A coupling device for a lower link of a three-point linkage, including a coupling body with a catch hook for receiving a coupling element along a defined receiving direction, the coupling element being designed to complement a fastening region of the catch hook, and also including a locking mechanism with a locking latch, which is urged by a spring force into a locking position, in which the catch hook is locked, in which case a coupling element to be received by the fastening region can be arrested in the catch hook. The locking latch here is longitudinally displaceably mounted in a sliding guide, provided on the coupling body, such that it can be deflected out of the locking position exclusively perpendicularly to the defined receiving direction, thereby clearing the fastening region.

A shear block mounting system secures a mounting plate of skid-mounted product application equipment to a frame of the applicator, utilizing a mounting bolt passing through a hole in the skid mounting plate, a mounting bar and a shear block. The shear block has a pilot that operatively engages a recess in the mounting bar in such a manner that shear forces are substantially transferred between the skid and frame substantially through the shear block pilot.

A captured hardware system secures a mounting plate of skid-mounted product application equipment to a frame of the applicator, utilizing a mounting bolt passing through a hole in the skid mounting plate, a mounting bar and an extended T-nut. The T-nut has a bar-shaped body that extends beyond an exposed edge of the mounting bar to facilitate aligning a threaded hole in the T-nut with a hole in the mounting bar, when the T-nut is slidingly inserted into a slot in the mounting bar for securing the skid to the frame with the mounting bolt.

An implement operating apparatus has a U-shaped drive frame supported on drive wheels, each pivotally mounted about a vertical wheel pivot axis. A steering control selectively pivots each drive wheel. A power source is connected through a drive control to rotate the drive wheels in either direction. First and second implements are configured to perform implement operations and to rest on the ground and when the drive frame is maneuvered to an implement loading position with respect to each implement, the implement is connectable to the drive frame and movable to an operating position supported by the drive frame. When the implement is in the operating position, the steering and drive controls are operative to move and steer the drive frame and implement along a first travel path or a second travel path oriented generally perpendicular to the first travel path.

A work vehicle (1) comprises a coupling apparatus (18) for coupling an attachment to the forward end (8) of the work vehicle (1). The coupling apparatus (18) comprises a three point linkage mechanism having a pair of lower coupling elements (19) and an upper coupling element (25). A first carrier element (22) is pivotally coupled to a forward chassis part (14) of the work vehicle (1) by a pair of main transverse pivot shafts (35) which define a main transverse pivot axis (33). A second carrier element (23) carries the lower coupling elements (19) and is pivotally coupled to the forward chassis part (14) about the main transverse pivot axis (33) and about a main longitudinal pivot axis (45). A main longitudinal pivot shaft (46) extending rigidly from the second carrier element (23) pivotally engages the first carrier element (22) and terminates in a swivel bearing (50) which pivotally and swivelably couples the main longitudinal pivot shaft (46) to an intermediate transverse pivot shaft (54) which also defines the main transverse pivot axis (33), so that the second carrier element (23) and the first carrier element (22) are pivotal about the main transverse pivot axis (33), and the second carrier element (23) is pivotal about the main longitudinal pivot axis (45) to facilitate upward and downward movement of an attachment coupled to the coupling apparatus (18) about the main transverse pivot axis (33) and tilting movement of the attachment about the main longitudinal pivot axis (45).

A conversion unit is used for indirect attachment of a mounted implement to a working machine. The mounted implement features a single-point connector, while the conversion unit features both a multi-point mounting arrangement configured for removable coupling to a multi-point attachment arrangement on the working machine, and a single-point coupler configured for removable coupling to the single-point connector of the mounted implement. With the conversion unit in an operating position attached to the attachment arrangement of the working machine, coupling of the mounted implement to the conversion unit via engagement of the single-point coupler with the single-point connector indirectly attaches the mounted implement to the working machine in a mounted position thereon. A shared upright axis of the single-point coupler and single-point connector allows angular adjustment or free-swiveling of the implement about the shared axis when a corresponding lock pin is withdrawn from locking position that blocks such movement.

The invention relates to a hitching device including: a hitched frame mounted onto a tool, such as an agricultural tool; a hitching frame mounted onto a hauling system of a vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor, provided with a power take-off; and transmission means comprising coupling members that are suitable for being moved between a released position and an engaged position and are mounted onto the frames such as to be translatable along a vertical axis (z) and freely rotatable about a so-called transverse axis (y). Moreover, a prepositioning means is suitable for keeping, in the released position thereof, both coupling members in a predetermined position along the vertical axis (z) and for enabling, in the engaged position, the displacement of said coupling members, coupled along the vertical axis (z), and tilting of the latter about the transverse axis (y).

A utility vehicle is disclosed. The utility vehicle is configured to support a removable implement. The removable implement may include one or more components configured to be powered by a power take off system of the utility vehicle. The removable implement may also include one or more components configured to be powered by a hydraulic system of the utility vehicle. An operator of the utility vehicle, without exiting a cab of the utility vehicle, can couple the implement to the utility vehicle such that the hydraulic components are hydraulically coupled to the vehicle's hydraulic system and such that the components of the implement configured to be powered by a power take off system of the utility vehicle are operably coupled to the power take off system of the utility vehicle.

An implement attachment system for a lawn maintenance vehicle includes a box-like structure, where the box-like structure defines a hook configured to cooperate with fasteners located on the lawn maintenance vehicle. A pin is attached to the box-like structure and the pin extends generally downward from the box-like structure. The pin is configured to cooperate with an aperture defined by a portion of an associated frame located on the lawn maintenance vehicle. A resilient force member is attached to the box-like structure. An engagement device is attached to the resilient force member and the engagement device is slidingly attached to the box-like structure.

A conventional three point hitch of an agricultural tractor for the connection and use of working implements cultivating or excavating the earth and other duties involved in the industry of farming or grading excavation is modified by adding extending and retracting implement-actuators attachable to the existing bottom-lift-arms, therefore supplanting, but still using the existing bottom-lift-arms on the three-point hitch. The implement-actuators assist the implement in correcting the implements centerline when the tractor centerline is off a predetermined centerline path. In addition, the extending of the implement-actuators proportionally, inversely and simultaneously can correct the pivot point of the implement to match the pivot point of the tractor while the tractor performs turns during the working use of the implement.