Abstract: A hitch apparatus has a base with rearward extending upper and lower jaws. A pin extends upward from a rear end of the lower jaw. A lock plate is pivotally attached to a rear portion of the upper jaw limit can pivot through a pivot range from a closed position through a balanced position to an open position. When the lock plate is between the closed and balanced positions, gravity biases same toward the closed position where a locking portion of the lock plate extends downward into the gap and the closed stop prevents rearward movement thereof. The locking portion moves forward and upward as the lock plate pivots from the closed position to the open position, and when the lock plate is between the balanced and open positions, gravity biases same toward the open position where the locking portion extends upward.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus has a base with rearward extending upper and lower jaws. A pin extends upward from a rear end of the lower jaw. A lock plate is pivotally attached to a rear portion of the upper jaw limit can pivot through a pivot range from a closed position through a balanced position to an open position. When the lock plate is between the closed and balanced positions, gravity biases same toward the closed position where a locking portion of the lock plate extends downward into the gap and the closed stop prevents rearward movement thereof. The locking portion moves forward and upward as the lock plate pivots from the closed position to the open position, and when the lock plate is between the balanced and open positions, gravity biases same toward the open position where the locking portion extends upward.

Abstract: An implement hitch tongue apparatus has a nodular cast iron tongue member defining a vertical drawpin hole. A bottom recess is defined in a bottom surface of the tongue member forward of the drawpin hole, and a pin hole recess is defined in a front portion of the drawpin hole. The recesses are filled with hard surfacing welding electrode material by welding with a hard surfacing welding electrode. A grease conduit can provide grease to the bottom surface of the tongue member. A solid one-piece ball insert member can be removably installed in the drawpin hole instead of hard surfacing. The ball insert can provide different drawpin hole sizes, and can extend down below the tongue to support the tongue weight on the ball insert with the ball insert rotating with respect to the tongue during turns.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus has a tongue member with drawpin hole. Upper and lower clevis straps are pivotally attached to a corresponding top and bottom sides of the tongue member about vertical pivot axes, such that the clevis straps can pivot from an operating position, where the upper clevis strap is above the drawpin hole and the lower clevis strap is below the drawpin hole, to an idle position where the clevis straps extend laterally from the tongue member. When the clevis straps are in the operating position, upper and lower clevis holes in the corresponding clevis straps are vertically aligned with the drawpin hole in the tongue member, and a recess is formed between one of the upper and lower clevis straps and the tongue member. A drawpin retainer prevents upward movement of a drawpin out of engagement with the clevis and drawpin holes.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus has a tongue member with a weight bearing surface and an opposite free surface, and defining a bushing hole extending substantially vertically. A bushing has a cylindrical portion defining a drawpin hole with an outside diameter equal to an inside diameter of the bushing hole and a flange extending outward from one end of the cylindrical portion. The flange has a tongue surface adjacent to the cylindrical portion of the bushing, and an opposite wearing surface. The cylindrical portion of the bushing extends into the bushing hole such that the tongue surface of the flange bears against the weight bearing surface of the tongue member, and the bushing has a Rockwell Scale hardness greater than a Rockwell Scale hardness of the tongue member. Different bushings may define a variety of drawpin hole diameters to suit different drawpins.

