at each end for mounting within opposed pin mounting apertures of the hitch adapter.

In one aspect both the first and second mounting pins have a pin member operatively associated with a pin body.

The or each pin member be actuated by at least one grub screw.

It will be appreciated that a mounting pin having an adjustable effective pin diameter has wide applications and is not necessarily limited to use with the disclosed hitch adapter. For example a work implement may have a pin diameter size that is incompatible with mounting holes of a boom or arm of a work machine. Using mounting pins disclosed herein may allow the work implement pin size to be adjusted to be compatible with the end of the boom or arm.

Likewise, if the pin diameter is the only incompatible dimension between a work implement and a hitch, the disclosed pins may be used so as to correct that incompatibility.

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Also disclosed herein is a mounting pin for mounting to a work machinery part having a pin coupling, wherein the mounting pin comprises a pin body and a pin member operatively associated with the pin body that together define an effective pin diameter, wherein each pin member is moveable with respect to the pin body so as to increase or decrease the effective pin diameter between a first effective pin diameter and a second effective pin diameter.

The mounting pin may be a slotted pin in which a pin member is mounted within the slot and can be actuated to move between an extended position that defines the first effective pin diameter and a withdrawn position that defines the second effective pin diameter.

The pin member may be actuated by at least one grub screw.

The mounting pin may have a fixed diameter section at each end for mounting within opposed apertures of a work part.

The respective work machinery parts can be any suitable work machinery parts that are used in the machinery arts and in particular heavy machinery art. The work machinery parts may be a boom or arm, hitch, adapter or other work coupling or work implement.

The couplings for receiving the mounting pins, may be any coupling suitable for use with the respective work machinery part. Suitable couplings are opposed apertures through which the mounting pin may pass or jaws.

The effective pin diameter may be adjusted either prior to or after the mounting pin has been fitted to the first or second work machinery part prior to mounting the two work machinery parts together.

Also disclosed herein is a method for mounting a first work machinery part to a second work machinery part, wherein the first work machinery part has at least one coupling for engaging a mounting pin of a first fixed diameter and the second work machinery part has at least one coupling for engaging a mounting pin of a second fixed diameter that is incompatible with the first fixed diameter, the method comprising providing the mounting pin disclosed herein, wherein the first fixed diameter is the same as the fixed diameter ends of the mounting pin, mounting the mounting pin to the first work machinery part, actuating the pin member such that the effective pin diameter is compatible with the second fixed diameter and mounting the first work machinery part to the second work machinery part.

The second work machinery part may be a hitch.

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The first work machine part may be a hitch adapter as disclosed herein.

The distance between mounting pin couplings of conventional hitches is fixed. The disclosed hitch adapter therefore suitably further includes a mechanism for adjusting the distance between centres of the mounting pins such that the hitch adapter may be adjusted to fit hitches having different distances between pin couplings or fixed pin distances.

In this aspect, the hitch adapter may comprise a first side comprising two first side plates and a second side comprising two second side plates, each said side plate having a hitch mount end and a work implement mount end and the two first side plates are pivotally connected at their work implement mount ends and the two second side plates are pivotally connected at their work implement mount ends, the hitch mount end of each said side plate has a mounting pin aperture, the distance between the mounting pin apertures in the two first side plates is the same as the distance between mounting pin apertures is the same as the distance between the mounting pin apertures in the two second side plates is the same and said distance defines an effective mounting pin distance that is adjustable by pivotal movement of the two first side plates and the two second side plates towards and away from each other.

The hitch adapter is suitably configured such that the pivotal movement of the first side plates and/or the second side plates may be stopped at predetermined increments corresponding to a specific effective mounting pin distance.

The hitch adapter may comprise a series of holes, recesses and/or projections at predetermined intervals along each side plate in one or both pairs of pivotally connected side plates and a stop member having opposed mounting ends for mounting to an aperture, recess and/or projection on each side plate of the respective side plate pair.

The stop member may be a longitudinal member having a mounting aperture at each mounting end and the side plates have apertures through which a fastener may pass to fasten the ends of the longitudinal member to a respective side plate.

