COUPLING APPARATUS FOR COUPLING AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT TO A PRIME MOVER

摘要

Coupling apparatus (80) for coupling a mower (3) to a front three-point linkage of a tractor comprises a mounting element (17) for coupling to the three-point linkage and a carrier element (19) to which the mower (3) is coupled. A linkage mechanism (20) comprising upper link members (81) and a lower link member (23) couples the carrier element (19) to the mounting element (17). The lower link member (23) is pivotally coupled to the mounting element (17) about a first lower pivot axis (30). A pair of take-up springs (45) act between the lower link member (23) and the mounting element (17) to take up a portion of the weight of the mower (3). The take-up springs (45) are coupled between corresponding anchor elements (60) and corresponding anchor brackets (49) on the lower link member (23). The anchor elements (60) are carried on respective compensating arms (88), which in turn are pivotal on pivot shafts (53) carried on the mounting element (17). Actuator arms (89) acting between the lower link member (23) and the compensating arms (88) urge the anchor element (60) upwardly and downwardly as the carrier element (19) moves upwardly and downwardly for controlling the turning moment induced by the take-up springs (45) in the linkage mechanism (20), in order to maintain the effective weight of the mower (3) bearing on the ground substantially constant.