Abstract: An axle suspension supports an axle housing on a vehicle frame. The suspension includes left and right pivot rods attached to left and right frame members. A suspension arm has a first end fixed to a rear end of the axle housing and has a second end pivotally coupled to the left and right pivot rods. A variable length left hydraulic cylinder has an upper end pivotally coupled to the left frame member and has a lower end pivotally coupled to a front end of the axle housing. A variable length right hydraulic cylinder has an upper end pivotally coupled to the right frame member and has a lower end pivotally coupled to the front end of the axle housing. The left and right hydraulic cylinders are hydraulically connected in parallel.

Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.

Abstract: An axle suspension supports an axle housing on a vehicle frame. The suspension includes left and right pivot rods attached to left and right frame members. A suspension arm has a first end fixed to a rear end of the axle housing and has a second end pivotally coupled to the left and right pivot rods. A variable length left hydraulic cylinder has an upper end pivotally coupled to the left frame member and has a lower end pivotally coupled to a front end of the axle housing. A variable length right hydraulic cylinder has an upper end pivotally coupled to the right frame member and has a lower end pivotally coupled to the front end of the axle housing. The left and right hydraulic cylinders are hydraulically connected in parallel.

Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.