Abstract: A lift arm assembly is provided for a hitch having a hitch frame adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. The lift arm assembly includes a first arm pivotally coupled to the frame and having a having a pivot bore therein. A second arm is adapted for coupling to an implement and has a pivot pin which is rotatably and slidably received by the pivot bore. The second arm is slidable with respect to the first arm from an inboard position to an outboard position. When the second arm is in its outboard position, the second arm is pivotal about the pivot pin from a lowered position to a raised position.

Abstract: A lift arm assembly is provided for a hitch having a hitch frame adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. The lift arm assembly includes a first arm pivotally coupled to the frame and having a having a pivot bore therein. A second arm is adapted for coupling to an implement and has a pivot pin which is rotatably and slidably received by the pivot bore. The second arm is slidable with respect to the first arm from an inboard position to an outboard position. When the second arm is in its outboard position, the second arm is pivotal about the pivot pin from a lowered position to a raised position.

Abstract: A ball/socket link end assembly includes a link opening formed in the link end. A portion of the opening forms a spherical inner surface. A pair of ball entry slots are formed in the link end. The slots are spaced apart and positioned on opposite sides of the opening, and extend only part way into the link end from one side thereof. The assembly also includes a removable truncated ball member with a spherical perimeter which matches the spherical inner surface. A clamp member is attachable to the link end. The clamp member is engagable with the ball to prevent removal of the ball from the link end when the ball is aligned with the entry slots. The clamp member is received in a recess formed in the link end adjacent to the opening.

Abstract: A quick coupler has a frame with a hook, and an operator movable control bar. The hook has a recess for receiving a hitch pin. A latch mechanism includes a latch, a one-piece trigger, a spring, and a stop fixed to the coupler frame. The latch is pivotally coupled to the frame and moves to open and closed positions permitting and preventing the hitch pin to move into and out of the hook recess. The trigger is pivotally coupled only to the latch and to the control bar. The trigger engages the hitch pin and moves the latch to the open position. When the hitch pin is in the hook recess, the stop engages the trigger and prevents the latch from moving to its open position. A central portion of the trigger is pivotally coupled to a central portion of the latch. A shoulder surface is formed in a lower end of the latch, and a tab projects from an end of the trigger. The tab engages the shoulder surface to limit pivoting of the latch to its open position when the trigger engages the stop.

Abstract: A vehicle drawbar hammer strap assembly may be coupled to an implement tongue with a drawbar pin. A cross pin with a lever arm is operable to releasably hold the drawbar pin. A trigger is engagable with the tongue and the cross pin, and is pivotal from a latched position wherein it engages the cross pin and holds the cross pin in its locked position to an unlatched position wherein it is spaced apart from the cross pin. The tongue engages the trigger and pivot the trigger in an over-center manner from its latched to its unlatched position. The trigger includes a latch member attached to a wire form part which is pivotally coupled to the hammer strap. The latch member is engagable with the lever arm and with an end of the tongue.

Abstract: A vehicle drawbar hammer strap assembly may be coupled to an implement tongue with a drawbar pin. A cross pin with a lever arm is operable to releasably hold the drawbar pin. A trigger is engagable with the tongue and the cross pin, and is pivotal from a latched position wherein it engages the cross pin and holds the cross pin in its locked position to an unlatched position wherein it is spaced apart from the cross pin. The tongue engages the trigger and pivot the trigger in an over-center manner from its latched to its unlatched position. The trigger includes a latch member attached to a wire form part which is pivotally coupled to the hammer strap. The latch member is engagable with the lever arm and with an end of the tongue.

Abstract: A draft force sensor is provided for a coupling member coupled between a towing vehicle and a towed earth engaging implement, such as a scraper. The draft force sensor includes first and second bores extending through the coupling member. Each bore has a horizontal axis which extends perpendicular to a main fore-and-aft axis of the coupling member. The second bore is positioned above the first bore and spaced apart from the first bore. Each of the bores is surrounded by an outer cylindrical wall. Four electrical strain gauges are spaced apart and placed on the wall of each of the bores. A center line bisects an axis line which extends between the axes of the first and second bores. The axis of each bore is spaced apart from the center line by a distance which is less than a diameter of the bores. The strain gauges are connected electrically in a circuit which generates a draft force signal in response to draft forces applied to the coupling member.