In one aspect, the longitudinal member is a bar, that has a mounting hole at each end and the plates have apertures such that the mounting member and plates can be bolted together using standard bolts and tools that are readily available at a work site. This avoids the necessity of carrying additional tools.

2018222972 30 Aug 2018

Alternatively, one of the plate or mounting member may have a threaded projection that may pass through a hole in the other of the mounting member or plate that may be secured by a bolt.

Suitably, the respective pivot connections are hollow such they may receive a mounting pin of a single pin work implement such as a vacuum pipe lifter.

It will be appreciated that if the pin diameter is compatible with the hitch then a conventional mounting pin having a fixed diameter may be used with a disclosed adapter.

Also disclosed herein is a method of mounting a single pin work implement to a hitch mounted to a boom or arm of a work machine, the hitch adapter having a first mounting pin coupling for receiving a first mounting pin and a second mounting pin coupling for receiving a second mounting pin, the first and second pin mounting couplings being a fixed pin distance apart; wherein the method comprises providing a hitch adapter comprising a first side comprising two first side plates and a second side comprising two second plates, each plate having a hitch mount end and a work implement mount end and the first side plates and the second side plates are pivotally connected together at the work implement mount end about a coupling for a single pin wok implement, the hitch mounts end of each plate have a mounting pin receiving aperture, the apertures in the first side plates being aligned with the apertures in the second side plates, such distance between the mounting pin apertures in the first and second side plates defines an effective mounting pin centre distance that is adjustable by pivotal movement of the first and second side plates so as to be compatible with the fixed pin distance of the hitch; adjusting the effective pin distance such that it is compatible with the fixed pin distance of the hitch, mounting the hitch adjuster to the hitch and coupling the hitch adapter to the single pin work implement.

Another variable between hitches from different manufacturers is the width of the mount part of the hitch that must be compatible with the distance between the mounting ears of a work implement. The hitch locates between the mounting ears. If the hitch width is too wide, it cannot be used with that implement. If the width is less than the mounting ear distance, then there is risk of the implement slipping.

The hitch adapters as disclosed herein may further comprise a mechanism for adjusting the effective mounting ear distance thereof so as to be compatible with hitches of different widths.

Suitably, the hitch adapter has an adjustment plate mounted on each side of the hitch mount end and the effective mounting ear distance is defined by the distance between the 6

2018222972 30 Aug 2018 innermost section of each plate. Suitably one or both plates are movable with respect to the hitch adapter body so as to adjust the effective mounting ear distance such that it may be compatible with that of a hitch.

One simple mechanism is to provide an adjustment plate having a first circular bolt aperture and a second arcuate bolt aperture and bolting the adjustment plate to a suitable section of the hitch body. The relative position of the adjustment plate with respect to the adapter body can be moved by loosening the bolts and rotating the adjustment plate in the arc defined by the arcuate aperture.

It will be appreciated that such a mechanism may be retrofitted to conventional fixed hitch adapters. For example an adjustment plate may be mounted to a conventional hitch adapter as described above.

Also disclosed herein is a method of mounting a work implement having an implement mounting ear distance to a hitch mounted to the end of a boom or arm, the hitch having a fixed hitch mounting ear distance that is incompatible with the implement ear mounting distance, the method comprising providing a hitch adapter having a hitch body with a hitch mount end and an adjustment plate mounted on each side of the hitch mount end and the effective mounting ear distance is defined by the distance between the innermost section of each plate, wherein each adjustment plate is moveable with respect to the hitch body so as to change the effective mounting ear distance, the method comprising the steps of mounting the hitch adapter to the work implement, moving each adjustment plate such that the effective mounting ear distance is compatible with the fixed hitch mounting ear distance and engaging the hitch with the hitch adapter and mounted work implement.

