CA2647211A1 - Implement hitch - Google Patents
Implement hitch Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2647211A1 CA2647211A1 CA 2647211 CA2647211A CA2647211A1 CA 2647211 A1 CA2647211 A1 CA 2647211A1 CA 2647211 CA2647211 CA 2647211 CA 2647211 A CA2647211 A CA 2647211A CA 2647211 A1 CA2647211 A1 CA 2647211A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hitch
- draw pin
- implement
- plates
- pin hole
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B59/00—Devices specially adapted for connection between animals or tractors and agricultural machines or implements
- A01B59/002—Details, component parts
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Agricultural Machines (AREA)
Abstract
This invention is in the field of agricultural implements and in particular an implement hitch for attaching an implement to a towing tractor.
Description
BACKGROUND
An agricultural implement is typically connected to a tractor drawbar by a clevis and tongue connection. The Clovis provides upper and lower Clovis members each defining a draw pin hole, and the tongue defines a draw pin hole and is inserted between the Bevis members to align the draw pin holes such that a draw pin can be inserted through them and thereby connect the Clovis and tongue.
The clevis may be mounted to the tractor drawbar and the tongue provided by the Implement bitch, or vice versa. Essentially the tractor drawbar and the implement hitch are both "tongues', and the davis is provided by mounting a hammerstrap to the tractor drawbar or to the implement hitch. A harnmerstrap is simply a steel riser that bolts to the tongue adjacent to the draw pin hole and extends away from the tongue and then along the tongue and over the draw pia hole in the tongue. The draw pin hole in the hanunerstrap is aligned with the draw pin hole in the tongue.
An agricultural implement is typically connected to a tractor drawbar by a clevis and tongue connection. The Clovis provides upper and lower Clovis members each defining a draw pin hole, and the tongue defines a draw pin hole and is inserted between the Bevis members to align the draw pin holes such that a draw pin can be inserted through them and thereby connect the Clovis and tongue.
The clevis may be mounted to the tractor drawbar and the tongue provided by the Implement bitch, or vice versa. Essentially the tractor drawbar and the implement hitch are both "tongues', and the davis is provided by mounting a hammerstrap to the tractor drawbar or to the implement hitch. A harnmerstrap is simply a steel riser that bolts to the tongue adjacent to the draw pin hole and extends away from the tongue and then along the tongue and over the draw pia hole in the tongue. The draw pin hole in the hanunerstrap is aligned with the draw pin hole in the tongue.
2 The tractor drawbar supports the weight of the front end of the implement being towed, which can be considerable. Thus the tongue of the implement hitch must be connected to the drawbar so that the implement tongue rests on the drawbar. Thus where the hammerstrap is mounted to the tractor drawbar, the hammerstrap is bolted to the draw bar forward of the draw pin hole in the drawbar, and then extends upward from the drawbar and then rearward over the draw pin hole in the drawbar. The implement hitch rests on the drawbar with the hammerstrap above it, and the draw pin is inserted down through the aligned draw pin holes in the hammerstrap, implement hitch, and drawbar.
Where the hammerstrap is mounted to the implement hitch, the hammerstrap is bolted to the hitch rearward of the draw pin hole in the hitch, and then extends downward from the hitch and then forward under the draw pin hole in the hitch. Again the implement hitch rests on the drawbar with the hammerstrap below the drawbar, and the draw pin is inserted down through the aligned draw pin holes in the implement hitch, drawbar, and hammerstrap.
Tractors come in a wide variety of sizes, and the draw pin hole in the drawbar of each is typically sized for a pin of sufficient strength to match the power of the tractor.
Implements also come in a wide variety, and similarly have a hitch with a draw pin hole that is sized for a pin of sufficient strength to match the power requirement of the implement.
Where the hammerstrap is mounted to the implement hitch, the hammerstrap is bolted to the hitch rearward of the draw pin hole in the hitch, and then extends downward from the hitch and then forward under the draw pin hole in the hitch. Again the implement hitch rests on the drawbar with the hammerstrap below the drawbar, and the draw pin is inserted down through the aligned draw pin holes in the implement hitch, drawbar, and hammerstrap.
Tractors come in a wide variety of sizes, and the draw pin hole in the drawbar of each is typically sized for a pin of sufficient strength to match the power of the tractor.