Abstract: An adjustable link assembly includes a pair of coupling yokes, each having a threaded rod projecting therefrom. First and second lock members projecting from the corresponding first and second yokes. The first and second yokes are threadably coupled to opposite ends of a threaded central body. The body has a central non-cylindrical adjusting portion located between first and second indexing portions. A bracket is slidable over the body. The bracket is rotatable with respect to the body when the bracket is positioned over the indexing portions and being non-rotatably coupled to the body when the bracket is positioned over the central adjusting portion. A lever is pivotally coupled to the bracket so that an end of the lever may be coupled to either of the lock members to prevent rotation of the central body relative to the yokes.

Abstract: A method of making an investment or lost foam casting assembly of a first part movable with respect to a second part includes making first and second separate wax or foam patterns of portions of the first part. Then, a third wax or foam pattern of the second part is made. Next, ceramic core pieces are made. At least one of the core pieces is mounted on the first pattern to form a subassembly. The subassembly is combined with the third pattern so that the core pieces maintain a separation between the third pattern and the first pattern. The first and second patterns are bonded together to trap the subassembly and to form a complete casting assembly.

Abstract: A hitch assembly is mounted on a frame of an agricultural tractor. The hitch assembly includes a pair of draft links pivotally mounted on the frame, a drawbar support fixed to the frame between the draft links, and a pair of sway blocks fixed to opposite sides of the frame. Each sway block has an upper end fixed to a side of the frame and extends generally downwardly to a lower free end. The lower free end of each sway block is positioned below a plane defined by a bottom surface of the drawbar support. Each sway block is preferably tapered from a wider front side to a narrower rear side to form an inner surface which faces inwardly and rearwardly. A wedge plate is mounted beneath the drawbar support. The plate extends generally laterally from a left end surface to a right end surface, and each end surface is slanted in order to matingly engage the inner surface of a corresponding one of the sway blocks.

Abstract: A drawbar clevis assembly is attached to a drawbar having a first bore in an end thereof. The clevis assembly includes a clevis member which has a second bore spaced apart from and aligned with the first bore. The clevis member also has a pair of cross bore aligned with each other and extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the first and second bores. A drawbar pin is insertable through the second bore and into the first bore. The drawbar pin includes a shaft and a plate attached to one end of the shaft. A cross pin movably mounted in the cross bores and engagable with the plate to releasably retain the drawbar pin in the first and second bores. In a first embodiment, the cross pin is removable from the cross bores to permit withdrawal of the drawbar pin from the clevis member and drawbar.

Abstract: A drawbar clevis assembly is attached to a drawbar having a first bore in an end thereof. The clevis assembly includes a clevis member which has a second bore spaced apart from and aligned with the first bore. The clevis member also has a pair of cross bore aligned with each other and extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the first and second bores. A drawbar pin is insertable through the second bore and into the first bore. The drawbar pin includes a shaft and a plate attached to one end of the shaft. A cross pin movably mounted in the cross bores and engagable with the plate to releasably retain the drawbar pin in the first and second bores. In a first embodiment, the cross pin is removable from the cross bores to permit withdrawal of the drawbar pin from the clevis member and drawbar.

Abstract: A vehicle drawbar support assembly for supporting a drawbar pivotally coupled to a frame of the vehicle includes a drawbar support attached to the frame. The support engages and supports an end of the drawbar. A pair of bushing members are mounted to the support on opposite sides of the drawbar. The bushing members are engageable with the drawbar to limit sideways movement of the drawbar. Each bushing has a multiple-sided outer surface, and each bushing has a bore extending therethrough along a bore axis which is offset from a central axis of the bushing. Each bushing is rotatable about the bore axis so that different selected sides are engageable with the drawbar. A pin couples each bushing to the support and is received by the bore of the respective bushing.

Abstract: A vehicle drawbar support assembly for supporting a drawbar pivotally coupled to a frame of the vehicle includes a drawbar support attached to the frame. The support engages and supports an end of the drawbar. A pair of bushing members are mounted to the support on opposite sides of the drawbar. The bushing members are engageable with the drawbar to limit sideways movement of the drawbar. Each bushing has a multiple-sided outer surface, and each bushing has a bore extending therethrough along a bore axis which is offset from a central axis of the bushing. Each bushing is rotatable about the bore axis so that different selected sides are engageable with the drawbar. A pin couples each bushing to the support and is received by the bore of the respective bushing.