Also disclosed herein is a method of modifying a hitch adapter having a hitch body with opposing side plates and a fixed mounting ear distance is defined between the side plates, the method comprising mounting an adjustment plate to each side plate for movement relative to each side plate, wherein an effective mounting distance is defined by the distance between the adjustment plates and movement of the adjustment plates relative to the side plates changes the effective mounting ear distance.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art hitch;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hitch adapter according to one aspect of the disclosure;

Figure 3 is a front view of the hitch adapter as shown in Figure 2;

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Figure 4 is a cross section of a mounting pin of the hitch adapter as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4a is a detail of the mounting pin on the hitch adapter;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the hitch adapter shown in Figure 2 in different positions; and

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the hitch adapter shown in Figure 2 in further different positions.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional hitch 10 and the end of a boom 26 of a work machine. The hitch 10 has a body 12 that supports two opposed plates or ears 14,

16. Each plate 12, 14 has two apertures 18, 20 and 17, 19. The apertures 18, 20 and 17, 19 of each plate 14, 16 are in alignment with one another so as to receive a respective link pin 22, 24 for mounting the hitch 10 to the end of the boom or arm 26 via sleeve 25 and aperture 27.

The body 12 includes a first coupling 30 and a second coupling 32 for attaching the hitch 10 to a work implement. In use, each coupling 30, 32 receives a work implement mounting pin having a fixed diameter. Each coupling 30, 32 has an arcuate section that is dedicated to a fixed pin diameter FPDM of a respective work implement mounting pin. The diameters of the work implement mounting pins are generally the same, but this is not always the case.

The centre of the full circles that correspond to the arcuate sections of the first and second couplings 30, 32 are spaced a fixed pin distance FPD apart.

The body 12 has a fixed width that in conventional use locates between the mounting ears of a work implement that will be referred to herein as a fixed mounting ear distance, FMED.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a disclosed hitch adapter 40. The hitch adapter 40 has a top hitch mount end 42, a bottom implement mount end 44, a rear end 41 (that in use faces the work machine body) a forward end 43 and two sides 46, 48.

Each side 46, 48 of the hitch adapter 40 has a pair of side plates, a forward side plate 46b, 48b and a rear side plate 46a, 48a that are pivotally mounted together at the implement end 44 about respective hollow pivots 50a, 50b. The pivots 50a, 50b have a flanged bush 52 on the outer side and a welded flange 54 on the inner side.

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The hollow pivots 50a, 50b are in alignment with each other such that in use they can receive a mounting pin of a single pin implement.

Each side plate 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b has a series of apertures 64, 65, 67, 68 spaced above each other. The respective apertures in each side plate pair are aligned in the longitudinal direction (front to rear) and the respective apertures in the opposed side plates are aligned in the transverse direction.

The hitch mount ends of each plate 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b, have aligned holes 56, through which hitch connecting pins 60, 62 pass. There is an effective pin distance EPD between the centres of pairs of aligned holes 56 on each side.

Each pair of plates 46a, 46b and 48a, 48b is fixed against pivotal motion by a respective bar 72, 74 that is fixed at each end to a respective plate by bolts. Figure 2 shows the bars 72, 74 fastened to the uppermost pair of opposed holes 67. This fixes the effective pin distance EPD.

Figures 5 and 6 schematically show that as the bars 72, 74 are fixed to different pairs of holes the effective pin distance EPD varies. In figure 5, the bars 72, 74 are connected to opposing pairs of holes 64. Figure 6 shows the bars 72, 74 in a staggered arrangement. In this way the effective pin distance EPD can be varied even further as shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1

PIN CENTRE POSITIONS
POSITION	LINK /70	EPD/mm
EPD 1	HOZ.	585
EPD 5	AT ANGLE	558
EPD 2	HOZ.	544
EPD 6	AT ANGLE	517
EPD 3	HOZ.	502
EPD 7	AT ANGLE	472
EPD 4	HOZ.	460

The effective pin distances are therefore dependent upon factors including the lengths of the bar, the relative positions of the apertures and bar positioning. These are suitably calculated to correspond to the effective pin distances of hitches from different manufactures and identified as such. This allows a user to quickly and efficiently select the appropriate orientation of the bar without having to measure the hitch.

