CA3050946A1 - Tow hitch for a wood chipper, and a wood chipper incorporating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A tow hitch for attachment to a wood chipper adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting the wood chipper. The tow hitch includes a mechanical coupler for coupling to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle. A wood chipper having a mechanical coupler for coupling to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle, and a method of towing a towable vehicle with the wood chipper, are also disclosed.

Description

Title: TOW HITCH FOR A WOOD CHIPPER, AND A WOOD CHIPPER
INCORPORATING THE SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tow hitch to allow towing of a towable vehicle, or the like, with a towing vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanical coupling (hitch) for towing a trailer with a tractor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wood chippers are used to reduce branches, trees, brush, and other bulk wood products into small wood chips. A wood chipper typically includes an infeed chute, a feed system for controlling the feed rate of wood products into the chipper, a wood chipping mechanism, a drive system for powering the feed system and the chipping mechanism, and a discharge chute. The infeed chute is typically a funnel-shaped conduit with a wide opening which tapers towards the feed system, converging the wood products towards the chipping mechanism. Through the operation of the feed system, wood products are brought into contact with the chipping mechanism, which grinds, flails, or cuts the wood products into small pieces. These wood chips are propelled into the discharge chute and expelled from the wood chipper.
By way of example, U.S. Patent No. 7,083,129 (Beam) disclosed a wood chipper including a frame supported by a pair of wheels and a conventional trailer hitch, featuring a hitch ball socket. The trailer hitch allows the wood chipper to be transported by being towed with a towing vehicle, such as a truck, a pickup, a car, etc. having a tow hitch, featuring a hitch ball capable of coupling to the hitch ball socket on the trailer hitch.

-2-U.S. Patent No. 6,234,512 (Bettenhausen) disclosed an example of a tow hitch that is adapted to be secured to the rearward end of a towing vehicle. The Bettenhausen tow hitch includes an elongated cross-beam or cross-tube having opposite ends. The cross-beam is secured to the frame of the vehicle by at least a pair of mounting plates or bars which are normally welded to the ends of the cross-beam, and which extend forwardly therefrom. The Bettenhausen tow hitch is provided with a conventional rearwardly extending receiver which is adapted to receive the forward end of an elongate tow bar or draw bar. The tow bar is maintained within the receiver by means of a conventional pin extending through the receiver and through the tow bar. The free end of the tow bar may attach a hitch ball.
U.S. Patent No. 4,796,819 (Waterman) disclosed another prior art attempt for transporting a wood chipper. Waterman teaches a wood chipper to be lifted, transported and powered by a tractor having a power take-off at its rear.
U.S. Patent No. 3,993,325 (Gravett) disclosed a way to tow a trailer with a tractor. Gravett teaches an automatic hitch plate connected to the draft arms at the rear end of a tractor. The hitch plate has a central slot disposed therein, with a locking structure in the slot so that a pin connected to the trailer can be selectively locked into the slot.
Other prior art tow hitches and couplings for towing towable vehicles with towing vehicles include: U.S. Patent Nos. 2,130,100 (Rasmussen), 2,580,770 (Harris), 2,859,050 (Stonerock), 4,333,665 (Haddock), 7,090,237 (Lammers), 8,967,654 (Rube), and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2015/0102147 (Anderson), and 2016/0311281 (Mantovani).
Prior art wood chippers and tow hitches allow users to transport wood chippers and towable vehicles to their intended destinations separately. As such, the

-3-prior art requires users to make two trips with one towing vehicle each time they need to transport a wood chipper and a towable vehicle to a work site, or to operate two vehicles if they wish to transport a wood chipper and a towable vehicle to a work site at the same time.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improvements in wood chippers and tow hitches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is desired is an improvement over the prior art that would allow a user to transport a wood chipper and a towable vehicle efficiently to and from a work site.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a tow hitch for attachment to a wood chipper adapted to be attached to the rear end of a towing vehicle having a power takeoff and lifting arms and transported by the towing vehicle. When the tow hitch is attached to the wood chipper, and the wood chipper is attached to the rear end of the towing vehicle, the operator may couple the towable vehicle to the tow hitch, and tow the towable vehicle behind the wood chipper with the towing vehicle.
Advantageously, the tow hitch enables an operator to use one towing vehicle to simultaneously transport both a wood chipper and a towable vehicle to and from a work site.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the towing vehicle is an agricultural tractor, and the towable vehicle is a trailer. However, the invention is not limited to agricultural tractors and trailers, but includes other towing vehicles, and other towable vehicles which will become apparent to persons skilled in the art once

