US2989128A

US2989128A - Swinging drawbar assembly for three point hitch

Info

Publication number: US2989128A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Harry Gaines
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-12-27
Filing date: 1957-12-27
Publication date: 1961-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 1978-06-20

Description

June 20, 1961 H. GAINES, JR 2,989,128

SWINGING DRAWBAR ASSEMBLY FOR THREE POINT HITCH Filed Dec. 27, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Harry Gaines, Jn

INVENTOR.

owl/WW 15m June 20, 1961 H. GAINES, JR

SWINGING DRAWBAR ASSEMBLY FOR THREE POINT HITCH Filed Dec. 27, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Harry Gaines, Jz

INVENTOR.

9 BY ma WW0; 3M

June 20, 1961 H. GAINES, JR

SWINGING DRAWBAR ASSEMBLY FOR THREE POINT HITCH Filed Dec. 2'7, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 illilll! m w m m a w m 9% H Y B ,Unitcd States Patent 2,989,128 SWINGING DRAWBAR ASSEMBLY FOR THREE POINT HITCH Harry Gaines, Jr., 200 Connelly St., Clovis, N. Mex.

Filed Dec. 27, 1957, Ser. No. 705,692

6 Claims. (Cl. 172-447) The present invention generally relates to a drawbar assembly for a tractor employed in towing various imp ments and more particularly relates to a swinging drawbar assembly for tractors having three point hitches.

I The primary object of the present invention is to provide a swinging drawbar for tractors having conventional three point hitches so that the towed implements may negotiate a 90 turn withthe implements remaining in service position during such a turn.

In certain operations such as plowing or the like, it is customary to raise the plow out of the ground during turning movement of the plow such as when the tractor and plow negotiate a 90 turn. This not only consumes time but generally lowers the efficiency of the plowing operation. Thus, with the present invention, the overall plowing operation as well as other cultivating operations may be increased since the implement may negotiate a 90 turn without being lifted from its working position. A, Another important object of the present invention is to provide a drawbar assembly in accordance with the preceding object in which the relationship between the tractor and the towed implement may be varied as to the longitudinal space therebetween.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a drawbar assembly in accordance with the preceding objct in which the orientation of the towed implement may be adjusted about its longitudinal axis for varying the working angle of the implement.

"Another important object of the present invention is to provide a drawbar assembly employing conventional structural elements arranged in such a manner to provide an effective and efficient assembly which is relatively simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

"-These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: ""FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the rear portion of a tractor with the drawbar assembly of the present invention mounted thereon with the drawbar assembly illuslt'rated in dotted lines when the towed implement is in 90. relation to the tractor;

' FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal, sectionalview taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 22 of'FIGURE 1 illustrating a side elevation of the drawbar assembly with the tractor axle and axle housing shown in section;

.FIGUREBis a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-4: of FIGURE I illustrating the construction for permitting angular adjustment of the towed implement about its longitudinal axis;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line '4-4 of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal, detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 6-6 of FIGURE 1; and a ice ' FIGURE 7 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 77 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the drawbar assembly of the present invention which is attached to a tractor generally designated by the numeral 12 which includes the usual rear driving wheels 14, housing assemblies 16 and a differential housing assembly 18. Extending rear-wardly and divergently from the upper portion of the differential assembly 18 is a pair of powered lift arms 20 which may be keyed to shafts 22 projecting laterally from the differential housing 18. Disposed on top of the differential housing 18 is a pair of lugs 24 for receiving a rearwardly extending arm 26 secured thereto by a removable pin 28.

Adjacent the bottom of the differential housing 18 is a pair of laterally extending rods 30 with one rod being disposed to each side of the differential housing 16. Supported on each of the rods 30 is an outwardly extending bracket 36 terminating in a downturned free end portion 38. Attached to the downturned end portion 38 by fastening bolts 40 is a pair of rearwardly extending angle iron members 42 disposed in spaced parallel relation with the forward ends of the angle iron members 42 being interconnected rigidly by a transverse angle iron member 44. The longitudinal members 42 and the transverse member 44 coact to form a rigid U-shaped frame which is disposed for pivotal movement about an axis defined by the rods 30. Extending rearwardly from the forward corners of the U-shaped frame formed by the longitudinal members 42 and the transverse member 44 is a pair of

arms

46 and 48. The arm 46 is connected to an upstanding pin 50 which is rigid with a block 52 which may be attached to the horizontal flange of the transverse mem ber 44 and the vertical flange of the member 42 as by welding or the like. The arm 48 is pivotally attached to a pin 54 mounted on a similar block 56. As clearly shown in FIGURE 5, the pin 50 extends above the U- shaped frame and above the members forming the U- shaped frame which are members 42' and 44 while the pin 54 depends below the U-shaped frame. Thus, the arm 46 is above the U-shaped frame while the member 48 is below the U-shaped frame and the

members

46 and 48 may pivot respectively about the

pins

50 and 54. Each of the

pins

54 and 50 may be screw threaded on the ends as designated by the numeral 58 for receiving a fastening nut 60 for retaining the arms swivelly on the pins.