2018222972 30 Aug 2018

The hitch mount end 42 also includes an outwardly extending side plate 76, 78 welded to each of the hitch mount end of rear side plates 46a, 48a. Each side plate 76, 78 has a size adjustment plate 80, 84 fixed thereto by forward 86 and rear bolts 88 that extend through each of the side plates 76, 78 and the size adjustment plates 80, 84. There is an effective mounting ear distance EMED defined between the inner edges of each size adjustment plate 80, 84. This may more easily be seen in Figure 3.

The forward bolts 80 are received within a circular aperture in each of the side plates 76, 78 and size adjustment plate 80, 84. The rear bolts 88, are received within a circular aperture in the side plates 76, 78 and an arcuate aperture 90 in the size adjustment plates 80, 84.

In use, the bolts 86, 88 can be loosened so as to allow the size adjustment plates 80, 84 to pivot about forward bolts 86, 88 in an arcuate direction defined by arcuate apertures 90. In this way width the effective ear mounting ear distance EMED can be adjusted as shown in Figure 3. EMED1 is 425 mm and EMED2 is 316 mm.

Figure 4 shows a cross section of one of the hitch mounting pins 60. The cross section of the other hitch mounting pin is 62 identical. The pin 60 is a split pin in that it has a pin body 92 with a slot 94 extending along the length thereof. The slot 92 is closed at each end of the pin body 92 by circular stops 91.

A pin insert 96 is located within the pin body 92. The pin insert 96 has a first surface 96a adjacent slot 94 and an opposed surface 96b adjacent the pin body 92. Grub screws 98 extend through pin body 92 and through the surface 96b of the insert 96 so as to secure the insert 96 within the pin body 92.

An effective pin diameter EPDM is defined between the first surface 96 of the insert and the opposed outer surface 100 of the pin body 92.

Actuation of grub screws 98 can move the pin insert 94 between a first position as shown in figure 4 in which the upper surface 96a is flush with the circular stops 91 and an extended position in which the insert 96 extends through slot 94. The extended position defines a second effective pin diameter EPDM.

The insert 96 is shown in the extended position in Figure 2. In this way, the effective pin diameter can be varied to match different hitch coupling diameters. In this embodiment EPDM1 is 80 mm and EPDM2 is 100 mm.

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It may be appreciated that the hitch adapter is able to be adjusted as desired to allow it to be fitted to a hitch for mounting to a work implement that is incompatible with a conventional hitch with respect to one or more (1) the distance between the pin couplings of a hitch, (2) the width or mounting ear distance of the hitch body and (3) the pin coupling diameter of a hitch. Such adjustment can be made using common tools, efficiently and easily, thereby reducing down time. For example in the embodiment described above all that is required is a screw driver for the grub screws and a spanner for the bolts.

A particular advantage of the disclosed adaptors is in the work implement hire industry. It will be appreciated that hirers of work implements will have different brands of machinery and thus hitches. Provision of a hitch adapter as disclosed herein can mean that any piece of hired implement can fit any hirer’s machinery.

The mounting pins as described above are not limited to use as part of the disclosed hitch adaptor. They may be used to allow work machinery parts to be joined together that have mismatched pins and pin couplings respectively.

For example, referring back to Figure 1, pins 22 may have a diameter that provides an unsatisfactory loose fit within the boom end. Pins 22 may be replaced with a pin as disclosed herein and the effective pin diameter varied to be compatible with the boom 26.