-4-they understand the invention described herein. Without limitation therefore, examples of other towing vehicles include skid steer loaders, rugged terrain vehicles (RTVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), utility trucks, backhoes, and excavators, and examples of other towable vehicles include trailers, and other wheeled devices such as wheeled wood chippers, log skidding arches, firewood processors, log splitters, generators, water tanks, fuel tanks, stump grinders.
All such embodiments are comprehended by the present invention.
Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a tow hitch for attachment to a wood chipper adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper, said tow hitch comprising:
an attachment member adapted for attachment to said wood chipper;
a draw bar attached to said attachment member; and a mechanical coupler attached to said draw bar, said mechanical coupler being adapted for coupling to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle.
It is contemplated that the attachment member of the tow hitch may comprise:
a pair of mounting plates adapted for attaching to opposed sides of said wood chipper; and an elongate crossbeam having opposed ends attached to said pair of mounting plates;
wherein said draw bar is attached to said elongate crossbeam.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a wood chipper adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper, said wood chipper comprising a mechanical coupler for coupling to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle.

-5-According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of towing a towable vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
attaching a wood chipper to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper;
attaching a mechanical coupler to said wood chipper; and coupling said mechanical coupler to a complementary coupler on said towable vehicle.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of making a wood chipper, said method comprising the step of:
providing a wood chipper adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper; and attaching a mechanical coupler to said wood chipper, said mechanical coupler being adapted to couple to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle;
wherein said mechanical coupler allows said towing vehicle to simultaneously transport said wood chipper, and tow said towable vehicle behind said wood chipper.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a use of a mechanical coupler with a wood chipper wherein said wood chipper is adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper, and wherein said mechanical coupler is adapted for coupling to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference, by way of example only, to the following drawings in which:

-6-Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tow hitch according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the tow hitch of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a top view of the tow hitch of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a front view of the tow hitch of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a rear view of the tow hitch of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the tow hitch of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the tow hitch of Fig. 1 being attached to the sides of a wood chipper, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view Fig. 7, after the tow hitch has been attached to the wood chipper;
Fig. 9 is a side view of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a side view showing a wood chipper attached to the rear end of a tractor, the tow hitch of Fig. 1 attached to the wood chipper, and a trailer coupled to the tow hitch, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a side view showing a wood chipper attached to the rear end of a tractor, the tow hitch of Fig. 1 attached to the wood chipper, and a wheeled firewood processor coupled to the tow hitch, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a side view showing a wood chipper attached to the rear end of a tractor, the tow hitch of Fig. 1 attached to the wood chipper, and a wheeled log splitter coupled to the tow hitch, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a side view showing a wood chipper attached to the front end of a skid steer loader, the tow hitch of Fig. 1 attached to the wood chipper, and a trailer coupled to the tow hitch, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a wood chipper being attached to lifting arms at the front end of the skid steer loader of Fig. 13, and hydraulic

-7-lines being connected between the wood chipper and an auxiliary hydraulic system of the skid steer loader;
Fig. 15 is a side view showing a wood chipper attached to the rear end of a backhoe, and the tow hitch of Fig. 1 attached to the wood chipper, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a tow hitch according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the tow hitch of Fig. 16 being attached to a wood chipper, according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of Fig. 17 after the tow hitch has been attached;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a tow hitch according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the tow hitch of Fig. 19 attached to a wood chipper, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a tow hitch formed integrally with a frame of a wood chipper, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof as shown in the appended drawings. While the present invention is described below including preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments which are within the scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed herein.
A tow hitch 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 6. The tow hitch 10 has an elongate crossbeam 12 with opposed