Implements also come in a wide variety, and similarly have a hitch with a draw pin hole that is sized for a pin of sufficient strength to match the power requirement of the implement.
3 It is desirable to have the draw pin hole all the same size so that a corresponding size of draw pin can be inserted to connect the clevis and tongue in the preferred manner such that there is only minimal movement at the connection. Another consideration is the need for articulation at the connection between the tractor and implement to allow for the required relative movement between them. The draw pin provides a vertical axis so that the implement and tractor can pivot widely with respect to each other about the vertical axis during turns. Since these implements are towed over uneven terrain the implement and tractor must also be allowed at least some pivotal movement about a horizontal axis oriented perpendicular to the operating travel direction, and about a horizontal axis aligned with the operating travel direction. This articulation is commonly provided by lengthening the draw pin hole in the tongue, and making the tongue draw pin hole somewhat wider than the draw pin, so that the draw pin can angle forward or rearward, and laterally in the draw pin hole in the tongue.
The predominant area of wear on an implement hitch is the front surface of the draw pin hole. It is this surface against which the draw pin bears when pulling the implement in the operating travel direction, where full load is placed on the draw pin.
Also the bottom of the implement hitch tongue rests on the tractor drawbar with considerable downward force, and as the tractor and implement turn and pivot about the vertical draw pin, the bottom of the implement hitch tongue wears against the top of the tractor drawbar. Thus it is common to make the tongue of the implement hitch out of hardened steel to resist this wear, and prolong the useful life of the hitch tongue.
The predominant area of wear on an implement hitch is the front surface of the draw pin hole. It is this surface against which the draw pin bears when pulling the implement in the operating travel direction, where full load is placed on the draw pin.
Also the bottom of the implement hitch tongue rests on the tractor drawbar with considerable downward force, and as the tractor and implement turn and pivot about the vertical draw pin, the bottom of the implement hitch tongue wears against the top of the tractor drawbar. Thus it is common to make the tongue of the implement hitch out of hardened steel to resist this wear, and prolong the useful life of the hitch tongue.
4 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an implement hitch apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The implement hitch apparatus of the present invention provides right and left side plates with mounting holes defined therein and configured to attach to corresponding right and left hitch mounting members at the front end of an implement such that the side plates are oriented substantially vertically. The right and left side plates also define right and left lug apertures. A middle hitch plate defines a middle draw pin hole extending substantially vertically through a front portion thereof, and right and left lugs extending from corresponding right and left edges of a rear portion thereof through corresponding right and left lug aperture in the side plates.
Upper and lower hitch plates are fastened to corresponding upper and lower surfaces of the middle hitch plate. The upper and lower hitch plates define corresponding upper and lower draw pin holes extending substantially vertically through front portions thereof such that front edges of the upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes are vertically aligned. Right and left lugs extend from corresponding right and left edges of rear portions of the upper and lower hitch plates through the corresponding right and left lug apertures in the side plates.
Thus a draw pin extending through the aligned upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes S
bears against all three plates. The force in the operating travel direction exerted by the draw pin on all of the hitch plates is transferred through all of the lugs to the side plates and through the bolts mounting the side plates to the hitch mounting members at the front end of the implement. The plates will typically be fastened together by welding however the strength of the hitch apparatus does not depend on these welds. The plates are typically laser cut to provide the lugs which bear the draft forces of the implement. The thickness of the three hitch plates is coordinated to provide the required strength for a given implement.
The three plate design also allows the upper and lower draw pin hole to be somewhat wider and longer than the middle draw pin hole. The upper and lower draw pin holes thus provide added empty space to allow for articulation and angling of the draw pin when in the draw pin holes, while the smaller middle draw pin hole desirably minimizes movement at the connection.