Conversely pins as disclosed herein may be fitted to a work implement such as a bucket to adjust the effective pin diameter so as to fit a mismatched conventional hitch.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention as described and claimed herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims (29)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. A hitch adapter for mounting a work implement to a hitch mounted to a boom or arm of a work machine; wherein the hitch adapter comprises an implement mount end and a hitch mount end having a first hitch mounting pin and a second hitch mounting pin that are spaced a distance apart, and one or each hitch mounting pin has a pin body and a pin member operatively associated with the pin body that together define an effective pin diameter, wherein each pin member is moveable with respect to the pin body so as to increase or decrease the effective pin diameter between a first effective pin diameter and a second effective pin diameter.
2. 2. The hitch adapter of claim 1, wherein the or each hitch mounting pin is a slotted pin in which a pin member is mounted within the slot and can be actuated to move between an extended position that defines the first effective pin diameter and a withdrawn position that defines the second effective pin diameter.
3. 3. The hitch adapter of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each hitch mounting pin has a fixed diameter section at each end for mounting within opposed apertures of the hitch adapter.
4. 4. The hitch adapter of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein both the first and second mounting pins have a pin member operatively associated with a pin body.
5. 5. The hitch adapter of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each pin member is actuated by at least one grub screw.
6. 6. The hitch adapter of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the implement mount end has a single pin mount.
7. 7. The hitch adapter of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the implement mount end has a two pin mount.
8. 8. The hitch adapter of any one of claims 1 to 7, that further comprises a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the first and second mounting pins such that the hitch adapter may be adjusted to fit hitches having different distances between pin couplings.
9. 9. The hitch adapter of claim 8, wherein the hitch attachment comprises a first side comprising two first side plates and a second side comprising two second side plates, each said side plate having a hitch mount end and a work implement mount end and

   2018222972 30 Aug 2018 the two first side plates are pivotally connected at their work implement mount ends and the two second side plates are pivotally connected at their work implement mount ends, the hitch mount end of each said side plate has a mounting pin aperture, the distance between the mounting pin apertures in the two first side plates is the same as the distance between mounting pin apertures is the same as the distance between the mounting pin apertures in the two second side plates is the same and said distance defines an effective mounting pin distance that is adjustable by pivotal movement of the two first side plates and the two second side plates towards and away from each other.
10. 10. The hitch adapter of claim 9, wherein the hitch adapter is configured such that the pivotal movement of the first side plates and/or the second side plates may be stopped at predetermined increments corresponding to a specific effective mounting pin distance.
11. 11. The hitch adapter of claim 10, wherein the hitch adapter comprises a series of holes, recesses and/or projections at predetermined intervals along each side plate in one or both pairs of pivotally connected side plates and a stop member having opposed mounting ends for mounting to an aperture, recess and/or projection on each side plate of the respective side plate pair.
12. 12. The hitch adapter of claim 11, wherein the stop member is a longitudinal member having a mounting aperture at each mounting end and the side plates have apertures for through which a fastener may pass.
13. 13. The hitch adapter of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hitch end is configured to receive a body of a hitch that has a fixed mounting ear width between the hitch ends of the first side plates and the second side plates are a fixed plate distance apart, and the hitch adapter comprises a mechanism for adjusting an effective mounting ear distance so as to be compatible with hitches of different fixed widths.
14. 14. The hitch adapter of claim 13, wherein the hitch adapter has a rear end that in use faces the body of a work machine supporting a hitch such that there is a first rear side plate on the first side and a second rear side plate on the second side and comprises an adjustment a plate transversally mounted on the hitch end of each rear side plate and an effective side plate distance is defined by the distance between the innermost section of each adjustment plate and one or both adjustment plates are movable with

    2018222972 30 Aug 2018 respect to the side plate that the adjustment plate is mounted on so as to adjust the effective side plate distance.
15. 15. A mounting pin for mounting to a work machinery part having a pin coupling, wherein the mounting pin comprises a pin body and a pin member operatively associated with the pin body that together define an effective pin diameter, wherein each pin member is moveable with respect to the pin body so as to increase or decrease the effective pin diameter between a first effective pin diameter and a second effective pin diameter.
16. 16. The mounting pin of claim 15, wherein the mounting pin is a slotted pin in which a pin member is mounted within the slot and can be actuated to move between an extended position that defines the first effective pin diameter and a withdrawn position that defines the second effective pin diameter.
17. 17. The mounting pin of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the pin member is actuated by at least one grub screw.
18. 18. The mounting of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the mounting pin has a fixed diameter section at each end for mounting within opposed apertures of a work part.
19. 19. A method for mounting a first work machinery part to a second work machinery part, wherein the first work machinery part has at least one coupling for engaging a mounting pin of a first fixed diameter and the second work machinery part has at least one coupling for engaging a mounting pin of a second fixed diameter that is incompatible with the first fixed diameter, the method comprising providing the mounting pin of claim 18, wherein the first fixed diameter is the same as the fixed diameter ends of the mounting pin, mounting the mounting pin to the first work machinery part, actuating the pin member such that the effective pin diameter is compatible with the second fixed diameter and mounting the first work machinery part to the second work machinery part.
20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second work machinery part is a hitch.
21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first work machine part is a hitch adapter of any one of claims 1 to 14.
22. 22. A hitch adapter for mounting a work implement to a hitch mounted to a boom or arm of a work machine, the hitch having a first mounting pin coupling for receiving a first