Interconnecting the rear ends of the

arms

46 and 48 is a transverse support 62 which is connected to the rear ends of the

arms

46 and 48 by swivel studs 64. It is pointed out that the

arms

46 and 48 are disposed in crossed relationship as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 1. Also, the relationship of the

arms

46 and 48 to the transverse member 62 is the same as the relationship between the arms and the frame, that is, the arm 48 extends below the member 62 while the arm 46 extends above the member 62 and the swivel bolts are accordingly arranged with this orientation of elements being clearly shown in FIGURE 4. One end of the transverse member 62 is provided with an upwardly projecting extension 66 while the other end thereof is provided with a downwardly projecting extension 68 which are for the purpose of preventing entanglement of the member 62 with the ground engaging wheels 14 of the tractor 12 during orientation of the hitch assembly in relation to the longitudinal path of movement of the tractor as shown in dotted line in FIGURE 1.

Rigidly interconnecting the rear end of longitudinal angle iron members 42 is a pair of transverse strap irons 70 which rigidify the U-shaped frame and the straps are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 72 therein which receive pins 74 which may be em- I ployed for preventing lateral movement of the

arms

46 and 48 respectively. The pins 74 are employed to prevent lateral movement of the

arms

46 and 48 when the implement is picked up, such as when it would be transported across a field thus preventing lateral swinging movement of the implement which would occur were the

arms

46 and 48 permitted to swing freely with the implement in an elevated position as will presently be apparent.

Each of the

arms

46 and 48 is provided with a projecting lug 76 thereon to which is attached a coil tension spring 78 with the tension springs extending forwardly and in a converging manner for attachment to a rearwardly extending L-shaped bracket 80 rigid with the center of the transverse angle iron member 44. The springs 76, 78 are employed for centralizing the

arms

46 and 48 respectively thus placing the implement being towed by the tractor in line with the tractor when the implement is lifted from the service or working position whereby the implement and the drawbar assembly will be normally urged to a position in which the transverse support member 62 is perpendicular to the path of movement of the tractor.

The rear end of each longitudinal angle iron member 42 is provided with a pair of upwardly extending lugs 82 pivotally receiving one end of a connecting link 84 which has the end thereof connected to the lugs 82 by a fastening pin 86. The upper end of the connecting link 84 is connected to a pair of depending lugs 88 on the lift arms 20 by a pivot pin 90 whereby operation of the lift arms 20 in a vertical plane will cause pivotal movement of the U-shaped frame about a transverse axis defined by the rods or shafts 30.

An elongated tubular member 92 is welded to the front central surface of the transverse support member 62. The forward end of the elongated member 92 extends between the transverse straps 70 and the configuration of the elongated member 92 is rectangular in transverse cross-section. The member 92 is movable between the straps 70 and may be withdrawn from between the straps 70. An elongated rectangular rod 94 is slidably disposed in the elongated tubular member 92 and projects from the forward end thereof. The forward end of the elongated rod member 94 is provided with a transverse abutment 96 at the forward end thereof. The rear end of the rod 94 is rigidly connected with a transverse plate member 98 such as by welding or the like. Rod 94 may move freely through tubular member 92 and through the transverse member 62 with its movement being limited at one end by abutment 96 and at the other end by transverse plate 98. With the implement on the ground and forward movement being made by the tractor, the rod 94 will move rearwardly until abutment 96 comes into contact with the forward end of the tubular member 92. This movement permits the transverse plate 98 and the elements towed behind the transverse plate 98 to move far enough behind the tractor to permit a sharp turn as shown in phantom in FIGURE 1. With the implement on the ground and a rearward movement of the tractor being provided, the member 94 may move forwardly in the tubular member 92 until plate 98 approaches the transverse support member 62 whereby the implement can then be raised when in this position and be transported close to the rear of the tractor.