Further the upper and lower hitch plates can be made of hardened steel to reduce wear on the front edge of the upper and lower draw pin holes. The middle hitch plate can be made from cheaper mild steel, since the front edge of the middle draw pin hole will be protected from wear by the hardened upper and lower hitch plates. The hardened lower hitch plate rests on the tractor drawbar and will reduce wear in that area. A
clevis attachment can also be provided.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of an implement hitch apparatus of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the facing side plate removed to facilitate illustration;
Fig. 3 is a top view of the middle hitch plate of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the middle side plate shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a top view of the part that provides both the upper and lower hitch plates of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a side view of the upper and lower hitch plate shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a top view of a side plate of the embodiment of fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a side view of the side plate shown in Fig. 7 shown adjacent to the hitch mounting members of an implement to hitch the apparatus is to be attached;
Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing fore and aft articulation of a draw pin;
Fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a prior art cast implement hitch;
Fig. 11 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the implement hitch apparatus of the present invention including a hammerstrap mounted in a first orientation with the end A of the apparatus up and end B of the apparatus down;
Fig_ 12 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of Fig. 11 mounted in a second orientation with the end A of the apparatus down and end B of the apparatus up to accommodate a tractor drawbar that is an increased height above the ground.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1-8 illustrate an implement hitch apparatus 1 of the present invention.
The apparatus 1 provides right and left side plates 3 with mounting holes 5 defined therein.
The mounting holes 5 are configured to attach to corresponding right and left hitch mounting members 7 at the front end of an implement such that the side plates 3 are oriented substantially vertically. The right and left side plates 3 also define right and left lug apertures 9.
A middle hitch plate 17M, as illustrated in Figs 3 and 4 defines a muddle draw pin hole 13M extending substantially vertically through a front portion thereof Right and left lugs -15 extend from corresponding right and left edges of a rear portion of the middle hitch plate 17M and through the corresponding lug apertures 9 in the right and left side plates 3.
Upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L are fastened to corresponding upper and lower surfaces of the middle hitch plate 17M. The upper and lower hitch plates 17 are the same item illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L
define corresponding upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L extending substantially vertically through front portions thereof. As seen in Fig. 2, front edges 19 of the upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L, are vertically aligned. Right and left lugs 15 extend from corresponding right and left edges of rear portions of the upper and lower hitch plates 17 through the corresponding lug apertures 9 in the right and left side plates 3.
A draw pin extending through the aligned upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L will bear against all three plates 17M, 17U 17L. The force in the operating travel direction T exerted by the draw pin on the hitch plates is transferred through the lugs 15 to the side plates 3 and through the bolts mounting the side plates 3 to the hitch mounting members 7 at the front end of the implement. The plates 17M, 17U 17L
will typically be fastened together by welding however the strength of the hitch apparatus does not depend on these welds but rather on the lugs 15 on each plate which bear the draft forces of the implement. The plates 17M, 17U 17L are typically laser cut to provide the lugs 15, and the thickness of the three hitch plates is coordinated to provide the required strength for a given implement.
The three plate design also allows the upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L
to be somewhat wider and longer than the middle draw pin hole 13M. As seen in Figs.
3 and
It is an object of the present invention to provide an implement hitch apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The implement hitch apparatus of the present invention provides right and left side plates with mounting holes defined therein and configured to attach to corresponding right and left hitch mounting members at the front end of an implement such that the side plates are oriented substantially vertically. The right and left side plates also define right and left lug apertures. A middle hitch plate defines a middle draw pin hole extending substantially vertically through a front portion thereof, and right and left lugs extending from corresponding right and left edges of a rear portion thereof through corresponding right and left lug aperture in the side plates.
Upper and lower hitch plates are fastened to corresponding upper and lower surfaces of the middle hitch plate. The upper and lower hitch plates define corresponding upper and lower draw pin holes extending substantially vertically through front portions thereof such that front edges of the upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes are vertically aligned. Right and left lugs extend from corresponding right and left edges of rear portions of the upper and lower hitch plates through the corresponding right and left lug apertures in the side plates.
Thus a draw pin extending through the aligned upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes S
bears against all three plates. The force in the operating travel direction exerted by the draw pin on all of the hitch plates is transferred through all of the lugs to the side plates and through the bolts mounting the side plates to the hitch mounting members at the front end of the implement. The plates will typically be fastened together by welding however the strength of the hitch apparatus does not depend on these welds. The plates are typically laser cut to provide the lugs which bear the draft forces of the implement. The thickness of the three hitch plates is coordinated to provide the required strength for a given implement.
The three plate design also allows the upper and lower draw pin hole to be somewhat wider and longer than the middle draw pin hole. The upper and lower draw pin holes thus provide added empty space to allow for articulation and angling of the draw pin when in the draw pin holes, while the smaller middle draw pin hole desirably minimizes movement at the connection.