    2018222972 30 Aug 2018 mounting pin and a second mounting pin coupling for receiving a second mounting pin, the first and second pin mounting couplings being a fixed pin distance apart;

    wherein the hitch adapter comprises a first side comprising two first side plates and a second side comprising two second plates, each side plate has a hitch mount end and a work implement mount end and the first side plates and the second side plates are pivotally connected together at the work implement mount end, the hitch mount end of each plate has a mounting pin receiving aperture, the apertures in the first side plates being aligned with the apertures in the second side plates, the distance between the mounting pin apertures in the first and second side plates defines an effective mounting pin distance that is adjustable by pivotal movement of the first and second side plates so as to be compatible with the fixed pin distance of the hitch.
23. 23. The hitch adapter of claim 22, wherein the hitch adapter is configured such that the pivotal movement of the first side plates and/or the second side plates may be stopped at predetermined increments corresponding to a specific effective mounting pin distance.
24. 24. The hitch adapter of claim 23, wherein the hitch adapter comprises a series of holes, recesses and/or projections at predetermined intervals along each side plate in one or both pairs of pivotally connected side plates and a stop member having opposed mounting ends for mounting to an aperture, recess and/or projection on each side plate of the respective side plate pair.
25. 25. The hitch adapter of claim 24, wherein the stop member is a longitudinal member having a mounting aperture at each mounting end and the side plates have apertures for through which a fastener may pass.
26. 26. A hitch adapter for mounting a work implement to a hitch mounted to a boom or arm of a work machine, wherein the hitch adapter comprises a hitch mount end and an implement mount end, a first side comprising two first side plates and a second side comprising two second plates, each side plate has a hitch mount end and a work implement mount end and the hitch adapter, the hitch end is configured to receive the body of a hitch having a fixed width between the hitch ends of the first side plates and the second side plates are a fixed plate distance apart and a mechanism for adjusting an effective side plate distance so as to be compatible with hitches of different fixed widths.

    2018222972 30 Aug 2018
27. 27. The hitch adapter of claim 28, wherein the hitch adapter has a rear end that in use faces the body of a work machine supporting a hitch such that there is a first rear side plate on the first side and a second rear side plate on the second side and comprises an adjustment a plate transversally mounted on the hitch end of each rear side plate and an effective side plate distance is defined by the distance between the innermost section of each adjustment plate and one or both adjustment plates are movable with respect to the side plate that the adjustment plate is mounted on so as to adjust the effective side plate distance.
28. 28. A method of mounting a work implement having an implement mounting ear distance to a hitch mounted to the end of a boom or arm, the hitch having a body with a fixed width that is incompatible with the implement ear mounting distance, the method comprising providing a hitch adapter having a hitch body with a hitch mount end and an adjustment plate mounted on each side of the hitch mount end and the effective mounting ear distance is defined by the distance between the innermost section of each plate, wherein each adjustment plate is moveable with respect to the hitch body so as to change the effective mounting ear distance, the method comprising the steps of mounting the hitch adapter of claim 26 or claim 27 to the work implement, moving each adjustment plate such that the effective mounting ear distance is compatible with the fixed hitch mounting ear distance and engaging the hitch with the hitch adapter and mounted work implement.
29. 29. A method of modifying a hitch adapter having a hitch body with opposing side plates and a fixed distance defined between the side plates, the method comprising mounting an adjustment plate to each side plate for movement relative to each side plate, wherein an effective mounting distance is defined by the distance between the adjustment plates and movement of the adjustment plates relative to the side plates changes the effective mounting distance.