Hitch for coupling alignment of tractor and backhoe

摘要

Hitch for coupling together a self-propelled hauling vehicle or tractor and a separate earth moving rig or backhoe which includes hydraulic stabilizers for raising and lowering the coupling end portion of the backhoe. The tractor and backhoe are each provided with interengageable coupling elements and when the tractor and backhoe are to be hitched up they are positioned in contiguous end-to-end relationship and the coupling end of the backhoe is lowered for interengagement of respective coupling elements. The tractor has inclined laterally spaced guideways sloping downwardly one toward the other. The backhoe is provided with a guide member which extends outwardly from the coupling end of the backhoe so as to be at least partially coextensive longitudinally with the inclined guideways for engagement therewith when the tractor and backhoe are positioned in end-to-end contiguous relation. The backhoe is then lowered for coupling interengagement of their respective coupling elements. The guideways are inclined and disposed to deflect the coupling end of said backhoe laterally for coupling registration of the respective coupling elements. Coupling orientation is completed by pivotable or angular movement of the coupling end portion of the backhoe toward the tractor.