Further the upper and lower hitch plates can be made of hardened steel to reduce wear on the front edge of the upper and lower draw pin holes. The middle hitch plate can be made from cheaper mild steel, since the front edge of the middle draw pin hole will be protected from wear by the hardened upper and lower hitch plates. The hardened lower hitch plate rests on the tractor drawbar and will reduce wear in that area. A
clevis attachment can also be provided.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of an implement hitch apparatus of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the facing side plate removed to facilitate illustration;
Fig. 3 is a top view of the middle hitch plate of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the middle side plate shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a top view of the part that provides both the upper and lower hitch plates of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a side view of the upper and lower hitch plate shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a top view of a side plate of the embodiment of fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a side view of the side plate shown in Fig. 7 shown adjacent to the hitch mounting members of an implement to hitch the apparatus is to be attached;
Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing fore and aft articulation of a draw pin;
Fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a prior art cast implement hitch;
Fig. 11 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the implement hitch apparatus of the present invention including a hammerstrap mounted in a first orientation with the end A of the apparatus up and end B of the apparatus down;
Fig_ 12 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of Fig. 11 mounted in a second orientation with the end A of the apparatus down and end B of the apparatus up to accommodate a tractor drawbar that is an increased height above the ground.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1-8 illustrate an implement hitch apparatus 1 of the present invention.
The apparatus 1 provides right and left side plates 3 with mounting holes 5 defined therein.
The mounting holes 5 are configured to attach to corresponding right and left hitch mounting members 7 at the front end of an implement such that the side plates 3 are oriented substantially vertically. The right and left side plates 3 also define right and left lug apertures 9.
A middle hitch plate 17M, as illustrated in Figs 3 and 4 defines a muddle draw pin hole 13M extending substantially vertically through a front portion thereof Right and left lugs -15 extend from corresponding right and left edges of a rear portion of the middle hitch plate 17M and through the corresponding lug apertures 9 in the right and left side plates 3.
Upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L are fastened to corresponding upper and lower surfaces of the middle hitch plate 17M. The upper and lower hitch plates 17 are the same item illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L
define corresponding upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L extending substantially vertically through front portions thereof. As seen in Fig. 2, front edges 19 of the upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L, are vertically aligned. Right and left lugs 15 extend from corresponding right and left edges of rear portions of the upper and lower hitch plates 17 through the corresponding lug apertures 9 in the right and left side plates 3.
A draw pin extending through the aligned upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L will bear against all three plates 17M, 17U 17L. The force in the operating travel direction T exerted by the draw pin on the hitch plates is transferred through the lugs 15 to the side plates 3 and through the bolts mounting the side plates 3 to the hitch mounting members 7 at the front end of the implement. The plates 17M, 17U 17L
will typically be fastened together by welding however the strength of the hitch apparatus does not depend on these welds but rather on the lugs 15 on each plate which bear the draft forces of the implement. The plates 17M, 17U 17L are typically laser cut to provide the lugs 15, and the thickness of the three hitch plates is coordinated to provide the required strength for a given implement.
The three plate design also allows the upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L
to be somewhat wider and longer than the middle draw pin hole 13M. As seen in Figs.
3 and
5, only the front edges 19 of the draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L are shaped the same, such that a cylindrical draw pin will bear against the front edge of each hole as shown in pig.
1. Rearward of the front edges 19, it can be seen that the upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L have a width W' that is greater than the width W of the middle draw pin hole 13M. The upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L also include a recess 21 extending rearward such that they are also longer than the middle draw pin hole 13M.
The upper and lower draw pin holes I3U, 13L thus provide added empty space above and below the edges of the middle draw pin hole 13M to allow for articulation and angling of the draw pin 23 when in the draw pin hole 13 formed by the upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L as illustrated in Fig. 9.
The smaller middle draw pin hole 13M desirably minimizes movement at the connection when the implement is being moved in reverse for example or in other non field operating conditions. When the implement is subject to the full draft forces in the field operating position it will be moving in the operating travel direction T and the draw pin will bear against the front edges of all the draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L, but when articulation is required the pin can move from position PA indicated by the solid lines 5 shown in Fig. 9, to position PB indicated by the long dashed lines shown in Fig. 9. When fore and aft articulation downward of the tractor with respect to the implement is required the draw pin 23 pivots about pivot point PP the top of the front edge 19 of the upper draw pin hole 13U and the bottom of the draw pin 23 moves rearward into the recess 21 in the lower hitch plate I7L. An articulation angle N is thus available in the illustrated 10 implement hitch apparatus 1.
