Claims
- 1. A tractor, comprising:
a frame; at least a first ground engaging wheel rotatably connected with respect to the frame; an engine operatively connected to the frame; an operator's seat operatively connected to the frame; a steering member operatively connected to the frame; a hitch assembly comprising:
a base member extended from the frame; a bracket member pivotally connected with respect to the base member; a single multi-axis joint member operatively connected between the base member- and the bracket member; an elevating actuator operatively communicated between the base member and the bracket member for use in elevating the bracket member, the elevating actuator being operatively communicated with the engine; and, a hitch controlling means operatively communicated with the hitch assembly for use in engaging the elevating actuator.
- 2. The tractor of claim 1, wherein the elevating actuator is a fluid cylinder; and, further comprising:
a cylinder pump for use in providing power to activate the fluid cylinder, the cylinder pump being operatively powered by the engine.
- 3. The tractor of claim 2, wherein the single multi-axis joint member is a universal joint, and,
wherein the bracket member is an A-frame having an apex, wherein the A-frame is operatively connected to the universal joint proximate to the apex.
- 4. The tractor of claim 3, further comprising:
an extension arm operatively connected between the base member and the universal joint, the extension arm being pivotally connected with respect to the base member, the extension arm being fixedly connected with respect to the universal joint.
- 5. The tractor of claim 4, wherein the A-frame has first and second distal ends with respect to the apex, and further comprising:
lateral actuating means operatively connected to the first and second distal ends of the A-frame for use in laterally pivoting the A-frame with respect to the base member, wherein the actuating means pivots the first distal end of the A-frame in a first direction while simultaneously pivoting the second distal end of the A-frame in a second direction.
- 6. The tractor of claim 5, wherein the lateral actuating means comprise first and second fluid cylinders having first and second cylinder ends respectively, wherein the first ends of the first and second fluid cylinders are operatively pivotally connected to the base member, and,
wherein the second ends of the first and second fluid cylinders are operatively pivotally connected to the first and second distal ends of the A-frame respectively.
- 7. The tractor of claim 6, wherein fluid output from the first fluid cylinder is channeled into the second fluid cylinder.
- 8. The tractor of claim 7, wherein the first and second fluid cylinders have first and second ports respectively and wherein the first port of the first fluid cylinder is operatively directly connected to the first port of the second cylinder for use in simultaneously engaging the first and second cylinders.
- 9. A tractor, comprising:
a frame; at least a first ground engaging wheel rotatably connected with respect to the frame; an engine operatively connected to the frame; an operator's seat operatively connected to the frame; a steering member operatively connected to the frame; a hitch assembly comprising:
a base member fixedly attached to the frame; a bracket member laterally pivotally connected with respect to the base member, the bracket member having an apex and first and second distal ends; first and second lateral actuators having first and second ends respectively, the first ends of the first and second lateral actuators being pivotally connected in a first direction to the base member, the second ends of the first and second lateral actuators being pivotally connected in a second direction to the first and second distal ends of the bracket member respectively; and, a hitch controlling means for use in engaging the elevating actuator.
- 10. The tractor of claim 9, wherein the first and second lateral actuators move in unison.
- 11. The tractor of claim 10, wherein the first and second lateral actuators are first and second hydraulic cylinders having first and second ports respectively, and,
wherein the first port of the first hydraulic cylinder is directly connected to the first port of the second hydraulic cylinder.
- 12. A hitch assembly for use on an associated vehicle, comprising:
a base member; an extension arm having first and seconds ends, the first end of the extension arm being operatively rotatably connected with respect to the base member; a bracket member pivotally connected with respect to the second end of the extension arm; a single elevating actuator operatively communicated between the base member and the extension arm, the elevating actuator being actuated by an associated power source.
- 13. The hitch assembly of claim 12, further comprising:
a single universal joint member operatively connected between the extension arm and the bracket member.
- 14. The hitch assembly of claim 13, wherein the bracket member has an apex and first and second distal ends, and,
wherein the universal joint is operatively connected between the second end of the extension arm and the apex.
- 15. The hitch assembly of claim 14, further comprising:
first and second fluid cylinders having first and second ends respectively, wherein the first ends of the first and second fluid cylinders are operatively pivotally connected to the base member, and, wherein the second ends of the first and second fluid cylinders are operatively pivotally connected to the first and second distal ends of the bracket member respectively.
- 16. The hitch assembly of claim 15, wherein first and second fluid cylinders are actuated simultaneously.
- 17. The hitch assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second fluid cylinders have first and second ports respectively and wherein the first port of the first fluid cylinder is operatively directly connected to the first port of the second cylinder for use in simultaneously actuating the first and second cylinders.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority from Provisional application, serial number 60/336,061, filed Oct. 26, 2001 and titled FRONT HITCH SYSTEM.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60336061 |
Oct 2001 |
US |