Tongue-mounted assembly for supporting an implement driveline

摘要

An improved assembly is mounted on a tongue of a draft implement which supports an input driveline of the implement for operative drive connection with a power takeoff drive shaft of a tractor which tows the implement through an articulate connection with the implement tongue. The improved assembly includes a lower toothed annular jaw part fixedly mounted on a support member on the tongue, an upper toothed annular jaw part and a shaft extending generally vertically through the lower and upper jaw parts and journalling the upper jaw part for rotation relative to the lower jaw part about an upright axis and for concurrent axial sliding movement toward and away from an intermeshed relationship with the lower jaw part. The assembly further includes a generally horizontal arm which is rigidly connected to the upper jaw part for movement therewith and is interconnected to and supports the driveline, and a spring which urges the shaft downwardly so as to dispose the upper jaw part in the intermeshed relationship with the lower jaw part such that the arm thereby disposes the driveline in a longitudinal position. The spring is yieldable to allow the upper jaw part to concurrently rotate relative to, and axially slide away from the intermeshed relationship with, the lower jaw part such that the arm will pivot laterally and allow lateral movement of the driveline therewith to accommodate sharp turns of the tractor relative to the implement.