GB2230417A

GB2230417A - Agricultural hitches

Info

Publication number: GB2230417A
Application number: GB8909206A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven George Webber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-22
Filing date: 1989-04-22
Publication date: 1990-10-24
Also published as: GB8909206D0

Abstract

A hitch for use with, for example, a hay rack or lamb creep, includes a rectangular framework (11) located at the rearward end of a longitudinal element (10) the forward end of which can be coupled to a towing vehicle. The framework (11) includes a lower horizontal element (16) which has a central upwardly projecting spigot (19) which can be engaged by a triangular bracket on a hay rack. There are two further spigots (20 and 21) on the lower horizontal element (16) and these are positioned for engagement by a horizontal bar or handle at the front of a creep. <IMAGE>

Description

AGRICULTURAL HITCHES Field of the Invention This invention relates to agricultural hitches and is particularly concerned with the provision of an effective form of hitch for facilitating the transportation of hay racks, lamb creeps and similar items of agricultural equipment.

Background to the Invention Farmers are increasingly utilising wide-wheeled hay racks, lamb creeps and the like, i.e. racks or creeps whose wheels have a width of from 10 to 15cm., since this enables the racks or creeps to be moved over soggy or muddy ground without sinking up to their axles into the ground.

The use of wide-wheeled four-wheel-drive motor cycles on farms is also becoming more widespread and some farmers are using these motor cycles as towing vehicles for moving such items as hay racks and lamb creeps from place to place around the farm.

There is, however, at present no wholly satisfactory form of hitch for use for this purpose and it is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a hitch which can be used to enable the safe towing of a hay rack, lamb creep or the like around a farm using a four-wheel-drive motor bike.

It is envisaged that the hitch of the present invention will be capable of more general application and that it will be used with other items of mobile agricultural equipment which have either wheels or skids. It is also envisaged that the hitch will be used with other kinds of towing vehicles, and not just with motor bikes.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a hitch for agricultural purposes which includes a longitudinal element which is provided at its forward end with means whereby it can be coupled to a towing vehicle, a framework being provided at the rearward end of the longitudinal element and the framework including a generally horizontal element which extends transversely relative to the longitudinal element, and a pair of spaced apart generally vertical elements which extend upwardly from the horizontal element for contact with a towed item of equipment at positions on either side of the longitudinal element to provide guidance for the towed item, and the horizontal element carrying or having one or more upwardly projecting spigots for engagement with a coupling formation or formations on the towed item.

The framework is preferably of generally rectangular formation with an upper generally horizontal element interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical side elements which are equi-spaced from the centre of the lower generally horizontal element and from the longitudinal element.

There is preferably a central upwardly projecting spigot on the lower horizontal element, this central spigot being positioned to engage with a generally triangular bracket formation on the front of a hay rack. The method of attachment of the hay rack to the hitch preferably includes the placing of this bracket over the spigot, with no bolting, clamping or other fixing operations being required.

In addition to the central spigot, there are preferably a pair of further spigots, equally spaced from said central spigot and positioned for engagement by a cross bar provided at the front of a creep. The method of attachment of the creep to the hitch again preferably includes only the placing of the bar over the spigots, with no bolting, clamping or other fixing operations being required.

This simple method of attachment ensures that, particularly in inclement weather conditions, there is nothing to hinder rapid hitching-up of the hay rack, creep or other item of equipment.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a front view of the hitch, Figure 2 is a plan view of the hitch, and Figure 3 is a side view of the hitch.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment As shown in the drawings, the principal parts of the hitch of the present invention are a longitudinal element 10 and a rectangular framework 11. The longitudinal element 10 is a box-section steel component to the forward end of which is attached a coupling socket 12 whereby the hitch as a whole can be connected to a towing fitment at the rear of, for example. a four-wheel-drive motor cycle.

The rectangular framework 11 is formed from box-section steel components which are welded together, said components comprising a pair of generally upright side frame members 13 and 14, and upper and lower generally horizontal transverse members 15 and 16. The lower transverse member 16 is connected to the rearward end of the longitudinal element 10 via an intermediate reinforcing or strengthening element 17 which is welded to member 16 and to the element 10. In order to maintain the rectangular framework 11 in its generally upright position at right angles to the axis of the longitudinal element 10, there is provided an inclined tie or strap 18 the forward, lower end of which is attached to the longitudinal element 10 and the rearward, upper end of which is welded to the centre of the upper transverse member 15.

At the centre of the lower transverse member 16, there is an upwardly projecting spigot 19 which is of such height that it can readily be engaged with a triangular bracket formation provided at the front of a hay rack (not shown). When a farmworker driving a four-wheel-drive motor cycle, to which the hitch is attached, wishes to tow the hay rack from one position to another, he backs the motor cycle up to the hay rack and merely fits the bracket over the spigot 19. he can then drive away, the side members 13 and 14 being arranged to contact the front of the hay rack at spaced apart positions to steady the rack as it is being towed.

In addition to the central spigot 19. there are two further spigots 20 and 21 which extend upwardly from the lower transverse member 16. The central spigot 19 is formed from round bar welded in place whereas the two other spigots 20 and 21 are formed from steel strip welded in position. The heights and positions of the spigots 20 and 21 are such that they can readily be engaged by a horizontal bar or handle provided at the front of a lamb or calf creep. The method of attachment of the hitch to the creep then merely involves fitting of the bar or handle on the creep over the spigots 20 and 21.

Although, as mentioned above, the hitch is primarily intended for the towing of a rack or creep by means of a fourwheel-drive motor cycles, the hitch can quite clearly be used for many other purposes.

Claims

Claims:

1. A hitch for agricultural purposes which includes a longitudinal element which is provided at its forward end with means whereby it can be coupled to a towing vehicle, a framework being provided at the rearward end of the longitudinal element and the framework including a generally horizontal element which extends transversely relative to the longitudinal element, and a pair of spaced apart generally vertical elements which extend upwardly from the horizontal element for contact with a towed item of equipment at positions on either side of the longitudinal element to provide guidance for the towed item, and the horizontal element carrying or having one or more upwardly projecting spigots for engagement with a coupling formation or formations on the towed item.

2. A hitch according to Claim 1, in which the framework is of generally rectangular formation with an upper generally horizontal element interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical side elements.

3. A hitch according to Claim 2, in which the vertical side elements of the framework are equi-spaced from the centre of the lower generally horizontal element and from the longitudinal element.

4. A hitch according to any of the preceding claims for use with a hay rack, wherein a central upwardly projecting spigot is provided on the lower horizontal element of the framework, this central spigot being positioned to engage with a generally triangular bracket formation on the hay rack.

5. A hitch according to Claim 4 and for use with either a hay rack or a creep, wherein a pair of further spigots are provided on the lower horizontal element, the further spigots being equally spaced from the central spigot and positioned for engagement by a cross bar provided at the front of the creep.

6. The combination of a hitch according to Claim 5 and either a creep or a hay rack.

7. A hitch for agricultural purposes substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.