-8-ends 14. Preferably, the elongate crossbeam 12 may take the form of a hollow, metal tube, having a rectangular cross-section. A pair of mounting plates 16 are attached to the opposed ends 14. By way of example only, the pair of mounting plates 16 may be attached to the opposed ends 14 by welding.
Preferably, the elongate crossbeam 12 and the mounting plates 16 may be made from 6 mm thick ASTM A36 steel. What is important is that the elongate crossbeam 12 is sufficiently rigid and sturdy for its intended purpose, which is described in more detail below.
In the embodiment shown, the mounting plates 16 are each made from two mounting plate members 18 fastened together with fasteners 20. Preferably, the mounting plate members 18 may be fastened together with nut and bolt fasteners, to allow the mounting plates 16 to take up less space for shipping, but being easy to assemble by the user. However, it is also contemplated that in other embodiments, the mounting plate members 18 may be attached together using other known ways, such as for example by welding, or by using other types of fasteners, including rivets. What is important is that the mounting plates are sufficiently rigid and sturdy for their intended purpose, which is described in more detail below. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the mounting plates 16 may be of a unitary construction, or they may be made with two or more mounting plate members 18. All such embodiments of the invention are comprehended by the present invention.
Truss members 22 may be attached between the elongate crossbeam 12 and each mounting plate 16 to provide additional strength and rigidity to the tow hitch 10. More or fewer truss members 22 may be provided than the two shown in the drawings. In fact, the truss members 22 may be omitted altogether in some embodiments of the invention as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art. All such embodiments are comprehended by the present invention.

-9-A mechanical coupler 24 is be attached to the elongate crossbeam 12, preferably in a substantially central region of the elongate crossbeam 12. The mechanical coupler 24 is configured for coupling to a complementary coupler 28 on a towable vehicle 30. As shown, a preferred mechanical coupler 24 consists of a draw bar 26 attached to the elongate crossbeam 12 with fasteners 20, and a hitch ball 32 being attached to the draw bar 26, in a conventional manner. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the draw bar 26 may be omitted from the mechanical coupler 24 altogether. For example, the mechanical coupler 24 may consist of a hitch ball 32 attached directly to the elongate crossbeam 12.
Other examples of mechanical couplers 24 and complementary couplers 28 include hitch ball sockets, pintles, lunnetes, 51h wheels, kingpins, and the like.
Furthermore, the mechanical coupler 24 or the complementary coupler 28 may consist of a receiver, for receiving an insert presenting a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, a kingpin, and the like.
If the complementary coupler 28 on the towable vehicle 30 is a hitch ball socket, then the mechanical coupler 24 of the tow hitch 10 will preferably include a hitch ball, or a receiver with an insert presenting a hitch ball. Similarly, if the complementary coupler 28 on the towable vehicle 30 is a lunnete, then the mechanical coupler 24 of the tow hitch 10 will preferably include a pintle, or a receiver with an insert presenting a pintle. Similarly, if the complementary coupler 28 on the towable vehicle 30 is a kingpin, then the mechanical coupler 24 of the tow hitch 10 will preferably include a 5th wheel, or a receiver with an insert presenting a 5th wheel.
Although less common, if the complementary coupler 28 on the towable vehicle is a hitch ball, then the mechanical coupler 24 of the tow hitch 10 will 30 preferably include a hitch ball socket, or a receiver with an insert presenting a

-10-hitch ball socket. Similarly, if the complementary coupler 28 on the towable vehicle 30 is a pintle, then the mechanical coupler 24 of the tow hitch 10 will preferably include a lunnete, or a receiver with an insert presenting a lunnete.
Similarly, if the complementary coupler 28 on the towable vehicle is a 5th wheel, then the mechanical coupler 24 of the tow hitch 10 will preferably include a kingpin, or a receiver with an insert presenting a kingpin.
What is important is that the mechanical coupler 24 is attached to the elongate crossbeam 12 of the tow hitch 10 and configured to releasably couple to the complementary coupler 28 on the towable vehicle 30. All such embodiments are comprehended by the present invention.
With reference now to Figs. 7 to 9, the tow hitch 10 is sized and shaped to attach to a wood chipper 34. Preferably, the wood chipper 34 has a frame 38 defining opposed sides 40, and the mounting plates 16 are spaced apart from one another by the elongate crossbeam 12 to enable attachment of the mounting plates 16 to the frame 38 at the opposed sides 40 of the frame 38 of the wood chipper 34.
As best seen in Fig. 9, the mounting plates 16 are preferably sized and shaped to space the elongate crossbeam 12 from frame 38 of the wood chipper 34 by a predetermined distance 42. By way of example, the predetermined distance 42 may be 20 cm to 35 cm. However, the predetermined distance 42 may be more or less than 20 cm to 35 cm depending on various design considerations that will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. Preferably, the predetermined distance 42 may be sufficient to space the mechanical coupler 24 away from the wood chipper 34 so that the complementary coupler 28 of the towable vehicle 30 will not interfere with any portion of the wood chipper 34 while being towed. However, it will appreciated that if the draw bar 26 is present, it may be sized and shaped taking into account the predetermined