Extending rearwardly from and rigid with the transverse plate 98 is a mounting pin 100 which extends through an opening in a transverse hitch member 102 having projecting studs 104 on the outer ends thereof to which is attached a pair of rearwardly extending arms 106 connected with the implement. The arms 106 are connected to the studs 104 in any suitable manner. Also provided on the plate and rigid therewith is an L-shaped lug 108 to which certain types of implements may be attached. The hitch member 102 is rotatable on the pin 100 and is retained thereon by fastening nut means 110. Rigid with 2,989,128 g A f and upstanding from the transverse plate 98 is a pair of converging angle iron frame members 112 having an upstanding pin 114 at the apex thereof. The upper edge of the transverse plate 98 is provided with an arcuate notched quadrant 116 rigid therewith. The arcuate quadrant 116 has a center defined by the center of rotation of the transverse hitch member 102. The transverse hitch 102 is provided with an upwardly extending handle 118 having a spring urged latch element 120 thereon for engagement with the notched quadrant 116. The latch element 120 is connected with an operating link 122 having a lever 124 associated with the free end of the handle 118 whereby movement of the spring urged lever 124 will cause the dog or latch 120 to selectively engage the notched periphery of the arcuate quadrant 116 thus per mitting angular movement of the handle 118 in relation to the plate 98 thus pivoting the hitch member 102 on the pin 100 and setting the angular relation between the transverse plate 98 and the hitch member 102 for varying the angle of the implement about its longitudinal axis. The purpose of this adjustment of the implement about its longitudinal axis is to allow end depth control to certain types of implements such as a scraper blade and to adjust a plow when opening a field or in making the last furrow.

Referring to FIGURE 1, it is noted that a transverse cross bar 126 extends through and between the lift arms 20 and is attached to the lift arms. Attached centrally to the cross bar 126 is a vertical rod 128 and the vertical rod 128 extends through a U-shaped end 130 on the end of arm 26 and is retained in adjusted relation to the U-shaped end 130 by a pair of adjustable collars 132. The rod 128 also extends through the U-shaped end 134 on an elongated rearwardly extending channel-shaped member 136 and is retained in adjusted relation to the U-shaped end 134 by a pair of adjustable collars 138. The rear end of the channel-shaped member 136 is provided with a cross piece 140 which forms a closure for the rear end of the channel shaped member 136. Slidably disposed in the channel-shaped member 136 is an elongated rearwardly extending arm 142 having an upwardly extending lug 144 at the forward end thereof which is slidable between the free edges of the channel-shaped member 136 with the transverse cross member 140 forming a limit for limiting the outward movement of the rearwardly extending arm 142. The rear end of the arm 142 is provided with an eye member disposed over the upwardly extending pin 114 at the apex of the converging frame members 112 with this eye member being designated by the numeral 146. Also connected to the pin 114 is a rearwardly extending coupling member 148 which is connected to the implement which is in addition to the arm 106 thus providing three points of attachment to the implement.

As clearly shown in FIGURE 3, one edge of the transverse plate 98 is provided with a downwardly extending member 150. This downwardly extending member 150 prevents the extending rear portions from getting into the tractor wheel when a sharp right turn is negotiated. Of course, this is limited to when the retractible portions are not extended. The frame will prevent this during left turning movement.

The rod 94 and arm 142 may be provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 151 for receiving spring urged pins 152 mounted within a U-shaped bracket 154 having the coil springs 156 urging the pin into engagement with one of the holes 151. The brackets 154 are mounted on the

members

136 and 92 respectively and a flexible element 158 is secured to an eye member on each pin 152 and the flexible member 158 is terminally attached to a plate 160 which in turn is attached to a flexible element 162 extending to the operators seat whereby the operator may pull on the flexible element 162 for releasing the pins 152 for permitting the

elements

94 and 142 to move rearwardly thus permitting the implement to move far enough behind the vehicle to vehicle to turn.

While the present invention has been specifically disclosed in conjunction with a farm tractor having a conventional three point hitch arrangement, it is pointed out that the device may be employed with various types of tractors employed in various uses such as in industrial uses. For example, the type of draw-bar disclosed may be employed on a tractor that has a mower attached thereto for facilitating mowing grass and the like along roadways which makes the device especially adaptable for mowing around culverts, abutments or other obstructions. Further, the present drawbar could be employed on a crawler type tractor to advantage and the device will find many uses. in industry as well as in farming and other related uses.

Also, the device may be used with two point lifting arm hook-ups and also with one point hitch implement arrangements and with the two point or one point hookup, the top portions of this arrangement would not be needed since the top portion of the arrangement is employed only when the three point hook-up, which is disclosed in the application, is used.

