Three point hitch draft sensing system

摘要

A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.

主权项

1. In a vehicle having left and right draft links for coupling an implement to a hitch frame, a draft force sensing system comprising:
a housing; first and second spaced apart pivot pins mounted in the housing; a first arm pivotally mounted on the first pivot pin, the first arm having a first portion movable in response to draft force applied to the left draft link and having a second portion, the first pivot pin being positioned between the first and second portions of the first arm; a second arm pivotally mounted on the second pivot pin, the second arm having a first portion movable in response to draft force applied to the right draft link and having a second portion, the second pivot pin being positioned between the first and second portions of the second arm; a resilient member coupled to the second portions of the first and second arms and biased to urge the arms towards each other; a stop member positioned between the second portions of the arms and engagable with the arms to limit movement of the arms towards each other; and a transducer engaging the second portions of the first and second arms, the transducer generating an electrical signal representing a distance between the second portions.