-11-distance 42 to result in the desired position of the mechanical coupler 24 relative to the wood chipper 34. By way of example, the desired position of the mechanical coupler 24 may extend horizontally 30 cm to 35 cm from the wood chipper 34, measured from, for example, a lateral extent of frame 38, and vertically 25 cm, measured from, for example, a bottom extent of the frame 38.
Preferably, the desired position of the mechanical coupler 24 will be centered between the opposed sides 40 of the frame 38.
The mounting plates 16 may be spaced apart from one another by only a slightly greater distance than the distance between the opposed sides 40 of the frame 38 to provide a snug fit between the tow hitch 10 and the wood chipper 34.
Advantageously however, the mounting plates 16 may be spaced apart by a greater distance than the distance between the opposed sides 40 of the frame 38, to allow the tow hitch 10 to be attached to wood chippers 34 having different widths. At least one spacer 44 may be used to fill a gap between a mounting plate 16 and the adjacent opposed side 40, on one or both sides of the wood chipper 34. Preferably, the spacers 44 may have a length of from about 0.5 cm to about 3.0 cm, inclusive, depending on the application.
By way of example, a manufacturer may provide wood chippers 34 with three different widths, such that a narrowest, first wood chipper has a width of 65.4 cm between opposed sides 40 of the frame 38, a second wood chipper has a width of 65.7 cm between opposed sides 40 of the frame 38, and a widest, third wood chipper has a width of 71.3 cm between opposed sides 40 of the frame 38. Rather than making the tow hitch 10 in three sizes (i.e. mounting plates spaced apart 65.4 cm, 65.7 cm, and 71.3 cm) to match the three different widths of wood chippers 34, the tow hitch 10 may be made in one size (i.e.
mounting plates 16 spaced apart 71.3 cm) to fit the widest, third wood chipper

-12-34 without spacers 44, and using spacers 44 to allow the same tow hitch 10 to be attached to the first and second wood chippers 34. According to this example, spacers 44 would be 2.95 cm long for the first wood chipper 34, and 2.8 cm for the second wood chipper 34. Fasteners 46 passing through the mounting plates 16, and the opposed sides 40 of the frame 38 may preferably be used, with or without the spacers 44, to attach the tow hitch 10 to the wood chipper 34. Preferably, the tow hitch 10 may be fastened to the wood chipper 34 with nut and bolt fasteners. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the tow hitch 10 may be attached to the wood chipper 34 by welding, or other methods known in the art.
Spacers 44 may also be used to attach the tow hitch 10 to the widest, third wood chipper 34, for example to accommodate the fasteners 20, if used to join the mounting plate members 18 of the mounting plates 16. According to this example, the tow hitch 10 would be slightly wider than in the previous example (i.e. 72.8 cm) to fit the third wood chipper 34, including gaps to accommodate the fasteners 20. The spacers 44 would be 3.65 cm long for the narrowest, first wood chipper 34, 3.5 cm long for the second wood chipper 34, and 0.7 cm for the widest, third wood chipper 34.
Preferably, the wood chipper 34 may be of a type that is adapted to be attached to the rear end of a towing vehicle 36 having a power takeoff and lifting arms 48 and transported by the towing vehicle 36, as shown in Fig. 10. For the purposes of this disclosure, the preferred towing vehicle 36 is an agricultural tractor 50, and the preferred towable vehicle 30 is a trailer 52. A power takeoff shaft 54 may be used to connect the tractor's power takeoff to the wood chipper 34. However, the invention is not limited to agricultural tractors and trailers, but includes other towing vehicles 36, and other towable vehicles 30 which will become apparent to persons skilled in the art once they understand the invention described herein. Without limitation therefore, examples of other