In contrast if the recess 21 was not provided, the rear edges of the middle and lower draw pin holes would be aligned, and the draw pin 23 would only be able to move to position PC and the articulation angle available would be reduced to angle N'.
Similarly increased lateral. articulation is accommodated by the added width of the upper and lower draw pinhole 13U, 13L.
The present invention thus provides an implement hitch apparatus that is economically manufactured by present day laser cutting techniques. It is common in prior art hitches, such as the implement hitch 101 schematically illustrated in Fig. 10, to provide a cast hitch member 117 that defines a draw pin hole with round edges 119 all around the draw pin hole 113 that accommodate articulation. The present invention does not require costly molds and tooling for each different size and configuration of hitch required, and so is readily adapted to a variety of implements. The side plates 3 and hitch plates 17M, 17U, 17L can be cut in any shape and quantity that is desired.
A further advantage of the present invention is that the upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L can be made of hardened steel to reduce wear on the front edge 19 of the upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L. The middle hitch plate 17M can be made from cheaper mild steel, since the front edge 19 of the middle draw pin hole 13M will be protected from wean by the hardened upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L. Also, the hardened lower hitch plate 17L rests on the tractor drawbar and will reduce wear in that area. In the prior art hitch 101 of Fig. 10, the entire cast hitch member 117 was made of costly hardened material.
It can be seen as well that in the illustrated apparatus 1, the upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L are somewhat narrower and shorter than the middle hitch plate 17M.
Thus the more costly hardened upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L are smaller and require less of the expensive hardened material. The middle plate extends farther rearward between the right and left side plates 3 and is welded between the plates 3 to stabilize the apparatus 1. Also a ledge 25 is provided that is convenient for fillet welding the middle hitch plate 17M to the upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L.
Figs. 1 I and 12 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the implement hitch apparatus 201 of the present invention. The side plates 203 are of a somewhat different design that is common for heavier implements where the upper, middle, and lower hitch plates form a hitch member 217 with lugs 215 extending through lug apertures 209 located in a bottom portion of the side plates 203 and the side plates are attached to the hitch mounting members 207 by three bolts. A hammerstrap 231 is attachable with bolts 233 to either side of the hitch member 217, as shown by phantom lines in Fig. 11, to allow the implement hitch apparatus to be mounted to the hitch mounting members 207 with either side up, and still maintain the hammerstrap 231 under the bitch member 217 so that the hitch member 217 rests on the tractor drawbar 235.
Thus where the drawbar 235 is a lower height H above the ground as shown in Fig. 11, the implement hitch apparatus 201 is mounted to the hitch mounting members 207 with end A up and end B down. Where the drawbar 235 is a greater height H' above the ground as shown in Fig. 1, 2, the hammerstrap is mounted on the opposite side of the hitch member 217 and the implement hitch apparatus 201 is reversed and mounted with end A
down and end B up.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
1. Rearward of the front edges 19, it can be seen that the upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L have a width W' that is greater than the width W of the middle draw pin hole 13M. The upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L also include a recess 21 extending rearward such that they are also longer than the middle draw pin hole 13M.
The upper and lower draw pin holes I3U, 13L thus provide added empty space above and below the edges of the middle draw pin hole 13M to allow for articulation and angling of the draw pin 23 when in the draw pin hole 13 formed by the upper, middle, and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L as illustrated in Fig. 9.
The smaller middle draw pin hole 13M desirably minimizes movement at the connection when the implement is being moved in reverse for example or in other non field operating conditions. When the implement is subject to the full draft forces in the field operating position it will be moving in the operating travel direction T and the draw pin will bear against the front edges of all the draw pin holes 13U, 13M, 13L, but when articulation is required the pin can move from position PA indicated by the solid lines 5 shown in Fig. 9, to position PB indicated by the long dashed lines shown in Fig. 9. When fore and aft articulation downward of the tractor with respect to the implement is required the draw pin 23 pivots about pivot point PP the top of the front edge 19 of the upper draw pin hole 13U and the bottom of the draw pin 23 moves rearward into the recess 21 in the lower hitch plate I7L. An articulation angle N is thus available in the illustrated 10 implement hitch apparatus 1.