In considering the invention disclosed, the implement employed with the tractor having the three point hook-up will obviously have to have aJthree point arrangement that possesses the facilities to make connection. Thus, a tractor having a three point hook-up will not be able to make an attachment to a twopoint or a one-point implement and conversely, a tractor having a two point or one point hook-up could not be attached to a three point implement. In other words, there are tractors provided which have one, two or three point hook-up means and there are also implements having one, two or three point connections and the same must be used with each other, that is, a three point hook-up tractor with a three-point connection implement, a two point hook-up tractor with a two point connection implement, and a one point hookup tractor with a one point connection implement. Thus, while the present application deals with the specific disclosure of the three point hook-up tractor and the three point connection implement, the drawbar may be adapted for either type of tractor hoolcup or implement connection arrangement.

In the event the tractor does not have a built-in hydraulic system, there may be provided an auxiliary hydraulic servo unit. In industrial equipment, air compressors are built for attachment to the power take-01f of tractors and in this case, the air pressure could be employed in lieu of hydraulic facilitim. There are also electric pumps for tractors and in view of this, a tractor would not necessarily need lifting arms since a vertical or horizontal arm may be attached to element 44. A piston and cylinder arrangement either air or hydraulically operated may be attached to this arm and the other end of the piston and cylinder arrangement could be attached to a stationary part of the tractor or to the pulling leg of the tractor drawbar for pivoting the hitch assembly whereby the drawbar assembly may be pivoted about the axis of the attachment bolts thus providing elevational movement to the end of the drawbar assembly to which the implement is attached. There also may be provided a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement or an air piston and cylinder arrangement connected with the forward end of the swinging drawbar to control the lateral movement of the implement and this piston and cylinder arrangement could be hooked directly to the hydraulic conduit to the hydraulic steering servo unit which is found on tractors having power steering equipment so that lateral movement of the implement would respond in direct relationship to the movement of the front wheel during steering control of the tractor.

Ifhe foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those permit the to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A drawbar assembly for use in farm tractors having powered lift arms, a differential housing and outwardly extending axle housings, said assembly comprising a substantially U-shaped frame supported below the differential housing for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, a pair of links connected with the U-shaped frame in spaced relation to the pivot axis thereof with the links being connected with the powered lift arms whereby the frame may be pivoted about its transverse axis, a transverse support bar disposed rearwardly of the U-shaped frame, and a pair of equal length crossed arms connected at one end in horizontally spaced relation to the U-shaped frame and at the other end in spaced relation on opposite sides of the center of the transverse support bar whereby upon turning of the tractor to the right or left the support bar will be turned to a position generally parallel to the normal path of traverse of the tractor, said transverse support bar being provided with a longitudinally extending sleeve rigid therewith, an elongated rod slidably mounted in said sleeve, said rod having an abutment 011 the forward end thereof for limiting the rearward sliding movement thereof and a transverse plate on the rear end thereof, means on the rear end of said rod for attachment to an implement whereby the towed implement will be disposed remote from the tractor to permit the tractor to negotiate a turn when the tractor is exerting force on the implement but which permits the implement to be moved to a position adjacent the rear of the tractor when the tractor is moved rearwardly thus enabling the implement to be short coupled for ease of transport when elevated by the powered lift arms.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means at the rear end of the rod for attachment to an implement includes means for effecting angular adjustment of the implement about a longitudinal axis for orientating a working tool mounted on the implement.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said last named means includes a stationary arcuate segment having notches in the periphery thereof, a handle rigid with the means on the rear end of the rod, said means on the rear end of the rod including a rearwardly extending pin, a transverse member rotatably mounted on said pin, said handle being mounted on said transverse member, and a latch on said handle for engagement with the segment for locking the transverse member in adjusted relation about the axis of the pin.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein means is provided on the frame for limiting the swinging movement of the support bar.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein means is provided on the frame for locking the support bar in transversely adjusted position.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein means is provided onthe sleeve for locking and releasing the rod for sliding movement, said means being operable from the operators seat of the tractor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,360,263 Bloom et a1 Nov. 30, 1920 1,542,581 Prilipp et a1. June 16, 1925 2,077,942 Lindgren Apr. 20, 1937 2,384,363 Bingham Sept. 4, 1945 2,515,429 Smoot July 18, 1950 2,667,366 Otjen Jan. 26, 1954 2,710,569 Altgelt June 14, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 699,702 Great Britain Nov. 11, 1953