Abstract:
The hitch assembly of the present invention comprises a hitch frame which is adapted to be mounted to the three point lift of a conventional tractor. The hitch assembly includes a draw bar mounted to the hitch frame, and a hydraulically operated pin mounted above the draw bar. The pin is hydraulically movable downward into the pin receiving hole in the draw bar, and is also hydraulically movable upwardly into spaced relation above the draw bar. A coil spring interconnects the hydraulic cylinder and the pin, and this coil is sufficiently flexible to permit the pin to deflect laterally in response to encountering immovable objects during its reciprocating movement. A cable interconnects the pin and the hydraulic cylinder through the center of the coil so as to prevent the coil from becoming stretched beyond a predetermined point. An overrun mechanism is provided on the hitch frame, and engages the fixed draw bar of the tractor so as to limit upward movement of the hitch frame with respect to the tractor. A modified form of the invention is adapted to be fixed to the draw bar of the tractor, and includes a grasping assembly for grasping the tongue of the vehicle to be towed, and lifting the tongue so that the clevis at the end of the tongue can be positioned in registered alignment with the draw bar of the tractor.