-13-towing vehicles 36 include skid steer loaders 56 (see Figs. 13 and 14), rugged terrain vehicles (RTV), utility terrain vehicles (UTV), utility trucks, backhoes 58 (see Fig. 15), and excavators, and examples of other towable vehicles 30 include wheeled wood chippers, wheeled log skidding arches, wheeled firewood processors 60 (see Fig. 11), wheeled log splitters 62 (see Fig. 12), wheeled generators, wheeled water tanks, wheeled fuel tanks, and wheeled stump grinders. All such embodiments are therefore comprehended by the present invention.
Preferably, the towing vehicle 36 includes at least one lifting arm 48 at the front or the rear for lifting and transporting the wood chipper 34. Most preferably, the at least one lifting arm 48 will be configured to raise and lower by operator control to facilitate attachment and transport of the wood chipper 34. By way of example, the raising and lowering of the at least one lifting arm 48 may be achieved using hydraulics, including using hydraulic cylinders, in a known manner. Attachment of the wood chipper 34 to the one or more lifting arms 48 may also be achieved in a known manner. By way of example, in the case of an agricultural tractor 50, the wood chipper 34 may be attached to lifting arms 48 in the form of a three-point hitch provided at the rear end of the tractor 50, as shown in Figs. 10 to 12. As another example, in the case of a skid steer loader 56, the wood chipper 34 may be attached to lifting arms 48 in the form of a pair of lift arms provided at the front end of the skid steer loader, as shown in Fig. 13. As another example, in the case of a backhoe 58, as shown in Fig.
15, the wood chipper 34 may be attached to the single lifting arm 48 provided at the rear end of the backhoe 58. As another example, in the case of an excavator (not shown), the wood chipper 34 may be attached to the single lifting arm 48 provided at the front end of the excavator.
It is contemplated that in other embodiments of the present invention, the wood chipper 34 may be used with towing vehicles 36 provided with at least one lifting

-14-arm 48 that does not include the above described capability to raise and lower.
In other words, the lifting arm(s) are configured to attach the wood chipper at a fixed position relative to the towing vehicle 36, and thus at a fixed elevation relative to the ground. Such embodiments will require the operator to employ other means for raising and lowering the wood chipper 34 to facilitate attachment of the wood chipper 34 to the towing vehicle 36 and detachment of the wood chipper 34 from the towing vehicle 36. What is important is that the towing vehicle 36 be provided with at least one lifting arm 48 that is capable of carrying the wood chipper 34 at the desired elevation relative to the ground to permit the towing vehicle 36 to drive to and from the work site with the wood chipper 34, and with the towable vehicle 30 coupled to the wood chipper 34 via the mechanical coupler 24.
It is also contemplated that when the towing vehicle 36 does not have a power takeoff, an alternate means for powering the wood chipper 34 may be provided.
For example, in the case of a skid steer loader 56, the wood chipper 34 may be powered by operably connecting the wood chipper 34 to an auxiliary hydraulic system on the skid steer loader 56 with hydraulic lines 64, as shown in Fig.
14.
Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the wood chipper 34 may itself include a means for powering the wood chipper 34, in which case the towing vehicle 36 does not need to have any means for powering the wood chipper 34. All such embodiments are comprehended by the present invention.
In the embodiments of the tow hitch 10 described above in relation to, for example, Figs. 1 to 6, the mounting plates 16, and elongate crossbeam 12 are an example of a means for attaching the draw bar 26, and in turn the mechanical coupler 24 to the wood chipper 34.
With reference now to Fig. 16, there is shown a tow hitch 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the attachment means