Abstract: An implement hitch tongue apparatus has a nodular cast iron tongue member defining a vertical drawpin hole. A bottom recess is defined in a bottom surface of the tongue member forward of the drawpin hole, and a pin hole recess is defined in a front portion of the drawpin hole. The recesses are filled with hard surfacing welding electrode material by welding with a hard surfacing welding electrode. A grease conduit can provide grease to the bottom surface of the tongue member. A solid one-piece ball insert member can be removably installed in the drawpin hole instead of hard surfacing. The ball insert can provide different drawpin hole sizes, and can extend down below the tongue to support the tongue weight on the ball insert with the ball insert rotating with respect to the tongue during turns.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus has a tongue member with drawpin hole. Upper and lower clevis straps are pivotally attached to a corresponding top and bottom sides of the tongue member about vertical pivot axes, such that the clevis straps can pivot from an operating position, where the upper clevis strap is above the drawpin hole and the lower clevis strap is below the drawpin hole, to an idle position where the clevis straps extend laterally from the tongue member. When the clevis straps are in the operating position, upper and lower clevis holes in the corresponding clevis straps are vertically aligned with the drawpin hole in the tongue member, and a recess is formed between one of the upper and lower clevis straps and the tongue member. A drawpin retainer prevents upward movement of a drawpin out of engagement with the clevis and drawpin holes.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus includes a hitch member defining a substantially vertical drawpin hole. A spacer member is movably mounted to the hitch member such that the spacer member is movable laterally from a working position, where the spacer extends forward to block a rear portion of the drawpin hole, to an idle position where the spacer is removed from the drawpin hole and the front end of the spacer is located lateral to the drawpin. A lock mechanism is operative to selectively maintain the spacer member in the working position and the idle position.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus includes a hitch member defining a substantially vertical drawpin hole. A spacer member is movably mounted to the hitch member such that the spacer member is movable laterally from a working position, where the spacer extends forward to block a rear portion of the drawpin hole, to an idle position where the spacer is removed from the drawpin hole and the front end of the spacer is located lateral to the drawpin. A lock mechanism is operative to selectively maintain the spacer member in the working position and the idle position.

Abstract: A draw pin assembly includes a hammer strap that mounts on the drawbar and a draw pin that extends through aligned draw pin holes in the hammer strap and drawbar. A latch mechanism supports the draw pin in a retracted position while a trigger in the hitch-receiving space of the assembly releases the latch when a towed implement hitch comes into the proper alignment with the draw pin. An automatic locking mechanism is used to lock the draw pin against inadvertent release. The latch and locking functions are provided by a loop type handle connected to the draw pin. This eliminates elements projecting above the hammer strap to maximize the clearance for a tractor power takeoff.

Abstract: A draw pin assembly includes a hammer strap that mounts on the drawbar and a draw pin that extends through aligned draw pin holes in the hammer strap and drawbar. A latch mechanism supports the draw pin in a retracted position while a trigger in the hitch-receiving space of the assembly releases the latch when a towed implement hitch comes into the proper alignment with the draw pin. An automatic locking mechanism is used to lock the draw pin against inadvertent release. In one embodiment, the draw pin is fully recessed into the hammer strap when set and the latch and locking functions are provided by a loop type handle connected to the draw pin. This eliminates any elements projecting above the hammer strap to maximize the clearance for a tractor power takeoff.

Abstract: An implement hitch system is intended to be mounted on the tongue of a towed vehicle. The hitch has a hitch body with a standard ring coupling. A ring adapter can be mounted on the hitch body to adjust the size of the ring opening to accommodate draw pins of different sizes. The adjustment includes a resilient backstop that cushions the hitch and minimizes chattering. The system also includes a clevis attachment for the hitch that bolts onto the hitch body to provide a clevis type hitch for engaging a single tractor drawbar. An additional feature is a wear plate that may be bolted onto the ring to accommodate high vertical loads.

Abstract: A power operated, draw bar mounted hitch for connection to the tongue of a farm implement has a fixed draw pin and a bottom hammer strap that engages under the tongue and raises the tongue onto the draw bar, where it is captured in place between the bottom hammer strap and a top hammer strap mounted on the draw bar. The hitch has an automatic self locking feature that automatically locks the hitch when it reaches the engaged position.

Abstract: A hitch for connecting the tongue of a towed vehicle to a drawbar on a towing vehicle is manually operated from the cab of the towing vehicle. The drawbar is of the double-tongue type that receives the trailer tongue between two drawbar arms. A draw pin is maintained on an arm below drawbar and pivots upwardly to couple the drawbar and tongue. The operating mechanism includes a manual actuator in the cab and a mechanical or hydraulic power transmission joining the actuator to the pin setting or pulling mechanism.