In contrast if the recess 21 was not provided, the rear edges of the middle and lower draw pin holes would be aligned, and the draw pin 23 would only be able to move to position PC and the articulation angle available would be reduced to angle N'.
Similarly increased lateral. articulation is accommodated by the added width of the upper and lower draw pinhole 13U, 13L.
The present invention thus provides an implement hitch apparatus that is economically manufactured by present day laser cutting techniques. It is common in prior art hitches, such as the implement hitch 101 schematically illustrated in Fig. 10, to provide a cast hitch member 117 that defines a draw pin hole with round edges 119 all around the draw pin hole 113 that accommodate articulation. The present invention does not require costly molds and tooling for each different size and configuration of hitch required, and so is readily adapted to a variety of implements. The side plates 3 and hitch plates 17M, 17U, 17L can be cut in any shape and quantity that is desired.
A further advantage of the present invention is that the upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L can be made of hardened steel to reduce wear on the front edge 19 of the upper and lower draw pin holes 13U, 13L. The middle hitch plate 17M can be made from cheaper mild steel, since the front edge 19 of the middle draw pin hole 13M will be protected from wean by the hardened upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L. Also, the hardened lower hitch plate 17L rests on the tractor drawbar and will reduce wear in that area. In the prior art hitch 101 of Fig. 10, the entire cast hitch member 117 was made of costly hardened material.
It can be seen as well that in the illustrated apparatus 1, the upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L are somewhat narrower and shorter than the middle hitch plate 17M.
Thus the more costly hardened upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L are smaller and require less of the expensive hardened material. The middle plate extends farther rearward between the right and left side plates 3 and is welded between the plates 3 to stabilize the apparatus 1. Also a ledge 25 is provided that is convenient for fillet welding the middle hitch plate 17M to the upper and lower hitch plates 17U, 17L.
Figs. 1 I and 12 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the implement hitch apparatus 201 of the present invention. The side plates 203 are of a somewhat different design that is common for heavier implements where the upper, middle, and lower hitch plates form a hitch member 217 with lugs 215 extending through lug apertures 209 located in a bottom portion of the side plates 203 and the side plates are attached to the hitch mounting members 207 by three bolts. A hammerstrap 231 is attachable with bolts 233 to either side of the hitch member 217, as shown by phantom lines in Fig. 11, to allow the implement hitch apparatus to be mounted to the hitch mounting members 207 with either side up, and still maintain the hammerstrap 231 under the bitch member 217 so that the hitch member 217 rests on the tractor drawbar 235.
Thus where the drawbar 235 is a lower height H above the ground as shown in Fig. 11, the implement hitch apparatus 201 is mounted to the hitch mounting members 207 with end A up and end B down. Where the drawbar 235 is a greater height H' above the ground as shown in Fig. 1, 2, the hammerstrap is mounted on the opposite side of the hitch member 217 and the implement hitch apparatus 201 is reversed and mounted with end A
down and end B up.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2647211 CA2647211A1 (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2008-12-18 | Implement hitch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2647211 CA2647211A1 (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2008-12-18 | Implement hitch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2647211A1 true CA2647211A1 (en) | 2010-06-18 |
Family
ID=42263340
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2647211 Abandoned CA2647211A1 (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2008-12-18 | Implement hitch |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2647211A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014110609A1 (en) * | 2013-01-17 | 2014-07-24 | Josef Scharmüller | Draw bar |
-
2008
- 2008-12-18 CA CA 2647211 patent/CA2647211A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014110609A1 (en) * | 2013-01-17 | 2014-07-24 | Josef Scharmüller | Draw bar |
| AT513877A1 (en) * | 2013-01-17 | 2014-08-15 | Scharmüller Josef Ing | drawbar |
| AT513877B1 (en) * | 2013-01-17 | 2014-11-15 | Scharmüller Josef Ing | drawbar |
| US9522581B2 (en) | 2013-01-17 | 2016-12-20 | Josef Scharmüller | Drawbar |
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