-15-is an attachment member 66. Preferably, attachment member 66 may be an elongate rigid piece of metal having one end adapted for attachment to the wood chipper 34, and a second end attached to the draw bar 26. Although the attachment member 66 may be straight, it may also include one or more bends 68 adapted to position the draw bar 26 at a desirable angle and/or position relative to the wood chipper 34. It will appreciated that the draw bar 26 may be sized and shaped to result in the desired position of the mechanical coupler relative to the wood chipper 34, when the attachment member 64 is attached to the wood chipper 34. Preferably, the mechanical coupler 24 may be positioned a sufficient distance from the wood chipper 34 to space the complementary coupler 28 of the towable vehicle 30 from the wood chipper 34 so that the complementary coupler 28 will not interfere with any portion of the wood chipper 34 while being towed. It will be appreciated that the draw bar 26 may be sized and shaped to take into account the intended point of attachment of the attachment member 66 to the wood chipper 34 to result in the desired position of the mechanical coupler 24 relative to the wood chipper 34.
As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the tow hitch 10 may be attached to the bottom of the frame 38 of the wood chipper 34. The tow hitch 10 may be joined to the wood chipper 34 by attaching the attachment member 66 to the bottom of the frame 38 in a known manner including using fasteners 20, or welding.
With reference to Fig. 19, there is shown a tow hitch 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to the embodiment described above in relation to Figs. 16 to 18, wherein the attachment means is also an attachment member 66. As above, the attachment member 66 is depicted as an elongate rigid piece of metal having one end adapted for attachment to the wood chipper 34, and a second end attached to the draw bar 26. The attachment member 66 includes one bend 68 adapted to position the draw bar 26 at a desirable angle and/or position relative to the wood chipper 34. It will

-16-appreciated that the draw bar 26 may be sized and shaped to result in the desired position of the mechanical coupler 24 relative to the wood chipper 34, when the attachment member 66 is attached to the wood chipper 34. As mentioned above, the mechanical coupler 24 may preferably be positioned a sufficient distance from the wood chipper 34 to space the complementary coupler 28 of the towable vehicle 30 from the wood chipper 34 so that the complementary coupler 28 will not interfere with any portion of the wood chipper 34 while being towed. It will be appreciated that the draw bar 26 may be sized and shaped to take into account the intended point of attachment of the attachment member 66 to the wood chipper 34 to result in the desired position of the mechanical coupler 24 relative to the wood chipper 34.
The tow hitch 10 need not be attached to the frame 10, so long as it is attached to a sufficiently sturdy portion of the wood chipper 34. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, the tow hitch 10 may be attached to the top of an oil tank 70, in a mid-section of the wood chipper 34. The tow hitch 10 may be joined to the wood chipper 34 by attaching the attachment member 66 to the top of the oil tank 70 in a known manner including using fasteners 20, or welding.
Although the attachment member 66 and draw bar 26 are shown in Figs. 16 to 20 as being unitary, this need not be so. For example, the attachment member 66 may be joined to the draw bar 26 in a known manner including using fasteners or welding.
Having described preferred embodiments of the tow hitch 10 above, it may now be understood that the present invention permits an operator to tow a towable vehicle 30, such as a trailer 52, with a towing vehicle 36, such as a tractor 50, by attaching a wood chipper 34 to the towing vehicle 36, attaching a tow hitch to the wood chipper 34, and coupling the towable vehicle 30 to the tow hitch 10.
This is illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13. It will be appreciated that the tow hitch 10

-17-may be attached to the wood chipper 34 before or after the wood chipper 34 is attached to the towing vehicle 36. In this way, the operator may use one towing vehicle 36 to simultaneously transport both the wood chipper 34 and the towable vehicle 30 to and from a work site.
Preferably, the tow hitch 10 may be provided as an accessory to retrofit existing wood chippers 34. However, wood chippers 34 may be manufactured from the start to include a tow hitch 10, according to embodiments of the present invention. Either way, it will now be understood that a wood chipper 34 may be made by manufacturing or providing a wood chipper that is adapted to be attached, for example to the front or rear end of a towing vehicle 36 having lifting arms 48 for lifting and transporting the wood chipper, and attaching a tow hitch 10 to the wood chipper.
While reference has been made to various preferred embodiments of the invention other variations, implementations, modifications, alterations and embodiments are comprehended by the broad scope of the appended claims.
Some of these have been discussed in detail in this specification and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the tow hitch 10 may be formed integrally with the frame 38 of the wood chipper 34, as shown in Fig.
21.
In particular, the frame 38 of the wood chipper 34 may include first and second frame members 72, 74 defining the opposed sides 40, such that the mounting plates 16 are formed integrally with the first and second frame members 72, 74, respectively. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize these additional variations, implementations, modifications, alterations and embodiments, all of which are within the scope of the present invention, which invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A wood chipper adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper, said wood chipper comprising a mechanical coupler for coupling to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle.
2. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanical coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
3. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said complementary coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
4. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tow hitch attaching said mechanical coupler to said wood chipper.
5. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tow hitch comprises a draw bar; and wherein said mechanical coupler is attached to said draw bar.
6. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 5, wherein said tow hitch further comprises:
a pair of mounting plates adapted for attaching said tow hitch to opposed sides of said wood chipper;
an elongate crossbeam having opposed ends attached to said pair of mounting plates; and wherein said draw bar is attached to said elongate crossbeam.

7. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 6, wherein said pair of mounting plates are attached to said elongate crossbeam by welding, or by using fasteners.
8. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 5, wherein said tow hitch is attached to said wood chipper by welding, or by using fasteners.
9. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 5, wherein said wood chipper has a frame defining said opposed sides, and wherein said tow hitch is formed integrally with said frame.
10. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 5, wherein said wood chipper has a frame including a first frame member defining one of said opposed sides, and a second frame member defining the other of said opposed sides, and wherein said pair of mounting plates are formed integrally with said first and second frame members, respectively.
11. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said towing vehicle is an agricultural tractor, a skid steer loader, a rugged terrain vehicle (RTV), a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), a utility truck, a backhoe, or an excavator.
12. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said towable vehicle is a trailer, a wheeled wood chipper, a wheeled log skidding arch, a wheeled firewood processor, a wheeled log splitter, a wheeled generator, a wheeled water tank, a wheeled fuel tank, or a wheeled stump grinder.
13. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said towing vehicle comprises an auxiliary hydraulic system, and said wood chipper is adapted to operably connect to, and be powered by, said auxiliary hydraulic system.
14. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said towing vehicle comprises a power takeoff, and said wood chipper is adapted to operably connect to, and be powered by, said power takeoff.
15. A method of towing a towable vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
attaching a wood chipper to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper;
attaching a mechanical coupler to said wood chipper; and coupling said mechanical coupler to a complementary coupler on said towable vehicle.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said mechanical coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said complementary coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said towing vehicle is an agricultural tractor, a skid steer loader, a rugged terrain vehicle (RTV), a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), a utility truck, a backhoe, or an excavator.
19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said towable vehicle is a trailer, a wheeled wood chipper, a wheeled log skidding arch, a wheeled firewood processor, a wheeled log splitter, a wheeled generator, a wheeled water tank, a wheeled fuel tank, or a wheeled stump grinder.
20. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said towing vehicle comprises an auxiliary hydraulic system; wherein said wood chipper is adapted to operably connect to, and be powered by, said auxiliary hydraulic system;
and wherein said method further comprises the step of operably connecting said wood chipper to said auxiliary hydraulic system.
22. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said towing vehicle comprises a power takeoff; wherein said wood chipper is adapted to operably connect to, and be powered by, said power takeoff; and wherein said method further comprises the step of operably connecting said wood chipper to said power takeoff.
23. A method of making a wood chipper, said method comprising the step of:
providing a wood chipper adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper; and attaching a mechanical coupler to said wood chipper, said mechanical coupler being adapted to couple to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle;
wherein said mechanical coupler allows said towing vehicle to simultaneously transport said wood chipper, and tow said towable vehicle behind said wood chipper.
24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said mechanical coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
25. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said complementary coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
26. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said towing vehicle is an agricultural tractor, a skid steer loader, a rugged terrain vehicle (RTV), a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), a utility truck, a backhoe, or an excavator.
27. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said towable vehicle is a trailer, a wheeled wood chipper, a wheeled log skidding arch, a wheeled firewood processor, a wheeled log splitter, a wheeled generator, a wheeled water tank, a wheeled fuel tank, or a wheeled stump grinder.
28. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said towing vehicle comprises an auxiliary hydraulic system; wherein said wood chipper is adapted to operably connect to, and be powered by, said auxiliary hydraulic system;
and wherein said method further comprises the step of operably connecting said wood chipper to said auxiliary hydraulic system.
29. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said towing vehicle comprises a power takeoff; wherein said wood chipper is adapted to operably connect to, and be powered by, said power takeoff; and wherein said method further comprises the step of operably connecting said wood chipper to said power takeoff.
30. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said step of attaching said mechanical coupler to said wood chipper comprises the steps of:
providing a tow hitch comprising said mechanical coupler; and attaching said tow hitch to said wood chipper.
31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein said tow hitch is attached to said wood chipper by welding, or by using fasteners.
32. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein said tow hitch comprises a draw bar; and wherein said mechanical coupler is attached to said draw bar.
33. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein said tow hitch further comprises:
a pair of mounting plates adapted for attaching said tow hitch to opposed sides of said wood chipper;
an elongate crossbeam having opposed ends attached to said pair of mounting plates; and wherein said draw bar is attached to said elongate crossbeam.
34. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 33, wherein said pair of mounting plates are attached to said elongate crossbeam by welding, or by using fasteners.
35. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein said wood chipper has a frame defining said opposed sides, and wherein said tow hitch is formed integrally with said frame.
36. The wood chipper as claimed in claim 35, wherein said frame includes a first frame member defining one of said opposed sides, and a second frame member defining the other of said opposed sides, and wherein said pair of mounting plates are formed integrally with said first and second frame members, respectively.
37. A tow hitch for attachment to a wood chipper adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper, said tow hitch comprising:
an attachment member adapted for attachment to said wood chipper;
a draw bar attached to said attachment member; and a mechanical coupler attached to said draw bar, said mechanical coupler being adapted for coupling to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle.
38. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 37, wherein said attachment member comprises:
a pair of mounting plates adapted for attaching to opposed sides of said wood chipper; and an elongate crossbeam having opposed ends attached to said pair of mounting plates;
wherein said draw bar is attached to said elongate crossbeam.
39. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, wherein said pair of mounting plates are attached to said elongate crossbeam by welding, or by using fasteners.
40. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, wherein said mechanical coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5 th wheel, or a kingpin.
41. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, wherein said complementary coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
42. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, wherein said wood chipper has a frame defining said opposed sides, and said mounting plates are spaced apart from one another to enable said attachment of said mounting plates to said frame at said opposed sides of said wood chipper.
43. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, wherein said pair of mounting plates are sized and shaped to space said elongate crossbeam from said wood chipper by a predetermined distance.

44. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 43, wherein said predetermined distance is less than or equal to about 35 cm.
45. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, further comprising at least one truss member attached between each one of said mounting plate and said elongate crossbeam.
46. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, wherein each of said mounting plates comprise two or more mounting plate members.
47. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, further comprising at least one spacer sized and shaped to fill a gap between said mounting plate and said opposed side of said wood chipper.
48. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 47, wherein said at least one spacer has a length of from about 0.5 cm to about 3.0 cm, inclusive.
49. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, wherein said towing vehicle is an agricultural tractor, a skid steer loader, a rugged terrain vehicle (RTV), a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), a utility truck, a backhoe, or an excavator.
50. The tow hitch as claimed in claim 38, wherein said towable vehicle is a trailer, trailer, a wheeled wood chipper, a wheeled log skidding arch, a wheeled firewood processor, a wheeled log splitter, a wheeled generator, a wheeled water tank, a wheeled fuel tank, or a wheeled stump grinder.
51. Use of a mechanical coupler with a wood chipper wherein said wood chipper is adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle having at least one lifting arm for lifting and transporting said wood chipper, and wherein said mechanical coupler is adapted for coupling to a complementary coupler on a towable vehicle.
52. The use as claimed in claim 51, wherein said mechanical coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
53. The use as claimed in claim 51, wherein said complementary coupler comprises a receiver, a hitch ball, a hitch ball socket, a pintle, a lunnete, a 5th wheel, or a kingpin.
54. The use as claimed in claim 51, wherein said towing vehicle is an agricultural tractor, a skid steer loader, a rugged terrain vehicle (RTV), a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), a utility truck, a backhoe, or an excavator.
55. The use as claimed in claim 51, wherein said towable vehicle is a trailer, a wheeled wood chipper, a wheeled log skidding arch, a wheeled firewood processor, a wheeled log splitter, a wheeled generator, a wheeled water tank, a wheeled fuel tank, or a wheeled stump grinder.
56. The use as claimed in claim 51, wherein said towing vehicle comprises an auxiliary hydraulic system, and said wood chipper is adapted to operably connect to, and be powered by, said auxiliary hydraulic system.
57. The use as claimed in claim 51, wherein said towing vehicle comprises a power takeoff, and said wood chipper is adapted to operably connect to, and be powered by, said power takeoff.